>>Minnesota gymnast Suni Lee and Team USA win gold medal at Paris Olympics
(Paris, France) — St. Paul gymnast Suni Lee and Team USA have bounded their way to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team earned the medal in the team all-around competition today (TUES). After the official qualifying team trials held in Minneapolis in June, Lee reported she didn’t think she would be back on the floor after battling two kidney diseases while competing at Auburn University. Lee will participate in the balance beam and uneven bars finals during the individual events Saturday through Monday. Lakeville’s Regan (REE-gan) Smith also won today, her fourth overall Olympic medal, taking the silver in the 100 backstroke.
>>Ellison asking appeals court to review ruling that struck down state’s open-carry ban on 18- to 20-year-olds
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is asking a full federal appeals court to review an earlier ruling by three of its judges that Minnesota’s ban on 18- to 20-year-olds carrying handguns in public is unconstitutional. Ellison says the court reached the wrong conclusion, especially in light of what he calls the U-S Supreme Court’s recent, common-sense decision to uphold state laws restricting gun possession by domestic abusers. He says there are “a lot of great folks” age 18 to 20, but research shows on average “they’re still developing judgment, skills, how to manage stress, how to manage conflict, and how to manage impulsive feelings.” But Rob Doar with the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus says permit-to-carry holders in Minnesota are eight to 10 times more law-abiding than the general public, and 18-to-20-year-olds would have to go through the same training and background checks as everyone else.
>>MN labor leaders urge Harris to pick Walz as V-P running mate
(St. Paul, MN) — Over two dozen leaders of Minnesota labor unions and organizations at the State Capitol today (Tues) urged Vice President Kamala Harris to choose Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham says, “What better way to continue the most pro-worker administration than having the most pro-worker governor in the nation serve as our vice president.” Education Minnesota President Denise Specht points to the governor’s time as a teacher, saying “Every educator feels that powerful mix of urgency and responsibility, and Tim took that feeling from the classroom to Congress to his office upstairs [at the Minnesota Capitol].” Opponents say student test scores have slipped on Walz’s watch, government and taxes have ballooned, and Minnesota now allows abortion up to the moment of birth.
Walz told C-N-N he would “do what is in the best interest of the country” if offered the chance to run with Harris. When pressed for a more definitive answer, he only said, “We’ll cross paths when we get there.”
>>Lutsen Resort owner in more legal trouble at Superior Shores in Two Harbors
(Two Harbors, MN) — Bryce Campbell, who ran the historic Lutsen Lodge until it burned to the ground last February, is facing more legal trouble over Superior Shores, the resort he’s been running further down the North Shore at Two Harbors. The Star Tribune reports a Lake County judge has handed over operation of the massive property for at least 60 days to an Iowa-based company, citing three missed payments to the seller totaling nearly 13 million dollars, failure to pay property taxes and other expenses, and not keeping the properties “in good repair, working order and condition.” Campbell’s attorney responds in a court filing the plaintiff omitted “essential facts surrounding the contractual payment terms… and defendant’s unwavering compliance.” Meanwhile, state officials have given few details about what they say is an ongoing investigation of the devastating fire at the iconic Lutsen Lodge. Campbell has taken strong issue with rumors that he was somehow responsible for the blaze.
>>AG Ellison Wins Reforms to Fraudulent Businesses Practices of Midwest Car Search
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today (TUES) that Midwest Car Search and owner Scott Spiczka must modify business practices per his demands. Ellison sued in Anoka County, alleging the company misrepresented that its used cars are certified when they aren’t… illegally added expensive vehicle service contracts without customers’ consent… refused to provide warranties… and heavily targeted and exploited Spanish speakers. Midwest Car Search is required to stop marketing and selling their used cars as “certified,” make clear and conspicuous disclosures about expensive “service contracts,” disclose and honor warranties, provide easy-to-understand “Buyer’s Guide” disclosures, and produce documents in Spanish whenever a sale is conducted in that language.
>>Police in Duluth Tell People at Homeless Encampment to Leave
(Duluth, MN) — Police in Duluth are telling people in a homeless encampment near the county courthouse that they have seven days to leave and remove their belongings. Officers say they were given notice this morning (Tues) to vacate the area in light of “escalating public health and safety concerns.” They say the city will coordinate with community outreach programs to assist those in need during the transition period. The encampment was set up in early May by people protesting the war in Gaza. The Duluth City Council voted against an ordinance Monday that would have made camping on city property a misdemeanor crime.
>>Duluth Police Investigate Suspicious Circumstances Around Man’s Death
(Duluth, MN) — Duluth police are investigating after determining suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a 25-year-old man. Maxton Gudowski was killed during a structure fire Thursday in Duluth. No other information is being released at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call DPD’s Violent Crimes Unit at (218) 730-5050.
>>Rochester Man Arrested for Firing Multiple Rounds
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man faces multiple charges after allegedly firing multiple rounds outside an apartment building Monday. Police responded to reports of gunshots around 9 p-m and found several shell casings at the scene. No injuries were reported. Witnesses say 38-year-old Christopher Coleman shot at a group of people who were arguing, then fled. Coleman was arrested in nearby Chester after Olmsted County Sheriff’s deputies pulled him over.
>>MN State Patrol Searches for Driver Involved in Burnsville Hit-and-Run
(Burnsville, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is asking for the public’s help in finding the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run earlier this month. Officials say it happened around 3 a-m July 17th along Highway 13 between two intersections. The vehicle is as a black Dodge Ram pickup, model year 2006 to 2009, and would likely have front-end damage on the driver’s side. The pedestrian involved was seriously injured; their current condition is not available. Anyone with information should call State Patrol at 651-539-1151.
>>Bemidji K9 Helps Rescue Woman in Need
(Bemidji, MN) — A woman in need was found with the help of a K-9 in Beltrami County Friday evening. Deputies went to a residence after a caller reported a vehicle in the driveway with windows smashed from the inside and out, and a man and a woman were seen walking away from it. Investigators say the woman appeared disoriented and a witness found her lying in a ditch before she walked into the woods, while than man was seen going in the opposite direction. A Bemidji officer and the K-9 found the woman near a residence along the river. She was identified and brought to a family member’s home after evaluation.
>>Minnesota United back for matchup in St. Paul after loss at Seattle
(St. Paul, MN) — Fresh off a loss at Seattle, Minnesota United F-C returns to Allianz Field tonight for its second group stage match of Leagues Cup, a midseason competition pitting M-L-S clubs against teams from LigaMX, Mexico’s top domestic league. Despite the tournament-opening loss, head coach Eric Ramsay is staying positive. The Loons welcome Club Necaxa to St. Paul for an 8 P-M kick-off.
