Minnesota measles cases reach 139, Highway 610 is renamed for the Hortmans, and the 1st District race between Jake Johnson and Brad Finstad heads toward a recount.
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The Minnesota Department of Health reported 59 new measles cases on Thursday, bringing the state's 2026 total to 139, nearly all since mid-September. About 115 are in Todd County in central Minnesota. MDH says the new cases were among unvaccinated people, and two vaccine doses are about 97 percent effective. Wisconsin reported an infant's death from measles, its first since 1990.
The state renamed Highway 610 in the northern Twin Cities suburbs the Hortman Memorial Highway on Thursday, honoring former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were killed in June 2025. Governor Tim Walz and the couple's son Colin took part. Melissa Hortman helped secure funding for the road, which links Coon Rapids and neighboring suburbs.
In Minnesota's 1st Congressional District in southern Minnesota, Democrat Jake Johnson leads Republican Representative Brad Finstad by about 320 votes, roughly 0.1 percent, according to unofficial Secretary of State results. Johnson, a Rochester math teacher, declared victory. Finstad's campaign says it will let the recount process proceed. Margins under 0.25 percent qualify for a publicly funded recount.
1. Which Minnesota county has most of the state's 2026 measles cases?
From story 1: Minnesota measles cases reach 139, most in Todd County
2. What is the name of the Hortmans' son who took part in the highway ceremony?
From story 2: Highway 610 renamed Hortman Memorial Highway
3. What was Jake Johnson's job before running for Congress?
From story 3: Johnson leads Finstad by about 320 votes in 1st District
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