>>Minnesota BCA Names Brooklyn Center Man with Chainsaw Shot by Police
(Brooklyn Center, MN) — The Minnesota BCA is naming the Brooklyn Center man who was shot by police after charging officers with a chainsaw. Agents say 23-year-old Damon Constans Junior remains hospitalized in stable condition. Police were arresting Constans’ mother for an alleged assault with a knife on June 11th when he went inside the home and armed himself with a chainsaw. Investigators say he started the chainsaw, advanced toward the officers, and two of them shot him. Three other officers fired PepperBall and less-than-lethal rounds at Constans. The incident was recorded on officers’ body cams.
>>Woodbury Lobbyist Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Violence at the Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — A Woodbury lobbyist is in custody after allegedly threatening violence toward the state Capitol on Wednesday. Republican Representative Jim Nash of Waconia claims 41-year-old Jonathan Bohn sent a text “threatening in nature” to his personal phone. He’s waiting on threats of violence charges while sitting in the Carver County Jail. This comes just six days after the politically motivated shooting that killed House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, seriously injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, and targeted at least two other state lawmakers.
>>Food Shelf Use Remains High with Kids Out of School
(Oakdale, MN) – Now that kids are on summer break and no longer receiving free school breakfast and lunch, food shelves across the state are seeing a spike in those in need. Executive Director of Open Cupboard food shelf in Oakdale says, “I have three kids myself and understand the food bills go up substantially during the summer months. A lot of families who we don’t see very often during the school year rely on us more heavily during the summer months.” Francis also notes that food shelves across the state are closely monitoring the proposed federal cuts to the SNAP food program, formerly known as food stamps. Currently, around 453,000 Minnesotans receive food assistance through SNAP.
>>Save Energy: Staying Cool During Extreme Heatwave
(Undated) — With a heatwave headed to Minnesota this weekend, there are ways you can save energy while staying cool. Xcel Energy Spokesperson Chris Ouellette says getting a programmable thermostat can help you better regulate when the air conditioning kicks on, so it isn’t running all day. Ouellette says running your ceiling fan counterclockwise will also help circulate cool air from the bottom of the room to the top. Finally, hold off on daily chores and running appliances until later in the day when it’s cooler. A full list of energy-saving tips can be found by visiting Xcel’s website.
>>William A. Irvin 5K Kicks off Grandma’s Marathon Weekend
(Duluth, MN) — Grandma’s Marathon weekend officially kicks off this afternoon at 1 p.m. with the William A. Irvin 5K in Duluth. More than 2,900 runners are signed up this year. There is an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner Friday at the DECC from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for pre-race carb loading. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. Saturday and the 51st running of Grandma’s Marathon begins at 7:30 tomorrow morning.
>>MN Celebrates Bald Eagle Day
(Undated) — Today is Bald Eagle Day in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz has marked the day to honor the newly official national bird and what it stands for. Wabasha’s National Eagle Center is joining the celebration by offering two free live eagle programs tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at St. Felix Auditorium Downtown.
