>>Hennepin County to Begin State Prosecution of Vance Boelter
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will now move forward with prosecuting Vance Boelter on state charges following his federal sentencing Thursday. Boelter received two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in prison for the 2025 politically motivated attacks that killed Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously wounded Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He now faces eight state charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. A conviction on either murder count carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Unlike federal convictions, state sentences cannot be erased by a presidential pardon. Boelter’s first appearance in Hennepin County District Court is scheduled for August 3rd.
>>Federal Officials Adjusting BWCA Permit Access Amid Wildfires
(Ely, MN) — Federal officials are adjusting access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as wildfire conditions evolve. While the current Forest Service closure order remains in effect through October 1st, officials stress that does not mean the entire wilderness will stay closed until then. Closures are being reviewed regularly, and some areas could reopen before October if conditions allow. The Forest Service says permits will be canceled incrementally so that travelers may receive only a few days’ notice. Visitors whose permits are canceled because of an official closure will receive a full refund, including the normally non-refundable $6 reservation fee. Officials say large portions of the BWCA have not been affected by the fires, raising the possibility that additional areas could reopen later this summer.
>>Minnesota Past Halfway Point of 100 Deadliest Days of Summer
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is now past the halfway point of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, and traffic safety officials say roadway deaths are ahead of last year’s pace. The State Office of Traffic Safety reports 82 people have already died on Minnesota roads during the campaign. Last year, 111 people were killed during the entire 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. Shannon Grabow says summer brings the year’s highest travel volumes, increasing the risk of serious crashes. She says unbelted deaths are especially concerning, with 12 already recorded compared with 16 during all of last year’s campaign. Officials are urging drivers to slow down, buckle up and never drive impaired as the campaign continues through Labor Day.
>>Trump Denies Clemency Request for Anton Lazzaro
(Washington, D.C.) — President Donald Trump has denied a request to commute the prison sentence of former Minnesota GOP donor and strategist Anton Lazzaro. Lazzaro is serving a 21-year federal prison sentence after his 2023 conviction on child sex trafficking charges. Prosecutors said he recruited girls as young as 15 through social media, paying them for sex and using gifts and alcohol to exploit them. Lazzaro’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied last year, and he will remain in federal prison.
>>Trump’s New Tariffs Could Affect Minnesota Farmers, Manufacturers
(Washington D.C.) — Minnesota businesses and farmers could feel the effects of President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs. The administration is imposing new tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 U.S. trading partners as temporary worldwide tariffs expire today. Economists say the move could raise costs for Minnesota manufacturers that rely on imported parts while increasing prices on some consumer goods. There’s also concern that countries targeted by the tariffs could retaliate, making it more difficult for Minnesota farmers and food producers to sell products overseas.
>>Shiloh Hendrix Convicted in Rochester Disorderly Conduct Case
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester woman has been convicted of disorderly conduct in connection with a confrontation that followed her use of a racial slur at a city park. A jury found 37-year-old Shiloh Hendrix guilty on one of two misdemeanor counts after more than nine hours of deliberation, acquitting her on the count involving an 8-year-old Black autistic child but convicting her on the charge involving the man who recorded the incident. The case stems from an April 2025 confrontation at a Rochester park that drew national attention. A judge fined Hendrix $1,000, ordered 200 hours of community service, and imposed a stayed 90-day jail sentence.
>>DNR Seeking Bids for Inland Commercial Fishing License
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for an inland commercial fishing license in west-central Minnesota. The license covers Area 6, which includes most of Swift County and part of Kandiyohi County. State law requires the DNR to publicly announce when a commercial fishing area becomes available so qualified applicants have an opportunity to apply. Applications must be received by August 21st.
>>Health Expert on the Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep
(Undated) – As families start preparing for the new school year, UW Health experts say now is the time to help children get back into a healthy sleep routine. Dr. Casey Freymiller recommends gradually moving bedtimes earlier, about 15 minutes at a time, rather than making a sudden change. She says lack of sleep can lead to grumpiness, emotional outbursts, and difficulty learning. Freymiller also urges families to limit screen time before bed, noting that light from phones, tablets, and TVs can make it harder to fall asleep and stay on a consistent schedule.
>>MSP Airport’s Tactile Restroom Maps Improve Accessibility
(Bloomington, MN) — Travel is becoming more accessible at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. MSP is the first airport in North America to install tactile restroom maps for travelers who are blind or have low vision. Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesperson Phil Burke (Berk) says the maps are now available at every restroom, including family restrooms, pet relief areas, lactation rooms and nursing rooms. The project was developed over more than five years with guidance from MSP’s Travelers with Disability Advisory Committee. Burke says airports across North America are already contacting MSP to learn how they can bring the tactile maps to their own terminals.
>>3M Open Continues Today in Blaine
(Blaine, MN) — The second round of the 3M Open tees off today at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine as golfers battle to make the weekend cut. First-round leader Ben Kohles fired a 9-under 62 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead, while world number one Scottie Scheffler opened with a bogey-free 65 and sits just three shots off the pace in his tournament debut. The PGA Tour event features an $8.8 million purse and runs through Sunday.
