>>Hortmans to Lie in State Today at Minnesota Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — The late House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda today (Fri) along with their golden retriever Gilbert. The public is invited to pay their respects between the hours of noon and 5 pm. The governor’s office issued guidelines for the public viewing, saying the public should enter through the main doors up the capitol steps on the south entrance. People will be allowed to wait inside the Capitol. The second-floor memorial will also be open for viewing. There will be parking in public lots around the capitol complex but are limited, so you are encouraged to take public transportation.
>>US Senate Passes Resolution Honoring Hortmans, Condemning Political Violence
(Washington, DC) — A bipartisan resolution unanimously passed by the U-S Senate Thursday honors the late Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The measure led by Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, also condemns political violence. It passed the U-S House with support from all of Minnesota’s congressional delegation.
>>Boelter Due in Federal Court Friday for Detention Hearing
(St. Paul, MN) — The Green Isle man charged in the murders of the Hortmans and shootings of the Hoffmans has a federal court hearing today (Fri 11am) in St. Paul. Fifty-seven-year-old Vance Boelter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing—where a judge will decide whether he’ll remain in custody as he awaits trial. Boelter faces two counts of murder, charges of stalking, and using a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. Because the case is being prosecuted in federal court, he could face the death penalty if convicted. Boelter is currently being held at the Sherburne County Jail.
>>Finstad Applauds Investigation into Minnesota for Discrimination Against Female Athletes
(Washington, DC) — Republican Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm is backing a federal investigation into Minnesota’s high school sports policies. The U-S Department of Health and Human Services is looking into whether allowing transgender athletes to compete on girls’ teams violates Title IX. Finstad says the policy may be costing female athletes roster spots, scholarships, and championships. In a statement, he said, “Girls deserve a fair playing field,” and praised the Trump administration for what he called a move to uphold fairness and equal opportunity in women’s sports. The investigation will focus on the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League, both of which receive federal funding.
>>Severe Storms, Tornado in Southern Minnesota Thursday Afternoon
(Chanhassen, MN) — Another round of severe weather Thursday afternoon in Freeborn County in far southern Minnesota. The National Weather Service says a trained spotter confirmed a tornado was on the ground a few miles west of Hayward around 1:30 pm. There were also downed trees and powerlines in the Albert Lea area. Officials say a funnel cloud or possible tornado was caught on video near Owatonna, but you can’t see whether it touched down. Several communities had street flooding yesterday. These storms came after at least a half dozen tornado reports Wednesday in southern Minnesota. The tornado that damaged a farm near Hartland was rated an EF-1 with wind speeds up to 105 miles per hour.
>>Arrest Made in Mass Shooting at Boom Island Park in Northeast Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police are reporting an arrest in the June 1st mass shooting at Boom Island Park in northeast Minneapolis that left a woman dead and six people injured. Officers say 23-year-old Zyere Porter was arrested Thursday in Spring Lake Park on suspicion of murder. Investigators say there was gunfire after a large gathering in the park and 23-year-old Stageina Shapryia of Brooklyn Center was shot and later died in the hospital. Police Chief Brian O’Hara said, “as the investigation proceeds, I hope this arrest brings some level of justice and comfort to the victims and their loved ones.”
>>Motorcycle Fatalities Down in Minnesota This Season
(St. Paul, MN) — The motorcycle season is off to a good start in Minnesota this summer. State motorcycle safety coordinator Jay Bock says they’re seeing fewer deadly crashes. He says we currently have 15 fatalities in Minnesota and that’s encouraging because we had 28 last year at this time. Bock says July and August are usually the months with the highest number of deadly crashes. There were 74 motorcycle fatalities on Minnesota roads in 2024.
>> Friday Update in Possible Strike By Minnesota Nurses
(Duluth, MN) — We’re expecting an update today (Fri 2pm) in the dispute between Minnesota nurses and their health care employers. Fifteen-thousand members of the Minnesota Nurses Association voted overwhelmingly this week to authorize an unfair labor practices strike. The nurses from the Twin Cities and Duluth are required to give a ten-day notice so their hospitals and health care facilities would have time to fill the gaps and provide patient care in their absence. M-N-A leaders say staffing and safety are two reasons for the proposed strike.
>>HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group Workers File Potential Strike Notice
(Stillwater, MN) — Workers at HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group filed a 10-day notice for a potential four-day strike starting July 8th. The union, S-E-I-U Healthcare MN & IA, says workers are demanding better wages and benefits. One bargaining team member says long-time staff feel overlooked, especially as temps are paid more for the same work. Talks continue today (Fri) with management.
>>Twins Pound Mariners to Earn Series Split at Target Field
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins routed the Seattle Mariners 10-1 at Target Field Thursday to split the four-game series. The Twins scored eight runs in the sixth inning and Brooks Lee and Matt Wallner both hit homeruns. Simeon Woods Richardson pitched five scoreless innings and had six strikeouts for his third win of the season. Trevor Larnach also homered and had three R-B-Is for Minnesota. The game was delayed by rain by more than four hours. The Twins open a three-game series tonight (Fri 6:10pm) at the first-place Detroit Tigers.
