Daily Summary

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10 stories • Updated hourly
A summary of mainstream reporting, plus the facts and perspectives it leaves out. A more honest account of each story.
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First Circuit And D.C. Judge Keep Trump USPS Mail-Ballot Rule Blocked As Supreme Court Weighs Appeal

First Circuit judges refused to lift a federal injunction blocking the Postal Service's mail-ballot rule on Thursday, and a D.C. district judge issued a separate preliminary injunction late Sunday while the Supreme Court weighs emergency appeals.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols in Washington, D.C., wrote that the rule risks that "a significant number" of otherwise valid absentee and mail ballots would not be counted and barred the Aug. 21 USPS regulation from taking effect while litigation continues.

Ukrainian Railway Says Russian Drone Hit Train Near Border After VIP Convoy Passed

On Sunday, September 13, 2026, Ukrainian rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said a Russian drone struck a train at Yahodyn station near the Poland border shortly after a diplomatic train had departed.

The diplomatic train had been carrying former British prime minister Boris Johnson, former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt and EU security advisers and left Yahodyn ahead of schedule after a security conference in Kyiv. NPR Ukrzaliznytsia said in a Telegram post it was "highly probable" the drone's intended target was that diplomatic train. NPR Carl Bildt posted video on X saying the hit train was "minutes after us" near the Polish border, that it had been evacuated, and that no injuries were reported. NPR Ukrzaliznytsia said another train carrying former CIA director David Petraeus was still at Yahodyn when the drone struck the locomotive of a different train. NPR The operator said it "constantly adjusts train schedules" to guard against strikes.

NTSB Miami Cargo Crash Probe Spurs Scrutiny Of 21 Air As Amazon Halts Carrier Use

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Amazon Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air, overran Runway 30 at Miami International Airport, killing five people and injuring at least five others.

The jet traveled roughly 1,300 feet beyond the paved surface, struck runway navigational equipment, a van used to shuttle aircraft-cleaning crews and an SUV on a perimeter road. CBS News Miami-Dade released the five victims' names and said all five killed were occupants of the cleaning-crew van; three other people remain hospitalized. CBS News The National Transportation Safety Board recovered the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder and sent them to Washington for analysis.

Trump Backs Tougher Ethics, State AG Powers In Bipartisan Crypto Bill

President Trump agreed on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, to about 80% of a bipartisan ethics package in the Clarity Act, boosting the bill's chance of clearing a key Senate vote on Tuesday.

The compromise gives state attorneys general authority to help enforce the law and to sue exchanges that list digital assets barred under the bill. MS NOW An updated Clarity Act draft would require federal officials and judges with significant stakes in crypto-issuing entities to divest or use blind trusts to address conflicts of interest. MS NOW White House adviser Patrick Witt publicly urged senators to pass the measure after about a year of negotiations, Republican senators said.

Many of IBM’s most notable technical breakthroughs in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, an
Anthropic CEO Slowdown Push Meets Renewed Trump, Johnson Resistance Over AI Edge Versus China

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Saturday urged AI companies to slow frontier model development and embed third-party evaluators, saying safety must come first.

Amodei outlined a three-part plan that includes giving embedded evaluators ongoing, employee-like access and said Anthropic will implement that step unilaterally. CBS He warned swarms of rogue AI agents could plausibly seize control of the internet within six to twelve months if unchecked. PBS OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he agreed and would commit to the embedded-evaluator proposal, and Elon Musk and DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis publicly endorsed the slowdown call.

Local
State report shows 2025 murders, violent crime fell sharply

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported that murders fell to 132 in 2025 and the statewide violent crime rate dropped to 225.3 per 100,000 residents.

The 132 homicides were down from 172 in 2024, the fewest since 2019, and the report showed a 78% clearance rate. FOX 9 Carjackings fell to 294 from 426, with 215 in Minneapolis and 24 in St. Paul, and robberies declined more than 25%.

A Reserve Citizen Airman assigned to the 307th Medical Squadron prepares a syringe before administer
Pennsylvania Measles Death Dispute Widens As Adult Case Confirmed

Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong confirmed on Sunday, September 13, 2026, that a 40-year-old unvaccinated Jefferson County woman died Saturday, September 12, from measles-related complications.

Furlong's office said the woman was unvaccinated and that this is the third death Pennsylvania officials have linked to measles in 2026. NPR The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 676 measles cases statewide as of Friday, September 11, 2026, including 52 new positive cases recorded between Wednesday and Friday. NPR The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has logged more than 3,200 confirmed measles cases nationwide this year, and NPR reports no other states have announced measles deaths in 2026 so far.

Houthi Red Sea Gains And New Saudi Strikes Deepen Bab el-Mandeb Oil Risks

Iran-backed Houthi militants seized the Red Sea port city of Mokha on Thursday, September 10, 2026, and captured Mayun (Perim) Island the next day, tightening control near the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint and putting Saudi Red Sea oil shipments at acute risk.

