>>Jury Finds Senator Mitchell Guilty
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A Becker County jury has found DFL State Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. The case stems from an incident in April 2024, when she allegedly broke into her stepmother’s home. On the first-degree burglary charges, Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Mitchell testified she entered the home only to check on her stepmother, Carol Mitchell, not to steal anything. The jury’s decision could have significant implications for her political future and the balance in the Minnesota Senate.
>>Lawmakers React to Guilty Verdicts in Senator Mitchell Trial
(St. Paul, MN) – State lawmakers are reacting following the guilty verdicts delivered today against DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell. DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says, “I am relieved to see the end of Senator Mitchell’s trial. The case’s resolution brings clarity to the situation. Senator Mitchell told colleagues she intended to resign if found guilty of this crime, and I expect her to follow through on that pledge.”
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson says, “I applaud the jury and the prosecution for their diligent work to deliver justice in this case. The verdict only confirms that Senator Mitchell’s actions on the night of April 22, 2024, fell short of the level of ethical behavior we expect from elected officials, and her continued participation in the Minnesota Senate leaves the body with a stain on its record. We expect her immediate resignation.”
>>Minnesota AG Taking Trump Administration to Court
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is taking the Trump Administration to court over a new federal rule that could strip health insurance from nearly two million Americans. The rule, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, would alter how the Affordable Care Act is enforced, potentially raising premiums, increasing out-of-pocket costs, and reducing coverage for gender-affirming care. Ellison says the rule is illegal and harmful, and he’s asking a judge to block it before it takes effect on August 25th.
>>Minnesota Senator Urging Changes in Female Products
(St. Paul, MN) – State Senator Julia Coleman from Waconia has joined 19 female lawmakers from around the country demanding changes be made to menstrual products that contain toxic chemicals. The letter sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., requests an investigation and the regulation of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in these products. Lawmakers would also like to see the FDA strengthen rules and conduct more research on these chemicals. Lawmakers from New York, Utah, and Michigan join Coleman.
>>Driver Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in Isanti County Fair Race
(Cambridge, MN) — A man is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries suffered in a dirt track racing event Thursday night at the Isanti County Fair. The driver was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale for treatment. Officials say the registered vehicle was involved in a collision during a grandstand event called Night of Destruction. Witnesses reported that firefighters needed the Jaws of Life to remove the driver from the truck. The Isanti County Fair Board said it has no additional information at this time.
>>Senator Smith Given Clean Bill of Health
(Washington, D.C.) — U.S. Senator Tina Smith is out of the hospital and doing well after a brief health scare in Washington.
Smith was admitted Wednesday morning after experiencing chest pains. She spent the night at George Washington University Hospital and was released Thursday with a clean bill of health. Earlier this year, Senator Smith announced she would not seek re-election in 2026.
>>U of M Rebranding Carlson School of Management as ‘Minnesota Carlson
(Minneapolis, MN) — Officials at the U of M are changing the preferred name of the Carlson School of Management to “Minnesota Carlson.” Dean Jamie Prenkert says Minnesota Carlson is one tool in the toolkit to help elevate the school’s national profile. It is already widely known as a leader in business education. The University of Michigan plans to use Minnesota Carlson more broadly across visual and written communications and merchandise, with the new name expected to be introduced this fall.
