The organizers of the annual Vasaloppet Nordic ski race cancelled the event because of a lack of snow. This year's race would mark the 40th year for the race that attracts 3,000 skiers from around the world.

The announcement was made by the Loppet Foundation on Friday.

Paul W. Fox, a former top executive of Wirth Cos., was sentenced to three years of probation, 300 hours of community service and ordered to pay $35,536 in restitution to the IRS, the Star Tribune reports. Fox pleaded guilty last December to filing a false income tax return and wage report. Twin Cities hotel developer Jeffrey Wirth was sentenced to 54 months behind bars in September and ordered to pay almost $6.5 million to the IRS for tax evasion.

The Park Board is considering a pilot program allowing food trucks to operate in 16 city parks. The food vendors would have to pay a fee and have a license from the city.

City planners are mulling how to transform parking lots into the kind of dense, urban development needed to meet the city's aim of doubling the downtown population over the next decade. There are at least 140 surface parking lots scattered around downtown, some of which take up entire an entire block.

Theodore Wirth Lake Beach in Minneapolis has been closed temporarily after it tested positive for E. coli bacteria that exceeded state guidelines. The rise in bacteria levels is likely caused by more birds at the lake since the start of migration season. No illnesses have been reported. The lake will be re-tested Wednesday.

Scott Benz suffered a head injury that led to a blood clot and three strokes. FOX 9 News says Benz relearned to walk three times and will run his final race Thursday.