>>35W Bridge Collapsed 18 Years Ago in Minneapolis, Killing 13 People
(Minneapolis, MN) — Today (8/1) marks the 18th anniversary of the deadly 35-W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Thirteen people died and 145 were injured when the bridge failed and fell into the Mississippi River during the evening rush hour on August 1st, 2007. Investigators blamed the collapse on design flaws in the span’s gusset plates. Congress approved $ 250 million for a new bridge, which opened just over a year later in September 2008. A 35-W Remembrance Garden near Gold Medal Park honors the victims of the collapse.
>>New DWI Law Takes Effect
(St. Paul, MN) — A new drunk driving law went into effect today.(Fri) It stems from a fatal drunk driving incident at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, where two people were killed and many others injured. The driver responsible had five previous DUI convictions but was not required to have a breathalyzer installed in his vehicle. Under the new law, that’s no longer the case. Anyone convicted of a DUI who has a previous offense within the past 20 years must now install an ignition interlock device for a minimum of two years. A third DUI conviction increases the requirement to six years, and a fourth pushes it to ten years.
>>Trees Planted at State Capitol in Honor of Speaker Emerita Hortman
(St. Paul, MN) — A line of trees along the State Capitol lawn honors fallen Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Mellisa Hortman. Crews planted the first ten trees on Thursday, and state lawmakers placed flowers at the base of one of them. The DFL caucus said in a social media post, “Melissa loved trees, and we loved Melissa. We’re proud to plant these trees in her name and legacy.” Hortman’s children put out a list of ways to honor their parents, and planting trees was on it. She and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in a June 14th attack in their Brooklyn Park home.
>>Minneapolis Man Charged After Stabbing His Mother
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Minneapolis man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing his mother in an Edina park before injuring himself. 31-year-old Dimitrius Favaro was charged in Hennepin County with first-degree attempted murder. Police were called to Arneson Acres Park around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, where they found a woman with stab wounds to her neck and leg. She identified her son, Favaro, as the attacker. She was taken to the hospital and placed on a ventilator. Shortly after, officers found Favaro bleeding at a nearby home with a pocketknife nearby. He allegedly told police he intended to kill his mother and then himself, first trying to strangle her before stabbing her.
>>Congresswoman Morrison Leads Fight in Newborn Screening
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison from Minnesota’s Third District is leading the fight for increased newborn screening. The Congresswoman has co-led a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy asking why he decided to disband the nation’s advisory committee on newborn screening. The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (ACHDNC) is the federal advisory body that provides expert and evidence-based guidance that has standardized newborn screening in all 50 states. The letter states that by disbanding this committee, it will have a devastating impact on life-saving care. Earlier this week, Morrison introduced a bill to strengthen newborn screening across the country.
>>Suni Lee Statue Stolen
(St. Paul, MN) — St. Paul police are asking for the public’s help after a statue of Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee was stolen from Phalen Regional Park. The department says the brass statue—and the rock bearing her nameplate—were taken sometime this week. A photo posted to social media shows the empty pedestal near the lake where the statue once stood. The tribute to the Minnesota-born gymnast was unveiled last summer on what the city declared “Suni Lee Day,” honoring her gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. Police say they’re actively investigating and urge anyone with information to come forward.
>>Prepping for the 2025 Deer Season
(St. Paul, MN) — Ready for deer season? The Minnesota DNR has just released the 2025 hunting regulations, and licenses are now available starting today. From permit zones to CWD testing and mail-in sampling kits, everything hunters need to prep for the season is now online. Head to dnr.state.mn.us.
>>New Civil Rights Protections Begin in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis) – Starting today, the City of Minneapolis has expanded its new civil rights protections. Under the new ordinance, it’s now illegal to be discriminated against because of your housing status, if you have a criminal record or history, or because of your height or weight. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says citizens deserve to be treated with dignity, opportunity, and protection under the law. He says Minneapolis will ensure that happens. The city asks that if you’ve been discriminated against, you file a complaint online, call 311, or visit the Civil Rights Department in City Hall.
>>New Look Twins Open Weekend Series at Cleveland
(Cleveland, OH) — The Twins open a three-game series at Cleveland tonight after trading away ten players on the active roster. Minnesota got clobbered by Boston 13-1 on Wednesday at Target Field to fall to 51-and-57. The Guardians are 54-and-54 following a 5-0 shutout win over Colorado. All-Star Joe Ryan is starting for the Twins in the opener against Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams.
