>>Wildfire Update
(Duluth, MN) — The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness remains closed through October 1st as firefighters continue making progress on the massive July Lightning wildfire complex in northeastern Minnesota. The fires now cover more than 63,500 acres. Nearly 1,000 firefighters are assigned to the incident as containment slowly improves, but officials warn hotter, drier weather this week could increase fire activity. Evacuation orders remain in effect for parts of Lake, St. Louis and Cook counties, and the public is urged to obey closures, avoid flying drones and stay clear of lakes where firefighting aircraft are operating.
>>New Poll Shows Lindell Still Leading GOP Governor’s Race
(St. Paul, MN) – A new poll shows MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell still leading the field in the Republican primary for governor. The poll from KSTP/Survey USA shows following the endorsement from President Trump, Lindell’s numbers jumped eight points from the previous month. Lindell now has 35 percent support overall. House Speaker Lisa Demuth is in second with 26 percent. GOP-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls is third with 11 percent support. The poll shows Lindell is leading with support from women and senior citizens. The primary is August 11.
>>Poll Shows DFL Senate Race Neck and Neck
(St. Paul, MN) – New polling results show the DFL Senate primary race between Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is now even. The latest numbers from KSTP/Survey USA show Craig and Flanagan both getting 40 percent of the vote. Craig has slipped by a point in the last month while Flanagan gained 4 points. Roughly 16 percent of the voters in the poll say they are still undecided. The DFL primary is August 11.
>>Senator Warren Coming to Minnesota Friday to Campaign for Flanagan
(St. Paul, MN) — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is returning to Minnesota this week to campaign for Peggy Flanagan in the state’s closely watched U.S. Senate race. Warren will headline a get-out-the-vote rally Friday night (7 PM) in St. Paul. Flanagan’s campaign says the event comes as the Democratic primary has become the most expensive U.S. Senate primary in Minnesota history, with millions of dollars in outside spending. Warren endorsed Flanagan’s campaign last year and previously campaigned with her during the 2025 Minnesota State Fair and at a Minneapolis rally.
>>Rochester Daycare Worker Sentenced in Child Abuse Case
(Rochester, MN) – A former Rochester daycare worker has avoided prison time for her conviction in a child abuse case. 26-year-old Alexis Kemp was charged last June with two felony counts of malicious punishment of a child. She pleaded guilty to both counts in a plea deal. Under the terms of the agreement, the prosecution agreed to recommend a maximum 60-day jail sentence. Prosecutors say a review of security camera footage shows Kemp picking up a little girl, slamming her face down into the crib and then forcefully hitting the child’s back with an open hand. Police say the incident happened at the New Horizons Academy in northwest Rochester.
>>Man Sentenced To 10 Years for Juror Bribery
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man who admitted trying to bribe a juror during the Feeding Our Future fraud trial has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in federal prison. Abdiaziz Farah received the sentence today after pleading guilty in June 2025 to bribery of a juror. Prosecutors say Farah and four others delivered a bag containing $120,000 in cash to a juror’s home and promised even more money in exchange for a not guilty verdict. The juror immediately reported the bribery attempt and was later dismissed from the case. Farah is already serving a 28-year federal prison sentence for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
>>Minnesota Hemp Industry Could Get Boost from Congress
(Washington, D.C.) – Minnesota’s hemp industry could get a boost from Congress. U.S Representative and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee Angie Craig introduced legislation to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for hemp and hemp-derived THC products, ensuring Hemp remains safe and available for Minnesota farmers, processors, brewers, retailers and consumers. Minnesota’s hemp industry supports 3,400 jobs, 132 licensed growers, 96 processors and more than 2,000 retailers. Craig’s legislation comes after House Republicans effectively repealed a 2018 law that allowed Minnesota and other states to legally produce hemp and hemp-related products.
>>MPCA Fines Stillwater Hospital
(Stillwater, MN) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined Lakeview Memorial Hospital in Stillwater more than $15,000 for improperly disposing of infectious waste. Investigators say the violation came to light after a waste facility rejected a shipment in December because it appeared to contain blood-contaminated materials. The MPCA found the hospital failed to properly separate, label and store untreated infectious waste before disposal. Along with paying the fine, the hospital has agreed to improve its handling procedures and implement a plan to prevent future violations.
>>Wolves, Lynx Holding Locker Room Sale
(Minneapolis) – Fans of both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx will get their chance to buy some new souvenirs for their collections. The teams announced today that they’re holding a Locker Room Liquidation Sale on Thursday, July 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the first floor at Mayo Clinic Square. Fans will have the chance to purchase discounted merchandise including some autographed items and team issued gear. All proceeds benefit the Minnesota Fastbreak Foundation which is the nonprofit organization of the Wolves and Lynx.
