Powerful storms hit western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota

MOORHEAD (AP) — Powerful storms knocked down utility lines and trees in western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota leaving thousands of people without power.

The storms Tuesday night and Wednesday morning closed a portion of Highway 3 in Farmington because of downed power lines and left 23,000 Xcel customers without service in Minnesota. About 3,000 customers around Fargo and West Fargo were without power. A large power transmission tower in Fargo sustained damage. Toppled trees and branches caused damage to homes and parked vehicles. At least 11 Dakota Valley Electric power poles were snapped north of Fairmount, North Dakota.

Weather spotters and others reported seeing tornadoes, but there was no immediate word of a touchdown.

The Minnesota State Patrol said strong winds knocked over four semis on Interstate 94 between Evansville and Rothsay.

Authorities investigate death of child at Osseo business

OSSEO (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a child in Osseo.

Hennepin County officials said the death happened Tuesday night at a roofing and siding company. The age of the child was not released.

Osseo police and firefighters were called to Spotless and Seamless Exteriors shortly after 8 p.m. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Minnesota 1 of 3 finalists to host World Fair event in 2023

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota is still in the running to host a World’s Fair event in 2023 with a wellness theme.

Then-President Barack Obama endorsed Minnesota’s bid shortly before leaving office. The general assembly of the group that oversees World Expos on Tuesday voted in Paris to make the U.S. bid one of three finalists for 2023.

The other finalists are Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Lodz, Poland.

A final decision will come at the general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions in November.

At World’s Fairs, nations showcase the best of what they have to offer on a certain theme. Minnesota is vying for a smaller event called a “specialized expo” between the bigger expos held every five years.

2 men get prison for $25M scheme that defrauded banks

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Men from Connecticut and Minnesota who were convicted for their roles in a multimillion dollar scheme that defrauded banks participating in a federal loan program designed to finance exports are headed to prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Pablo Calderon, of Darien, was sentenced Tuesday to five months in prison and five months of home confinement. Brett Lillemoe, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will serve 15 months behind bars.

Prosecutors say between September 2007 and January 2012 the defendants filed fraudulent documents under a U.S. Department of Agriculture program to secure loans and collect fees on the transactions.

As a result, foreign banks defaulted on more than $25 million worth of loans for which the USDA was required to pay out the guarantees.

The men denied the charges. They were convicted last year.

North Dakota soybean plant developer seeks more investors

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) — Developers of a $240 million soybean processing plant in North Dakota are seeking more investors.

Minnesota Soybean Processors is investing $60 million in the plant to be built near Spiritwood and will serve as the company’s managing member.

North Dakota Soybean Processors is seeking another $120 million in investments, with a minimum investment of $40,000.

The plant is to process 125,000 bushels of soybeans per day into oil, meal and fuel.

Investor meetings are scheduled later this month in Jamestown, Fargo, Grand Forks, Hankinson and Bismarck.

Police: Victim in NY airport road crash was from Minnesota

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say the person killed in a hit-and-run accident last week at the Buffalo airport was a 53-year-old Minnesota woman.

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police say Daisy Josiah was riding in a pickup truck that was hit by another vehicle late on the night of June 7 on the entrance road to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in suburban Cheektowaga.

Josiah was from Maplewood, in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Four other people in the pickup were injured, including three from the same area of Minnesota and a Buffalo resident.

Officials say the Buffalo resident had just picked up the others at the airport.