>>Gun Violence Prevention Hearings Scheduled at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) – State Democratic and Republican Senators will start discussing gun violence prevention next week with public hearings at the Capitol. Two DFL Senators will chair the working groups, Senator Ron Latz from St. Louis Park and Senator Zaynab (zay-nub) Mohamed of Minneapolis. These hearings are in response to the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The hearings will be held on Monday and Wednesday mornings next week. The hope is that lawmakers will develop a bipartisan package on guns and school safety for an upcoming special session or the 2026 legislative session, which is scheduled to begin in February.
>>Wanted Man Arrested in Milaca SWAT Operation
(Milaca, MN) — Authorities in Mille Lacs County arrested a wanted man this morning (WED) during a SWAT operation in rural Milaca. The suspect, who had multiple felony warrants in multiple counties, was found living in a trailer in a wooded area. It was suspected he had explosive devices. The man was arrested without incident. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and there is no threat to the public.
>>Aitkin Man Charged in Fatal St. Paul Encampment Shooting
(St. Paul, MN) — An Aitkin man is charged with fatally shooting another man at a St. Paul homeless encampment over an unpaid drug debt. Court documents say twenty-one-year-old Francisco Diaz-Xique shot the victim seven times around 1:15 p.m. on July 20th. The thirty-six-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses say he was “fronted” fentanyl by Diaz-Xique and didn’t want to pay him back. Surveillance video, witness statements, and weapon evidence found in a nearby vehicle helped identify Diaz-Xique as the suspect.
>>Senate Passes ‘Miracle on Ice’ Gold Medal Bill
(Washington, D.C.) — Today (WED), the bipartisan Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act passed the U.S. Senate. Co-sponsored by Representative Pete Stauber (R) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D) and Tina Smith (D), the bill honors the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team with three Congressional Gold Medals on the forty-fifth anniversary of their historic four-to-three win over the Soviet Union. The team included twelve players and head coach Herb Brooks, all from Minnesota. The amended bill now goes to the House for another vote, then to the president’s desk. The medals will be displayed in museums in Eveleth, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Lake Placid, New York.
>>Governor Visits Inver Grove Heights School
(Inver Grove Heights, MN) – Governor Tim Walz and his State Children’s Cabinet visited Pine Bend Elementary School in Inver Grove Heights. The governor says the visit was to spotlight his goal to make Minnesota the best state for children and families. The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet brings together commissioners and leaders from state government to meet with students and teachers. Today’s meeting focused on pre-K, expanded literacy efforts, and universal meals.
>>Moorhead School District Receives Grant to Purchase Electric Buses
(Moorhead, MN) — Moorhead Area Public Schools is receiving a grant to purchase three new electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. The $1.2 million Electric School Bus Equipment Grant comes from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The district says the grant allows the addition of electric buses without retiring existing diesel buses. The annual cost for the buses is estimated at $24,000 a year. The district says the price will be covered by the estimated annual savings of $150,000 from reduced contractor, fuel, and maintenance expenses. The buses are expected to be ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
>>Three Indicted in Robbery Spree That Disrupted State Fair Prep
(St. Paul, MN) — Three young men are facing federal charges after a violent gas station robbery spree that briefly shut down Minnesota State Fair preparations. Dylan Jungwirth and Kenneth Spight, both 21, and 18-year-old Kemonie Hurd are accused of robbing three stations on August 17th using a stolen car and a realistic airsoft gun. One cashier was injured trying to fight back. The suspects crashed during a police chase in St. Paul. One was arrested on the spot; the other two were caught after fleeing into nearby woods. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said the trio “brought violence to a cherished tradition” — and now face federal charges.
>>Minnesotans Protest U.S. Military Threats Against Southern Countries
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesotans and thousands across the Americas are protesting today (WED, 4-5 p.m.) to oppose “an escalation of war aggression, threats, and sanctions against Venezuela, Latin America, and the Caribbean.” Organizers say this is in response to an unlawful military strike on September 2nd that killed eleven people in the Southern Caribbean. They also note President Donald Trump’s deployment of over four thousand Marines throughout the area under the pretense of arresting drug traffickers.
>>Carlton County Searches for Missing Esko Man
(Carlton County, MN) — A twenty-five-year-old Esko man is missing. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says Antonio Sarazua was last seen leaving his home around 4 p.m. on Monday. He possibly left in his vehicle. a 2017 blue Subaru W-R-X with M-N license plate Z-G-S-7-2-2. Sarazua is described as white, five feet eleven inches tall, and two hundred fifteen pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Family has not heard from him since, and Sarazua has made past comments about living in his car and traveling to Texas.
>>DNR Expects Plenty of Deer Harvest Opportunities this Archery Season
(Undated) — The Minnesota DNR expects archery hunters to have plenty of opportunities to harvest a deer this season. Big Game Coordinator Paul Burr says Minnesota has seen two mild winters in a row, which generally means more deer activity in the fall. Burr says they’re also encouraging people to harvest anterless deer this season, as people have started to favor going for trophy bucks over anterless deer. He says the hunt is far and away the best tool the DNR has when it comes to deer population management. The archery hunting season starts Saturday. More info can be found on the D-N-R’s website.
>>Vikings McCarthy Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
(Eagan, MN) — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J-J McCarthy is being honored for leading his team to a 27-24 comeback victory over the Bears. McCarthy was named the N-F-C Offensive Player of the Week today. He threw two touchdowns and ran for a T-D as Minnesota scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. McCarthy completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in his first career start.
