By JONEL ALECCIA, Associated Press

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products are being recalled over possible contamination with listeria bacteria that can cause food poisoning, federal health officials said Wednesday.

No illnesses have been confirmed to date, U.S. agriculture department officials said.

Kraft Heinz Food Company of Newberry, South Carolina, announced the recall of the fully cooked turkey bacon that was produced from April 24 to June 11. The problem was discovered when the company’s laboratory testing indicated potential listeria contamination.

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The recall includes the following products, which were shipped to U.S. stores nationwide, as well as the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong:

— 12-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original with the UPC code 071871548601 printed on the package under the bar code. They have use-by dates from July 18 to Aug. 2 and the lot code RS40.

— 36-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original containing three 12-ounce packages of product with the UPC code 071871548748 printed on the package under the barcode. They include use-by dates from July 23 to Sept. 4 and lot codes RS19, RS40 and RS42.

— 48-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original containing four 12-ounce packages of product with the UPC code 071871548793 printed on the package under the barcode. They include use-by dates from July 18 to Sept. 4 and lot codes RS19, RS40 and RS42.

Consumers shouldn’t eat the products, which may be in their refrigerators or freezers. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Listeria infections can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those who are pregnant or their newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

About 1,600 people get sick each year from listeria infections and about 260 die, the CDC said.

Federal officials in December said they were revamping protocols to prevent listeria infections after several high-profile outbreaks, including one linked to Boar’s Head deli meats that led to 10 deaths and more than 60 illnesses last year.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

People enjoy a drinks and conversations in downtown Anoka on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Anoka now allows bar patrons to take alcoholic drinks — in special cups — outside of the bars in a special area of the city called a social district. Patrons can sip and stroll throughout the area and even go into different shops — if the shop owners approve. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Shelly and Greg Peterson, of Nowthen, and Lori and Jason Troiden, of Andover, spent a recent Friday night walking through Anoka’s historic downtown and in Riverfront Memorial Park while sipping drinks from the 201 Tavern & Grill.

It was the couples’ third time taking advantage of the city’s new “social district,” which allows people to walk around and shop with alcoholic drinks in hand. They expected to walk a couple of miles and then eat wings — “the greatest wings in the state” — at Serum’s Good Time Emporium, Shelly Peterson said.

The success of Anoka’s drinking district bodes well for Stillwater, which is considering creating its own version in its historic downtown, according to the couples.

Greg and Shelly Peterson, left, and Lori and Jason Troiden, right, walk in Anoka’s Riverfront Memorial Park on Friday, June 20, 2025. (Mary Divine / Pioneer Press)

“This makes total sense for Stillwater,” Jason Troiden said. “It’s very much like Anoka. It’s right on the river. Good sidewalks. Lots of places to stop in and visit. If they talk to anybody from Anoka, I mean, it’s obviously gone well.”

Said Shelly Peterson: “I think it’s a no-brainer for Stillwater because it’s the bachelorette/bachelor party destination in the state. It’s an up-and-coming Nashville, I think, so why not? It makes total sense.”

The Minnesota Legislature gave Stillwater permission in 2024 to create and operate a social district in its downtown. Staff are investigating some steps that would need to be considered if the Stillwater City Council decides to move forward, said Jason Zimmerman, the city’s interim community development director.

Stillwater getting feedback from residents

The boundaries of the social district would likely be centered on the Stillwater’s historic downtown, stretching from the St. Croix River to a few blocks to the west. The north and south extents would need to be established, taking into account existing businesses and other factors, Zimmerman said.

City staff are in the process of collecting feedback from residents; an online survey on the subject closes July 21. An open house on the topic is planned for 4-6 p.m. July 16 at Stillwater Public Library’s Margaret Rivers Room.

The council could decide Aug. 5 to launch a short pilot period this fall, and, based on the evaluation, a full season could begin next spring, Zimmerman said.

“Some people … are picturing people coming downtown just to drink and getting rowdy and out of control,” Zimmerman said. “I think the evidence has shown that people who are using it in Anoka are already coming down to go to dinner or, you know, visit the park, so it’s just an add-on to what they’re already doing, not the reason they’re coming.”