Saudi Arabia shut its East-West pipeline on Friday as a precaution after drone strikes blamed on Iraq-based militias, a move that cut Riyadh's main Red Sea export workaround and coincided with sharply lower Saudi flows to Asia. PBS News Brent crude climbed toward about $110 a barrel and U.S. retail diesel hit record levels near $6.05 a gallon as traders priced combined risks from the Iran war and Houthi threats to shipping. NPR CBS News The Houthis have declared a blockade aimed at Saudi vessels while saying commercial navigation remains safe for others, and U.N. and aid agencies warn the fighting has displaced thousands and forced U.N. staff to flee Mokha.

Local
Man critically wounded in shooting at Nicollet Mall

A man was critically wounded in a shooting around 11:28 a.m. Sunday at 7th Street S. and Nicollet Mall near the Mary Tyler Moore statue in downtown Minneapolis.

Responding officers found the man with multiple gunshot wounds and transported him to a hospital in critical condition. FOX 9 Police, with help from Metro Transit Police, arrested a suspect nearby and booked the person on second-degree assault and for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. FOX 9 Investigators have not released a motive or detailed circumstances that led to the shooting.

Rep. Tom Tiffany Details Lake Wausau Emergency Landing As FAA Probe Begins

Rep. Tom Tiffany and the pilot made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau just before 9 p.m. Central on Saturday after their single-engine plane lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport.

The pilot, Leonard Boltz, and Tiffany exited the Beechcraft as it began to submerge and swam to a shallow area before emergency responders rescued them by airboat shortly after 9 p.m. PBS News Lt. Cory Gladden said they were in the water about 20 minutes and that initial information points to a mechanical failure as the plane approached the airport. NPR Both men were taken to a nearby hospital, treated for minor injuries and released, and Tiffany received stitches for a cut above his right eye, his campaign said. MS NOW One of the plane's occupants placed a 911 call while they stood on the partially submerged aircraft, officials said.

Local
Feds sue Minneapolis distributor over rodent-tainted goods

The Department of Justice sued Gold Star Distribution Inc. and its owner on Sept. 11, 2026, asking a federal court to bar the Minneapolis warehouse from operating until it meets health and safety rules.

An FDA inspection from Nov. 17-Dec. 18, 2025 found live and dead rodents, live and dead birds, worms, extensive droppings and leaking trash inside the warehouse. FOX 9 FDA lab tests later detected rodent urine, droppings, hair and gnaw holes in product packaging, and regulators say the contamination justifies a court-ordered shutdown until the company complies.

Dear Ukrainians!
Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv.
Trump Again Pressures Ukraine To Halt Strikes On Russian Diesel Facilities Over Fuel Prices

On Sunday, September 13, 2026, President Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian diesel and refinery facilities, saying the attacks are driving a global diesel shortage and higher U.S. prices.

Trump made the remarks at his Doonbeg golf club in Ireland and said he had spoken with Zelenskyy about the issue. CBS News Overnight into Sunday, Ukrainian drones struck sites near Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan and a major refinery unit and tank farm at Slavyansk-on-Kuban in Krasnodar, with Russian local officials reporting civilian casualties from the attacks. PBS News Russian authorities said they shot down 389 Ukrainian drones that night.

The White House, Washington, D.C. USA
Trump $5,000 Adult-Citizen Dividend Faces Legal Scrutiny As Speaker Seeks Congressional Path

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday, September 13, 2026, that President Trump's proposed $5,000 "Trump Dividend" would require congressional approval.

Trump told reporters later that day in Ireland he still expected the payments to happen and said "the 5,000's going to happen, 100%." PBS News

Judge Declares Lindsay Clancy Mistrial As New Questions Emerge Over Holdout Juror

Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in the trial of Lindsay Clancy on Friday, September 4, 2026, after jurors reported they could not reach a unanimous verdict following seven days of deliberations in Plymouth Superior Court.

The panel was deadlocked 11-1 after Sullivan gave the Massachusetts "dynamite" instruction and repeatedly urged jurors to reconsider, and the foreperson told the court a single juror refused to follow the reasonable-doubt charge.

Exit Polls Put Swedish Center-Left Ahead, Project Parliamentary Majority

Exit polls from Swedish broadcaster SVT projected the center-left bloc led by Magdalena Andersson would win a parliamentary majority in Sweden on Sunday, September 13, 2026. PBS News If confirmed, the result would unseat Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's three-party center-right coalition and deny the Sweden Democrats an expanded role in government.

SVT's exit poll projection showed Kristersson's coalition, which has relied on outside support from the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, trailing the left-of-center alliance. PBS News Sweden's election authority was expected to release the first official preliminary results around 1900 GMT on Sunday.

AI Tools And State Response Escalate Georgia Ballot-Secrecy Concerns Before 2026 Elections

Georgia's secretary of state's office has ordered counties to forward some open-records requests to the state so it can redact records that could reveal ballot order, escalating secrecy concerns before the 2026 elections. PBS The office is also working with the voting-system vendor to scramble ballot images and cast-vote records before public release.

