>>Minneapolis Marks One Year Since Deadly Annunciation Church Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis is marking Annunciation Remembrance Day with a public service event and tributes honoring Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, the two children killed in the 2025 church shooting. A day of service and remembrance will be held this afternoon (Thurs) at Pearl Park from 1-5 p.m. In addition to Harper and Fletcher, 29 others were injured in the Aug. 27, 2025, mass shooting during the first all-school mass of the new school year. The anniversary comes as families and community members continue calling for action to prevent gun violence and keep schools and places of worship safe.
>>Meta Settlement Could Bring Minnesota Up to $307 Million
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota could receive up to $307 million as part of a landmark multistate settlement with Meta over the impact of its social media platforms on young people. SAVE CEO Erich Mische calls the agreement an important step toward holding Big Tech accountable and says the money should be invested in suicide prevention, mental health programs, and education on safely using social media and artificial intelligence. The broader settlement could require Meta to pay up to $17.1 billion and includes new safeguards for teen users.
>>Minnesotans Testify About ICE Encounters Before State Truth Council
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans testified for three hours Thursday about their experiences with federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge. The testimony came before the Minnesota Truth Council, created by executive order from Governor Tim Walz to document the impact of federal enforcement operations. Speakers described fear, harassment, and intimidation involving ICE agents. The council’s next hearing is scheduled for September 9th and will focus on the economic impact of federal operations in Minnesota.
>>Minnesota State Fair Opens Today for 12-Day Run
(Falcon Heights, MN) — The Great Minnesota Get-Together is officially underway. The 2026 Minnesota State Fair opens its gates today, beginning a 12-day run through Labor Day. This year’s fair features 36 official new foods, nine new food vendors, agricultural exhibits, competitions, live music and entertainment. Nearly two million people are expected to pass through the gates during the fair’s 12-day run. The fairgrounds open at 7 a.m., and the fair continues through Monday, September 7th, Labor Day.
>>Owatonna Woman Crowned 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way
(Falcon Heights, MN) — A 20-year-old Owatonna woman is Minnesota’s new Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Jena Hanson, representing Steele County, was crowned Wednesday night at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls student will spend the next year serving as an ambassador for Minnesota’s nearly 1,500 dairy farm families. Hanson’s first official duty comes today when she begins having her likeness carved into a 90-pound block of butter at the Minnesota State Fair.
>>Ellison Sues USPS Over New Mail-In Voting Rules
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is joining a multistate lawsuit challenging a new U.S. Postal Service rule governing mail-in ballots. The rule requires states to provide USPS with lists of voters eligible to vote by mail and meet new requirements for ballot envelopes. Ballots that do not meet the standards could be withheld from delivery. Ellison argues the federal government is overstepping states’ authority to administer elections and could prevent eligible voters from receiving ballots. The coalition is asking a federal court to block the rule while the lawsuit moves forward.
>>Minnesota-Based CHS Plans $450 Million Fertilizer Plant
(Inver Grove Heights, MN) — Minnesota-based CHS is partnering with Morocco’s OCP to build a major phosphate fertilizer plant in Louisiana. The two companies plan to invest up to $450 million in the facility, which could produce more than one million metric tons of fertilizer annually. CHS says the project could reduce U.S. reliance on imported phosphate fertilizer by nearly half while creating a more reliable domestic supply chain for American farmers. Construction could begin after required approvals.
>>More Boundary Waters Areas Reopening Following July Wildfires
(Duluth, MN) — The Superior National Forest is reopening additional areas closed because of this summer’s wildfires. The Fall Lake-Newton-Pipestone Bay entry point will reopen for day use Saturday, while Little Vermilion Lake will reopen for day use September 1st. Lake Jeanette and Nels Lake recreation areas will also reopen on September 1st. More than 1,600 Boundary Waters campsites are currently available, and about 2.93 million of the Superior National Forest’s three million acres are open. Some wildfire-affected entry points will remain closed through September as crews complete repairs and rehabilitation.
>>Southeast Minnesota Leaders Discuss Transportation Funding Needs
(Rochester, MN) — State lawmakers, candidates and local officials gathered in Rochester Wednesday to discuss transportation funding and infrastructure needs across southeastern Minnesota. The Minnesota Transportation Alliance hosted the meeting. Officials discussed state transportation funding and regional projects involving roads, transit and other infrastructure. The event concluded with a tour of the airport’s runway project. Alliance President Tim Arvidson says state and federal policies have a significant impact on the region’s transportation system.
>>Hennepin County Attorney Urges Texas Governor to Extradite Fugitive
(Minneapolis, MN) — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is calling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to extradite fugitive Christian Castro to Minnesota before he is released from custody. Castro was arrested in Texas on May 29, and Minnesota officials submitted extradition paperwork June 2. Moriarty says Abbott has yet to sign the warrant and warns Castro could flee to Mexico if released. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has also sought Castro’s extradition, and Texas has filed a federal lawsuit.
>>Technology Helps Anoka County Deputies Track Down Scam Suspect
(Linwood Township, MN) — Anoka County authorities say license plate reader technology helped investigators track down a suspect accused of scamming an elderly resident. The sheriff’s office says the victim paid $14,000 for driveway work that was never completed. While the victim was distracted outside, an accomplice allegedly entered the home and stole items from a safe. Photos provided by neighbors helped deputies identify a vehicle using Flock Safety cameras. Investigators later tracked the suspect to Andover, where he was arrested. A second suspect remains under investigation.
