>>Father Charged in Son’s Murder
(Anoka, MN) — A Columbia Heights man is now charged with murdering his teenage son and dumping the remains in an Elk River landfill. 38-year-old Jordan Dupree Collins Sr. faces second-degree murder charges in the death of 16-year-old Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr. Prosecutors say the teen was decapitated on May 8th, and his body wasn’t recovered until June 28th. A search of Collins Sr.’s apartment reportedly turned up blood-stained garbage bags, multiple butcher-style knives, a mattress with missing fabric, and sections of carpet that had been cut away. Further examination of DNA confirmed that the blood staining found in the apartment belonged to Collins Jr. In video footage obtained during the investigation, prosecutors said a garbage truck was seen behind Collins’ residence on May 13th, emptying a large dumpster. That footage led to a search of the Elk River Landfill. Collins remains in custody on two-million-dollars bail.
>>Kasson Man Federally Charged for Sending Sexually Explicit Video to Teenager
(Olmsted County, MN) — A Kasson man faces a felony charge of sexual conduct with a child via electronic communication. Twenty-one-year-old Richard Boggs is accused of sending a sexually explicit video of himself to a fourteen-year-old girl through Snapchat. Rochester police learned of the video and began investigating in April, noting that Boggs and the teen knew each other and had been texting prior. The victim told police Boggs asked her to send a photo of herself, too, and that he sent the video after she told him her age twice. Boggs claims the video was sent by accident, and that he had sent similar videos to other minors in the past. His first court appearance is scheduled for April.
>>Medical Examiner Identifies Man Killed in Apple Valley Stabbing
(Apple Valley, MN) — Authorities are identifying the man stabbed to death Sunday morning in Apple Valley. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says 21-year-old Daniel Aguilar (ah-GHEE’-lar) of Burnsville died of multiple sharp force injuries. The Apple Valley Police Department is still looking for the suspect, 20-year-old Aron Medina Rojas (ROH’-hoss). Investigators think Medina Rojas may be attempting to flee to Mexico. He was driving a 2017 gray Chrysler 300 registered in his name. Anyone with information about Medina Rojas is asked to call 9-1-1.
>>960 Pounds of Meth Seized in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — A seizure of nearly one thousand pounds of methamphetamine in Minneapolis, estimated to be worth one point seven million dollars, is being heralded as one of the state’s largest drug busts. The Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team, federal partners, and St. Paul police say they were investigating a drug trafficking ring when the seizure came about. This comes after a seizure of nine hundred pounds of meth in Burnsville in June prompted searches in the metro. Two men, forty-four-year-old Guillermo Chaparro and forty-six-year-old Joel Casas-Santiago, are in custody and face charges, Guillermo two and Casas-Santiago one, for the nine hundred sixty pounds of meth found in two vehicles. Police say neither has local ties, and they are associated with larger drug sale organizations in Mexico. The statutory minimum for each of the first-degree drug sales charges is sixty-five months, or five point four years, in prison.
>>Stone Arch Bridge to Open 2 Months Early
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis plans to open again in early August, two months ahead of schedule. The bridge has been under restoration construction since spring 2024, with the east side reopening in winter 2024. Mn-DOT (minn-dot, Minnesota Department of Transportation) says the west side, which connects to downtown Minneapolis, is set to open on August 9th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Officials say minor restoration work may continue past opening.
>>Minneapolis Announces $700,000 in Arts and Culture Grants
(Minneapolis) – The City of Minneapolis has announced $700,000 in grants for the Arts and Culture community. The funding will help local artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural organizations working to enhance the community and quality of life in Minnesota’s largest city. A total of 65 awards will be given across the city’s seven cultural districts. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says, “From dance and storytelling to puppetry and public art, these 65 projects reflect the best of who we are.” The cultural districts include projects for 38th Street, East Lake Street, and Lowry Avenue areas of the city.
>>Gophers Sign Coach Fleck to Contract Extension
(Minneapolis) – The University of Minnesota and head football coach P.J. Fleck have agreed to a new contract that will keep him with the Gophers through the 2030 season. Fleck was first hired by the Gophers in 2017. In his eight seasons at Minnesota, Fleck has a record of 58 wins and 39 losses, and has a perfect 6- 0 record in bowl games. Last year, the Gophers finished 8- 5 with a bowl victory over Virginia Tech. Terms of the new contract were not announced.
>>Wolves/Lynx to Introduce New Owners A-Rod and Lore Friday in Las Vegas
(Las Vegas, NV) — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organizations will officially introduce new controlling owners Alex Rodriguez and Mark Lore (LOAR’-ee) on Friday in Las Vegas. They will serve as co-chairmen with Lore as governor of the Wolves and A-Rod as governor of the Lynx. The N-B-A approved the one-and-a-half-billion-dollar sale by longtime owner Glen Taylor on June 24th. The Wolves are in Vegas for the N-B-A Summer League.
