Minnesota
Minnesota family warns others as flood insurance unexpectedly dropped, commerce department investigating
Minnesota family warns others as flood insurance unexpectedly dropped
While many Minnesotan families continue to recover from this summer’s historic flooding, for one Waterville family, their frustrations go further than cleaning up.
The Zimmer family cabin sits on the shore of Tetonka Lake, where the Cannon River flows through and in late June, the lake swallowed their yard and then their cabin.
“You wake up worrying about it. Go to bed worrying about it,” Jim Zimmer said about his situation.
There was a moment of relief for Zimmer – he says it was when he saw how significant the flooding was and thought about his flood insurance likely being able to cover the costs. As he started reaching out, to his surprise, he learned his flood coverage was dropped.
“We have to have [flood] insurance because we’re in a floodplain. So, they take it out of our mortgage,” Zimmer said about the many years of having the coverage.
Now, though, he says the bank and insurance company are blaming each other.
“I paid my bill. Those guys mess it up between the two of them, but I’m the one stuck with the bill,” Zimmer added about the cost of the damage he says could cost $80,000.
Zimmer says the next step is finding a lawyer with plans to sue both his bank and insurance agency. He has filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Commerce – Zimmer says the state agency told him it’s still investigating his case.
According to the commerce department, the number of complaints more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2020.
“In the last three years, we’ve been able to get Minnesotans $10 million back from insurance companies,” Grace Arnold, commissioner of the Department of Commerce, said.
“It’s never pleasant to think about bad things that can happen. But being prepared is really important,” Commissioner Arnold said about the importance of having proper insurance.
But just as important as having it is understanding the coverage too, Arnold adds.
“Ask many times, ask in different ways,” she suggests about contacting your insurance company.
You can file a complaint with the commerce department here.
As Zimmer reflects, he says an unexpected check from the bank should have been a red flag and feels things would have worked out better if he had reached out then.
“If it says overpayment, it’s not an overpayment… something’s up, give your bank a call,” Zimmer said.
The Minnesota State Fair is just around the corner, and with just weeks to go, the State Fair is sharing some new things visitors can expect.
First is the official Minnesota State Fair App, which, in addition to showing you around, also has the locations of where to find food, shopping vendors, a schedule, concert line ups and more.
A new welcome wall has also been set up. Visitors can buy an engraved tile for the wall; the $600 purchase will go towards the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.
The featured design for the state fair has also been unveiled. It features a red canna lily flower, which will be seen across the fairground and on merchandise throughout the event.
The state fair website has more details on what’s new, you can see by CLICKING HERE. It begins on August 22. CLICK HERE for KSTP’s full fair coverage.
Construction begins on Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum
After years of planning and fundraising, construction is starting on the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum.
Heavy equipment is in place, ready to begin moving earth at Camp Ripley just outside Little Falls.
The 40,000 sq. ft. museum will tell the stories of Minnesota veterans dating back to the Civil War.
The state has provided $32 million, with the museum’s board of directors working to raise another $10 million for galleries and collections.
“This new facility is going to be so important for veterans, their families and the entire state of Minnesota, as we preserve veteran stories here at the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum,” said Randall Dietrich, the museum’s executive director.
The museum will open in the summer of 2026.
Click here to help with fundraising and learn more about the new museum.
Judge gavel, scales of justice and law books in court. (Brian A. Jackson/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
(FOX 9) – A Minnetonka man working as a volleyball coach has been federally indicted for sex crimes involving minors, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Dorian Christopher Barrs, 32, has been indicted on one count of receiving child pornography, four counts of producing child pornography, and four counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, the DOJ announced on Thursday.
The allegations
Barrs worked as a volleyball coach from 2020 through early 2024, but the indictment alleges that incidents involving minors have taken place for nearly a decade.
While working as a volleyball coach, the DOJ alleges he persuaded and coerced minors to engage in sexual activity with him. In some cases, he allegedly recorded the encounters.
According to the indictment, Barr allegedly used social media and text messages to talk with minors and coerced them into sending sexually explicit images and videos.
The indictment identifies five victims between the ages of 15 and 17, but the DOJ said some victims have self-identified as being as young as 13 years old.
What we don’t know
The DOJ did not say where Barr worked as a volleyball coach or what age group he coached.
The exact number of victims remains unknown as law enforcement is still working to confirm and identify victims. If you believe you or your minor may be a victim, contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.
Motorist shot in head while driving in Los Angeles
Arthur Jemison to leave Boston for executive role at Detroit Housing Commission
San Francisco mayor orders city to offer bus tickets before housing for homeless – Washington Examiner
Mariah Carey to perform in Dallas during Christmas Time tour
Lionel Messi’s ankle injury improves. Will he play Inter Miami’s next Leagues Cup game?
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
'F— the White women': Black activists tied to VP Harris could derail Dem 'unity' message with past rhetoric
Italy-funded asylum centres in Albania to be fully ready by September
With no federal standard for heat, states are making their own to protect workers
Video: Biden and Harris Greet Americans Released From Russia
House Freedom Caucus chair ousted by Trump-backed challenger in Republican primary showdown
-
Mississippi3 days agoMSU, Mississippi Academy of Sciences host summer symposium, USDA’s Tucker honored with Presidential Award
-
World1 week agoTyphoon Gaemi barrels towards China’s Fujian after sinking ship off Taiwan
-
Politics1 week agoTrump team files FEC complaint over transfer of Biden's $91M to Harris campaign: 'Brazen money grab'
-
News1 week agoA coup, fake signatures and deepfakes are the latest conspiracy theories about 2024
-
World1 week agoTwo dead and 13 injured as walkway collapses in Naples
-
News1 week agoVideo: Biden Says It’s Time to ‘Pass the Torch’ to a New Generation
-
Politics1 week agoBlack Lives Matter says Dems are 'party of hypocrites' for 'installing' Harris sans 'public voting process'
-
News1 week agoVideo: Kamala Harris May Bring Out Trump’s Harshest Instincts