Latest news with #MinnesotaNationalGuard
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Minnesota Cyber Crisis: Gov. Tim Walz deploys National Guard after massive St. Paul hack cripples city systems
St. Paul is in digital disarray following a massive cyberattack that crippled city services over the weekend. With online payments frozen and internal systems down, Governor Tim Walz has requested assistance from the Minnesota National Guard 's cyber unit. What prompted the deployment of the National Guard? According to city officials, the attack overflowed local response capabilities and interfered with essential services over the weekend. Following a significant cyberattack that disrupted the City of St. Paul's digital infrastructure over the weekend, Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard's cyber protection unit on Tuesday, as quoted in a report by Patch. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Critical systems were the focus of the attack, which started on Friday and continued throughout the weekend, disrupting many services. Walz stated in an emergency executive order that officials had to ask the state for help because the breach was more extensive than the city's internal and commercial response capabilities. Live Events In order to restore cybersecurity as soon as possible, we are dedicated to collaborating with the City of Saint Paul," stated Walz. "The Minnesota National Guard's cyber forces will collaborate with city, state, and federal officials to resolve the situation and mitigate lasting impacts." ALSO READ: Did Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie split due to the Canadian PM's workaholic tendencies? Here's what a report is saying Which city services are affected by the cyberattack? The breach has outpaced local response capacity. Emergency services remain operational, but online payments and some public-facing operations are temporarily halted. Some online services and internal systems are temporarily unavailable, according to city officials. 911 and other emergency services are still operational, but online payments are not available at this time, and some public services might be delayed. ALSO READ: Orlando Bloom sells $7M Beverly Hills home weeks after Katy Perry split, then drops bombshell about emotional 'trigger' and therapy While online payment systems are unavailable, St. Paul officials say there won't be any late fees. Libraries and recreation centers are still open, though some of their services might be affected as well. The Adjutant General is empowered to deploy the required staff, tools, and resources as well as to acquire supplies and services to aid the mission at the governor's direction. The emergency response expenses will come from the state's general fund, as quoted in a report by Patch. How long will the emergency order stay in place? Until the emergency conditions are resolved or the order is revoked, it stays in force. Residents can call 651-291-1111 with non-emergency concerns. Send an email to Forestry@ regarding storm damage. In the event of a water emergency, dial 651-775-7231. FAQs Is 911 still operational in St. Paul? Yes, emergency services are completely operational. Can I still pay my bills online? Not right now: online payment systems are temporarily unavailable.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As Hortmans lie in state, thousands of Minnesotans line up to pay respects
A woman prays before the caskets as Melissa and Mark Hortman lie in state, along with their dog Gilbert Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman on Friday was surrounded by things she loved: She laid in the Minnesota Capitol where she dedicated 20 years of her life, next to her husband Mark, her golden retriever Gilbert, leafy trees, bright flowers and legions of Minnesotans whom she sought to help through public service. Minnesotans lined up to pay their final respects to Hortman, who was killed on June 14 in a politically motivated assassination. Mark Hortman was also killed, and Gilbert was injured and had to be euthanized. Melissa Hortman is the first woman in Minnesota history to lie in state at the Capitol, and the 20th Minnesotan to be awarded the honor. In the Capitol Rotunda, members of the Minnesota National Guard's honor guard flanked the Hortmans' wooden caskets. Photos of the couple and their dog were on display among the flowers and greenery. Gov. Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz were the first to pay their respects when the memorial opened to the public at noon. They were followed by Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, her husband and Senate Majority leader Erin Murphy. Thousands of Minnesotans followed, many of them part of the Hortmans' vast network of friends, family and colleagues. Jennifer O'Rourke, director of government relations for Ramsey County, said her friendship with Melissa Hortman predates Hortman's first election to the House in 2004. 'She deserves this,' O'Rourke said, gesturing to the line of Minnesotans wrapped around the block. Many brought flowers or letters to add to the memorial outside the House chambers, where extra tables were brought in to accommodate Friday's contributions from the public. Others mourners had no connection to the Hortmans, but came in solidarity at a perilous moment in the history of the republic and its 32nd state. Carla Peck, 69, took work off to attend the memorial alongside her 2-year-old golden retriever Ollie. Peck didn't know much about the Hortmans until they were killed, but she thought it important to attend. 