Here’s how it would work: Licensed businesses would be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages using official “social district” cups. These drinks could be consumed on the sidewalk, in the park, or within retail locations that choose to participate in the program. Signs would mark the boundaries, and no drinks would be allowed outside of the district.

The city would set the days and hours of operation. Anoka’s social district season runs from May 1 to Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Patrons in Anoka who want to sip and stroll spend an extra 50 cents to get a clear plastic cup imprinted with the words “Downtown Anoka Social District” and “Be 21 – Drink Responsibly.” The city sells the cups to bars and restaurants for 25 cents each with an extra 25-cent fee to help cover the cost of recycling bins and cleanup; Stillwater could possibly do something similar, Zimmerman said.

Visitors would not be allowed to bring their own alcohol to the district, and a drink from one drinking establishment can’t be brought into a different bar, he said. Window clings at the entrances of businesses within the social district would indicate if they are permitted to sell and if social-district beverages are allowed in their store/business, Zimmerman said.

City council member: Stillwater has its own draws

Stillwater City Council member Ryan Collins said he and his wife went to Anoka on a Saturday afternoon in late May to experience the social district. “The sun is shining. It’s 80 degrees,” he said. “I went into one of the local businesses, and I was asking the owner about her experience with it. She said, ‘Well, to be honest, you’re the first customers that have come in with a (social-district) cup all day.’ That was, like, at 4 in the afternoon.”

Collins said he expects things could be very different in Stillwater.

“You can’t compare Stillwater to Anoka,” he said. “Any nice weekend, people from all over the place flood to downtown. I think Stillwater kind of sells itself. … So I don’t know if having a social district is something that we need. People are going to come regardless.”

The Stillwater City Council during COVID changed city ordinance to allow visitors to bring alcohol in non-glass bottles to city parks, except for Teddy Bear Park, Collins said. “If I want to go down and have a drink along the river, I can bring my own from home,” he said. “If I wanted to get a beer from River Siren (Brewing), I could take it out and not open it until I get into the park.”

If a social district is approved, visitors who want to drink in city parks within the boundaries of the district would need to purchase a drink from a local licensed establishment and use a special cup, he said.

Anoka first social district in state

Anoka was the first city in Minnesota to pilot the initiative with a month-long trial in 2023 after getting legislative approval. It was brought back for a five-month run in 2024, and then started again in May, said Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist.

Tyler Harlan, of Blaine, sips beer from a a special cup that, for a small surcharge, allows him go into participating establishments with “a beer in hand” in downtown Anoka on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

“We kind of just dipped our toes in at the beginning to be cautious,” he said. “During the first month (in 2023), about half of our bars and restaurants in our entertainment area participated, and the others just kind of took a wait-and-see approach. But the following year, all of them got their social-district licenses and have been part of this.”

The city largely modeled its rules after similar initiatives in Michigan and North Carolina, and there have been no major issues, Skogquist said. There are signs with maps of the district’s borders posted around the area.

“It’s kind of created a ‘sip-and-stroll atmosphere’ — that’s how we like to describe it,” he said. “It’s just another way for people to socialize and to go around and not be stuck at one particular bar or restaurant. … They can have something, wander around, enjoy the environment, enjoy the atmosphere. It’s brought a lot of new people to town.”

Anoka still allows alcohol in non-glass bottles in city parks that are not in the social district, he said.

Skogquist has this advice for Stillwater officials: “It’s a lot easier to build and expand than it is to contract, you know? So just do what they think is best for Stillwater, and just take it a little bit at a time and, hopefully, it’ll work out for them.”

Stillwater council member not convinced

Stillwater City Council member Larry Odebrecht isn’t convinced it would be a good idea for Stillwater.

“Several of us are skeptical of whether this is a fit for Stillwater,” he said. “At this point, I can’t find a lot of people who are interested in it. It’s that kind of thing that is difficult to crawl back from once you start them.”

Since people are already allowed to drink alcohol in non-glass bottles in most downtown parks, “I’m really struggling to understand what this adds,” Odebrecht said. “… When people learn the details of how it works, they’re probably going to recognize it as an expense to the city and not all that useful for us. Our park policy right now is really cool, really fun, and it hasn’t been any problem, so why mess with it?”

