>>Attempted Murder Charges Filed Against Man Who Attempted to Drown Mother and Sister
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A Shakopee man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, domestic assault by strangulation, and domestic assault following his arrest last weekend for trying to drown two relatives in Otter Tail Lake. 42-year-old Franklin Dickinson was arrested after a 911 call reporting that he was attempting to drown his 64-year-old mother and 25-year-old sister. Otter Tail County prosecutors say Dickinson held his sister underwater to the point where she lost consciousness and dragged his mother by the hair to the water when she went to help her daughter. A neighbor heard the struggle and was able to free the two women before deputies arrived. Dickinson told deputies that he drank a THC seltzer and had a bad reaction.
>>Final Defendant Sentenced in Overdose Death of Sauk Rapids Teen
(Foley, MN) — The last of three defendants charged in connection with the fatal drug overdose of a 16-year-old Sauk Rapids boy has been sentenced. 34-year-old Fox Bellanger received a sentence of just over six years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter. Prosecutors say Bellanger, along with the boy’s mother, Crystal Swenson, 38, sold the teen cocaine that was laced with fentanyl. Swenson was sentenced in June to more than three years behind bars. A third defendant, Anthony Costello, 48, was sentenced to four years in prison. Authorities say he was with the boy the night of the overdose, found him unresponsive, and failed to render medical aid.
>>Hibbing Man Arrested for Threatening to Set Himself and Garage on Fire
(Hibbing, MN) — A man from Hibbing is jailed after barricading himself inside a garage and threatening to set a fire. Police went to arrest the man on outstanding warrants on Wednesday when he ran into a garage and started pouring gasoline. Officers say he threatened to light the garage and himself on fire if they entered the garage. After several hours of negotiations, the suspect was taken into custody and evaluated at a hospital.
>>Faith Leaders Join Gun Violence Advocates in Calling for Assault Weapons Ban
(St. Paul, MN) — Today, a coalition of faith leaders and advocates will gather at the State Capitol to call for an immediate legislative special session to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The event, in partnership with Moms Demand Action, follows the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School last week. This gathering is meant to be a moment of moral clarity, calling on lawmakers to align their actions with the shared value of protecting the innocent.
>>Rep. Craig Calls on HHS Secretary Kennedy to Resign
(Washington, DC) — Following his Senate testimony, Democratic Representative Angie Craig is calling for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s resignation, citing his disregard for science and threats to public health. Craig criticized Kennedy’s firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and his replacement of all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel with individuals holding anti-science views.
She also condemned Kennedy’s response to the recent Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, calling his comments about psychiatric medications “baseless, cruel, and beneath your office.”
>>Public Utilities Commission Approves Solar Farm in Beltrami County
(St. Paul, MN) — State regulators are giving the green light to a 66-megawatt solar farm in Beltrami County. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Otter Tail Power Company’s Solway Solar Project at Thursday’s meeting. It includes a new substation and a 500-foot overhead transmission line that will connect the facility to Minnesota’s electric grid. Otter Tail Power plans to have the solar farm in service by the end of 2026.
>>Minneapolis House Fire Displaces Family
(Minneapolis, MN) — A family in Minneapolis is displaced after a fire at their home this morning (FRI). Crews responded to a fire report in a two-and-a-half-story home around 1:32. Smoke and flames were found in a second-floor bathroom, with fire extending into the attic. Crews quickly contained the blaze, preventing damage to neighboring units. No injuries were reported. Two adults, one child, and two cats are displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
>>Battle of the Badges Postponed Due to Annunciation Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — Tomorrow’s “Battle of the Badges” in Minneapolis has been postponed following last week’s fatal shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. The annual event brings together members from the city’s police force, fire department, county sheriff’s office, and park police to engage in a barbecue competition. City leaders say the delay allows space for healing and ongoing investigation efforts. A new date will be announced later.
>>Twins Activate Pablo Lopez for Series Opener at Kansas City
(Kansas City, MO) — The Minnesota Twins welcome Pablo Lopez back to the mound for the series opener tonight (Fri) in Kansas City. Lopez hasn’t pitched for the Twins since suffering a shoulder injury on June 3rd. Minnesota could use a good start from Lopez after getting swept by the White Sox in four games at Target Field. Right-hander Michael Wacha (WAH’-kuh) is the starting pitcher for the Royals.