In August 2026, State Election Board member Salleigh Grubbs proposed a rule to require the secretary of state's office to apply a Dominion/Liberty Vote software update that would fix a ballot-order flaw, but the board rejected the proposal. PBS A lawyer for the secretary of state's office told the board the vendor update has not been certified, would take months to implement, and lacks legislative funding.

231006-N-HY958-1037 GULF OF OMAN (Oct. 6, 2023) An Aerovel Flexrotor unmanned aerial vehicle launche
U.S.-Iran Conflict And New Attacks Further Disrupt Gulf And Saudi Oil Infrastructure

U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island, further disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Those strikes followed U.S. hits on three other Iranian tankers on Saturday, Sept. 5, bringing the total struck since Sept. 5 to eight. PBS News U.S. Central Command said an American aircraft carrier and a destroyer evaded "multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks" with missiles and that no U.S. personnel were hurt. NPR Iran then fired missiles at U.S. targets in Jordan overnight into Sept. 9, and Jordanian and U.S. officials said most incoming missiles were intercepted with limited damage reported at Azraq.

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Supreme Court Order And Missouri Rulings Lock In 2022 House Map For November

The U.S. Supreme Court on September 10 blocked Missouri from using a new Republican-drawn congressional map, leaving the 2022 districts in place for the November general election.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh first denied Missouri's emergency request on September 8, leaving the state court's order intact, and the full Court followed with an unexplained order on September 10. PBS News U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark had issued a 14-day federal order directing use of the Republican-drawn map, producing conflicting federal and state instructions that confused election officials. PBS News Secretary of State Denny Hoskins initially rejected the citizen referendum on primary day but later certified Proposition A for the ballot; the Missouri Supreme Court found the December 2025 petition froze the new map.

Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Federal Judge Blocks Homeland Security Plan For 50 Percent FEMA Cuts

Federal Judge Susan Illston blocked the Department of Homeland Security's plan to cut FEMA's workforce by 50% in a late Friday, Sept. 11 ruling, finding the plan unlawful.

Illston wrote that laws passed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 reserve staffing decisions to FEMA and prohibit DHS from substantially curtailing the agency's functions. PBS News She said the 50 percent reduction plan grew out of directives issued in late 2025 by DHS leaders under Secretary Kristi Noem that asked FEMA to propose the cuts. PBS News The decision arrives after the planned cuts were never fully carried out and FEMA has begun rehiring some staff who were terminated following leadership changes.

Local
U of M boosts Dinkytown patrols, safety tech after shooting and stabbing

The University of Minnesota Police are increasing patrols on campus and in Dinkytown after a shooting and a stabbing, the department said.

Students reported officers on "every single corner" on weekend nights and patrol vehicles were driving alleys near student housing. FOX 9 Chief Michael Davis emailed students that a large crowd "not associated with the university" was present during the Dinkytown shooting and that UMPD is committed to campus safety amid fall move-in. FOX 9 The university highlighted campus kiosks that connect directly to 911 and said it is rolling out electronic lockdown buttons on classroom doors. FOX 9 Officials reminded students they can request campus security escorts or call for a ride around campus at any time.

Local
K9 bust of UPS cocaine leads to guns, arrests in Columbia Heights

On Sept. 10, a MACP narcotics detective and K9 Goldy flagged two UPS packages that contained about 23.13 pounds of cocaine, prompting arrests and a weapons seizure in Columbia Heights.

Both parcels were shipped from La Mesa, California, and one was addressed to 909 Gould Ave. NE, Apartment 557, where detectives staged a controlled delivery. FOX 9 Detectives arrested Hamza Ali Salah as he retrieved the package and then searched Apartment 557, arresting Nabil Ali Salah during the search. FOX 9 Police seized two Glock handguns fitted with machine-gun conversion devices, an AK-47-style rifle, extended magazines and a large amount of cash.

Local
State study finds cannabis eases cancer symptoms

A Minnesota state study found cancer patients in the state medical cannabis program reported relief from nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, anxiety, depression and pain after starting cannabis.

Within four months of their first purchase, 47.2% of patients with moderate to severe vomiting reported improvement. FOX 9 About 40% of patients with nausea and 38.2% with lack of appetite also reported improvement. FOX 9 Around 40% of patients with moderate to severe anxiety, 44% with depression and roughly 30% with pain said their symptoms eased in the same window.

Local
Minneapolis man gets low-end term for killing sex worker over $30

A Hennepin County judge sentenced 66-year-old Raymond Jones to 128 months in prison for the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Desirae Argueta-Joj inside his north Minneapolis apartment.

Jones was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder for the Nov. 5, 2025 killing. FOX 9 Prosecutors had asked for a 180-month, top-of-guidelines term, but the judge imposed the lowest presumptive sentence.

