>>Lane Splitting and Filtering
(St. Paul, MN) — Starting tomorrow(Tues), Minnesota roads will look a little different for motorcyclists and drivers. A new law taking effect on July 1st makes lane splitting and lane filtering legal for motorcycles across the state. That means riders can now move between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic—but only under certain conditions. Traffic must be going 25 miles per hour or less, and motorcyclists can’t go more than 15 miles per hour faster than the cars around them. But there are limits. Lane sharing is not allowed in roundabouts, school zones, work zones with only one open lane, or on freeway on-ramps.
>>New Law Could Save Benson Schools from One Million in Mascot Change
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota schools now have a more straightforward path to keep American Indian mascots. A new law passed this legislative session allows schools to obtain approval from just the nearest tribal nation and its American Indian Parent Advisory Committee, rather than all 11 tribes. The deadline to comply remains September 1st, 2026, but there’s still no state funding or penalties for noncompliance. Supporters argue that it eases the burden on rural schools, such as the Benson Braves, which estimates that a mascot change could cost $1 million.
>>Woman Dies, Husband, Five Children Injured in Aitkin County Crash
(Mille Lacs, MN) — A mother is dead, and her husband and five children are injured, after a crash near Lake Mille Lacs on Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says around 7:13 p.m., the family from Hazelton Township in Aitkin County was driving their SUV north on Highway 169 when they collided with a pickup truck at an intersection. The thirty-four-year-old woman died at an Onamia hospital. Her thirty-nine-year-old husband and children, two daughters, ages nine and eleven, and three sons, ages three, thirteen, and seventeen, all suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The pickup driver and passenger, both eighteen years old, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, and no arrests have been made. A GoFundMe campaign for the family has surpassed its $20,000 goal as of Monday.
>>Sartell Man Trial for Allegedly Swindling Woman of Over $143K Cancelled
(Sartell, MN) — A Sartell man’s trial for today has been canceled, and a plea hearing has been set. Forty-three-year-old Travis Peterlin is accused of swindling an Isanti woman out of over one hundred forty-three thousand dollars. Officials say he convinced a woman to loan him over $50,000 to buy a pickup and trailer that he never purchased, and collected checks from the woman for work that was never done or that cost significantly less. Peterlin has pleaded guilty in two separate cases involving check forgery and theft by swindle. He’s also charged in Hennepin County for using his power of attorney over his vulnerable mother to steal over one hundred seventy thousand dollars in cash and buy an eighty-six thousand dollar SUV in her name. Peterlin’s plea hearing is set for July 17th.
>>Blatnik Bridge lane closures
(Duluth, MN) — Routine bridge inspections on the I-535 Blatnik Bridge in Duluth begin one week from today.(July 7th) Expect right lane closures, a 10-foot width restriction, and a reduced speed limit of 45 mph from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Work begins on the Superior-bound side and is expected to last approximately three weeks.
>>Minnesota Wild Acquire Veteran Winger Tarasenko from Detroit
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild are adding some offensive depth with the signing of veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko (TAIR’-uh-sink-oh). The 33-year-old Russian winger had 11 goals and 22 assists for the Red Wings this season. He was acquired by the Wild from Detroit today for future considerations. Tarasenko played 11 seasons in St. Louis and won the 2019 Stanley Cup with the Blues, and another title with the Florida Panthers in 2024.
