>>Hopkins Daycare Owner Planned to Close Before Family Killings

(Hopkins, MN) — The owner of a Hopkins home daycare had recently told families she planned to close the business because of problems in her marriage, according to a search warrant filed after Wednesday’s murder-suicide. The warrant says a parent arrived at Brown Bear Childcare shortly after 9 a.m., heard children screaming, and found 41-year-old Nathan Brown stabbing his wife, Kristen, and their 7-year-old daughter, Evie. The parent escaped with four children and called 911. Officers later removed two other children, none of whom were physically injured. Nathan Brown was found upstairs with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police believe he had earlier killed his 78-year-old mother, Alice Brown, at a Burnsville home where he had recently been staying.

>>Walz Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Wildfire Responder Leslie Washington

(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz has ordered flags at all Minnesota state buildings lowered to half-staff in honor of wildfire responder Leslie R. Washington. Washington, of Noorvik, Alaska, died August 11th after suffering a medical emergency while assigned to the Bear Trap Fire near Ely. He was a member of the K-River 2 Tribal firefighting crew and the Inupiaq people of northwest Alaska. Walz praised Washington’s courage and service and extended condolences to his family, community, and fellow crew members. Businesses and residents are also encouraged to lower their flags in Washington’s honor.

>>Minnesota Hospital to Refund More Than $1.4 Million Over Uninsured Billing Errors

(Morris, MN) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris will provide up to $1.4 million in refunds and medical debt relief to uninsured patients. The settlement follows allegations that the hospital incorrectly calculated discounts required by law, resulting in some patients being billed more than they should have been. Nearly 3,500 patients who received care between April 2020 and December 2025 may qualify for refunds or debt reductions if their household income was under $125,000 at the time of service. Ellison says the agreement ensures hospitals honor their obligations to uninsured Minnesotans.

>>BCA Identifies Deputy Involved in Isanti Standoff

(Isanti, MN) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the Anoka County Sheriff’s deputy who fired his weapon during an August 5th standoff in Isanti. Authorities say Deputy Brian Torborg, a 27-year law enforcement veteran, fired one round during the incident involving 42-year-old Jason Phillips. Police responded to reports of a man throwing items into the street before Phillips retreated into a home, leading to a lengthy standoff. Phillips was eventually taken into custody unharmed. His wife and children were evaluated at a hospital and released. The BCA investigation remains ongoing.

>>Man Charged in Deadly One-Punch Assault

(St. Paul, MN) – A St. Paul man is charged with murder after authorities say he fatally punched another man outside a downtown homeless shelter. Thirty-seven-year-old Jerry Harris faces second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter charges in the death of 61-year-old Isaiah Wilson. Investigators say surveillance video shows Harris striking Wilson without warning outside the Higher Ground Shelter on August 3rd, causing him to fall and hit his head. Wilson died four days later at Regions Hospital. Prosecutors say Harris was already facing charges in a separate assault case at the same shelter. He’s being held on one million dollars bail.

>>Two Minnesota College Wrestlers Seriously Hurt in Separate Crashes

(Undated) — Two college wrestlers from central Minnesota suffered serious injuries in separate crashes this week. The State Patrol says 21-year-old St. Cloud State wrestler Dominic Mann of Kasson was critically injured Tuesday when his SUV collided with a semi in Mower County. The semi driver was not hurt. A day earlier, 19-year-old St. John’s University wrestler Bo Zwiener was critically injured when his pickup left Highway 30 and rolled near Blooming Prairie.

>>Law Firm Investigating Teen’s Fall at Minneapolis Grain Elevator

(Minneapolis, MN) — A national law firm is investigating the circumstances surrounding a teenager’s fall inside a vacant Minneapolis grain elevator. Ash Ranallo-Korbel remains hospitalized after falling an estimated 200 feet on August 3. Romanucci & Blandin claim inadequate security allowed easy access to the property and say the teen’s critical injuries were preventable. City records show police have responded to the site at least 24 times since May 2023 for trespassing, property damage, and other disturbances. No lawsuit has been filed, and the property owner has not publicly responded to the allegations

>>Sherburne County Ends License Plate Camera Program

(Sherburne County, MN) – The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office is pulling the plug on its license plate reader camera program. Officials say they’ve ended their agreement with Flock Safety and are removing the cameras amid growing concerns about how some law enforcement agencies use and share the data the system collects. Commander Ben Zawacki says the cameras can be a useful public safety tool, but maintaining public trust is a higher priority. The county had been testing the technology through a grant-funded trial program and would have needed taxpayer dollars to continue using it. The move comes as Flock camera use faces increased scrutiny across Minnesota.

>>State Fair Less Than Two Weeks Away

(Falcon Heights, MN) – The Great Minnesota Get-Together is less than two weeks away. The 2026 Minnesota State Fair runs August 27th through Labor Day, September 7th. Organizers are encouraging fairgoers to plan using the fair’s website and official app, which feature maps, schedules, food finders, and discount information. Nearly half of fair visitors use public transportation, with dozens of free Park-and-Ride locations available. Pre-fair discount admission tickets remain on sale through August 26th. New attractions this year include the free Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibit and the 230-foot-tall America Wheel. For more information, visit mnstatefair.org.

>>Health of Minnesota Lakes

(St. Paul, MN) — A new state report shows fish populations can help reveal the overall health of Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota DNR and Pollution Control Agency reviewed more than 1,400 fish surveys from 908 lakes across 47 watersheds. Researchers found healthier lakes generally had lower phosphorus levels, less land disturbance in surrounding watersheds, and better shoreline habitat. The report reflects more than a decade of research and will help state and local officials identify lakes that need protection or restoration.