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Minnesota company helps produce electric-powered firetrucks

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Minnesota company helps produce electric-powered firetrucks


WYOMING, Minn. — The sprawling Rosenbauer campus nestled in Wyoming, Minnesota is filled with hundreds of employees customizing massive rigs that will be sent around the world, but you’ll also find something a little more subtle.

“When we came up with our idea of what we wanted the future to look like this is kind of what we came up with,” demo specialist Zach Paul said.

Their electric-powered firetruck is already on the road in Los Angeles and Vancouver. California and Canada will each get one more, and then it’s Minnesota’s turn. St. Paul will hopefully be the fifth.

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It doesn’t have the rumble of a traditional red rig.

“We get a lot of grief sometimes that this does not look like a normal firetruck. It’s new. It’s different. As soon as they get their hands on this thing, they completely change their mind,” Paul said.

Traditional firetrucks cost anywhere between $900,000 to $1.3 million. The RTX is nearly double at $1.85 million — but it opens up funding options from cities and governments pushing to cut emissions.

MORE NEWS: Minnesota State Troopers make special life-saving delivery

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The sticker price also comes with safety upgrades, like a lower profile height option that Paul says is a game changer.

“It helps firefighters reduce injuries, helps with knee problems, back problems,” Paul said.

Digital mirrors are an important second set of eyes and powerful hose pressure options can help conserve water.

The RTX can go 100-150 miles give or take on a single charge, but if you’re wondering about those busy days when the rig is going from call to call, there’s a backup energy system that’s diesel-powered that can refuel the vehicle so firefighters can keep going.

Paul says the Los Angeles Fire Department can go weeks without refilling their backup diesel supply that recharges the battery on the go — a huge improvement from current standards.

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“We get one-and-a-half to, if we’re lucky, three miles per gallon on a normal firetruck,” Paul said.

Workers in the U.S. put the final finishes on the EV shell that’s made in Europe. But if demand picks up, that could change.

The long-term goal is to have an EV firetruck production facility in Minnesota —  paving a path for more green jobs and a made-in-Minnesota product that can help serve communities and save our warming planet.

Paul says their goal this year is to sell 15 RTX trucks. He estimates there are a dozen on the roads in Europe right now.

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Minnesota sends time capsule photos to US Capitol for America’s 250th birthday

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Minnesota sends time capsule photos to US Capitol for America’s 250th birthday


Minnesota leaders are sending photos that highlight the state’s landmarks and culture to the U.S. Capitol for a special time capsule.

The time capsule gives each state and territory delegation an opportunity to provide a snapshot of time in 2026 as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

Photos from all eight Minnesota congressional districts were sent to the Capitol.

They include Lake Superior, the State Fair, the loon, Prince’s Purple Rain and the National Eagle Center.

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The capsule will be sealed inside the Capitol Visitor Center until America’s 500th birthday on July 4, 2276.



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Vance Boelter’s sentencing date set in deadly Minnesota lawmaker shootings

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Vance Boelter’s sentencing date set in deadly Minnesota lawmaker shootings


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WCCO News) – Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is set to be sentenced on federal charges later this summer.

According to court documents, the sentencing date is set for July 23 at 10 a.m. at the Minneapolis federal courthouse.

Earlier this month, Boelter, 58, changed his plea to guilty on six counts against him in the June 14, 2025 lawmaker shootings as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Boelter’s recommended sentence will be two consecutive life terms followed by 40 years. The judge approved the plea deal and ordered an expedited sentencing.

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The U.S. Department of Justice said it would not seek the death penalty against Boelter, which, according to a letter from U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, was part of the proposed plea agreement.

In his guilty plea, Boelter admitted to fatally shooting the Hortmans, wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope. The shootings prompted a massive manhunt that lasted 43 hours.

Following the guilty plea, theHoffman family released a statementthat said, “there is no justice when our family and our state will never truly heal.”

Boelter also faces state charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count each of felony cruelty to an animal and impersonating an officer. A guilty verdict for one of the first-degree murder charges carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed its case against him will move forward.

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Buses to replace Metro Transit Blue Line, parts of Green Line for maintenance this summer

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Buses to replace Metro Transit Blue Line, parts of Green Line for maintenance this summer



The entirety of the Metro Transit Blue Line and parts of the Green Line will shut down for a few weeks this summer and be replaced by buses as crews work to swap worn track and outdated equipment.

The Blue Line will be offline from June 29 to Aug. 19. The west end of the Green Line — from West Bank to Target Field — will shut down between July 1 and July 26 and again between Aug. 16 and Aug. 19. 

Metro Transit says buses will stop at or near the stations every 15 minutes. Some boarding locations will be moved to Hiawatha Avenue, and staff will help guide riders to their bus stops for the construction period.

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Nearly every stop along the 22-year-old Blue Line will see improvement, Metro Transit says. The stations will be outfitted with real-time signs and shelter glass.

“We recognize that this needed maintenance work will be disruptive to riders, but once completed, the work we do this summer will help improve the customer experience for years to come,” said General Manager Lesley Kandaras.

The Green Line will be back in service for the beginning of August to accommodate summer events, such as Twins and Lynx games, the WWE Summer Slam at U.S. Bank Stadium and Noah Kahan and Ed Sheeran concerts.



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