Winona

Gov. Tim Walz authorized emergency assistance for multiple Minnesota counties—including Becker, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, and Winona—which suffered damage from severe storms between June 28 and July 8. The aid is intended to help rebuild critical public infrastructure damaged by the devastating events, which included flash flooding and tornadoes.

Flock cameras record license plate numbers across a nationwide network to assist law enforcement investigations, but the technology has faced scrutiny regarding privacy concerns and data misuse. In response to this backlash, multiple locations in Minnesota have reported instances of vandalism or are electing to end their use of the camera system. Consequently, a website is available allowing people to check if their vehicle’s information was captured in the database.

Flock cameras across Minnesota are facing increasing vandalism and theft due to data privacy concerns, with reports of damage in Edina, Winona, Duluth, and Plymouth. Local authorities note that while cameras are expensive crime-fighting tools, they operate under strict guidelines. Officials reiterate that data usage is restricted to local police departments for criminal investigations, with policies involving deleting data after 30 days.

All eight of Winona’s Flock cameras were stolen after being cut down, with police investigating the thefts. Similar incidents have occurred in Duluth, Plymouth, Faribault, Edina, and Anoka County, part of a statewide trend of camera thefts and vandalism.

Everson Griffen was charged with driving without an ignition interlock after being pulled over in Winona for speeding. He faces a misdemeanor charge and has prior legal issues related to driving, including a 2023 DWI arrest and a 2025 probation violation.