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A look at the uncertain future of homeowners insurance in Minnesota

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A look at the uncertain future of homeowners insurance in Minnesota


MINNEAPOLIS — Tuesday’s severe weather left damage across Iowa and southern Minnesota. Each time we get weather like this, the damage adds up and so do the insurance costs.

Minnesota insurance companies have lost money six out of the last seven years. The main culprit: hail. 

Last August’s hail storm here caused $1 billion in damages. With mounting losses for insurance companies, there is an increasing risk of insurers deciding to pull out of our region.

“The effects of climate change are really having their most direct and financial impact to people as it relates to insurance,” said Aaron Cocking, the president of the Insurance Federation of Minnesota.

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Homeowners insurance rates have soared. In Iowa, insurers are not renewing policies leaving homeowners like Dave Langston of Cedar Rapids searching for new coverage.

“We got a notification in January of this year, that Pekin insurance, who was our insurer, was going to withdraw from the Iowa market,” said Langston.

He finally found new insurance but it came with a steep price. The association’s previous insurance was $18,500 while the new insurance is now $26,500, an increase of 43%.

Langston warned Minnesotans this could happen here.

“I think that everybody needs to be aware that that the Midwest is coming under scrutiny as a potentially poor investment for insurance companies,” said Langston.

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Minnesota has joined high risk states, like Florida, in creating a state-backed high-risk insurance product called FAIR — an insurance of last resort.

“We’ve had our FAIR plan in place for quite some time. Some states didn’t have that,” said Grace Arnold, the Commerce Department’s commissioner. 

WCCO’s Director of Meteorology Mike Augustyniak believes warming global temperatures are a factor.

“We know from eighth grade science that the more you warm an air mass the more moisture it can hold. We are increasing the amount of moisture that is in the air. The question of other factors that form severe weather, how are they changing? That’s the piece where we are not sure,” said Augustyniak.

Talking Points airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., live on CBS News Minnesota.

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NOTE: Above is a preview of Talking Points presented on “The 4.”



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Minnesota

East Range Police Department officer passes away

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East Range Police Department officer passes away


A police officer in northern Minnesota unexpectedly passed away earlier this week.

The East Range Police Department said that Sgt. Cody Siebert passed away on Friday, less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with a brain infection.

The department said that Siebert was known for his happy-go-lucky personality and that “if you couldn’t get along with Cody, it was your fault.”

Siebert started at the K9 program in Babbitt with K9 Taconite (Tac) before going to the East Range Police Department.

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“The hole left by Sgt. Siebert’s passing will be impossible to fill,” East Range police said. “We at ERPD love you and will miss you always. We have it from here.”

Mesabi East Schools also stated that the district was “truly blessed to have him walking our halls, greeting students, encouraging staff, and building relationships that went far beyond the badge.”

Click here for a GoFundMe to support Siebert’s family.



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How ICE’s presence is affecting child care in Minnesota

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How ICE’s presence is affecting child care in Minnesota


What happens to day care providers when families decide to stay home? Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis is joined by early childhood education reporter Kyra Miles to talk about how the the increase of federal immigration agents is affecting the child care industry and children, families and child care workers.



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Utah Mammoth take down Minnesota 5-2 to end the Wild’s winning streak at 6

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Utah Mammoth take down Minnesota 5-2 to end the Wild’s winning streak at 6



The Wild were taken down by the Utah Mammoth 5-2 on Friday night to end Minnesota’s winning streak at six games. 

Lawson Crouse scored twice and U.S. Olympian Clayton Keller had a goal and two assists for Utah.

Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton also scored and Karel Vejmelka made 21 saves to help the Mammoth rebound from a 4-2 home loss to NHL-leading Colorado on Wednesday night in their return from the Olympic break. Utah began the night in the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

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U.S. Olympian Matt Boldy scored and assisted on Kirill Kaprizov’s goal for Minnesota. Second behind Central Division-rival Colorado in the West, the Wild are 9-2-1 in their last 12. They beat the Avalanche 5-2 on Thursday night in Denver.

Cooley opened the scoring with a short-handed goal with 6:37 left in the first period. The former University of Minnesota star got the puck on the right side off a deflection and put a shot between Wallstedt’s legs for his 15th goal.

Keller scored his 18th at 4:26 of the second. Nick Schmaltz forced a turnover on a forecheck and fed Keller on the right side.

Crouse made it 3-0 at 7:49 of the second. He came down the middle, took a pass from Keller and beat Wallstedt with a backhander.

Kaprizov countered for Minnesota on a power play with 5:57 left in the second. He has 33 goals this season.

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Hayton made it 4-1 on a power play at 1:19 of the third, and Crouse added his 16th of the season on a tip with 7:12 to go.

Boldy got his 35th of the season with 5:57 remaining.

Up next

Wild: Host St. Louis on Sunday.

Mammoth: Host Chicago on Sunday.

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