'I wanted to show respect and appreciation for what the Hortmans did for the state of Minnesota. I thought it's important to bring my golden because goldens are great to share the love. Dogs are very healing,' Peck said. Dave Woosley, 65, drove over an hour from Hastings to the Capitol to pay his respects. He didn't know Melissa Hortman, but he had heard of the extensive amount of work she was able to get done in the Legislature. 'I thought it was important for our fellow citizens to see that we can all come together, whether we agree with her or disagree with her. Just have respect for not only Melissa, but this institution,' Woosley said. Jeff Kolstad, 79, met Hortman in passing while doorknocking and respected her work on the environment. Flowers in hand, he stood in line with his dog Gracie, who 'wanted to pay a tribute to Gilbert.' A private funeral for the Hortmans will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will be livestreamed.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Minnesota National Guard celebrates U.S. Army's 250th anniversary
The Minnesota National Guard marked a significant milestone, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army with a ceremony at the headquarters of the 34th Infantry Division in Arden Hills. "Today is a wonderful day in Army history, we are celebrating the Army's 250th birthday," said Brigadier General Joe Sharkey. The ceremony included a cake-cutting, reading of a proclamation and a history of the United States' founding Army. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was not in attendance, but did sign a proclamation officially recognizing June 14, 2025, as the United States Army's 250th birthday. The Minnesota National Guard has played a key role in the state and nation's history, with soldiers serving in nearly every major conflict since the Civil War. "At home and abroad the Army makes a difference, every day, whether it's responding to natural disasters like the recent wildfires in northern Minnesota to supporting our allies abroad," said Sharkey. More recently, Guard members have assisted in disaster response and provided support in civil unrest during the George Floyd protests. "We have a proud history, past and present, and we can never miss an opportunity to celebrate it," said Sharkey. Among those in attendance was a World War II veteran, who provided a living reminder of the enduring contributions made by soldiers of the past. "If you see someone in uniform, thank them for their service," said Sharkey. "Whether that was active duty, reserve or National Guard, give them a call or send them a text thanking them for their service."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
After 10 months in the Middle East, Minnesota National Guard returns home — with 11 bronze stars
After 10 months in the Middle East, Minnesota National Guard returns home — with 11 bronze stars originally appeared on Bring Me The News. More than three dozen soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard flew home to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday after serving a 10-month deployment in the Middle East — and 11 of the soldiers received the Bronze Star Medal for "for heroic and meritorious service." The approximately 40 National Guard members are part of the 204th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) based in Cottage Grove. They were in the Middle East to support Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. They worked primarily in three countries, including Iraq and Syria, and treated 1,846 patients and worked 30 medical evacuations during the deployment. 'We are extremely proud of the exceptional Soldiers of the 204th Medical Company Area Support who excelled in their Mission in the Middle East,' said Army Col. Joel Stamp, brigade commander for the 347th Regional Support Group. 'The accomplishments of this formation are many and have established a higher standard for medical care for our service members and our allies while deployed. This would not have been attained, had it not been for their training preparation, military professionalism, and the enduring support of their families, employers, and communities while deployed.' View the 12 images of this gallery on the original article Many of the 11 Bronze Star Medal — the fourth highest individual military award — recipients were exposed to attacks at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, including the threat of ballistic missiles when 180 missiles were launched in an attack on Oct. 1, 2024, according to the National Guard. A description of each medal-winner's heroism and achievements has been provided below by the Minnesota National Guard. Distinguished himself through exceptionally superior, meritorious service while serving as the 204 Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) and Al Asad Air Base (AAAB) Role 2E Commander, Joint Task Force Savior – Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), AAAB, Iraq, from 8 September 2024 to 26 May 2024. Additionally, he served as the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Role 2E closure operations at AAAB and the OIC of establishment planning of a Role 2E clinic in Norther Landing Zone (NLZ), Syria. Major Reding distinguished himself while serving under combat conditions of significant risk of exposure to hostile actions while operating in both Syria and Iraq. He was subject to a barrage of 44 indirect fire artillery rounds and one UAS while at NLZ, Syria from 9 December 2024 to 10 December 2024. Major Reding served for months under significant risk of almost certain attacks on AAAB, Iraq, evidenced with credible intelligence reports, with multiple UASs sighted and destroyed in the vicinity of AAAB, Iraq, one of which triggered sense and warn