>>Opening day of 2024 Minnesota State Fair sets attendance record
(Falcon Heights, MN) — State Fair officials say yesterday’s (Thurs) opening day set a new attendance record with 138-thousand-875 visitors passing through the gates. The previous record for opening day was just over 133 thousand in 2019. Last year’s first Friday of the Great Minnesota Get-Together set an attendance record of nearly 165 thousand.
>>Ways to beat the heat at the State Fair
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Minnesota State Fair officials say they’re preparing for possible high temps in the upper 80s this weekend. Spokesperson Maria Hayden says there are measures in place to help people beat the heat: misting stations located throughout the fairgrounds and a number of air-conditioned buildings, one in the North End Event Center. Hayden says there are water-bottle refill stations throughout the grounds so fairgoers can stay hydrated. She says there’s also plenty of seating in the shade with all the trees and benches on the fairgrounds. Forecasters expect Sunday to be the warmer day.
>>Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 35.5 Years in Prison for Fatal 2023 Shooting at Homeless Encampment
(Minneapolis, MN) — A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to over 35 years in prison for a 2023 fatal shooting at a Minneapolis homeless encampment. Prosecutors say Kenneth McKinnis of Minneapolis fought with Curtis Johnson last September about an unpaid debt — which several witnesses say was 20 dollars. Investigators say McKinnis returned the next day, entered Johnson’s tent, and shot him in the chest. Johnson died at a nearby hospital.
>>Hopkins Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Murder of Woman
(Hopkins, MN) — A Hopkins man has been sentenced to nearly 24 years in prison for the death of 33-year-old Danicka Bergeson. 39-year-old Matthew Brenneman pleaded guilty in July to second-degree murder. Police responded to a noise complaint in an apartment building in July 2023 in Bergeson’s apartment and say she had been abused by Brenneman multiple times and had a no-contact order against him. Officers entered the apartment and found Brenneman groaning in the bathroom after consuming bleach and he was taken to the hospital. Bergeson’s body was found in the bedroom wrapped in blankets.
>>DNR encouraging safety first on the water
(Undated) — If you’re heading to your favorite lake to cool off this weekend, the DNR encourages you to put safety first. Spokeswoman Lisa Dugan says, “Each year, we see an average of 10 Minnesotans drown in non-boating accidents, along with the countless number of near drownings or close calls.” Dugan recommends that you have someone in your group keep an eye on those in the water because drowning can happen quickly and silently.