Shakopee will be the second city in Minnesota to offer social districts after getting legislative approval; its two social districts are expected to be operational in September.

Said Odebrecht: “I can see why it might be good for Shakopee or Anoka, but I really don’t think we’re in the same boat. We don’t need to drive additional tourists downtown. We’re already rocking and rolling downtown.”

Enthusiasm from Stillwater businesses

Stillwater businesswoman Sara Jespersen said she hopes the city council agrees to a trial run.

“I’m definitely in favor of it,” said Jespersen, whose family owns the Lumberjack Lodge, Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery and a vacation rental downtown. “However, I do believe that there’s a lot of fear of the unknown. … I think Stillwater is really good at working on always being vibrant, staying alive and growing, so this gives us the chance to try something.”

The owners of Smith + Trade Mercantile in Stillwater, Kelli and Paul Kaufer, also support creating a social district. “We can’t supply alcohol, so it would be nice if people maybe want a glass of wine while they are lingering and shopping or going to a class,” she said. “We have artisans (in the store) working their craft, and we want people to linger around a little bit longer.”

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Customers could put their name on a wait list at a nearby restaurant, grab a drink and then come back and shop until their name is called, Kelli Kaufer said. “I don’t think that there will be 21-year-olds running around with a whole bunch of beers in their hands,” she said. “I don’t have a concern about that.”

In Anoka, Theresa Jaeger, a third-generation owner of Jenson’s boutique clothing shop, said she loves when people taking advantage of the city’s social district come in to shop. She’s noticed more people in town, especially on weekends.

“It just makes it a fun activity to do,” she said. “Women groups, for sure, come in. Or if people come up on their boats, and they can dock and get a drink and then walk around.”

Spillage has not been an issue, she said. “We’re not open late, so it’s fine,” she said. “We haven’t had any problems. We would have the same issue with coffee.”

When Megan Thomas moved out of the troubled Lowry Apartments in downtown St. Paul, she quickly moved into a 390-square-foot apartment at Summit Hill Senior Living, an assisted living community on the city’s East Side, through the help of Catholic Charities, an administrator of her support services.

“I’m disabled and I can’t work,” said Thomas, 59, who suffered a diabetic seizure a few years ago. “If I didn’t have medical assistance, I’d be dead.”

Megan Thomas shares her in her apartment in a senior living complex with her two cats, Bella, near and Coya, rear, in St. Paul on Tuesday, July 2, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Her Community Access for Disability Inclusion waiver, better known as a CADI waiver, is a state-sponsored program that builds on federal Medicaid benefits, one of the leading ways the federal government helps states support the health needs of disabled and low-income populations. Qualifying for Medicaid is often the threshold for accessing other social service benefits.

“You have to be on Medicaid to qualify for housing stabilization services, which I needed last year,” Thomas said.

Medicaid-sponsored services are an essential safety net for thousands of Minnesotans in need of public medical assistance, from basic health insurance to in-home therapy and nursing home care, according to Thomas, Catholic Charities and other providers.

That safety net is now facing a dramatic challenge as federal lawmakers attempt to cut funding for both Medicaid and public nutrition programs while raising the bar for accessing services.

Added costs of additional screenings

House and Senate versions of the GOP budget bill — dubbed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” — propose fundamental changes to Medicaid to sharply reduce federal public assistance allotments to states and counties and impose new eligibility requirements, including twice-a-year screenings, at a time when demand for food, medical and emergency assistance is rising.

Some 71 million Americans receive Medicaid benefits, including about 1.16 million Minnesotans, adding up to $12 billion in Minnesota in 2023 alone.

Under the Senate version of the budget bill, 137,000 Minnesotans could lose healthcare in the near term, and another 89,000 residents would have to pay higher insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace, according to some estimates. Longer-term impacts could touch everything from childbirth deliveries to in-home therapies and housing.

“More than half of Minnesotans in nursing homes rely on Medicaid,” said Laura Mortenson, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Budget Project, a project of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, in a conference call with news agencies on Wednesday. “It supports people in our affordable housing and childcare systems.”

