>>House Republicans Looking for Answers on St. Paul Cyberattack
(St. Paul, MN) — House Republicans, led by Speaker Lisa Demuth and floor leader Harry Niska, say they want an explanation on the scope of the St. Paul cyberattack. The malware attack was first detected on July 25th and the effects of it have lasted into this week with some city services still unavailable or disrupted. The Republicans sent a letter to St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter asking for clarity on the issue. The G-O-P lawmakers say, “this ongoing disruption is causing significant implications for residents and state operations.”
>>Non-profit Speaks Against Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling on Ghost Guns
(St. Paul, MN) — An organization called Protect Minnesota is speaking out following the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision that says it’s legal to carry a ghost gun without a serial number. In its ruling, the Court says the regulation ultimately rests with the state legislature. Protect Minnesota argues that this ruling will leave a critical gap in law enforcement’s ability to trace weapons tied to crime and violence. The organization is urging all lawmakers, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and community leaders to work together and change this to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.
>>Klobuchar to Highlight Hemp Research and Funding on U of M St. Paul Campus
(St. Paul, MN) — U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar is highlighting work to increase hemp research today (Fri) in Minnesota. Klobuchar is touring the U-S-D-A Cereal Disease Lab on the U of M St. Paul campus which received one million dollars through an amendment in the ag funding bill. Five-hundred thousand will be used for a research partnership on industrial hemp fiber and another 500 thousand will accelerate research to prevent crop losses from mycotoxins. Klobuchar and others are scheduled to speak at the event.
>>Legacy Cannabis in Duluth Expects to be First Non-Native Dispensary
(Duluth, MN) — Legacy Cannabis in Duluth expects to be first non-Native, adult-use cannabis dispensary to open in Minnesota. Lead consultant Josh Wilken-Simon says they’re just waiting for final approval from the White Earth Nation on an order of cannabis. He says they received a microbusiness/retail license from the Office of Cannabis Management and City of Duluth retail registration. Wilken-Simon says they could open this weekend but most likely early next week. He expects to purchase cannabis from state-licensed growers when their flowers are available.
>>Indigenous Advocate Lopez Becomes MMIR Director
(St. Paul, MN) — Advocate and coalition-builder Guadalupe Lopez is the new director of Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office. An enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, she started the job on July 30th, bringing over 25 years of experience in domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking of M-M-I-R to the table. She says this is more than a job for her: “It’s about the survival of my people, my children, and our collective future generations.” Lopez spent four years as the executive director of Violence Free Minnesota and helped launch the first M-M-I-R march in the Twin Cities. The M-M-I-R Office was signed into law in 2021, the first office of its kind nationwide.
>>Men Firing Rifles in Chisago County Shoot Driver on Interstate 35
(Harris, MN) — Authorities in Chisago County are investigating the shooting of a driver on Interstate 35 by men doing target practice in Harris. The Minnesota State Patrol received a 9-1-1 call from a driver who had been shot in the leg Thursday near the I-35 Harris exit. Deputies in the area heard gunfire consistent with rifle target shooting and later located three men shooting on private property. Their targets were positioned near the interstate and the victim was struck more than 15 hundred feet away. The 48-year-old Duluth man suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
>>Man Convicted for Role in Chicago to Duluth Drug Ring
(St. Paul, MN) — A man faces up to life in prison after a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in Minnesota. Prosecutors say 32-year-old Carl Brown was part of a Chicago-based drug trafficking organization that brought drugs to Duluth to sell in the Twin Ports region from December 2021 through February 2024. Law enforcement seized more than 890 grams of fentanyl and 262 grams of meth from the drug traffickers. The other defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Brown will be sentenced later.
>>Minnesota Lynx Play Washington Mystics Friday Night at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Lynx are back on their home court tonight (Fri 6:30pm) to face the Washington Mystics. The 25-and-5 Lynx topped the Storm 91-87 Tuesday night in Seattle. Guard Dijonai Carrington had 13 points in her Minnesota debut. All-Star forward Napheesa Collier missed her first game with an ankle injury and is expected to be out at least two weeks. The 13-and-16 Mystics lost to the Chicago Sky 78-64 Tuesday. Lynx center Jessica Shepard is listed as probable tonight with a sore ankle.
