>>Smith Pays Tribute to Annunciation School Shooting Victims on US Senate Floor
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Tina Smith took to the Senate floor Thursday to remember the victims of the Annunciation School shooting and demand gun law changes. The Minnesota Democrat asked those across the political aisle to come together to find answers to common sense gun laws. Smith said, “I believe that if we don’t try, nothing will ever change and so I ask this body to listen to the words of people, not political people, who are pleading for change, who are asking us to pray by moving our feet and to take action.” The mass shooting killed two students and wounded 21 people. Investigators say the guns used were purchased legally by the shooter.
>>Student Walkouts Planned Friday in Response to Annunciation Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — Students across the country are planning walkouts today (Fri) in response to the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The coordinated action is being led by Students Demand Action, who say they are calling for urgent measures to address gun violence. The protest follows last week’s attack, in which a gunman opened fire during school Mass, killing two children and injuring 21 others. Organizers say the walkout is a demand for elected officials to take meaningful steps to protect students in schools and places of worship.
>>Advocates Concerned About Federal Cuts to Affordable Housing Program
(St. Paul, MN) — The White House and U-S House want to eliminate a grant program that helps build and repair affordable housing. Elizabeth Glidden with the Minnesota Housing Partnership says the state received around 16 million dollars in HOME funds last year and the program has been helpful. She says, “we believe that we have a big problem with more need for affordable homes than we are able to provide and eliminating this program will harm our goals as a state.” Glidden says the House fiscal year 2026 budget zeroes out funding for the HOME program, but there is still funding in the Senate’s budget. The HOME program was started by President George H-W Bush in the 1990s.
>>Senator Klein Proposes Legislation to Protect Health Care from RFK, Jr
(St. Paul, MN) — Calling Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. a “threat to all Minnesotans’ health,” state Senator Matt Klein is proposing legislation to protect the state from R-F-K Junior’s decisions. The D-F-L senator from Mendota Heights and Mayo Clinic doctor says R-F-K, Jr. has “unraveled decades of public health progress, demoralized our healthcare workforce, and pushed an extreme agenda that leaves Minnesotans literally sicker.” Klein plans to introduce a bill that ensures pharmacists can legally administer COVID vaccines to all patients, mandates coverage for vaccines in private health care plans, and establishes a Minnesota Science Based Health Care Commission to make recommendations to residents.
>>UCare Eliminating Medicare Advantage Plans
(Minneapolis, MN) — UCare, a major player in Minnesota’s privatized Medicare market, is scaling back operations amid financial strain. The Minneapolis-based nonprofit health insurer announced it will discontinue its Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. Currently, UCare serves approximately 158,000 Medicare Advantage members, representing about 26% of the state’s market share. With the upcoming change, these individuals will need to transition to alternative providers to maintain their privatized Medicare coverage. As part of the restructuring, UCare will reduce its workforce by 9%, resulting in around 144 job cuts. This marks the second round of layoffs this year.
>>Minnesota DFL Sells $238K in Merchandise at State Fair Booth
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota D-F-L Party says its State Fair booth generated more than 238 thousand dollars in merchandise sales. That is the second-highest total ever and a new record for non-election year sales. D-F-L officials say more than ten thousand fairgoers stopped by to purchase merchandise. They had to re-stock the “Only You Can Fight Fascism” t-shirts four times and sold more than a thousand “Books Not Bullets” buttons. The Republican Party of Minnesota hasn’t released sales numbers from its State Fair booth.
>>Pilot Found Dead in Plane Crash near Cambridge Airport
(Cambridge, MN) — A pilot is the lone victim in a deadly plane crash Thursday near the Cambridge Municipal Airport. The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office says the small plane went down in a field and the pilot was found dead at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. An N-T-S-B investigator is expected at the site this morning (Fri). The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is working to identify the victim.
>>Boy Struck by Vehicle in Big Lake
(Big Lake, MN) — An 11-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle on Highway 10 in Big Lake Thursday evening. Big Lake police officers and the Minnesota State Patrol provided immediate aid, and the boy was transported to Children’s Hospital. His identity and condition have not been released. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with authorities.
>>Minnesota DNR Launches Fall Color Finder Map
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R has launched its Fall Color Finder Map, helping residents and visitors track the changing leaves across the state. The interactive tool is available at dnr.state.mn.us, and users can also sign up for weekly newsletters via email or text. Fall colors in Minnesota typically peak from mid-September through mid-October, beginning in the northernmost regions and gradually moving southward. The D-N-R’s map is updated every Thursday to reflect current conditions, making it a useful resource for planning scenic drives, hikes, or weekend getaways.
>>MN Miracle Mile Kicks Off in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — The Minnesota Mile Race kicks off in Duluth today (Fri 5pm) near Enger Park. Drivers should expect road closures in the area until about 8 p-m, with signs posted at 10th and 24th Avenues West. Enger Golf Course will stay open and accessible. The race is part of the Young Athletes Foundation, a program of Grandma’s Marathon.
>>Las Vegas Aces Beat Minnesota Lynx for 13th Straight Win
(Las Vegas, NV) — The Las Vegas Aces extended their winning streak to 13 games with a 97-87 victory over the Minnesota Lynx at T-Mobile Arena. A’ja Wilson scored a game-high 31 points for 27-and-14 Vegas last night. Natisha Hiedeman led 32-and-9 Minnesota with 22 points off the bench. Courtney Williams scored 14, Alanna Smith added 13 points, and Napheesa Collier finished with 12. Some fans complained that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve pulled her starters too early. Minnesota plays Saturday night at Golden State.
>>Lynx Playoff Tickets on Sale Today
(Minneapolis) — Tickets for the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the W-N-B-A playoffs go on sale today (Fri) at noon. The postseason begins on Sunday, September 14th and the first round is a best-of-three series. The Lynx would host Games One and Three of that series. The Lynx will be chasing their fifth W-N-B-A championship. They have clinched the best record for this season and will have home court advantage throughout the postseason. Playoff ticket prices start at $39.
