>>Primary Election Day
(Undated) — Today’s (Tues) primary election will likely determine which Democrat will represent the 5th Congressional District for the next two years in the U-S House and which Republican will represent the 7th District. The highly visible rematch in Minneapolis and near suburbs is between Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar — Donald Trump’s perennial opponent as a member of “The Squad” — and former Minneapolis city council member Don Samuels, who lost to Omar by only two points in 2022. Samuels says Omar is more interested in celebrity status than results, while Omar accuses Samuels of taking Republican super-PAC money. In western Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District, Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach has former President Trump’s endorsement but couldn’t reach the threshold at the district convention to secure the endorsement and faces a challenge in today’s primary from rural Kensington business owner Steve Boyd. G: Meanwhile, in the highly competitive 2nd Congressional District — suburban and rural areas south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul — Republican-endorsed candidate Tayler Rahm dropped out of the race to become an advisor to Trump’s Minnesota campaign, leaving the field to former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab (TEER-ab). The November contest with Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig is expected to be tight and attract significant national money.
>>Walz begins first solo sweep for Harris-Walz ticket, five states in three days
(Los Angeles, CA) — Governor Tim Walz has his first solo campaign event as Vice President Harris’s running mate today (Tues) when he addresses the national convention of the AFSCME (AFFS-mee) government employees union in Los Angeles. Later in the day, he attends a fundraiser in Newport Beach, California. Walz goes to Denver and then Boston on Wednesday for more fundraisers — and on Thursday, he’s in Newport, Rhode Island, and later Southampton, New York. Republicans continue hammering Walz on his military service record and the Minneapolis riots following the police murder of George Floyd. Former state Senator Scott Jensen, Walz’s opponent in 2022, tells Fox News the governor “let Minneapolis burn for three days.”
>>Former Deputy MNGOP Chair Brodkorb Endorses Harris-Walz Ticket
(St. Paul, MN) — Michael Brodkorb, former Deputy Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, has announced his endorsement for the Walz-Harris ticket. In an op-ed, Brodkorb says he will be voting for the Democratic ticket, stating that the election is about “defending the values that first drew me to the Republican Party and ensuring that those values, such as defending the constitution instead of suspending it, have a place in our country’s future.” Brodkorb continued by saying that Vice President Kamala Harris is “qualified, capable, and committed” to America’s interests and that it’s “in Governor Tim Walz’s political DNA to unite people.”
>>Suspect in Fatal Frazee Shooting Claims Self-Defense
(Frazee, MN) — The suspect in a fatal shooting in Frazee Saturday is claiming self-defense. Becker County deputies responded to the shooting around 1:20 a.m. The victim, 31-year-old Arlan Bergstrom of Detroit Lakes, died at the scene. The suspect, 31-year-old Willis McDonald, called police a half-hour later to report he had shot Bergstrom in self-defense. McDonald was arrested at his Otter Tail County home about an hour later. McDonald told police that while he was visiting a woman he had met days before in his car, Bergstrom broke his window and began punching him. McDonald reached into the back of his vehicle for his handgun and shot Bergstrom as he continued to punch him. McDonald admitted he did not try to leave the vehicle, his permit was expired, and he had four beers earlier that day. He went home and then called himself in. The woman’s description of events closely matched McDonald’s. She confirmed the two men did not know each other and had never met. Bergstrom’s death was ruled a homicide. McDonald faces charges of second-degree murder without intent and first-degree manslaughter.
>>IRS Extending Filing Deadlines For Minnesotans Affected By Storms, Flooding
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans affected by the severe storms and flooding in June are being granted a tax filing extension by the IRS. The filing deadline for individual and business returns in the 25 Minnesota counties covered by a federal disaster declaration will be extended. The extension covers returns and tax payments that are typically due in June and September of this year, as well as January of next year. The new filing deadline for these returns and payments is February 3rd.
>>Man Hit by Train in Minneapolis Expected to Survive
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man in a wheelchair hit by a train early Monday morning in Minneapolis is expected to survive. Minneapolis police found the man with non-life-threatening injuries, and he was taken to the hospital. Officers say the man’s wheelchair was stuck on the tracks. The conductor saw the man but couldn’t stop the train in time. No arrests have been made, and no citations have been issued.
