>>DOJ Investigating Minnesota DHS Over Diversity Hiring Policy
(Washington, DC) — The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Minnesota Department of Human Services over its diversity hiring policy. In a letter to state officials, the D-O-J says it’s looking into whether the agency is violating federal civil rights laws by requiring hiring managers to justify decisions when selecting candidates who aren’t from underrepresented groups. The D-O-J believes this policy may amount to discrimination based on race and sex, which would violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The Minnesota D-H-S in a response says its hiring practices follow all state and federal laws.
>>Klobuchar Speaks Out Against Bill That Cuts Public Broadcast Funding
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar is fighting a bill that would slash more than a billion dollars for public broadcasting that was already approved by Congress. She says bipartisan support must continue for the 15 hundred local and regional public T-V and radio stations in the country. The Minnesota Democrat told members, “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports public T-V stations in my state in places like Duluth and Granite Falls and Austin and supports 16 public radio stations across our state like the ones in Grand Rapids, in Bemidji and in Brainerd. ” The White House and Republicans claim there is bias in public broadcasting.
>>Trump Announces Plans to Impose 35% Tariff on Canadian Imports
(Washington, DC) — President Trump says the U-S will impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports starting August 1st. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump accused Canada of trade retaliation and failing to cooperate on key issues, including the flow of fentanyl into the U-S. The move marks a sharp escalation in trade tensions. Trump warned that if Canada responds with its own tariffs, the U-S could raise the rate even higher. Canada is Minnesota’s top export market. In 2024, Minnesota exported $7.5 billion in goods to Canada, representing 28% of the state’s total exports.
>>Essentia Health Strike Expands as Advanced Practice Providers Join Picket Lines
(Duluth, MN) — Advanced practice providers are officially joining nurses and health care workers on the third day (Fri) of an unfair labor practice strike at Essentia Health in the Duluth area. The move escalates pressure on Essentia to cease alleged violations of federal labor law and engage in good-faith negotiations. Picket lines have now expanded across Duluth and Superior, with a new line established in Virginia. A-P-Ps are standing in solidarity with striking clinic workers, amplifying calls for fair treatment and lawful bargaining practices.
>>Negotiations Scheduled Friday in Stillwater Medical Strike
(Stillwater, MN) – Negotiations will pick up today (Fri) in the four-day unfair labor practice strike of HealthPartners workers with Stillwater Medical Group. The two sides have agreed to hold a bargaining session as workers continue to walk the picket lines. Today’s session will be the eighth during the stalemate. Workers have been joined on the picket line this week by Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Attorney General Keith Ellison. A rally is also planned for this morning.
>>St. Cloud VA Names Churchill New Chief of Staff
(St. Cloud, MN) — The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is naming Dr. Christopher H. Churchill as its new chief of staff, effective Sunday. Churchill has served as acting chief of staff since March and has been with the St. Cloud V-A since 2015. Officials say he brings more than a decade of experience in veteran care, including leadership roles in rehabilitation and extended care.
>>2 Men Charged with Sex Trafficking 14-Year-Old Girl in Washington County
(Stillwater, MN) — Two men are charged in Washington County with the sex trafficking of a 14-year girl. Prosecutors say 52-year-old Billy Ray Wiley picked the girl up in Minneapolis and brought her to the Mahtomedi apartment of Michael Lewis where she was drugged and sexually assaulted. Deputies were called to the apartment on June 30th and found the alleged victim under the influence of drugs. Investigators say surveillance video shows multiple incidents of Wiley bringing females in various intoxicated states to the apartment over the prior weeks. He’s charged with two counts of sex trafficking a minor and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Lewis is facing two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
>>Man Shot by Police in Frazee Hospitalized in Stable Condition
(Frazee, MN) — The man shot by police at a rest stop in Frazee after a pursuit through Becker and Otter Tail counties is hospitalized in stable condition. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Todd Burris of Bemidji broke into a home near Detroit Lakes, assaulted someone, and stole a gun Wednesday night. Burris led authorities on a chase and eventually stopped in Frazee where he was shot by an officer during a confrontation. He’s expected to be jailed on aggravated assault charges when he’s released from the hospital. The Minnesota B-C-A is investigating the shooting.
>>Red Lake Police Department Investigating Fatal Shooting of Reported Intruder
(Red Lake, MN) — Authorities on the Red Lake Indian Reservation are investigating the fatal shooting of an alleged intruder. Police say a caller reported that a man kicked in his door Wednesday night and that person was shot after forcing his way into the residence. People in the home and officers did C-P-R, but the man died at the scene. The F-B-I and Red Lake Department of Public Safety are still investigating the incident and asking people with information to come forward.
>>Air Quality Alert Issued for Northwest and North Central Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — An air quality alert is in effect for northwest and north central Minnesota from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today (Fri) due to wildfire smoke from Canada. The affected area includes Brainerd, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, International Falls, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, White Earth, and Red Lake. A second wave of smoke may arrive tonight, possibly extending the alert into Saturday. Air quality should improve by Sunday afternoon. Sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activity.
>>More Construction on Twin Cities Roads this Weekend
(Roseville, MN) — Another major construction project will shut down popular interstates in the Twin Cities this weekend. Beginning tonight (Fri 10pm), MnDOT says portions of eastbound Interstate 94 and northbound Interstate 35E will close until Monday at 5 a.m. Eastbound 94 will be closed between Highway 280 and I-35E. Northbound I-35E will be closed between Highway 5 and I-94. This is part of a summer project that is repairing nine bridges in the metro.
>>Minnesota Lynx Top Sparks in Matinee at LA
(Los Angeles, CA) — The Minnesota Lynx beat the L-A Sparks 91-82 Thursday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks outscored the Lynx 23-11 in the fourth quarter to pull within single digits. Four players scored in double figures for Minnesota – Natiesha Hiedeman had 18 points, Napheesa Collier scored17, Courtney Williams added 16, and Alanna Smith finished with 15 points. The 18-and-3 Lynx play Saturday afternoon at the 6-and13 Chicago Sky.
