ST. PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – Minnesota celebrated its 166th birthday with two new state symbols: a new state flag and a new state seal.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission (SERC) conducted a months-long process toward the tail-end of 2023. The process saw an immense amount of public submissions and comment, eventually yielding one finalist for each emblem.

“SERC focused on public input, receiving 2128 flag submissions and 399 seal submissions and taking in nearly 22,000 written comments from Minnesotans all over our state,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.

The process ended with a handful of sessions that each lasted hours on end. Saturday, several members of the SERC attended a ceremony to watch the new symbols be unveiled. The day kicked off with an early-morning retirement of the old state flag, as the Minnesota National Guard raised the new flag over the statehouse at sunrise.

Later, members attended a reception, where Simon lauded their efforts.

“We can’t possibly know what Minnesota will be like in 100 years, but we can hope that whatever it’s like, its people will find strength and inspiration and connections in the emblems that we have adopted today,” he said.

Simon awarded a Medallion Award to four recipients.

“The medallion award is sanctioned by the National Association [of Secretaries of State], and it is the highest honor that can be bestowed by a Secretary of State in any state in the United States of America,” he said, “the process for being able to bestow that award is not a simple one.”

The four recipients are:

• Luis Fitch, Chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission
• Dr. Anita Gaul, Vice-Chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission
• Andrew Prekker, Designer of the Minnesota State Flag
• Ross Bruggink, Designer of the Minnesota State Seal

The Secretary of State also signed the first state proclamation with the new seal on it as part of Saturday’s event.

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ST. PAUL

— This summer,

Minnesota State Patrol

troopers will be starting a new initiative to curb speeding on high-risk rural roads.

According to a news release from the State Patrol, troopers will participate in the Rural Speed Reduction Project. Each district will assign troopers to conduct high-visibility patrols on problematic roadways within their areas now through Sept. 2.

“This new enforcement initiative is another way for troopers to make a difference by educating drivers and stopping dangerous behaviors before it results in a life-changing tragedy. If it saves even one life, it’s worth it,” said Col. Christina Bogojevic, the new chief of the Minnesota State Patrol.

According to the news release, fatal crashes are up almost 40% from this time last year on Minnesota roads, with 31 speed-related traffic fatalities reported through May 5. So far, 116 traffic fatalities have been reported through May 9, compared to 84 reported fatalities within the same time frame last year.

The Rural Speed Reduction Project replaces the Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) enforcement the State Patrol started in 2022. The new plan will allow each State Patrol district to formulate its own plans for when and what roads to monitor. The two Twin Cities-area districts will also allocate hours to rural roads and freeways.

Troopers will work the special enforcement while on duty and during overtime hours. On some days in the summer, some districts may schedule all of its troopers for high-visibility patrols.

In its first week, the new statewide enforcement initiative resulted in 1,246 stops for speeding, according to the release.

Saturday is a Minnesota outdoors holiday unlike any other — opening day of fishing — and there is a celebratory weather forecast to match. Warm midday temperatures and generally light winds out of the northwest for much of the state bode well for anglers.

The masses are here for it. Through Thursday, more than 289,000 fishing licenses had sold, an increase of 6% over least year at this time. The point is, hundreds of thousands will hit state waters in pursuit of all species of fish but mostly walleye, as some have described the holy grail of game fish. In fact, many anglers began just after midnight Friday when the new season began.

The opener is a tradition that transcends time in Minnesota. In 1974 — 50 years ago — the Minneapolis Tribune covered the day from across the state. Jack Coffman reported from northern Minnesota where “motorboat armadas” invaded Cut Foot Sioux Lake, northwest of Grand Rapids. “Game officials estimated there were 5,000 people on the water,” he wrote, and perhaps 1 million or more across the state. (Outdoors columnist Dennis Anderson will fish and report Saturday from his day nearby on Lake Winnibigoshish.)

Where’s the governor?

Speaking of tradition, Gov. Tim Walz is in Lake City to mark another Governor’s Fishing Opener that included community events and gatherings Friday. Walz and state of Minnesota colleagues will launch at 8 a.m. at Lake City Marina, according the state’s tourism department, Explore Minnesota. Along for the opener are Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Lake City Mayor Mark Nichols, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen and Explore Minnesota Director Lauren Bennett McGinty. Jason Lorenson will host Walz on the water. Last year, Walz was in the Mankato area.

How to help us cover the opener and fishing season

We want to hear your fish tales during the fishing opener. Here’s how to contribute: Send a photo and brief story to robert.timmons@startribune.com, use this online form bit.ly/stribfish24, or post what you are observing and catching on X with #stribfishing.

Relevant, helpful coverage this week

*Great forecast: Anderson wrote that all indicators — from ice-out data to walleye movement and spawning — point to an excellent opening weekend. Read it here.

*Strong license sales: The DNR is upbeat on the positive trend, particularly among youth. Read it here.

*Five things to know: Beginning with tips from a Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame guide, here are five things to digest ahead of the walleye season. Read it here.