>>Hortman’s Lie in State at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans are saying goodbye today to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their beloved dog, Gilbert, at a public viewing at the Capitol.
“The two caskets for Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark are lying in state in the middle of the Capitol rotunda. Both caskets are draped in flowers and surrounded by their pictures. There is also an urn and a photo of their family dog, Gilbert, who also died from the June 14th attack. The caskets are flanked by two officers keeping watch. Minnesotans have lined up and are pausing to remember the Hortmans. Tomorrow, a private funeral service will be held. The public viewing is being held until 5 p.m. today.
>>Boelter Hearing Continued
(St. Paul, MN) – The man charged with shooting two lawmakers and their spouses made a brief appearance today in federal court. 57-year-old Vance Boelter entered court in a protective garment used for inmates under suicide watch. His attorney, Manny Atwal, requested a delay in the preliminary and detention hearing, citing Boelter’s deteriorating condition behind bars. She told Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko that her client is severely sleep-deprived, forced to sleep without a pillow under constant lighting, and exposed to unsanitary conditions, including a neighboring inmate spreading feces. When asked directly, Boelter told the judge: “Your honor, I haven’t really slept in 12 to 14 days… I appreciate the motion to extend this so I can get some sleep. And I would also like to state I have never been suicidal, and I am not suicidal now.” Prosecutors did not object to the delay. Judge Micko granted the continuance, rescheduling Boelter’s next court appearance for July 3rd at 2:30 p.m.
>>Governor Walz Declares Peacetime Emergency in Beltrami County
(Beltrami County, MN) — Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency in response to severe storms that tore through Beltrami County, causing widespread damage to property and critical infrastructure in and around Bemidji. The storms brought hurricane-force winds, knocked out power to thousands, and left a trail of destruction across the region. Governor Walz says the state will deploy every available resource to support recovery efforts. The emergency order allows state agencies to continue assisting local responders and communities.
>>Southern Minnesota Teen Arraigned on Adult Murder Charges
(Austin, MN) — A 16-year-old is now facing murder charges in adult court following a deadly February shooting in Austin. Philip Gills was formally arraigned today after being certified to stand trial as an adult earlier this week. His conditional bail is set at $1 million. According to the criminal complaint, Gills is accused of fatally shooting 27-year-old Opoka Nathanael, who was found dead in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. A second victim, who was shot twice, managed to escape and was treated at St. Mary’s Hospital. Gills is due back in court early next month.
>>MNA Announces ULP Strike for Fair Bargaining
(Undated) — In ten days, Minnesota nurses in Duluth will strike. The announcement came this afternoon, with nurses saying the Unfair Labor Strike will begin on July 8th at 7 a.m. They’ve given hospitals a ten-day notice to fill the gaps for their absence. The full striking group of over 15,000 nurses says this comes after weeks of bargaining with no end in sight. Healthcare workers say they’re fighting for more staffing and safety.
>>Duluth Rallies After Little League Concession Stand Torched
(Duluth, MN) — A devastating act of vandalism turned into a powerful show of community support in Duluth. Earlier this month, the Western Duluth Little League’s concession stand was vandalized and set on fire, just days before a major tournament. According to the league’s GoFundMe page, the fire wiped out everything from first aid kits and an AED machine to trophies, uniforms, and all food and drink inventory. In just days, supporters raised more than $10,000 to help rebuild the stand and replace what was lost. The league says the outpouring of support is helping them move forward—and proving once again that Duluth shows up when it matters most.
>>New Home Sales Flat in Twin Cities
(Roseville, MN) – New numbers still show tough times for Minnesota homebuilders. Overall, homebuilding activity remained flat in the Twin Cities from the same period last year. Metro builders issued 541 permits for single-family homes in June, representing a 1% increase from the same month in the previous year. Multifamily construction did see an increase, with an additional 189 units. For new permits, Lakeville and Woodbury were the most popular spots, followed by Otsego, Rosemount, and St. Michael. Housing First Minnesota provided these numbers.
