>>Bill Increasing Penalties for Impersonating an Officer Becomes Law

(St. Paul, MN) — One of the bills signed into law by Governor Walz increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The legislation was crafted following the assassination of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The man charged in the political attacks was disguised as an officer and had an S-U-V with law enforcement-style lights and a fake police license plate. The law makes pretending to be an officer with the intent to mislead a felony.

>>Governor Walz To Highlight Historic HCMC Funding Investment

(Minneapolis, MN) — Hennepin Healthcare will host Governor Tim Walz today (Wed) as he highlights what officials are calling a historic state investment in hospital stability funding. The package includes 205-million dollars in direct state support for Hennepin County Medical Center and another 500-million dollars through the Hospital Stabilization Reserve Account. Walz will be joined by former Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and Hennepin Healthcare Chief Academic Officer Meghan Walsh during the visit in Minneapolis.

>>Trump Administration Files Lawsuit to Block Minnesota’s Law Banning Prediction Markets

(St. Paul, MN) — The Trump administration is suing Minnesota over a new state law that bans residents from making bets on prediction markets. The ban would make operating or helping to run prediction market platforms a felony on August 1st. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the law, arguing that the platforms are federally regulated. State Senator Matt Klein of Mendota Heights was banned from Kalshi and fined for placing a 50-dollar bet on his congressional primary election. Klein was one of the lawmakers pushing the bill to ban prediction markets.

>>Crow Wing County Board Holding Emergency Fire Meeting

(Brainerd, MN) – The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners is hosting an emergency meeting this morning (Wed) in response to the Flanders Fire. Officials are expected to pass a resolution renewing a declaration of local emergency and local disaster related to the wildfire. The board will receive updates from the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, public health and the Red Cross, engineering and highways, and environmental services. The Flanders Fire is 60 percent contained and wildfire evacuations were lifted Tuesday afternoon.

>>State Patrol Looking for Vehicle in Fatal Pedestrian Hit and Run in Brooklyn Park

(Brooklyn Park, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is looking for a vehicle suspected in a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run crash early Tuesday morning in Brooklyn Park. Police say the victim was walking along the shoulder of Highway 252 when she was hit by an S-U-V traveling at a high rate of speed that fled the scene. State troopers are searching for a dark grey 2016 to 2019 Toyota RAV with passenger side damage and is missing a mirror and fog lamp. Anyone with information about the suspect vehicle is asked to contact the State Patrol. The report says two friends of 25-year-old Amiah Armstrong Walker were trying to get into their vehicle at the time of the crash.

>>Sauk Rapids Woman Killed in Weekend Motorcycle Crash

(Sauk Rapids, MN) — A female motorcyclist from Sauk Rapids is the victim of a deadly weekend crash. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office says 27-year-old Meghan Moran was hit by a van Saturday afternoon in Sauk Rapids Township. First responders treated Moran at the scene for life-threatening injuries, and she died at St. Cloud Hospital. Deputies say the St. Cloud man driving the van said he stopped at a stop sign but continued into the intersection because he couldn’t see Moran’s motorcycle. Investigators say there were no signs of impairment.

>>Several Children Hurt in School Bus Crash in Stearns County

(St. Cloud, MN) — The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says multiple children suffered minor injuries in a school bus crash Monday afternoon near Richmond. Deputies say around 30 students were onboard and most of those injured suffered cuts from broken glass. Authorities say the bus went into a ditch near a curve and struck a tree just after 3:20 pm. The bus sustained heavy damage to the front and passenger sides. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

>>State Fire Marshal Assisting in Douglas County House Fire Investigation

(Alexandria, MN) — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says crews responded Tuesday night to a house fire in Holmes City Township near Alexandria. Deputies found flames coming from inside the residence. Multiple fire departments were called to the scene. Authorities say the fire caused severe damage to the home owned by 52-year-old Ryan McClearly of Farwell. No injuries were reported. Due to the extent of the damage, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

>>Minnesota Renaissance Festival Announces 2026 Theme Weekends

(Shakopee, MN) — Minnesota Renaissance Festival is unveiling its 2026 theme weekends, featuring seven unique celebrations running from August 22nd through October 4th in Shakopee. Themes include “Once Upon A Time,” “Highland Fling,” the dog-friendly “Woofstock,” “Wine, Chocolate and Romance,” and Oktoberfest. Organizers say each weekend will feature special entertainment, costumes, food, and interactive experiences throughout the festival grounds. More information is available on the Renaissance Festival website.

>>Kickoff to Summer at the Fair Begins Thursday on State Fairgrounds

(Falcon Heights, MN) — Kickoff to Summer at the Fair begins tomorrow (Thurs) and runs through Sunday on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Spokeswoman Maria Hayden calls the event a “slice-of-the-fair.” She says, “the Giant Slide will be open. We’ve got a lot of the favorite fair foods like your cookies, your Pronto Pups, and your pickles. We’ve got mini-donut beer, some of the specialty drinks you can only find at the fair.” Hayden says there’s live entertainment and music, and parking is free. Tickets are 14 dollars in advance and 17 at the gate.