Morning Headlines – July 16th, 2025
>>Testimony Resumes Wednesday in Senator Mitchell’s Burglary Trial
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — Testimony continues today (Wed) in the burglary trial of state Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury in Becker County. Jurors were shown officer body cam footage Tuesday from Mitchell’s arrest after the April 2024 break-at her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. She tells police, “I just wanted to get a couple of my dad’s mementos, and that’s all.” Mitchell says she was trying to retrieve a few personal items – including photos, a flannel shirt, and some of her late father’s ashes. Her stepmother claimed on the witness stand that Nicole was there to steal important documents and money, but reporters say she appeared confused and couldn’t remember some details. Mitchell’s defense attorney argued she went there to check on her stepmother because her Alzheimer’s disease symptoms were worsening.
>>Federal Indictment Reveals Letter Boelter Left in Abandoned Car
(Minneapolis, MN) — There’s new information in the federal indictment of Vance Boelter in the killings of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Acting U-S Attorney Joseph Thompson says a letter found in Boelter’s abandoned car claims that Governor Tim Walz wanted him and approached him about killing Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Boelter claims in the letter that he wanted nothing to do with Walz’s plan and that he would go public if he insisted. Thompson says the letter was Boelter’s fantasy and shows he was delusional and includes Boelter’s confession to the crimes. A conviction on the federal murder charges could carry the death penalty.
>>Representative Finke Calls for Increased State Capitol Security
(St. Paul, MN) — More Minnesota lawmakers are talking about state Capitol security following the killing of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. D-F-L Representative Leigh Finke of St. Paul says she would like to see the discussion over capitol security happen soon. She said, “coming back into that place in February to do our jobs is going to be very hard…but I would like to see between now and then some strong bipartisan agreement on how we can make doing this job safer.” Finke says she has been targeted, attacked, and stalked since being elected as Minnesota’s first trans legislator in 2022.
>>Arson Suspect Fatally Shot by St. Louis County Sheriff’s Deputies
(Normanna Township, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A is leading the investigation into the fatal police shooting of an arson suspect Tuesday near Duluth. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay says the man tried to set two homes on fire before shooting at a firefighter and a police officer. He says the suspect engaged deputies which led to a use of force incident in the encounter causing all five deputies to discharge their weapon, striking the suspect. Ramsay says deputies attempted to save him, but the man died at the scene. A neighbor told investigators the suspect sprayed a family member with gasoline and set their home on fire. No one else was injured.
>>Applications Open for Minnesota’s Special Youth Deer Hunts
(St. Paul, MN) — Applications are now open for Minnesotans to apply for the state’s special youth deer hunts. D-N-R Big Game Program Coordinator Paul Burr says the special youth deer hunts create positive experiences and help state parks manage their deer populations. The hunts offer more individualized experiences in unique places, and often on different dates than the statewide youth deer season. Hunters can apply for a limited number of permits through August 15th. More information is available on the D-N-R’s website.
>>St. Paul Chosen as Host Site for 2028 Transplant Games
(St. Paul, MN) — The City of St. Paul is hosting the 2028 Transplant Games. The games will bring together thousands of organ, eye and tissue transplant recipients, living donors, caregivers and health care professionals from around the country. More than 10,000 people are expected to visit St. Paul during the week-long competition which will give the city a big economic boost. The games this year are being held in Denver, Colorado.
>>Minnesota Twins Players Buxton and Ryan Shine in MLB All-Star Game
(Atlanta, GA) — Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins both saw some action at the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night in Atlanta. Buxton went 1-for-2 with a double that sparked a game-tying rally in the top of the ninth inning and scored. Ryan pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the American League and struck out two batters. The National League won the All-Star Game 7-6 on a swing-off in the tenth inning. The Twins return to action Friday night at Colorado.
>>Lynx and Mercury Play Wednesday Matinee at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The two top teams in the W-N-B-A play a matinee today (Wed 12pm) at Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx are 19-and-4 and the Phoenix Mercury have a 15-and-6 record. The Lynx beat the Sky 91-78 on Monday night after losing to Chicago on Saturday. Minnesota lost to the Mercury 79-71 one week ago in Phoenix. Lynx guard Kayla McBride was named to the All-Star Game roster Tuesday as an injury replacement. She’ll join captain Napheesa Collier, guard Courtney Williams, and coach Cheryl Reeve this weekend in Indianapolis.