Gophers head to Rate Bowl, Timberwolves winning streak, $12B fed. aid for farmers & more: Dec. 8, 2025
Today’s episode of “The Afternoon Shift” features FOX 9’s Jim Rich chatting with Adam Llorens about the Vikings’ shutout win over the Commanders yesterday and Commissioner Thom Petersen of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to discuss the White House’s announcement of a $12 billion bailout for American farmers. Plus, a profile of the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, a preview of the Gophers football team in the Rate Bowl, and FOX 9’s Pierre Noujaim joins us from Target Center to preview tonight’s Suns-Timberwolves game!
Pres. Trump announces aid for struggling farmers
President Trump announced on Monday plans for a $12 billion aid package for struggling farmers amid the tariff war.
Pardoned MN turkeys: Where are they now?
The Minnesota Turkeys pardoned at the White House in 2024, Peach and Blossom, are making their home at the Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center. FOX 9' Rob Olson caught up with them to hear about how they are assisting with agricultural education.
Lakeland PBS cancels Lakeland Currents citing federal funding cuts
Despite social media commenters criticizing PBS for a political bias, recent Lakeland Currents segments included interviews with school district superintendents on their respective budgets, and a conversation on family farming succession.
AG Ellison calls for assault weapon ban, opposition to tariffs
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison spoke at the No Kings rally in Minneapolis, where he called for an assault weapons ban and highlighted the 40 lawsuits he filed against the Trump administration since January. He also spoke against the national tariffs that he says are harming Minnesota soybean farmers.
Drought impacting pumpkin patches nationwide
Drought conditions across the United States are impacting pumpkin harvests ahead of Halloween.
Gov. Walz blasts Trump trade war as ‘Destroying American farmers’
The Trump administration is expected to announce an aid package for farmers affected by tariffs soon.
Impact of federal government shutdown in MN
The federal government shutdown is especially affecting farmers in Minnesota. FOX 9's Corin Hoggard has the latest.
Minnesota farmers first in waves of impact from government shutdown
A lot of Minnesota farmers will be the first to feel the effects of the government shutdown that started Oct. 1.
Government shutdown: Minnesota farmers among first impacted
A lot of Minnesota farmers will be the first to feel the effects of the government shutdown that started Oct. 1. They?re missing some critical help just as harvest season has arrived. FOX 9's Corin Hoggard has more.
Trade wars cost billions at soybean harvest season
Severe struggles are hitting soybean farmers as the harvest season gets underway. They’ve lost billions of dollars in sales already this year, and there’s no end in sight to the losses.
Sesquicentennial farms recognized at Minnesota State Fair
Day 10 at the Minnesota State Fair is FFA Day, and 46 farming families are being recognized for 150 years of operations. FOX 9 spoke with the owners of the Rollag Family Farm, Craig "Roller" Rollag and Karen Rollag. Roller?s ancestors started the business in 1874 and are honored to receive the Sesquicentennial Farm Award from the State Fair and Farm Bureau Federation.
4-H Day at the Minnesota State Fair
FOX 9's Jared Piepenburg spoke live with 4-H students at the Minnesota State Fair.
Minnesota State Fair: 4-H animals prepare for livestock show
FOX 9's Shayne Wells spoke with 4-H students who are helping their livestock get ready to be shown at the Minnesota State Fair.
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Sen. Klobuchar secured hemp research funding [RAW]
Sen. Amy Klobuchar toured a hemp research lab at the University of Minnesota, and talked about securing funding hemp research to help farmers.
Funding Minnesota's agriculture
Gov. Tim Walz was in Delano Monday to talk about funding for Minnesota's agriculture. FOX 9's Rob Olson has the story.
The corn sweats?!?
It's humid out and corn may be the cause of some of that humidity. Senior climatologist Kenny Blumenfeld explains the phenomenon known as "corn sweats."
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Gov. Walz signs agriculture bill, answers questions [RAW]
Gov. Tim Walz traveled to Delano for a signing ceremony for legislation funding Minnesota agriculture and providing support to Minnesota farmers. He also took questions from reporters.
New World Screwworm risk in Minnesota low, but officials warn of transfer
Minnesotans are being asked to stay alert for a fly that lays a destructive maggot capable of inflicting harm to livestock, pets, wildlife, and on rare occasion, humans.
Medicaid recipients could fill gaps left by immigrant workers, AG official suggests
There are “34 million able-bodied adults in our Medicaid program" that could help propel a successful farming industry in the wake of immigration raids, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said on Tuesday.