Local
DNR cancels Twin Metals lease after Walz mining order

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources canceled a state mineral lease held by Twin Metals for land south of the Boundary Waters, effective November 10, 2026.

Twin Metals said the canceled lease sits on School Trust Lands meant to generate revenue for every K-12 district in Minnesota. FOX 9 The company said it has invested more than 16 years in exploration and still retains other state, private and mineral rights while pursuing a "sustainable" underground mining project.

Alien Terrorist Removal Court Deports Lawful U.S. Resident To Afghanistan In First Case

Nazira Haji Zada was deported to Afghanistan on August 25, 2026, after the Justice Department said she was the first person removed under the federal Alien Terrorist Removal Court.

Court filings show a removal order was issued on August 20, 2026, after she conceded in court that she is an "alien terrorist" and waived rights to challenge detention or appeal. PBS News She was arrested in Texas in July 2026 and appeared at the court's first hearing on July 30, 2026, before Judge Joan N. Ericksen. New York Times The Justice Department said it pursued the civil tribunal to rely on classified evidence and a lower standard of proof instead of bringing criminal charges. NPR Defense lawyers say neither Haji Zada nor counsel were allowed to see classified evidence and that her consent should not be seen as an endorsement of the court's legitimacy. PBS News Attorney General Todd Blanche called the case a "landmark" and a "win for national security and the rule of law." MS NOW

As a result of the consultations, the leaders of the two countries signed a Joint Statement on the s
BRICS Leaders Condemn Unilateral Sanctions And Attacks On Nuclear Sites

BRICS leaders in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, released a joint statement condemning unilateral sanctions and attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear sites.

The leaders specifically condemned "deliberate attacks" on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards, citing nuclear safety concerns in armed conflicts. PBS News They also criticized unilateral sanctions not authorized by the U.N. Security Council and urged their elimination as inconsistent with international law and the U.N. Charter. PBS News Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "BRICS is not against anyone" while urging the Global South to become a "rule-shaper" in global governance. PBS News Russian President Vladimir Putin called for expanding the Security Council to give greater representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Man Arrested After Homicide Ruling In Hanging Death Of Mississippi Woman

Jackson police arrested 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff after the Mississippi state medical examiner ruled 29-year-old Tasia Fortune's death a homicide, officials said at a Friday, September 11 news conference.

At the September 11 news conference, Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney said officers executed search and arrest warrants for Ratliff and arrested him after encountering him walking on the street. PBS Brackney said Ratliff had an "association" with Fortune but declined to elaborate, and she said the case remains active with additional arrests expected.

Democrat John Fetterman Appears In Video At Republican Midterm Convention

John Fetterman, the Democratic U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, appears in a 64-second recorded message played Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas.

The clip shows Fetterman standing in front of an industrial site he identifies as an "iconic U.S. Steel mill" and frames the message around defending "the steel way of life" in the Steel Valley. NPR He repeatedly identifies himself as a "common sense Democrat" and says he will "reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life." NPR He also says he would "work with President Trump" on steel jobs but stopped short of offering personal praise for the former president.

Kremlin-Linked Deepfake Campaign Targets Democrats In 2026 U.S. Midterms

On Friday, September 11, 2026, researchers said a Kremlin-linked disinformation campaign used AI-cloned audio to doctor celebrity videos and attack Democratic targets ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.

The clips repurpose existing selfie and Cameo videos from actors including Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Caulfield, Christopher Lloyd and Ed Begley Jr., with fabricated political audio. MS NOW Many carry unauthorized CNN logos, push the hashtag #AllDemocratsAreCriminals, and have appeared on X, Bluesky and TikTok, though engagement has remained low.

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany - U.S. Army Col. Christian Labra, an Army physician and Purple Heart reci
Trump, Hegseth Use Pentagon 9/11 Ceremony To Defend Iran War

On September 11, 2026, former President Donald Trump and commentator Pete Hegseth used the Pentagon's 25th-anniversary 9/11 memorial to publicly defend the U.S. war with Iran and argue it is succeeding.

Trump declared the U.S. is "winning" the seven-month war and vowed that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. MS NOW Hegseth told the audience the U.S. had killed Iranian leaders, destroyed Iran's air force, sunk its navy and now "control the strait." MS NOW Trump did not attend the main Ground Zero ceremony in New York; Vice President JD Vance and all living former presidents were there instead.

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building in 2021.
Federal Judge Cites Immunity, Moves To Toss Trump Miami Library Suit

On Friday, September 11, 2026, U.S. District Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II blocked discovery in a lawsuit challenging President Trump's planned Miami presidential library, saying immunity defenses could end the case.

Ruiz said President Trump's presidential-immunity defense and other dismissal arguments were strong enough to potentially dispose of the case without any fact-finding. New York Times The suit was filed in May 2026 by nearby residents and by a corporation belonging to historian Marvin Dunn.

