St. Cloud sees spike in fatal overdoses this year, would've been higher without Narcan

St. Cloud saw a spike in fatal overdoses this year. Police Chief Jeff Oxton says 21 people have died of drug overdoses in the city so far in 2025. That ties a previous record number of overdose deaths two years ago. Oxton says the city numbers follow a statewide trend of rising fatal overdoses, mainly from fentanyl. Oxton says the death toll likely would be higher if not for the city's efforts to expand the availability of Narcan.

Demonstrators gathered for a rally near Loring Park Sunday in support of transgender rights. Last week, the Trump administration proposed ending federal funding for health services that offered gender-affirming care for minors.

New data from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office shows reported violent crime continues to decline. Law enforcement data shows from January through the end of November, reported murders were down 40 percent compared to 2021, and down 22 percent from last year. Aggravated assaults declined modestly, while carjackings saw one of the steepest drops — down more than 60 percent from 2021. Motor vehicle theft and weapons violations also fell compared to last year.

A rural fire department filed a lawsuit against Fargo, claiming the city illegally annexed land from its district. Southern Valley Fire and Rescue is asking for nearly $7 million from Cass County and the City of Fargo in a lawsuit. The suit alleges that Fargo illegally annexed land south of the city that falls under the fire department's district. Southern Valley alleges that means they've lost over $7 million of tax and fee revenue.

Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

St. Cloud sees surge of drug overdose deaths in 2025

Lawsuit alleges City of Fargo earned tax revenue from illegally annexed land

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.