>>Mangione Plans to Plead Guilty in Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO
(New York, NT) — Luigi Mangione plans to plead guilty to two federal stalking charges stemming from the 2024 killing of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His attorneys disclosed the decision during a federal court hearing today. (Fri) The charges could carry a sentence of life in prison. A federal judge previously dismissed murder and firearms counts that could have made Mangione eligible for the death penalty. He still faces a separate murder prosecution in New York state court, where jury selection is scheduled to begin September 8th.
>>Ellison Condemns Reported DHS Surveillance of Minnesota Protesters
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is criticizing reported federal surveillance of protesters in the state. Ellison says the Department of Homeland Security monitored Minnesotans participating in constitutionally protected demonstrations through operations reportedly known as “Operation Puppet Master” and “Project Whipple Shield.” He called surveillance an abuse of federal power and political retaliation. Ellison also pointed to a June federal court ruling that quashed Justice Department subpoenas targeting him, Governor Tim Walz and other state officials. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to Ellison’s statement.
>>Polk County Horse Becomes Minnesota’s First West Nile Case of 2026
(Polk County, MN) — Minnesota has confirmed its first equine case of West Nile virus this year in an unvaccinated three-year-old horse from Polk County. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the horse showed weakness and coordination problems but is improving with veterinary treatment. Officials say West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and cannot pass from horses to people or other horses. Horse owners are encouraged to keep vaccinations current and reduce mosquito breeding areas by draining standing water, mowing tall grass and cleaning water troughs regularly.
>>More Boundary Waters Campsites Reopen as Wildfire Containment Improves
(Ely, MN) — More than 1,600 Boundary Waters campsites are now open as crews continue making progress on northern Minnesota wildfires. About 73% of the BWCAW has reopened to visitors. The Camp Fire is now 94% contained, while the Sioux Fire has reached 50% containment. The July Lightning fires have burned nearly 66,000 acres, with 682 personnel assigned. Drivers should continue to expect significant delays along the Echo Trail as crews build a shaded fuel break.
>>Mother Charged After Minor Daughter Causes Fatal Crash
(Rockford, MN) — A mother is facing charges for allegedly letting her 15-year-old daughter drive, which ended in a deadly crash in Rockford. The incident happened in May, when a teen who was driving jumped a curb and struck two women, killing 55-year-old Laura Bachinski and leaving a second woman severely injured. Police allege that the teen’s mother, Charlotte Breton, allowed her daughter to drive the van, despite the daughter not having a license. Breton now faces charges of aiding and abetting criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm.
>>MN’s 15th Costco Location Opens
(Ostego, MN) — Today is a big day for Costco lovers in Minnesota. The 15th Minnesota Costco location opened this morning in Ostego, northwest of the Twin Cities. The 152-thousand-square-foot store features a gas station, liquor store, optical department, and tire service center.