Local
Minnesota high court lets Oak Grove return to paper voter rolls

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Friday that Oak Grove can use paper voter rosters in the 2026 general election, upholding the city's authority over its precincts.

The case, City of Oak Grove v. Steve Simon et al., was brought by the Upper Midwest Law Center after state and Anoka County officials sought to block the city's move away from electronic rosters. FOX 9 The court held state law does not give Anoka County control over roster format and that cities retain authority to choose paper or electronic voter rolls for their precincts.

A Swanton Sector Border Patrol Agent checks for foot sign in the brush along the border between the
U.S. Widens Canada Trade Fight With Broad Import Bans And Federal Contract Restrictions

The White House announced sweeping import bans on most Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy and motorcycles and barred many Canadian goods from large federal contracts on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The administration said it invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose the bans, which will take effect September 29, 2026, and it will expand 50% surcharges on additional Canadian goods starting September 15, 2026. Axios President Trump also directed the General Services Administration to declare Canadian products ineligible for large, long-term U.S. government contracts until Ottawa offers what the White House called "full and fair reciprocity." PBS News Economists warned the ban will bite faster than tariffs because it removes suppliers from shelves immediately, with Cornell's Wendong Zhang calling the effect a near-instant "deshelving." CBS News

D.C. Appeals Court Limits DOE Emergency Order For Michigan Coal Plant

The D.C. Circuit ruled on Friday, September 11, 2026, that the Department of Energy exceeded its authority when it ordered Michigan's J.H. Campbell coal plant to stay open past its planned May 2025 retirement, limiting a Trump-era emergency power.

Judge Cornelia Pillard wrote that the Federal Power Act's emergency powers are a narrow, last-resort backstop and that no qualifying emergency existed in this case. PBS News Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota and several environmental groups sued to block the order, while the Energy Department said its action prevented blackouts during severe winter storms. PBS News Financial filings cited in the litigation say keeping the Campbell plant open has cost about $259 million so far, costs expected to fall on Midwest customers.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Commerc
Lead Prosecutor In DOJ 'Grand Conspiracy' Probe Resigns After DOJ, White House Frustrations

Joseph diGenova abruptly resigned on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from his role leading the Justice Department's "grand conspiracy" probe out of the U.S. attorney's office in South Florida.

A person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that the resignation followed mounting frustration in both the Justice Department and the White House over the probe's pace and management. PBS He had been brought back to the department in April 2026 to run the inquiry. PBS Five months later, no charges had been filed despite grand jury subpoenas and interviews with federal law enforcement and intelligence officials.

The White House, Washington, D.C. USA
CIA Releases About 70 Pre-9/11 Presidential Briefs On Bin Laden And Al Qaeda

The CIA released 71 intelligence reports tied to the Sept. 11 attacks — 70 produced before the attacks and one from the day after — in the agency's largest-ever 9/11 declassification.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe called the move "an act of exceptional transparency" and described it as the agency's single largest release of President's Daily Brief products related to 9/11. PBS News The trove largely consists of President's Daily Briefs prepared for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and nearly all of the documents remain at least partially redacted. CBS News The National Archives released a separate batch of 9/11 Commission-related records, including interviews with Clinton- and Bush-era national security officials, at the same time.

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building in 2021.
Ex-CIA Official With $40 Million In Gold Bars In Plea Talks

On September 11, 2026, the Justice Department and the lawyer for former CIA official David Rush asked a federal court in Virginia to delay an indictment deadline to October 8 so they can finalize a plea deal.

The court filing said the parties have a plea agreement in principle and that going to trial would trigger extensive litigation over classified material.

The White House, Washington, D.C. USA
Trump Administration To Send $500 Checks To Nearly 1 Million ACA Enrollees

The Trump administration will send $500 payments to nearly 1 million Affordable Care Act exchange enrollees in 30 states, with checks due to begin in October 2026.

The White House described the payments as refunds of ACA exchange "user fees" and framed them as part of a push to lower health costs ahead of the November midterm elections. CBS News The payments will reach roughly 5% of the 19 million Americans who get coverage through ACA exchanges, about one million people. CBS News KFF executive vice president Larry Levitt said the rebates will mostly help middle-income people who lost enhanced subsidies when Congress declined to extend them and now face thousands of dollars more in premiums. CBS News The rebate announcement was linked to Mr. Trump's separate pledge this week to send a $5,000 dividend to every U.S. adult if Republicans maintain control of Congress. CBS News The White House fact sheet said the Biden administration had passed the fees through to consumers via higher premiums.

Looking northeast at the bridge connecting the wings of Wilson Hall (left) and Hamilton Hall (right)
Treasury Proposes Ending Tax Exemption For Private Schools With Race-Based Aid

On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Treasury Department proposed a rule that would strip tax-exempt status from private schools, colleges and other educational institutions that give benefits based on race.

