>>Officer Shot During St. Peter Incident
(St. Peter, MN) — A St. Peter police officer was wounded in a shooting Thursday night, prompting a large law enforcement response and a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. The officer was transported to a hospital, but officials have not released information about the officer’s condition. Details about what led to the shooting have not yet been made public. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is expected to assist with the investigation.
>>Mangione’s Defense Team Reverses Course
(New York) – In a stunning reversal in court, Luigi Mangione’s lawyers told a judge Thursday that he will no longer be asserting a psychiatric defense at his state trial in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The retraction came just one day after Mangione’s defense team said they planned to pursue a defense involving claims that the 28-year-old Mangione was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance at the time of the shooting. Mangione is also facing federal charges. Thompson was killed in December, 2024 in New York.
>>Ellison Defends Minnesota Ban on Prediction Markets in Federal Court
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is defending the state’s new law banning prediction markets, arguing they are a form of gambling that should remain under state regulation. In a court filing Thursday, Ellison opposed efforts by the federal government and prediction market companies, including Kalshi and Polymarket, to block Minnesota’s bipartisan law from taking effect. Ellison says the platforms allow people to wager on sports, elections, and other events, creating risks of addiction, market manipulation, and misuse of insider information. The companies argue prediction markets fall under federal oversight, setting up a legal battle over whether states can regulate the rapidly growing industry.
>>Craig, Flanagan Meet in First DFL Senate Debate
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Democrats will get their first chance to see U.S. Senate candidates Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan share the debate stage tonight. The one-hour debate, airing live on Almanac on Twin Cities PBS, marks the first of three scheduled matchups ahead of the August primary. Recent polling has shown a close race, with each campaign claiming an advantage. Craig, a member of Congress, and Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, are competing for the DFL nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Tina Smith. The debate begins at 7 p.m.
>>Cannabis Testing Delays Frustrate Minnesota Retailers
(Undated) — Minnesota cannabis retailers are raising concerns about growing delays tied to product testing bottlenecks. Industry leaders say a backlog at state-approved testing laboratories is slowing the arrival of adult-use cannabis products, including flower, pre-rolls, and vape pens. The issue could worsen as one of Minnesota’s five licensed testing facilities prepares to close due to financial challenges. Store owners say suppliers often cannot provide reliable delivery timelines, making it difficult to keep products in stock and meet customer demand. Retailers are urging state officials and industry regulators to address the shortage of testing capacity as Minnesota’s legal cannabis market continues to expand.
>>Grandma’s Marathon Weekend
(Duluth, MN) — Participants from across the United States and around the world are expected to take part in the marathon, Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, and William A. Irvin 5K. Organizers say the event generates nearly $40 million in economic impact for the region each year and welcomes more than 20,000 participants. The iconic 26.2-mile race begins tomorrow(Sat) near Two Harbors and follows the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior before finishing in Duluth’s Canal Park.
>>Special Olympics USA Games Set to Open in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — The wait is nearly over as the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games officially begin tomorrow(Sat) in Minnesota. More than 3,000 athletes from all 50 states will compete in 16 sports at venues across the Twin Cities, including the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. Opening Ceremonies start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium and will feature the Parade of Athletes, the lighting of the cauldron, and performances by Demi Lovato and Jon Batiste. Minnesota will have one of the largest delegations at the Games, with nearly 300 athletes competing.
>>Hibbing Man Sentenced for Burglary, Assault, DANCO Violation
(Duluth, MN) — A Hibbing man has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison in two separate criminal cases. St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki says 41-year-old Michael Hart received a 46-month sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling, fifth-degree assault, and violating a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order. Prosecutors say Hart broke into a home and assaulted two people inside. During the incident, Hart was shot in the abdomen. In a separate case, authorities found him with a person who had an active no-contact order against him. Hart still faces a separate charge for allegedly escaping from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center in the fall of 2025. A plea hearing in that case is scheduled for June 22nd.
>>Wyoming Man Convicted in Olmsted County Child Sex Abuse Case
(Rochester, MN) — A Wyoming man has been convicted of sexually abusing a child while living in southeastern Minnesota. An Olmsted County jury found 55-year-old David Dailey guilty of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors said the abuse occurred between 1994 and 2003 and involved a young victim. Dailey was found guilty following a trial in Rochester. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24th.
>>Minnesota College Professor Pleads Guilty in Theft Case
(Minneapolis, MN) — A professor at Gustavus Adolphus College has pleaded guilty to stealing firearm-related items from a sporting goods store in the Twin Cities. Aaron Banks admitted to one count of theft in Hennepin County District Court. Prosecutors say Banks stole gun parts, including triggers and a rifle accessory, along with several boxes of ammunition from a Scheels store on multiple occasions. The stolen merchandise was valued at more than $750. Gustavus Adolphus College placed Banks on leave after charges were filed in March. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 26th.
>>Bemidji Reflects on One Year Since Destructive Windstorm
(Bemidji, MN) — This weekend marks one year since a powerful windstorm swept through the Bemidji area, causing extensive damage across northern Minnesota. During the early morning hours of June 21, 2025, straight-line winds topping 100 miles per hour uprooted trees, damaged homes and businesses, and left thousands without electricity. Considered one of the most destructive weather events in the region’s recent history, the storm left a massive cleanup effort that lasted for months. Local officials say the disaster also showcased the resilience of residents, volunteers, and utility crews who came together to help communities recover.
>>Cleveland Police Chief Announces Resignation
(Cleveland, MN) — The police chief in Cleveland, a community of about 750 people in Le Sueur County north of Mankato, is resigning following a dispute over the hiring of part-time officers. Chief Randall Tiegs, who has served with the department for more than two decades, says a recent policy change gives city officials a greater role in the hiring process. Tiegs says the shift left him feeling that his professional judgment was no longer being trusted and led him to decide it was time to step down. City leaders say the policy was adopted to increase oversight and was not intended to single out the chief.
