Minnesota man cycling through Iran gets caught amid conflict with Israel
How a cyclist from Minnesota found himself in the middle of the Israel-Iran conflict
How a cyclist from Minnesota found himself in the middle of the Israel-Iran conflict
For one Minnesota family, the conflict between Israel and Iran is hitting incredibly close to home after their son unintentionally found himself in the middle of it all.
Ian Andersen is what you can only describe as a true adventurer. A Minnesotan through and through, his parents are in Wayzata, but he himself is in the middle of a nine-month bike trek from Portugal to Japan.
It's something he started in February, and just this past week, he found himself in Iran in the middle of a geopolitical conflict, potentially stranded without a place to go.
He posted the update to his TikTok and social media, saying his guide informed him they were running out of options. An encounter with police could at the very least lead to a detainment.
That clip has since been viewed over 1 million times.
Andersen's parents say a viewer was ultimately who helped him secure a visa and passage into Azerbaijan, where he's now safely planning the next leg of his journey.
"We're just so happy when people reach out to him and offer him a place to stay, or a meal, or help with fixing his bike when it's needed," dad Mark Andersen said. "It's just really lovely when people reach out and help our son. It's just kind of like, wow, he's really benefited from that."
Adam Duxter will have more on Ian Andersen's journey on WCCO News at 5.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Transportation Secretary Duffy tours Duluth International Airport; talks air traffic control
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy arrived at the Duluth International Airport on Saturday to tour one of the oldest air traffic control towers in the nation. "We'd play Atari back in the 80s right, old school. That is like rockstar technology compared to what they are using here," Secretary Duffy said at a press conference following the tour. Built in the 1950s the tower is running on equipment the Secretary calls old and antiquated. The FAA says this outdated tower has seen a 10 percent uptick in traffic over the last year. "Congress gave us 12.5 billion dollars as the down payment for upgrading this system," Secretary Duffy said referring to the "One Big Beautiful Bill." "Now, it's not all that we need. We need 31.5 billion but the 12.5 billion that we do have is going to go to new radar, new voice switches, new radios, new telecom." While touting congressional funding for towers across the nation, Secretary Duffy says the State of Minnesota will need to step in to round out the cash needed for the job in Duluth. "We're going to continue to work with all of you to ask you to get some more money from the state and local government," he said. The Minnesota State legislature allocated ten million dollars to the cause earlier this year in the state's transportation budget bringing the funding to about 34 million. Though an airport spokesperson says the project totals 72 million. "We know that the air traffic control tower is going to be 100 and some feet higher," said U.S. Representative Pete Stauber. "The sight lines are going to be better." Even if the nation's aging infrustructure isbrought up to speed, towers across the U.S. still need more employees. "We're about 3,000 air traffic controllers short right now and I've said many times, we can't flip a switch and turn on more controllers," the Secretary said. A CBS News investigation earlier this year found about 90 percent of US airport terminal towers don't have enough air traffic controllers, including Duluth and MSP. This is a problem that is decades in the making," Duffy said. "It's going to take months if not years to get us to full capacity but we're doing it." Secretary Duffy says they're offering cash bonuses to controllers who are at retirement age and fast-tracking the highest scoring applicants through the academy.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
MPCA issues - another - statewide air quality alert
Minnesotans will once again experience hazy conditions and poor air quality this weekend, as wildfires continue to burn across Canada and send smoke south with the change in wind direction. An Air Quality Alert will be in effect from 9 a.m. Sunday until 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says air quality index will reach the red level, meaning it is unhealthy for everyone, in all northern and central parts of the state on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the agency says the rest of the state will be in the orange level, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Residents in affected areas will have air that looks hazy, the sky may appear smoky, and you may smell smoke. In addition, you won't be able to see long distances. Health effects will include irritated eyes, nose and throat, chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath. These could lead to other conditions such as asthma and heart attacks or strokes, and the worsening of current heart or lung diseases and conditions. Precautions for those in sensitive groups or those with increased exposure include reducing the number of outdoor physical activities, taking more breaks and avoiding intense activities. To help with pollution control, the agency says you should either reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and using residential wood burning devices, not idle vehicles, and take fewer trips.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Birthday celebration planned at Mall of America as the attraction turns 33
The Mall of America in Bloomington- one of the most famous places in Minnesota - is getting ready for a big celebration this week, as the iconic landmark celebrates its 33rd year - and continues to grow. Many remember the area used to be home to Metropolitan Stadium. "Home to the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Kicks, our soccer team, and in our parking lot was the North Stars. And in fact, right here is home plate where all the Minnesota Twins greats played baseball," said Dan Jasper, the official storyteller for Mall of America. Although the stadium is gone, the mall was careful to keep and honor the sports history as it was built. The chair Harmon Killebrew hit with his 520-foot home run, as well as the coin marking the 50-yard line where a new play was born in 1975, can both be found if you look closely. "Roger Starbuck, the quarterback for the Cowboys, took a hike from this place. He took a hike. He fell back. The Purple People Eaters, they're rushing him. Roger throws the pass with his eyes closed. Drew Peason shoves off, should've been a penalty - all I'm saying. After the game, media ask Roger 'How did you make that incredible throw' and he said, 'I closed my eyes and I said a Hail Mary.' First time in NFL history, right on this spot," said Jasper. Since then, even as a mall, magic moments have been made. Among the 33 million annual visitors checking out the 500 stores, some famous faces have swung by - from Ozzy to Arnold and everyone in between. And even more special memories are likely to be made as it continues to grow. "We're going to be adding a large enclosed waterpark connected to the mall with our own theming, and all these wonderful water attractions. So much fun. Including a third hotel, including more parking and then we have goals and dreams beyond that," said Cupcakes and karaoke will be at the Huntington Bank Rotunda starting at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11 to celebrate the mall's birthday.
