>>Severe Storms in Minnesota Pack Strong Winds, Large Hail
(Chanhassen, MN) — Severe storms that moved across Minnesota Wednesday afternoon and evening were packing strong winds and producing large hail. The National Weather Service reported five-inch hail in Chokio (shuh-KY’-oh) in Stevens County and four-inch hail at Graceville in Big Stone County. Residents reported two-inch hail at Northfield and one-point-75-inch stones in Zumbro Falls in southeastern Minnesota. There were wind gusts topping 73 miles per hour in Vergas and Frazee, 66-mile-per-hour gusts in Alexandria and 64 in Lake Benton. Straight-line winds of over 70 miles per hour knocked down trees and the power in the Fergus Falls area. Many parts of the state have thunderstorm damage. There was also some flash flooding in southern Minnesota.
>>Political Analyst says Walz has ‘Reasonable Chance’ of VP Pick
(Northfield, MN) — Carleton College analyst Steven Schier says at this point, Governor Tim Walz has “a reasonable chance” of being chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. Schier says, “of the short-list candidates, Governor Walz has been more visible arguing on behalf of Kamala Harris, compared to any of the other people who are considered for the vice-presidential slot at this point.” Schier points out there have been negative allegations about two others reportedly on Harris’s short list — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly — but no comparable negative conversation about Walz.
>>Wisconsin Judge Explains Sentencing in Apple River Stabbing Case
(Hudson, WI) — The family of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman was hoping Nicolae Miu would get more than 20 years in prison for killing him and stabbing four other tubers on the Apple River in July of 2022. St. Croix County Judge Michael Waterman sentenced the Prior Lake, Minnesota man to a total of 41 years for what he called the serious crimes of reckless homicide and reckless endangerment. Judge Waterman told the court, “For that he will be accountable, but the court’s sentence must reflect the reality that it was reckless conduct that the jury found him guilty of not intentional conduct which is punishable much more harshly.” The judge ordered 54-year-old Miu to serve the sentences for all six counts concurrently. Prosecutors in Wisconsin were pushing for 70 years in prison.
>>New Public Safety Laws Taking Effect August 1st in Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — A number of high-profile public safety laws take effect today (Thurs) in Minnesota. It’s now illegal to sell or possess a cell phone cover that looks like a firearm, and also prohibited are vapes that resemble school supplies or products that appeal to minors. It’s now a felony to make a “swatting” call that sends emergency responders to the home of an elected official, judge, prosecuting attorney, employee of a correctional facility or a peace officer; and “doxing” protections are expanded for election workers. Law enforcement officers must tell a driver why they’re being stopped, rather than asking the person if they know why. And in Minnesota it’s now a felony to “straw purchase” a firearm for someone who is not allowed to possess it because of a criminal conviction or other reason.
>>1 Dead in Shooting in St. Paul’s Frogtown Neighborhood
(St. Paul, MN) — Police in St. Paul are investigating a deadly shooting Wednesday night in the Frogtown neighborhood. Officers called to a report of shots fired found the victim sitting in parked vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds to the torso. He was taken to Regions Hospital where he died. Investigators are still processing the scene and looking for physical and video evidence of the shooting.
>>Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Carjacking Charges in Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Texas man faces federal prison time after pleading guilty to an armed carjacking last June in Dakota County, Minnesota. Court records show 29-year-old Sean Kincaid climbed inside a vehicle with a firearm in his waistband and told the victim he was stealing it. The victim got out and Kincaid drove off in the stolen car. Authorities located Kincaid but they say he ignored commands and fled at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Police eventually used stop sticks to disable the vehicle and take Kincaid into custody. Officers say they found a revolver with obliterated serial number in his pants.
>>Waite Park Bar Hosting Olympics Watch Party for BMX Racer Willoughby
(Waite Park, MN) — A bar in Waite Park is hosting watch parties today and tomorrow (Thurs & Fri) for U-S Olympic B-M-X racer Alise Post Willoughby. The 33-year-old St. Cloud native is competing in her fourth Olympic Summer Games in Paris. The Ultimate Sports Bar says fans and supporters of Willoughby are gathering at noon today for the quarterfinal races. The women’s B-M-X semifinals and finals are on Friday. Willoughby won a silver medal for the U-S in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
>>Wolves’ Edwards and USA Top South Sudan Advance to Olympic Quarterfinals
(Paris ,FR) — Anthony Edwards and Team U-S-A are headed to the quarterfinals of the Summer Olympics after a 103-86 victory over South Sudan Wednesday south of Paris. The Timberwolves guard scored 13 points and had three steals and two rebounds in 17 minutes. The top-seeded Americans will play Puerto Rico on Saturday in Paris. Puerto Rico upset the U-S 92-73 at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
