>>Walz Orders Flags at Half-staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is ordering all U-S and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff today (Thursday) in honor of peace officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. The governor has proclaimed today as Peace Officers Memorial Day and this week as Police Week in the State of Minnesota. Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset tonight. Minnesota lost five law enforcement officers in 2024. Burnsville Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, Jamal Mitchell of Minneapolis, Voyageurs National Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim, and Red Lake Officer Jesse Branch.
>>4 Minnesotans to be Recognized at National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service
(Washington, DC) — Four fallen officers from Minnesota will be recognized during a National Police Week ceremony today (Thurs) in Washington, D-C. Burnsville Deputy Police Chief Matt Smith says there’s a Peace Officers Memorial Service on the U-S Capitol lawn every on May 15th. Smith says a large group from Burnsville will be there when the names of Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge are read during the honor roll. Fallen Minneapolis Officer Jamal Mitchell and Voyageurs National Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim will also be honored. The names of 345 officers are etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall this year. Red Lake Officer Jesse Branch will be added next May.
>>Senate Majority Leader Murphy Predicts Special Legislative Session to Finish Budget
(St. Paul, MN) — Democratic leaders admit a special session will likely be needed to pass a balanced state budget at the State Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says while they’re making progress, she doesn’t think they can meet the Monday adjournment deadline. Murphy says, “we need to do good work for the people of Minnesota. And I think that is more important than finishing at midnight on the 19th of May.” Murphy says the governor and legislative leaders plan to work through the weekend. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth would only say “they’re still talking and that’s good.”
>>Crews Continue Battling 3 Wildfires in Northeast Minnesota
(Duluth, MN) — Officials say the Jenkins Creek Fire is now the largest of the three wildfires burning in northeastern Minnesota at more than 15-thousand acres. The Camp House Fire grew slightly Wednesday to just under 15 thousand acres and has destroyed 140 structures. The Munger Shaw Fire has burned about 17-hundred acres. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay says all three fires are still very active and there are no real signs of them slowing. He says it’s tragic to drive around and see the destruction that’s occurred. Shelters for evacuees have been established at the Fredenberg Community Center and at Old School Lives in Cotton.
>>3 Vehicles Destroyed in Otter Tail County Fire near New York Mills
(New York Mills, MN) — Authorities in Otter Tail County are investigating a fire that destroyed three vehicles near New York Mills. Deputies and firefighters located two U-T-Vs, and a pickup fully engulfed in flames Wednesday night in Butler Township. Officials say the vehicles appear to be a total loss and there was minor damage to a nearby garage. No injuries are reported. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire.
>>Teen Pedestrian Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in Hutchinson Crash
(Hutchinson, MN) — A pedestrian is hospitalized with serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle Tuesday night in Hutchinson. The Minnesota State Patrol says the 16-year-old boy from Biscay was taken to Hutchinson Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. His name was not released. Troopers say a car was traveling southbound on Highway 15 when it struck the victim. The driver and passenger in the vehicle were not injured.
>>Richfield Middle School Teacher Accused of Sexual Relationship with Student
(Richfield, MN) — A Richfield Middle School staff member is in custody for an alleged sexual relationship with a student. Police were contacted by middle school staff around 9 am Tuesday and the man was arrested later that day. Superintendent Steve Unowsky says they placed the 23-year-old staff member on administrative leave once learning of the allegations and notified police. Criminal charges are pending.
>>Timberwolves Beat Warriors in Game 5 Advance to Western Conference Finals
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Timberwolves are headed to the Western Conference Finals following a 121-110 win over the Warriors Wednesday night in Game 5 of the semifinals. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 29 points, eight assists and five rebounds, and Anthony Edwards had 22 points and 12 assists. The Wolves will face either the Thunder or Nuggets in the next round. This is the first time the team has made back-to-back Western Conference Finals. Tickets for three possible games at Target Center go on sale at noon Friday.
>>Twins Sweep Orioles in Doubleheader, First Team to Win 10 Straight
(Baltimore, MD) — The Minnesota Twins are the first team in the league with a ten-game win streak this season. The Twins swept a doubleheader in Baltimore Wednesday, beating the Orioles 6-3 in the first game and 8-6 in the second game. Kody Clemens hit the go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning of game two. Trevor Larnach had a two-run shot in second inning for Minnesota. The Twins go for their third straight series sweep today (Thurs 11am) at Camden Yards.
>>Canterbury Park’s 31st Season Begins Memorial Day Weekend
(Shakopee, MN) — Canterbury Park will begin its 31st season of horse racing next Saturday in Shakopee. In 2024, daily attendance averaged nearly 5,000, with several race days hitting 12,000. The 51-day season starts with a 5 pm post next Saturday, and Sunday and Memorial Day Monday programs at 1 pm.