Minnesota is one of 10 states where individual counties handle Medicaid screenings, and some counties have already reported being overwhelmed by growing administrative demand in the years since the pandemic. By doubling those annual screenings without compensating for the increased administrative burden, Minnesota counties could shoulder $30 million to $50 million in added costs, said Linnea Mirsch, director of director Community and Human Services in St. Louis County.

“It’s difficult to measure and estimate the impact of this additional workload,” said Mirsch, who predicted those costs will ultimately be passed on to property owners through higher county tax levies.

The goal, said some providers, appears to be to discourage Medicaid recipients like Thomas from wrangling with the added paperwork and to get them instead to simply walk away from the system.

“By making her recertify every six months, you’re just adding to the complexity of a really difficult life already,” said Keith Kozerski, chief program officer with Catholic Charities.

The bill has strong support among Republicans in Congress, including from U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. A Duluth News-Tribune story earlier this week included a statement from Stauber in which he said he supports the bill because “it will deliver much-needed economic relief to the American people.”

He cited a figure from the  White House Council of Economic Advisers, which said a family of four could have an after-tax take-home pay increase of $7,600 to $10,900 in the first four years after the bill’s passage.

Some changes delayed to 2027

Meanwhile, certain changes in the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” would be scheduled to roll out gradually, some not taking effect until early 2027, which is after the mid-term elections, Mortenson noted.

Among them, significant cuts proposed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP, once commonly known as food stamps — could overwhelm an already overburdened emergency food assistance network struggling to keep up with increased demand since the outset of the pandemic, said food shelf providers on the call.

Certain aspects of the bill are predicted to increase energy costs for many families, which will have a trickle-down effect as households reduce food budgets to compensate, said Zach Rodvold, a spokesperson for Second Harvest Heartland, a hunger-relief organization that supports more than 1,100 food shelves and food programs. For low-income families balancing budget priorities, that means more trips to food shelves to make ends meet.

“Food shelves will see very quickly an increase in demand … and certainly over a period of years, there will be a major increase in demand, barring some other kind of intervention,” Rodvold said.

Some foresee heavy impacts on retailers, especially in poor areas.

More than 3,600 Minnesota retailers — mostly convenience stores and groceries — currently accept SNAP benefits. “On some days, up to 50% of their total sales are SNAP transactions,” said Steve Barthel, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Grocers Association, who predicted store closures. “In lower-income neighborhoods, losing a grocery store means losing access to fresh, vital foods.”

Providers also predicted stark impacts on farm growers, food distributors and hospitals.

“I’m not actually getting money,” said Thomas, interviewed in her apartment at Summit Hill Senior Living, where a majority of residents receive some form of public assistance. “The health aide is getting money. The owner of this building is getting money. … If Medicaid is cut, there are thousands of jobs that would be affected.”

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By JAKE OFFENHARTZ, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A politically motivated hacker breached Columbia University’s data systems last week, stealing troves of student documents while briefly shutting down the school’s computer systems, a university official said Wednesday.

The June 24 cyberattack prompted widespread network outages on campus, locking students and staff out of their email accounts, coursework and video conference software for several hours. On the same day, images of President Donald Trump’s smiling face appeared on several public monitors across the Manhattan campus.

A spokesperson for Columbia declined to elaborate on the political motivations behind the attack. But officials described a highly sophisticated “hacktivist” who had gained access to private student records in an attempt to further a political agenda.

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The spokesperson said it was unclear if the Trump photo display was connected to the data breach.

“We are investigating the scope of the apparent theft and will share our findings with the University community as well as anyone whose personal information was compromised,” the school said.

The cyberattack comes as Columbia remains in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, which has threatened to pull $400 million in federal funds over what it claims is the school’s failure to protect Jewish students.

Negotiations over a possible settlement are ongoing. The university has already agreed to a host of changes demanded by Trump, including placing its Middle East studies department under new supervision and overhauling its rules for protests and student discipline.

In March, a cyberattack against New York University resulted in student admission records briefly appearing on the school’s website. An online hacker who took credit for that action on social media said the intent was to prove the university was not in compliance with the Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions.

An NYU spokesperson said at the time that the data displayed on its webpage was “inaccurate and misleading,” adding that the university “scrupulously complies with the law.”