>>Senator Hoffman Speaks in Public for First Time Since Shootings
(Minneapolis, MN) — Senator John Hoffman of Champlin made his first public appearance at the D-N-C summer meeting in Minneapolis since he was shot in June. Hoffman said what happened to his family and the Hortmans was a political attack on public servants and public service. He told delegates, “and in this climate we must recommit ourselves to governance over grievance, to service over self, and to action over anger. Terror in the night is not legislative reform. it’s heinous.” Hoffman says he’s still slowly recovering from nine gunshot wounds.
>>14th Annual Military Appreciation Day at State Fair
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Veterans, active duty personnel, and their families are the guests of honor today (Tues) for Military Appreciation Day at the State Fair. They will receive discounted admission and receive a special hat and other giveaways. Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay, National Guard Major General Shawn Manke, and U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar are speaking at the opening ceremony at the State Fair Bandshell. There are 30 booths in Dan Patch Park from the V-A and military support groups, employment organizations, and live music from 34th Infantry Red Bull Band.
>>2 Special Primaries Tuesday for Minnesota Senate Seats
(St. Paul, MN) — There are special primary elections today (Tues) for two open seats in the Minnesota Senate. A Democratic primary will be held for former Senator Nicole Mitchell’s seat in District 47 in the Woodbury area. Mitchell resigned after her burglary conviction. Two current D-F-L state representatives are running: Ethan Cha and Amanda Hemmingsen Jaeger. The winner will face Republican Dwight Dorau in the November 4th special election. A special primary is also being held in Senate District 29 following the death of Senator Bruce Anderson of Buffalo. Three Republicans are in today’s primary: Rachel Davis, Michael Holmstrom, Junior, and Bradley Kurtz. The winner will face the lone D-F-L candidate Louis McNutt.
>>Republican Candidate Paul Running for Minnesota House Again
(Shakopee, MN) — Republican Aaron Paul, the candidate who lost by 15 votes in the 2024 House District 54-A election to Representative Brad Tabke, is running for the seat again. Paul lost the election, and then when it was discovered 20 ballots were missing, he also lost the recount and a court decision by a judge. Paul says he’s running again for the families of Shakopee, pledging to bring common-sense leadership and accessible representation to the State Capitol. Former Shakopee Mayor Tabke is in his third non-consecutive term in the Minnesota House.
>>Prosecutors Seek 3-Plus Year Sentence in Burnsville Straw Purchase Case
(St. Paul, MN) — Federal prosecutors are seeking a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for the woman who bought the guns used in the killings of three Burnsville first responders. The U-S Attorney’s Office says 36-year-old Ashley Dyrdahl provided a violent, depraved man with deadly weapons designed for combat and lethality. Dyrdahl initially claimed the weapons were for her own collection, but text messages show they were purchased for her boyfriend and convicted felon, Shannon Gooden. Dyrdahl pleaded to guilty straw purchasing and will be sentenced September 10th.
>>Carlton County Authorities IDs Victims Killed in ATV Crash
(Progress Township, MN) — Authorities in Carlton County are naming the two riders killed in an A-T-V crash in the Fond du Lac State Forest. A group of riders discovered their side-by-side A-T-V overturned in some water Saturday night. Deputies say 48-year-old Lisa Westendorf of Cloquet and 59-year-old Glen Burdick of Homestead, Iowa were found unresponsive, and paramedics were unable to save them. Westendorf and Burdick were riding with the group before getting separated.
>>Minnesota Housing Board Approves $123 million in Rental Assistance Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Housing board is awarding 123 million dollars in funding to help with rental assistance to Minnesota families. Program Director Jennifer Bergman says the Bring It Home program was established two years ago and offers more flexibility than federal rental assistance by allowing renters who pay a little above the average rent in their area to be eligible. Bergman says it’s estimated the funding will help roughly 5,000 families across the state afford their rent. Grant recipients include housing authorities, tribal nations, and nonprofits.
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>>Minnesota Wild to Host Four 25th Anniversary Games
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Wild are celebrating the team’s 25th season and will play four special 25th anniversary games in 2025-2026. Officials say they will include alumni appearances, all-arena fan giveaways, limited edition bobblehead ticket packages, and in-arena activations. The four 25th anniversary games are October 28th against Winnipeg, November 4th vs. Nashville, December 21st against Colorado, and January 24th versus Florida. The Wild plan to announce additional details about the 25th anniversary events in the coming weeks.
