Dad (or Mom) Jokes not welcome in your house? Channel them into the MnDOT snowplow naming contest

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Are you the master of Dad Jokes? Do you instinctively say “ope” when you bump into literally anything? Do you tell people on vacation you’re from MinneSNOWda? If so, then your time has come.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is once again calling on the public’s creativity — and sense of “humor” — for its sixth annual Name a Snowplow contest, in which the winner will not only have bragging rights but will have their “punny” entry painted on a snowplow.

While creativity is welcome, there are a few ground rules to keep things on track:

First rule: keep it clean. Or as MnDOT puts it: “Gosh darn it, nothing vulgar please.” No profanity or inappropriate language will be considered.

Also: One name per person. No repeat winners. All entries must be 30 characters or fewer, including spaces.

And snowplows, MnDOT reminds everyone, are strictly nonpartisan — so no political names or slogans. Wordplay tied to politicians also are a no-go.

Past winning names include Plowy McPlowFace, We’re Off to See the Blizzard and Don’tcha Snow. A full list of previous winners can be found on MnDOT’s Name a Snowplow website.

Once submissions close, MnDOT staff will narrow the entries to a shortlist of the best of the best. Then it’s up to the public to vote in January 2026. The eight winning names will be displayed on real snowplows — one for each MnDOT district across the state.

Snowplow name ideas are being accepted online at dot.state.mn.us/nameasnowplow through noon Friday, Dec. 19. So grab your hot cocoa and marshmallows, summon your inner Will Ferrell (or Tina Fey) and shoot your shot.

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Shooting at Kentucky State University leaves 1 dead, 1 hurt and a suspect in custody, officials say

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — At least one person was killed and another was critically wounded in a shooting at Kentucky State University on Tuesday, and a suspect was in custody, police said.

Police in Frankfort, the state’s capital, said the campus was on lockdown.

The governor’s office confirmed there was a shooting.

“We will share more information as available,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on X. “Law enforcement are on scene, and a suspect has been arrested. Let’s pray for all those affected.”

Kentucky State is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the school’s creation in 1886.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

Rod Stewart to play the Grandstand in what’s likely his final local concert

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Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rod Stewart will perform what may be his final concert in the metro when he headlines the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Tickets are priced from $184.75 to $86 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Etix or by phone at 800-514-3849. Richard Marx (“Don’t Mean Nothing,” “Right Here Waiting”) will open.

Known for his raspy, expressive singing voice, the 80-year-old Stewart first turned heads when he fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, while his solo career took off with his chart-topping third album, 1971’s “Every Picture Tells a Story.” Many of the songs from his first decade in the business remain radio staples to this day, including “Maggie May,” “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” and “You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim).” While critics chided him for “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy,” Stewart continued to score hits through the early ’90s.

Stewart spent much of the ’00s recording five volumes of his “Great American Songbook” series of cover albums. In 2012, he published his autobiography and has since continued to release new music, including last year’s “Swing Fever,” a collaboration with British composer Jools Holland.

As a solo artist, Stewart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2012, he earned his second induction as a member of Faces. Last year, he embarked on what he’s calling his One Last Time tour, which will be his final large-scale outing. But Stewart plans to remain active and has a country album and a collection of new original songs in the works.

Stewart drew a crowd of about 8,500 to his most recent show in the metro in April 2022 at the former Xcel Energy Center.

“Weird Al” Yankovic was the first act announced for the 2026 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand series. He’ll perform Friday, Aug. 28.

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Mexican president says Mexico will send more water to US but not immediately

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday her country intends to send more water to the United States but not immediately despite threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to raise tariffs by 5% on Mexican imports if more water is not delivered as part of a water-sharing agreement.

Sheinbaum said Mexico is proposing a water delivery this month and another one in the coming years. The proposal will be discussed in a virtual meeting with U.S. officials Tuesday, she said.

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Mexico is behind water deliveries to the United States from the Rio Grande River because of drought and pipeline limitations, Sheinbaum said.

Under a 1944 treaty, Mexico must deliver 1.7 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. from six tributaries every five years, or an average of 350,000 acre-feet every year. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover 1 acre of land to a depth of 1 foot.

Trump posted on social media Monday that Mexico has a water debt that has accumulated over five years and that is affecting farmers in Texas. He said that he has authorized a 5% increase on tariffs on Mexico if the water is not immediately released.

“The U.S needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, and the rest must come soon after,” Trump wrote. “As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. Farmers who deserve this much needed water.”

Trump first threatened tariffs over the water issue in April when he also threatened to impose 5% tariffs on Mexican imports and accused the country of continuing to violate the agreement.

The two countries have reached agreements on the issue in the past and the Mexican president said she hoped they would again find an understanding.

“We have the best intention to deliver the amount of water that is owed from previous years,” Sheinbaum said.