>>Weather forecast forces cancellation of some fireworks displays, while others will go on
(Various) — It’s definitely not banner weather to celebrate the nation’s birthday, with forecasted storms prompting a number of communities to either cancel their fireworks displays or postpone them until at least tomorrow (Fri). Minneapolis officials will decide by 6 p-m whether the big show on the Mississippi riverfront downtown will go on. Saint Cloud officials say the day’s and evening’s festivities are a “go” regardless of weather for the 78th consecutive year, noting it would take severe storms and lightning to change plans. Mankato’s “Red, White and Boom” display has been moved to 10 p-m Friday, and it can be viewed from the Minnesota State University athletic fields. But Rochester officials have decided to cancel that city’s “4th Fest” event and fireworks. The Weather Service says it will be partly sunny statewide tomorrow (Fri) with a chance of showers and thunderstorms; highs in the 70s. Saturday and Sunday: partly cloudy with showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms.
>>Walz, other Democratic governors back Biden after private meeting at White House
(Washington, DC) — “He’s fit for office,” Governor Tim Walz told reporters outside the White House last evening (Wed) after a number of Democratic governors met personally with President Joe Biden. Walz, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, said none of the governors deny that the president had a “bad performance” during Thursday night’s debate with former President Donald Trump. Walz said it was “a bad hit, if you will… but it doesn’t impact what I believe, that he’s delivering.” But some Democrats are less firm. U-S Representative Angie Craig in the swing 2nd Congressional District said earlier in the week she needs to see Biden “out everywhere, talking unscripted, no teleprompter, and he needs to make sure that the American people have confidence in his ability to run for re-election.”
>>Police fatally shoot North Branch woman, say she ignored orders to drop gun
(North Branch, MN) — The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says police fatally shot a woman last week who had been walking down the street in North Branch with a bottle of alcohol and a gun in a case, after she ignored orders to drop the weapon and appeared to “point an object at the officers.” Investigators say before that, one of the officers deployed Pepperball rounds. The husband of 36-year-old Jamie Crabtree told the Star Tribune that she would suffer seizures when she drank and had been in therapy for mental illness. Both officers involved are on critical incident leave as the investigation continues.
>>Minneapolis man drowns at Afton State Park
(Afton, MN) — A 27-year-old man from Minneapolis is the victim of an apparent drowning Wednesday morning near the campgrounds at Afton State Park Beach in the southeast metro. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says the man was swimming 20-to-30 feet offshore in roughly 12 feet of water when witnesses lost sight of him. A dive-and-rescue team located him in about 18 feet of water and he was transported to Regions Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His name is being withheld pending notification of family.
>>Authorities ID body found at fire scene near St. Cloud Tech High School
(St. Cloud, MN) — Authorities are identifying the body found near St. Cloud Tech High School late Monday morning. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified the remains as 26-year-old Mohamed Mustaf Mohamud of St. Cloud. Mohamud’s body was discovered by firefighters called to a small grass fire. The St. Cloud Police Department says Mohamud died as a result of the fire and no foul play is suspected.
>>Man Jailed on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop near Barnesville
(Barnesville, MN) — A 33-year-old Rochester man is in Clay County Jail in Moorhead on drug charges after his arrest on I-94 near Barnesville Tuesday afternoon. Moorhead Police and other agencies during a traffic stop seized 1,000 fentanyl pills plus cocaine with an estimated street value of $10,000. Investigators say the drugs were on their way to Fargo-Moorhead.
>>Twins announce earlier start time for July 4th game
(Minneapolis, MN) — Citing high probability of inclement weather, the Minnesota Twins moved up the start time for today’s (Thurs) Independence Day game against Detroit, to a 12:10 P-M first pitch. Minnesota won the series opener at Target Field 5-3 Tuesday night, but got pounded last night (Wed) 9-to-2.