sirens at two kilometers away as it was inbound for AAAB. He was also exposed to the threat of theater ballistic missiles on 1 October 2024 when 180 missiles were fired in the vicinity of his location. Major Reding exhibited extraordinary leadership, vision, initiative, and dedication while maintaining a steadfast and calming presence for the 204 MCAS and four supported units. Distinguished himself by meritorious wartime service, under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions as evidenced by credible threat reporting from the intelligence community. He served as the Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) of the Role 2E, Joint Task Force Savior, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR), Al Asad Air Base, Iraq from 8 August 2024 to 26 May 2025. His outstanding performance, leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty, while operating in a high-risk environment, provided direct support to units across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA) conducting CJTF-OIR missions to defeat Da'esh and advise, assist and enable missions. Distinguished himself by meritorious wartime service, under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions as evidenced by credible threat reporting from the intelligence community. He served as the Executive Officer of the Role 2E, Joint Task Force (JTF) Savior, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq from 8 August 2024 to 26 May 2025. His outstanding performance, leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty, while operating in a high-risk environment, provided direct support to units across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA) conducting CJTF-OIR missions to defeat Da'esh and advise, assist and enable missions. Distinguished herself by meritorious wartime service, under combat conditions with significant risk to exposure to enemy hostile actions as evidenced by credible threat reporting from the intelligence community. She served as the Operations NCOIC of the 204th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) Role 2E, Joint Task Force Savior, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq from 8 September 2024 to 26 May 2025. Her outstanding performance, leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty, while operating in a high-risk environment, provided direct support to units across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA) conducting CJTF-OIR missions to defeat Da'esh and advise, assist and enable missions throughout the area of operations (AO). Distinguished himself by meritorious wartime service, under combat conditions with significant risk to exposure to enemy hostile actions as evidenced by credible threat reporting from the intelligence community. He served as the Clinic Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Role 2E, Joint Task Force Savior, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq from 8 August 2024 to 26 May 2025. His outstanding performance, leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty, while operating in a high-risk environment, provided direct support to units across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA) conducting CJTF-OIR missions to defeat Da'esh and advise, assist and enable missions. Distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious wartime service, as the Ancillary Services NCOIC and sole 68J Medical Logistics NCO for the 204th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) Role 2 Enhanced (Role 2E), Joint Task Force Savior, Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq, from 08 August 2024 to 26 May 2025. Her service was under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions under the threat of almost certain attacks on AAAB, Iraq, supported with credible intelligence reports, and multiple One Way Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWUAS) sighted and destroyed in the vicinity of AAAB, Iraq. She was also exposed to the threat of theater ballistic missiles on 1 October 2024 when 180 missiles were fired over her location. Her professionalism, dedication to duty, and care for Soldiers, Airmen, and Coalition Forces were instrumental in the success of the Role 2E's mission to provide medical care, damage control surgical resuscitation, and support the Combined Joint Task Force OIR (CJTF-OIR) to defeat Da'esh across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA). Distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious wartime service, as the Patient Administration (PAD) NCOIC for the Role 2 Enhanced (Role 2E), Joint Task Force Savior, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq, from 08 August 2024 to 31 May 2025. Her service was under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions under the threat of almost certain attacks on AAAB, Iraq, supported by credible intelligence reports, with multiple One Way Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (OWUAS) sighted and destroyed in the vicinity of AAAB, Iraq. She was exposed to the threat of theater ballistic missiles on 1 October 2024 when 180 missiles were fired in the vicinity of her location. Her professionalism, dedication to duty, and care for Soldiers, Airmen, and Coalition Forces were instrumental in the success of the Role 2E's mission to provide medical care, damage control surgical resuscitation, and support the CJTF-OIR to defeat Da'esh across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA). Distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious wartime service, as the Administrative NCOIC for the 204th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) Role 2 Enhanced (Role 2E), Task Force