The rule would deny or revoke 501(c)(3) status if schools provide benefits to students specifically based on race in admissions, scholarships or facilities. PBS Treasury and the IRS estimate the rule could affect as many as 18,000 private schools, colleges and education institutions if it is finalized. PBS If adopted after the formal rulemaking process, the regulation is slated to take effect after May 2027. PBS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said rebranding race-based preferences as diversity or equity measures does not make them acceptable under the proposal.

United States Supreme Court Building
Surrogate Asks Supreme Court To Halt California Parentage Order And Claims Due Process Violations

A Texas surrogate asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, September 11, 2026, to block a California parentage order and says it violated her due process rights.

Justice Elena Kagan ordered the intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, to respond to West's emergency application by 3 p.m. Central on September 18, 2026. MS NOW That schedule signals the Court will likely not act before about September 17, the date West fears the newborn could be moved to California for hospice care.

Local
Developer formally abandons 20MW North Loop Star Tribune data center deal

Legacy Investing has formally abandoned plans to buy the Star Tribune's North Loop printing facility in Minneapolis and to build a 20-megawatt data center with mixed uses.

The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reported that Legacy will not proceed with the purchase and described the project as a 20-megawatt data center paired with other mixed uses at the former Heritage printing plant. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Local television reported the developer had already scrapped the plans in earlier coverage.

Capt. Shawn Palmer, a biochemist with the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, based out of Aberdeen Proving
Congo's Fastest-Growing Ebola Outbreak Reaches Seventh Province

Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has reached its seventh province after national lab tests confirmed the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in Sud-Ubangi, officials said.

Sud-Ubangi's governor said the positive sample came from the Bulu health district. PBS Former health minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani said a 23-year-old man who traveled from South Kivu through Rwanda, Uganda, Ituri, Tshopo and Mongala died in Sud-Ubangi on Tuesday and later tested positive.

Senators From Both Parties Press OpenAI Over July Hugging Face AI Breach

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley launched a Senate investigation into OpenAI over its AI system's July breach of startup Hugging Face, demanding answers from CEO Sam Altman.

Hawley's letter demanded detailed information about the July incident and any evidence of similar "rogue" model behavior. PBS Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen separately urged Altman to immediately grant U.S. federal cybersecurity agencies access to information needed to assess the safety and risks of OpenAI's models. PBS OpenAI spokesperson Nate Evans told the Associated Press the Hugging Face episode was an "important moment for AI safety." PBS He said the company ran an extensive investigation, published a detailed report, and is strengthening its security and alignment practices.

CDC Declares Record Cyclospora Lettuce Outbreak Over As FDA Lab Tests Continue

On Friday, September 11, 2026, the CDC declared the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce over, saying recent infections have significantly declined and that recalled lettuce is off the U.S. market.

Federal officials attribute nearly 13,000 reported Cyclospora cases in 21 states to the Taylor Farms iceberg-lettuce outbreak, including more than 570 hospitalizations and two deaths concentrated mainly in Michigan. CBS News Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of nearly 20,000 lab-confirmed U.S. cyclospora cases and more than 6,100 suspected illnesses, making 2026 the worst year on record. CBS News The Taylor Farms recall covered thousands of packaged salad products containing iceberg lettuce that were shipped to restaurant chains including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.

Oil Above $100 And Hot August CPI Sharply Raise Odds Of Fed Rate Hike

On Friday, September 11, 2026, a hotter-than-expected August Consumer Price Index and oil trading above $100 per barrel sharply boosted markets' odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike at the Sept. 16 meeting.

The Labor Department reported August CPI rose 3.4% year-over-year and 0.4% month-over-month, with core CPI up 2.4% year-over-year and 0.3% on the month. PBS News After the release, CME FedWatch showed the implied probability of a rate increase next week jumped to nearly 90%, and several forecasters moved to expect a 25-basis-point hike.

U.S. Pressure Campaign Spurs Wave Of Withdrawals From ICC

Five countries have announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court after a U.S. pressure campaign pressed members to quit, a move that could weaken the court's authority.

The countries include Venezuela, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. PBS News Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a campaign in July 2026 to "dismantle the threat" posed by the ICC and to urge its 125 member states to withdraw. PBS News The administration has also sanctioned a dozen ICC staff, barred ICC employees from traveling to the United States, and threatened penalties for groups that cooperate with the court.

Active-Duty Navy Sailor Appears Onstage At GOP Midterm Convention

Petty Officer 2nd Class Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, an active-duty Navy sailor, appeared onstage Thursday at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention in Dallas, prompting questions about whether the appearance violated Pentagon rules.

