>>Senator Mitchell Sentencing
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A Minnesota lawmaker is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of felony burglary. State Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury will learn her fate on September 10th. A Becker County jury found her guilty last week of breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. Police arrested Mitchell in April of 2024 after her stepmother discovered her inside the house, dressed in black and carrying a flashlight. Mitchell claimed she was there to collect items that belonged to her late father. Her attorneys argued she was checking on her stepmother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Mitchell could face up to 20 years behind bars, though her clean record may lead to a lighter sentence. She’s announced plans to resign from the Senate by August 4th.
>>Gunman at Sherburne County Government Center Charged
(Elk River, MN) — A weekend attack at the Sherburne County Government Center has led to six felony charges against an Elk River man. Authorities say 51-year-old Zha Kong Vang showed up Saturday morning armed with a gun and a machete, attempting to assault people in the parking lot before firing shots at the building. According to the criminal complaint, Vang used a long gun to shoot out two sets of windows to gain entry just before 9 a.m. Surveillance footage shows him trying to reach the court wing, but locked doors stopped him. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
>>Ely Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Eveleth
(Eveleth, MN) — A 38-year-old Ely man is facing multiple charges after leading deputies on a high-speed chase Sunday that ended in a crash near Eveleth. Erik Rust was wanted in connection with a domestic assault and weapons-related incident in Isanti County. Deputies spotted his vehicle on Highway 53 and attempted to stop it using spike strips, but Rust continued northbound, eventually crashing through construction barricades. He struck one squad car and was pinned by another before being taken into custody. One deputy suffered a minor injury.
>>Two Dead, One Injured in Minneapolis Shooting
(Minneapolis) – Two people are dead, and another person injured after a shooting overnight in Minneapolis. Minneapolis police say a brother and sister are dead, and a mother was injured in what they’re calling a domestic-related shooting. The incident happened on the 100 block of East 59th Street just after 12:30 a.m. Police say it appears the deceased woman was in her 20s and another woman was in her 40s. The man took his own life. Police are still investigating.
>>Minnesota Holds Second Cannabis Retail License Lottery
St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will conduct its second cannabis retailer license lottery this afternoon, selecting 75 applicants from a pool of 569. The drawing will begin at 3 p.m. and will be livestreamed on the OCM’s YouTube channel. It marks a key step in the state’s rollout of its legal cannabis market. “OCM staff have done an incredible job of processing now over 3,500 applications for cannabis businesses,” said Interim Director Eric Taubel. The state legislature capped the number of retail licenses at 150. Half were awarded in the first lottery earlier this year. Today’s drawing will determine the remaining 75 license holders. The lottery is part of Minnesota’s broader effort to establish a regulated cannabis market following the legalization of cannabis.
>>Authorities Continue Search for Missing 13-Year-Old in St. Cloud
(St. Cloud, MN) — Authorities in St. Cloud are intensifying efforts to locate 13-year-old Lierra Andrews, who has been missing since July 18th. She was last seen in the downtown area wearing a red sweatshirt and jean shorts. Lierra is described as an African-American girl, approximately 5 feet tall and weighing 100 pounds. She has curly black hair and brown eyes. Investigators say she is known to frequent the Lake George area. Anyone with information on Lierra’s whereabouts is urged to contact St. Cloud Police.
>>Gophers Perich Named to Big10 Football Preseason Honors List
(Minneapolis) – Minnesota Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (koy pair-ich) has been named to the 2025 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list. The annual list features 15 players and is voted on by the media. Perich played in all 13 games last year as a true freshman and started three of them on defense. Perich also plays offense for the Gophers. The Esko, Minnesota, native won numerous honors last season in his first year with the Gophers.
