Blog Archive: July 2024

​New rules for buying scrap metal aim to help curb thefts

July 29

Picture this: You ​get off work after a long day and head to the parking lot for your car. But it's not there. It's been stolen by someone intending to sell the pieces to a scrap metal dealer. A set of new ​regulations for scrap metal dealers, including a new reporting system overseen by our Bureau ...​

​​MMIR billboards are bringing new hope to Indigenous families

July 25

It has been 40 years since Leo Coleman Cortez left Anoka State Hospital, intending to meet his sister Donna at a St. Paul bus depot around noon. Coleman Cortez, who is Indigenous, has been missing ever since. Donna waited for some time at the bus station, eventually going home without ...​

​Child Passenger Safety Law changes aim to protect kids

July 22

Figuring out the best way to keep kids safe in your vehicle can be complicated. The Minnesota Legislature has updated the Child Passenger Safety Law offering new guidance on child seats, booster seats and seat belts, adding increased safety measures to protect children .​..

​CERT volunteers step up in Faribault during flooding

July 18

When a flood hits a community like it did Faribault, Minn., earlier this summer, the amount of work that needs to go into responding and recovering can be overwhelming. While emergency services and public safety professionals jump into action, they don't always do it alone. Thankfully, Minnesotans are willing to step up to help ...​

​REAL ID is REALly happening: Get ready now

July 15

While the federal government gave us some breathing room, the new deadline for REAL ID will be here before you know it. Our Driver and Vehicle services (DVS) division is encouraging you to get ready now and beat the rush. You've got until May 7, 2025, to get a REAL ID-complaint license. When the deadline hits, Minnesotans ...​

​ Incident management team is ‘here to help’

July 11

When an emergency hits, it is immediately all hands on deck for local public safety officials. But sometimes, like during the flooding in Jackson County or the aftermath of devastating Iowa tornadoes, they need some extra hands. That’s where the All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) comes in ...

​​Unidentified Remains Project gives people back their names, families

July 8

It is devastating when a loved one is missing. Often, the pain of not knowing what happened can be among the worst parts. That's why our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) laboratory continues to explore and advance the use of scientific methods to help solve missing ...​

​​​See sparks fly safely this Independence Day

July 1

Seeing sparks fly as fireworks go off can be a magical part of any Fourth of July celebration. But that joyful magic can turn into a trip to the emergency room or serious property damage if you aren’t careful. “Fireworks can be fun, but all fireworks are also dangerous,” State Fire Marshal Dan Krier said. “Don’t put yourself in harm’s way.”

​​​​​​​ More: Ju​ne Blog ​A​rchive​​​