Castañeda, who is no longer authorized to wear a SEAL Trident, wore a suit onstage and held a sign reading "351 days" to mark his time imprisoned in Venezuela. CBS News Pentagon Directive 1344.10 bars active-duty troops from participating in partisan conventions and allows only spectators who are not in uniform. CBS News A former Army JAG told reporters that by going onstage as part of the program Castañeda ceased to be a spectator and could fall afoul of the directive.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (also known as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum) is a
Nation Marks 25th 9/11 Anniversary With New Silence For Illness Victims

On Friday, September 11, 2026, the nation marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with memorial ceremonies in New York City, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

All living former presidents, along with Vice President JD Vance, attended the Ground Zero ceremony that began at 8:40 a.m. Eastern. CBS News President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump led a separate commemoration at the Pentagon.

Six Alleged Black Axe Romance Scammers Extradited To United States

Six Nigerian nationals were extradited from Cape Town to the United States on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, to face charges in a romance-scam scheme that allegedly stole more than $6 million from U.S. women.

The men were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 and are accused of defrauding more than 100 American women through online romance scams. CBS News U.S. authorities say the suspects are alleged members of the Black Axe criminal network.

The White House, Washington, D.C. USA
Watchdog Files Ethics Complaint Over Trump Cash Gifts To White House Aides

The Campaign Legal Center filed an ethics complaint with the Office of Government Ethics on Friday, September 11, 2026, alleging President Trump gave cash gifts to four White House aides that may violate federal law.

Federal financial disclosures show Natalie Harp, Margo Martin and Chamberlain Harris each reported a $45,000 "Cash Gift for Holidays" from Trump, while Walt Nauta reported a $20,000 gift. MS NOW The complaint says the payments effectively raised the aides' 2025 compensation above the $195,200 cap for senior White House staff and may violate a federal statute barring supplemental salary from outside sources. MS NOW The watchdog asked OGE to investigate the four disclosed gifts and to determine whether other executive-branch employees received similar payments that were not reported. MS NOW The White House, through spokesperson Davis Ingle, denied any legal violations and called the gifts longstanding personal Christmas presents unrelated to official duties.

Hong Kong Sentences Tiananmen Vigil Organizers To Five To Seven Years Under Security Law

A Hong Kong court on Friday, September 11, 2026, sentenced three organizers of Tiananmen vigil events to prison terms of between five and seven years on national security charges.

Lee Cheuk-yan received seven years; Chow Hang-tung got seven years and three months; and Albert Ho was jailed for five years and two months. PBS News Judges said the alliance's long-time slogan "end one-party dictatorship" implied intent to overthrow or undermine Communist Party leadership, but said there was no violence, threats or concrete plan in the case.

A Marine with 3rd LE Bn. searches and secures a simulated enemy combatant while another provides sec
U.S. Terror List For Latin America Expands To 21 Groups With New Ecuador Designation

The Trump administration added an Ecuadorian criminal group to its list of U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, raising the Latin America and Caribbean total to 21 on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The move was announced as Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a diplomatic trip to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. PBS The administration frames Rubio's visits as part of a broader strategy to fight drug trafficking by using terrorism designations against criminal networks.

FBI Fraud Crackdown Targets Foreign Suspects In Defense And Benefit Schemes

The FBI released a Most Wanted Fraudsters list in early September 2026 targeting foreign nationals accused of exploiting U.S. federal programs, officials announced.

Turkish national Onur Simsek is accused of leading a defense procurement fraud scheme that used falsely certified Turkish-made parts in U.S. military contracts, and the FBI is offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Fox News The bureau says the list highlights multiple foreign-led schemes that have exploited both procurement and federal benefit programs.

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Six indicted in $5.1M Twin Cities check fraud targeting local banks

Six Chicago residents were indicted Friday in a check-fraud conspiracy that targeted Twin Cities banks and credit unions and involved about $5.1 million in business checks.

Investigators say the defendants deposited or attempted to deposit roughly $5.1 million in business checks, and that more than $1.5 million was actually stolen in the scheme. Alphanews Prosecutors say the ring used stolen business mail in the Chicago area to obtain company checks and then funneled them into Minnesota banks and credit unions.

091316: Chief of the USBP, Mark A. Morgan testifies at his first hearing as United States Border Pat
White House Keeps Frontier AI Testing Framework Secret Despite Safety Warnings

The White House is keeping secret a confidential framework for testing "frontier" artificial intelligence models, even as safety warnings mount and advocates demand the document's release.

The framework was finalized by early August. CBS News It was created under a June Trump executive order that asks companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI to voluntarily give the government access to their most advanced models up to 30 days before public release. CBS News The administration has not disclosed the framework's criteria, which companies are participating, or any review results, and it has given no timeline for making the framework public.

Masked Anti-Migrant Protests Block Dover Port, Spur U.K. Condemnation

On Saturday, September 5, 2026, hundreds of masked anti-migrant protesters blocked roads to the Port of Dover, halting traffic and disrupting ferries and freight at the Channel port.

The blockade created roughly a 4-mile highway backup and left travelers and freight vehicles stuck for hours. CBS News Kent Police described the Dover event as a spontaneous protest and said there were no arrests.

