>>Walz Welcomes Athletes To Special Olympics USA Games
(Minneapolis, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is welcoming thousands of athletes, families, volunteers, and spectators to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in the Twin Cities. During opening ceremonies, Walz praised the spirit of community and inclusion that the games represent. He also told athletes that their hard work, dedication, and determination make them champions long before competition begins. Nearly 3,000 athletes from across the nation are competing in the games, including about 300 from Minnesota. Events continue throughout the week at venues across Minneapolis and Blaine.y
>>Grandma’s Marathon Recap
(Duluth, MN) — The 50th running of Grandma’s Marathon produced historic performances Saturday in Duluth. Minnesota native Dakotah Popehn captured her third Grandma’s Marathon title, becoming just the third woman in race history to win the event three times. Popehn crossed the finish line in 2:28:51, finishing 45 seconds ahead of runner-up Bashanke Bilo. In the men’s race, Eritrea’s Amanuel Mesel earned his first Grandma’s Marathon victory with a winning time of 2:11:21, pulling away from six-time champion Elisha Barno in the final miles. Mesel had previously finished fourth and third in Duluth before reaching the top of the podium this year. Race officials say 9,594 runners completed the marathon, making the 50th annual event the largest in Grandma’s Marathon history.
>>Summer Tourism Continues to Boost Minnesota Economy
(St. Paul, MN) — Summer tourism remains a major economic driver for Minnesota, with outdoor destinations continuing to attract visitors from across the country. Explore Minnesota spokesman Jake Juliot says interest in nature-based travel surged after the pandemic and remains strong today. Popular attractions include the Boundary Waters, Voyageurs National Park, the North Shore Scenic Byway, Gooseberry Falls, and Split Rock Lighthouse. Officials are also highlighting Minnesota’s more than 11,800 lakes as a centerpiece. Information on attractions, festivals, and travel ideas is available on Explore Minnesota’s website.
>>Mayo Clinic Using AI to Expand Rural Health Care Access
(Rochester, MN) — Mayo Clinic is helping lead a federal effort to bring more hospital-level care directly to rural and underserved communities. Through the ARPA-H(AR-puh)PARADIGM(PAIR-uh-dime) program, Mayo is developing artificial intelligence tools that can guide healthcare workers through procedures such as blood draws and IV placements without requiring on-site specialists. Researchers have already recorded hundreds of blood-draw procedures to train the technology. Mayo officials say the goal is to help patients receive high-quality care closer to home while expanding access to medical services in areas where specialty care is often limited.
>> Five-Year-Old Oregon Girl Killed in Crash
(Sun Fish Lake, MN) — A five-year-old Oregon girl was killed when a van rolled over on Interstate 494 in Dakota County on Saturday morning. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash happened shortly after 10 a.m. in Sunfish Lake. A westbound cargo van carrying four people from Salem, Oregon, left the roadway and rolled several times. The child, identified as Camila Flores, was not wearing a seat belt and died in the crash. The 20-year-old driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A 35-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy were also in the vehicle, but their conditions have not been released. Road conditions were dry, and alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.
>>Man Killed in Watonwan County Crash
(Butterfield Township, MN) — An 83-year-old man was killed, and an 83-year-old woman suffered serious injuries in a crash involving an SUV and a semi Saturday morning in Watonwan(WAH-tuh-wahn)County east of St. James. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Wayne Hanson of Butterfield was driving south when he collided with a westbound semi at an intersection in Butterfield Township. Hanson died at the scene. An 83-year-old female passenger from Butterfield was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the semi was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.
>>Two Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Crash Near Pelican Rapids
(Pelican Rapids, MN) — Two people were injured in a motorcycle crash early Saturday morning on the west side of Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County. Sheriff’s deputies responded just after 2:00 a.m. and found a 41-year-old Monticello man and a 37-year-old Lake Park woman with serious injuries. The woman was airlifted to a Fargo hospital, while the man was taken to Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes. Investigators say the motorcycle was traveling south when it tipped over, slid about 30 yards, and entered a ditch. Authorities have not determined whether helmets or alcohol were factors in the crash.