Savior, Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq, from 08 August 2024 to 31 May 2025. Her service was under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions under the threat of almost certain attacks on AAAB, Iraq, supported with credible intelligence reports, with multiple One Way Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWUAS) sighted and destroyed in the vicinity of AAAB, Iraq. She was also exposed to the threat of theater ballistic missiles on 1 October 2024 when 180 missiles were fired over her location. Her professionalism, dedication to duty, and care for Soldiers, Airmen, and Coalition Forces were instrumental in the success of the Role 2E's mission to provide medical care, damage control surgical resuscitation, and support the Combined Joint Task Force – OIR (CJTF-OIR) mission to defeat Da'esh across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA). Distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious wartime service, as the Unit Supply NCO for the 204th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) Role 2 Enhanced (Role 2E), Task Force Savior, Operation Inherent Resolve (OlR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq, from 8 August 2024 to 26 May 2025. His service under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions under the threat of almost certain attacks on AAAB, Iraq, supported with credible intelligence reports, with multiple One Way Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWUAS) sighted and destroyed by in the vicinity of AAAB, Iraq. He was also exposed to the threat of theater ballistic missiles on 1 October 2024 when 180 missiles were fired over his AAAB by Iran. His professionalism, dedications to duty, and care for Soldiers, Airmen, and Coalition Forces were instrumental in the success of the Role 2E's mission to provide medical care, damage control surgical resuscitation, and support the Combined Joint Task Force - OIR (CJTF-OlR) to defeat Da'esh across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA). Distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious wartime service, as the Laboratory Noncommissioned Officer In-charge for the Role 2 Enhanced (Role 2E), Joint Task Force Savior, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Al Asad Air Base (AAAB), Iraq, from 08 August 2024 to 26 May 2025. Her service was under combat conditions with significant risk of exposure to enemy hostile actions under the threat of almost certain attacks on AAAB, supported by credible intelligence reports, with multiple One Way Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (OWUAS) sighted and destroyed in the vicinity of AAAB. She was exposed to the threat of theater ballistic missiles on 1 October 2024 when 180 missiles were fired in the vicinity of her location. Her professionalism, dedication to duty, and care for Soldiers, Airmen, and Coalition Forces were instrumental in the success of the Role 2E's mission to provide medical care, damage control surgical resuscitation, and support the CJTF-OIR mission to defeat Da'esh across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA). Distinguished herself by meritorious wartime service, under combat conditions with significant risk to exposure to enemy hostile actions as evidenced by credible threat reporting, as the Assistant Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Role 2E, Joint Task Force Savior, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Al Asad Air Base, Iraq from 24 November 2024 to 24 April 2025. Her outstanding performance, leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty, while operating in a high-risk environment, provided direct support to units across the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA) conducting CJTF-OIR missions to defeat Da'esh and advise, assist and enable missions. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
More than 40 vendors expected for Stillwater area Food Truck Extravaganza
The organizers of the largest food-truck event in the east metro are gearing up for this weekend's 'Food Truck Extravaganza,' hosted by the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. More than 40 food trucks are expected to converge from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Baytown Township for what is being billed as the 'ultimate destination for culinary adventure and community fun.' In addition to food, the event will feature live music, children's activities, a beer and wine tent and a marketplace. The event also will feature a 'Military Row' that will include representatives of the four branches of the U.S. military, the Minnesota National Guard and Washington County Sheriff's Office. 'It's going to be another year of amazing food, great music and a fantastic community atmosphere,' said Robin Anthony-Evenson, president of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. 'This event has become a highlight of the summer — bringing all sorts of people together to celebrate and support local businesses.' Admission is $10; children younger than 5 get in free. Pets are welcome, but they must be leashed. Parking is free. A portion of the event's proceeds will be given to the Chamber of Commerce's scholarship fund, which supports area students planning to further their education in the trades. For more information, go to Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry will not run for a third term Community memorial set for William 'Ike' Eickholt, found dead last winter MN Legislature: Measure to divert transportation funds from counties dropped Stillwater to treat water for PFAS with $2.5M temporary facility Driver, 23, dies in single-vehicle crash in Scandia
