Catharine Richert

The city of Pine Island has revealed that Google is the big tech company behind a proposed large-scale data center, which has been the center of controversy in the small community just north of Rochester.

In a narrow vote, the Albert Lea City Council blocked the town’s first cannabis dispensary from opening. The move could incite legal action.

The Rochester City Council meets Monday to discuss the future of a big proposed sports complex. Voters approved a referendum two years ago to extend the half cent local sales tax to fund the project, in hopes of bringing youth baseball and soccer tournaments to town.

Homes and cabin owners got a first opportunity Friday to view the devastation in areas torched by this week’s massive wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. Meanwhile, cooler, wet weather continued to help firefighting crews make progress in their efforts to contain the blazes.