>>Boelter Held Without Bail in Lawmaker Attack Case
(St. Paul, MN) — A federal judge has ruled that Vance Boelter will remain in custody without bail ahead of his trial for the murder and attempted murder of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Boelter appeared in court Thursday, facing charges that he fatally shot State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, during an attack on June 14th. Boelter waived his right to a detention hearing, where prosecutors would have presented key evidence in the case, and told the judge he was “looking forward to court.” Boelter has been held at the Sherburne County Jail since his June 15th arrest, which followed a widespread manhunt. His bail is now officially set at $5 million—but he told the judge he can’t afford to pay it.
>>Food Advocates Warn of Impact from Federal SNAP Cuts
(Undated) — President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has cleared both the U.S. House and Senate, and while some support the legislation, others fear it forces hard choices between food and health care. The bill includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. Zach Rodvold with Second Harvest Heartland says the timing couldn’t be worse. “At a time when demand for emergency food assistance is already at record levels… one in five Minnesota households is food insecure,” he said. State data show that more than 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP, with nearly a third of them being children.
>>Operation Dry Water Underway
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota’s lakes and rivers are expected to be packed this Fourth of July, and Minnesota DNR conservation officers will be out there, too, making sure everyone stays safe. They’re participating in Operation Dry Water, a national effort that runs from July 4 through Sunday. The campaign focuses on the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the serious consequences that come with it. Their message is clear: Don’t boat under the influence. Keep Minnesota’s waters safe for everyone.
>>Heading out for some Fourth of July weekend fishing?
(St. Paul, MN) — Before you cast a line this holiday weekend, the Minnesota DNR encourages you to visit their fishing webpage. It’s a one-stop resource for everything you need to know, whether you’re new to fishing or a seasoned angler. You’ll find fishing basics, regulations, how-to guides, and helpful links. The site also connects you to LakeFinder, with maps and detailed info on lakes statewide, and the trout fishing page, where the Stream Finder tool offers descriptions, species lists, rules, and access points for trout streams across Minnesota. The 2025 Minnesota Fishing Regulations are available in five languages and are printed at locations where DNR licenses are sold.
>>Fort Snelling Exhibit Earns National Award
(Minneapolis, MN) — An exhibit at Historic Fort Snelling has received a national Leadership in History Award of Excellence from the American Association of State and Local History. Titled “Many Voices, Many Stories, One Place,” the exhibit highlights the diverse people connected to the site, including Dakota, African Americans, settlers, and Japanese American interpreters during World War II. It also features tools used by Native people more than 10,000 years ago at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.
>>More Minnesotans Buying ‘Rec Land’ for Outdoor Getaways
(Lakeville, MN) — As many Minnesotans head to the outdoors this holiday weekend, more are also investing in “rec land”—rural property bought for recreational use. Chris Allen, a home loan officer with Minnesota-based Compeer Home, says that ‘rec land’ typically refers to parcels—often over 10 acres—used for activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, or ATV riding. Some properties may include cabins or sheds. Allen adds that financing recreational land differs from traditional home loans, so working with a lender that specializes in recreational property can make the process smoother.
>>Fourth of July Cookout Costs Dip Slightly in Minnesota
(Undated) — Minnesotans are paying a bit less for their Independence Day picnics this year. According to the 2025 American Farm Bureau survey, a holiday cookout for 10 people—including burgers, chicken, pork chops, potato salad, fruit, and dessert—costs an average of $70.92, down 30 cents from last year’s record of $71.22. Beef prices are up, but costs have dipped slightly for pork, potato chips, and buns. The Independence Day meal is expected to feed ten people.
>>State Warns Against BAK8D THC Gummies After Health Scare
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota health officials are warning consumers to avoid BAK8D brand delta-9 THC gummies after a reported illness linked to extreme THC levels in the “Oreoz” flavor. Testing showed a single gummy contained more than 20 times the legal 5 mg THC limit—posing a serious health risk, especially for inexperienced users. The gummies were sold in retail stores and online across Minnesota. The Office of Cannabis Management says all flavors made by BAK8D could be affected and urges consumers to immediately discard any remaining product. Anyone who feels unwell after consuming BAK8D gummies should contact their doctor or call Poison Control.(1-800-222-1222)Consumers are also encouraged to report incidents to the FDA through the MedWatch system.
