>>Brooklyn Park Police Investigating Fatal Shooting of 17-Year-Old Girl
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — A 17-year-old girl is the victim of a deadly shooting Tuesday night in Brooklyn Park. Officers found the victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound and started CPR, but she died in the hospital. Police and a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter searched unsuccessfully for the shooter. Detectives are actively working the case and looking for a suspect. The girl’s name hasn’t been released.
>>Walz Authorizes Emergency Assistance for Wildfire Damage in St. Louis County
(St. Paul, MN) – Governor Tim Walz is authorizing state emergency assistance for parts of St. Louis County that suffered damage in the wildfires from May 11th to 24th. Walz says, “The fires that spread across northern Minnesota earlier this year caused severe damage and major loss.” The total assistance will be determined once all the damage assessments are complete.
>>Attorney General Ellison Sues Trump Administration for Illegally Sharing Personal Health Data
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is joining a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to personal Medicaid data. Ellison says the move violates federal law and creates a “climate of fear” that could discourage families from seeking medical care. The California lawsuit aims to block the use of this health data for immigration enforcement. Medicaid, a.k.a. Medical Assistance, provides health coverage to low-income residents, including children, pregnant women, and seniors.
>>Sen. Smith Blasts Republicans’ Budget Bill
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tina Smith is blasting a Republican-backed budget bill, calling it “disastrous and cruel.” The Minnesota Democrat says the plan would strip health care from 16 million Americans, including nearly 200,000 Minnesotans, while handing massive tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. She also warns it could force rural hospitals to close and defund Planned Parenthood. Smith says Minnesotans across the political spectrum oppose the cuts, and she’s urging them to speak out as the bill heads back to the U.S. House.
>>Unemployment Benefits for Hourly School Workers Continue this Summer
(St. Paul, MN) — Hourly school workers in Minnesota are still eligible for unemployment insurance benefits this summer thanks to a $100 million state investment. Lawmakers took $70 million from the Northern Lights Express project to cover most of the cost for the next four years. Many Republicans opposed the UI benefits for school workers but agreed to reallocate funding from the proposed passenger rail line between the Twin Cities and Duluth.
>>Red Panda Halftime Act Injured During WNBA Commissioner’s Cup
(Minneapolis, MN) — Beloved halftime act for both the NBA and WNBA, unicycle juggler Red Panda, is recovering after suffering a fall during the Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night. Red Panda lost her balance while performing during the WNBA’s mid-season championship game between the Minnesota Lynx and the Indiana Fever. Her condition and injuries are unknown, but she’s already received an outpouring of love on social media from fans, including Fever Guard Caitlin Clark, who didn’t play on Tuesday, due to a groin injury, and Shark Tank businessman Mark Cuban. Red Panda has been a halftime regular since the 1990s.
>>Pickup Strikes Man on Highway 12 Near Howard Lake
(Howard Lake, MN) – A Shakopee man was injured Tuesday afternoon after being hit by a pickup truck on Highway 12 in Howard Lake, west of the Twin Cities. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 27-year-old Christopher Fasching was riding in an eastbound pickup driven by 59-year-old Douglas Jose of Howard Lake. Jose had stopped to let Fasching out when he was struck by a westbound pickup driven by 33-year-old Wade Bollin of Cokato. Fasching was taken to HCMC with non-life-threatening injuries. Neither driver was hurt.
>>4th of July Travel Rush Warnings
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota roads are filling up as travelers hit the road for the 4th of July holiday. AAA Minnesota says most residents are driving to their destinations and reminds everyone to buckle up, stay sober, and avoid distractions. Airports are also bracing for heavy traffic, starting today through Sunday. Travelers are urged to arrive early, prepare for long security lines, and bring a Real ID-compliant license or passport to avoid delays.
