>>Heat Advisory for Parts of Minnesota
(Undated) — Minnesotans will have to contend with both heat and smoky skies today. A Heat Advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for much of central and southern Minnesota, with heat index values climbing into the mid-90s. Officials recommend staying hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor activity, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
>>Woodbury Man Killed in I-94 Construction Zone Crash
(Erdahl Township, MN) — A Woodbury man was killed, and three others were injured in a three-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Interstate 94 in Grant County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened just before 4 p.m. in a construction zone with head-to-head traffic. Investigators say a car crossed into the oncoming lane, collided head-on with another vehicle, and a third vehicle then crashed into the wreckage. The 73-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger and the other driver suffered serious injuries, while the driver of the third vehicle was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
>>Vesta Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash
(Vesta, MN) – A Vesta man is dead after a motorcycle crash in Redwood County Saturday. The sheriff’s department says the crash happened at the intersection of County Roads 46 and 8, about 6 miles south of Wood Lake. The victim is identified as 48-year-old Craig Michael Baune (bow-nee almost rhymes with bounty) of Vesta. Authorities say he lost control on a curve, entered the ditch, and hit a road sign. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
>>Minneapolis Man Charged in Two Sexual Assault Cases Linked by DNA
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis man is facing charges in two sexual assault cases after DNA evidence linked attacks a decade apart. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says 46-year-old Angel Fernandez Morocho is charged in connection with an attempted sexual assault in Minneapolis in 2012 and a sexual assault in Golden Valley in 2022. Investigators say DNA connected the two cases, but it wasn’t until a renewed investigation through the county’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative that Fernandez Morocho was identified as a suspect. Prosecutors say he later made incriminating statements. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 12th.
>>Political Analyst Weighs in On Lindell Gubernatorial Race
(Undated) — President Donald Trump’s endorsement is putting new attention on Minnesota’s Republican race for governor. Trump backed longtime ally Mike Lindell last week, as Lindell competes against Republican-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls and House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the August 11th primary. Fluence Media political analyst Blois Olson says Trump’s support could energize both Lindell’s supporters and Republicans concerned about who can win in November. He says the endorsement is also bringing more attention to the race, which could increase voter turnout. Early voting is already underway.
>>City of Minneapolis Testing Voting Machines Tuesday
(Minneapolis) – The City of Minneapolis will be holding the next round of tests on the city’s voting machines Tuesday morning. The city has tested all the voting equipment to confirm that it tabulates correctly for all offices and candidates. Officials say tomorrow will be a duplication of those tests to show that the tabulators accurately report votes cast. Before any election, the state requires the city to test its voting machines and assistive voting devices and high-speed tabulators. Primary Election Day is August 11th.
>>Gas Prices Jump in MN for Second Straight Week
(St. Louis Park, MN) – Gas prices have jumped in Minnesota for a second straight week. AAA (Triple A) reports the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded across the state is $3.87 a gallon. That’s 12 cents higher than last week. The national average has jumped back up to the $4 mark. AAA says instability in the Strait of Hormuz and tensions between the U.S. and Iran is leading to the higher prices. The average price in the Twin Cities metro is $3.92 a gallon.
>>Minnesota Twins Reinstate Outfielder Byron Buxton
(Minneapolis) – The Minnesota Twins will have one of their star players back in the lineup. The team announced they reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day Injured List. Buxton was placed on the Injured List July 7th with a right hip strain that kept him from playing in the All-Star Game. Buxton is 8th in the Major Leagues with 25 home runs this season. The Twins are in Cleveland tonight for the start of a four-game series.
>>DNR Announces Last Falcon Chick Takes Flight
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources FalconCam’s nesting season has come to a successful conclusion. The last of this year’s peregrine falcon chicks took flight Sunday evening. The DNR says over the next few weeks, the falcon parents will continue feeding and watching their young and protecting them from predators. The DNR says the parents may return to the nest, but the chicks will most likely not return and eventually find their own territories to live.
>>Minnesota Lottery Ticket Wins State Record $34.12 Million Lotto America Drawing
(Roseville, MN) – One lucky player has won the largest Lotto America drawing in Minnesota state history. The winning ticket is worth $34.12 million dollars from Saturday’s drawing. The player also has the cash option which is worth more than $15.1 million dollars. The jackpot ticket was sold at the Holiday Stationstore in Coon Rapids. The player has a year to collect the winnings. The business that sold the ticket earns a $10,000 bonus.
