>>Harris-Walz Campaign and GOP VP Candidate Make Campaign Stops in Eau Claire
(Eau Claire, WI) — The Harris-Walz Democratic presidential ticket and Republican V-P candidate J-D Vance made campaign stops Wednesday in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Governor Tim Walz blasted Senator Vance and former President Trump, saying they want to take away Americans’ freedoms to make their own health care decision. Minnesota’s governor said to the crowd, “Donald Trump is not for you or your family. And Trump’s running mate shares those same dangerous and backward beliefs.” Vance told workers at an Eau Claire manufacturer that the voters care about which president and vice president is going to make their country better and their lives more safe and secure. He also insisted that Project 2025 is not part of Republican agenda and said, “Donald Trump represents the agenda of the campaign.”
>>Steve Martin Declines SNL Offer to Play Governor Walz
(Los Angeles, CA) — Actor and comedian Steve Martin is declining a request to play Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on “Saturday Night Live.” The L-A Times reports Martin told S-N-L Producer Lorne Michaels, “I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.’ I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses.” Maya Rudolph has agreed to reprise her role as Vice President Kamala Harris after first playing Harris on the show in 2019. A picture of Rudolph as Harris and Martin as Walz has been all over social media. Martin said jokingly in a post, “I just learned that Tim Walz wants to go on the road with Marty Short.”
>>Ellison Applauds Supreme Court for Rejecting Challenge to Restore the Vote Act
(St. Paul, MN) — Attorney General Keith Ellison is applauding the Minnesota Supreme Court for unanimously dismissing a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the Restore the Vote Act. The 2023 state law restored voting rights to more than 55 thousand Minnesotans with felonies convictions who have been released from prison. Ellison in a statement said, “If you are not currently incarcerated, a U-S citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of Minnesota for 20 days, and have not had your rights to vote revoked by a court – you can vote in Minnesota. ” Doug Seaton of the Upper Midwest Law Center says this decision leaves Minnesotans without a clear resolution on the legality of significant changes to our voting laws.
>>Homeless Camp Near Duluth City Hall Cleared
(Duluth, MN) — Two people are facing obstruction charges after authorities in Duluth moved to clear a homeless camp Wednesday morning near City Hall. Duluth police and other first responders arrived at the camp and began forcing the campers to leave the area. City workers then removed tents, trash, and other items from the site. The city had given people at the homeless encampment a week’s notice to move from the area. It will be fenced off while crews restore the area damaged by the campsite.
>>Property Dispute Leads to Shootout in Moorhead
(Moorhead, MN) — Police in Moorhead are investigating a shootout Wednesday night outside a home on the south side of town. Officers say multiples shots were fired after a property dispute that evolved into a physical altercation. One person began to leave in a vehicle and there was an exchange of gunfire between someone in the car and a shooter at the residence. Authorities located the vehicle and arrested two men. Another man was taken into custody at the house. No injuries are reported.
>>Paynesville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexually Assaulting 2 Girls
(St. Cloud, MN) — A Paynesville man is sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for the sexual assault of two girls. Stearns County prosecutors say 42-year-old Matthew Steinemann was found guilty in March for the third-degree criminal sexual conduct of an 11-year-old and pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexually assaulting another girl between 13 and 16 years old. One of the victims said the sexual abuse happened in 2016, the other victim between 2019 and 2023. Both victims told investigators Steinemann would sexually assault them in their rooms and give them alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes to stay quiet.
>>Team USA Women’s Basketball Tops Nigeria to Advance to Semifinals
(Paris, FR) — Coach Cheryl Reeve’s U-S women’s basketball team is headed to the Olympic semifinals after an 88-74 win over Nigeria on Wednesday in Paris. A’Ja Wilson led Team U-S-A with 20 points and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier added six points, six rebounds and three assists. The Americans face Australia on Friday in the semifinals. Alana Smith of the Minnesota Lynx had 22 points and 13 rebounds in Australia’s 85-67 victory over Serbia in the quarterfinals.
