The next Spring Lake Park mayor will be decided by chance Monday night

Here’s a quick look at news across the state Monday morning.

Next Spring Lake Park mayor will be decided by chance Monday night

The city’s mayoral race ended in a draw between incumbent Robert Nelson and challenger Halyn Roth last week. State law says a tied vote in a municipal election must be decided through a lot.

The tiebreaker will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Spring Lake Park City Hall during the city council’s regular meeting.

Minneapolis City Council weighing possible data center zoning regulations

City leaders agree regulation is needed, but disagree on how strict to be. A temporary moratorium on most new data centers in Minneapolis expires Nov. 21.

Proponents of new data centers say they’re needed to run technology we depend on and say they can boost local economies. Opponents argue the centers use too much water and power and aren’t the best use of valuable real estate.

Xcel Energy will owe its natural gas customers a refund

That’s according to a recent decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Xcel told the commission last year it needed an 8.2 percent rate increase to cover growing capital and maintenance costs. In May, the company and consumer groups arrived at a settlement, agreeing to an increase of about 4.9 percent. The commission approved a slightly lower hike than that settlement suggested.

In the meantime, customers have been paying higher temporary rates since January, so the company will refund the difference.

Minneapolis City Council considers the nomination of Bill Peterson as next chief of police

Peterson is currently the interim chief after former chief Brian O’Hara resigned earlier this year amid misconduct allegations. Some oppose Peterson’s nomination because they doubt he’ll be able to reform the department he’s been a part of for three decades.

The council will vote on Peterson’s nomination Thursday.

St. John’s University sues New York university for using its trademark name

Attorneys for St. John’s University in Collegeville, west of St. Cloud, filed the lawsuit in federal court in Minnesota. The complaint says the private Catholic college has been using the name “Johnnies” for its students and sports teams since at least 1900.

But it says another St. John’s University — in Queens, New York — has been using the trademark Johnnies name on its website and clothing, as well as in marketing materials used to recruit students, likely creating confusion.

A Minnesota city's mayoral race ended in a tie. Here's how they'll choose the winner

Xcel natural gas customers will get refunds after paying higher temporary rates

St. John’s University in central Minnesota sues New York school over ‘Johnnies’ nickname