Minnesota water systems have blocked multiple hacking attempts since last week's cyberattack

Homeless outreach workers are continuing to visit a homeless encampment in St. Paul Tuesday, in hopes of transitioning residents there into shelters. The city plans to clear the encampment in Pig's Eye Park Wednesday evening.

The city will hold a special public hearing at noon Tuesday to continue hearing from constituents. The plan has faced fierce opposition. City leaders say the closure is needed after an increase in emergency calls to the encampment.

Minnesota water systems have blocked multiple hacking attempts since a cyberattack last week. That attack temporarily took some local water systems offline and prompted officials to review their cybersecurity measures. Minnesota was one of seven states that reported attacks on water systems. Officials have not identified who was behind it, but the New York Times reports investigators suspect Iran.

Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette has agreed to continue to serve in his post until the end of the year as the city searches for his replacement. Barnette has served for one three-year term as commissioner for the office of community safety, which was created in 2022 and oversees police, fire and neighborhood safety.

Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Barnette to a second term this spring, but the Minneapolis City Council twice rejected his nomination. Council members cited the slow pace of police reform in the city and almost $20 million in police budget overruns last year.

The Republican-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate is not being allowed to take part in a candidate forum at this week's Farmfest. Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze is not among the candidates on the list for the Senate forum Wednesday. The current lineup includes four other candidates — two Democrats and two Republicans. The annual agriculture industry event kicks off Tuesday in Redwood County in southern Minnesota. Schwarze was told by organizers that candidates have to have at least 15 percent support in publicly reported polls.

Cyberattacks in Minnesota expose vulnerability of U.S. water systems

Todd Barnette will remain in city safety post during replacement search