Stories from September 24, 2023

Hundreds gather to honor Minnesota's fallen firefighters
The Minnesota firefighter community gathers on the last Sunday in September each year to honor those that have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Walz takes responsibility for failed vetting of cannabis director
After his choice to oversee legal cannabis in the state quit after one day amid media scrutiny of her background, Gov. Tim Walz said he will look into why problems weren’t discovered earlier.
Widespread, badly needed soaking rain
A slowly moving storm has been dropping welcome rain all across Minnesota. Rainfall amounts have varied widely. More showers and storms for Sunday and into the week.
An Israeli military raid has killed two Palestinians in the West Bank
Two Palestinians were killed during an Israeli military raid Sunday in the northern West Bank, Palestinian health officials said, in a surge of violence during a sensitive Jewish holiday period.
To cheers, NASA asteroid sample capsule safely touches down in Utah
NASA's Osiris-REx mission sends a pristine sample of asteroid back to Earth Sunday morning. If it lands successfully, this cupful-or-so of space rock could shed light on the solar system's origins.
Flamingos in Wisconsin? Tropical birds visit Lake Michigan beach in a first for the northern state
Five flamingos that showed up in Wisconsin to wade along a Lake Michigan beach attracted a big crowd of onlookers eager to see the unusual visitors venturing far from their usual tropical setting. 
Bryant throws TD to Mangieri in OT as Northwestern beats Minnesota 37-34
Ben Bryant threw a 25-yard touchdown to Charlie Mangieri in overtime, Bryce Kirtz set a career high with 215 yards receiving and caught two TDs, and Northwestern rallied from 21 down to beat Minnesota 37-34.
Wonderful widespread rain
Rain was widespread Saturday and Saturday night. More showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast.
She's currently the only Black woman leading a state military. Here's how it happened
Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead of Maryland only became a soldier to help pay for college. Three decades later, she's risen to the top military position in Maryland, leading a force of 4,600 soldiers.