>>Minnesota Mourns Victims of Mass Shooting at Annunciation Catholic School
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota is grieving after a mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday killed two children and injured 17 people. Principal Matt Deboer said to his students, staff, and the families of those involved, “I love you. You’re so brave. And I’m so sorry this happened to us.” Deboer notes that within seconds of the shooting happening, his teachers and students became heroes. He told reporters, “children were ducked down, adults were protecting children, older children were protecting younger children, and as we heard earlier, it could have been significantly worse without their heroic action.” The City and the Minneapolis Foundation have established a text-to-donate line, which will work with the Annunciation community. The public can text A-C-F-1 to the number 4-1-4-4-4.
>>Elected Officials, Anti-Gun Violence Group to Call for Gun Safety Measures
(Minneapolis, MN) — Elected officials, clergy, and anti-gun violence groups are calling for action in response to the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church School. They’re hosting a news conference at Minneapolis City Hall today (Thurs) to honor the victims and push for a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. The group includes Mayor Jacob Frey, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Representative Emma Greenman, and members of Moms Demand Action and Protect Minnesota. They say reports indicate the shooter used an assault rifle with high capacity magazines to shoot 19 people in the church building.
>>Signs Installed on Joshua Schmit Memorial Highway near Willmar
(Willmar, MN) — The signs are now up on the Sergeant Joshua Schmit Memorial Highway on a re-named stretch of Highway 23 north of Willmar. His grandmother, Janice Hazen of New London, talked at the raising ceremony about the boy who became a soldier and died in Iraq in April 2007. The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill this spring re-naming the highway in honor of Sergeant Schmit. Representative Dave Baker of Willmar said he was surprised and glad the signs went up before Labor Day.
>>St. Cloud State Prepares for $ 14.5 Million Budget Shortfall
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud State University is facing a 14.5-million-dollar budget gap over the next two years. S-C-S-U Interim President Larry Dietz says declining enrollment is one reason for the revenue shortfall, but the school also didn’t get any new operating money from the state. Officials plan to eliminate nearly 90 positions and merge the five current colleges into three larger colleges. Dietz says the proposal doesn’t eliminate any programs or majors, and very few positions would be faculty.
>>Bus Service Announced to Replace Northstar Commuter Rail
(St. Paul, MN) – The Metropolitan Council is announcing a new bus service that will replace the Northstar Commuter Rail at the beginning of the new year. The Council says expanded bus service will be in place in Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids and Fridley starting in January 2026. The plan includes nearly 400 trips to and from Minneapolis each week compared to Northstar that provided about 40 trips. The new schedules will be released later this year. Northstar passenger service will end its run the weekend of January 3rd and 4th.
>>Golden Gopher Football Hosts Buffalo in Season Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota football team opens the season tonight (Thurs 7pm) against Buffalo at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Golden Gophers went 9-and-4 a year ago and beat Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Quarterback Drake Lindsey is making his first start and All Big-Ten sophomore safety Koi Perich is expected to see time at receiver on offense. Buffalo is also coming off a 9-and-4 season and returns several key players.
>>Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm at Target Center
Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx shoot for their third straight victory when they play the Seattle Storm tonight (Thurs 7pm) at Target Center. The 30-and-7 Lynx are coming off a 97-84 win over the Indiana Fever at home on Sunday. All-Star forward Napheesa Collier scored 32 points in her return from an ankle injury. Minnesota is 2-and-1 against 20-and-19 Seattle this season.