New York City Launches 9/11 Toxic Air Records Portal, Settles Access Lawsuits

New York City on Tuesday launched a public online portal of more than 170,000 pages of post-9/11 air-quality and health-risk records and said it had settled lawsuits over access.

The release includes 68 boxes of documents located last year, records about World Trade Center 7 and the so-called Harding Memo written weeks after the attacks. CBS News Rep. Jerry Nadler said the Harding Memo warned officials they might face thousands of people with devastating health effects and grounds for lawsuits.

Army Col. Wendy Kelly and Army Sgt. 1st Class Domini McDonald present members of the 474th with Cert
Guantanamo Judge Excludes Key 2007 FBI Confession In 9/11 Plotters' Trial

A military judge in Guantánamo excluded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's 2007 confessions to FBI agents as involuntary on Friday, August 28, 2026, removing what prosecutors called their most crucial evidence.

Lt. Col. Michael A. Schrama barred the statements from trial, saying they were not voluntary and cannot be used at the military commission. New York Times Schrama had set June 5, 2028, as the start date for a joint Guantánamo trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants and said extra time was needed to resolve pretrial evidence disputes.

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Brooklyn Center Super 8 raid tied to prior trafficking lawsuit

Authorities raided the Super 8 motel in Brooklyn Center on Wednesday as part of a human trafficking, drugs and firearms investigation now linked to a federal sex-trafficking lawsuit that names the hotel.

Brooklyn Center Police Chief Garett Flesland said the probe began about a year ago and called it the most complex, large-scale investigation of his 26-year career. FOX 9 He also said no hotel staff were arrested during Wednesday's raid, and possible staff involvement remains under investigation.

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Minneapolis mass shooting: Police got threat report 4 hours before Loring Towers gunfire

Minneapolis police received a call at about 12:41 p.m. on Sept. 2 reporting threats linked to Carlton Neal Johnson II roughly four hours before he opened fire at Loring Towers.

Search warrants show Loring Towers management reported a threatening email tied to Johnson's pending eviction after he allegedly threatened staff with a firearm in June. FOX 9 MPD says the Sept. 2 call was coded as "Terroristic Threats" and routed through records with no immediate follow-up before Johnson began shooting around 4:36 p.m.

Ukrainians!
Our defenders!
We are stepping up work to bring the invaders to justice. There must be a
Canada Pledges Drones, Air Defenses And Energy Loans During Zelenskyy Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Prime Minister Mark Carney in Canada on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, where Ottawa pledged drones, air-defense interceptors and energy loan guarantees to help Ukraine.

Carney said Canada will manufacture millions of drones over two years and send about one-third of them to Ukraine. PBS Canada pledged CA$350 million in air-defense interceptors to be delivered through a U.S. mechanism. PBS The government also committed more than CA$430 million in loan guarantees to help Ukraine buy natural gas and support its Energy Security Fund. PBS Zelenskyy said Russia has stepped up air attacks on Ukraine's power grid ahead of winter, increasing the need for more air defenses.

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Pratt campaign aide quits over pro-Hitler posts

Austin Brown, the field director and one of two paid staffers on Eric Pratt's MN-2 congressional campaign, resigned after social posts praising Hitler and using antisemitic, racist and homophobic language were exposed.

One post read, "You hate Trump because you think he's Hitler. I hate Trump because he's not Hitler," and other posts embraced white Christian nationalism and antisemitic conspiracy theories. FOX 9 Pratt issued a statement condemning antisemitism and saying he accepted Brown's resignation, but the campaign has not said when it learned of the posts or whether it runs background checks on staff.

NOAA And Copernicus Confirm Record U.S. And Global Heat In August And Summer 2026

NOAA and the EU's Copernicus climate service confirmed this week that the contiguous United States had its hottest summer on record and that August ranked among Earth's hottest months measured.

NOAA's data showed the Lower 48 averaged 74.37°F (23.54°C) for June-August, about 0.4°F warmer than the 1936 Dust Bowl record.

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Four charged after guns drawn inside Mall of America

Four people were charged after guns were drawn during a confrontation on the third floor of Macy's at the Mall of America, Bloomington police said.

Hennepin County charged Abdifatah Mohamed Douled, 20; Sanatar Omar Abdisalam, 21; Abdihakim Hassan Mohamoud, 21; and Khalid Hussein Abdi, 22, with second-degree riot. FOX 9 Loss-prevention agents said both groups were taunting each other and reported hearing sounds consistent with guns being racked. FOX 9 Surveillance footage showed members of the four-man group holding pistols, and officers recovered multiple firearms, including one with a round in the chamber.

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Hugo woman sentenced for threats against House Speaker

A Hugo woman was sentenced in Washington County to three years of supervised probation and other penalties after pleading guilty to threatening Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth.

A Washington County judge ordered three years of supervised probation and 180 hours of community service. FOX 9 The judge also imposed a no-contact order with Demuth and her staff, firearm restrictions and required mental-health programming.

Kimmel Says FCC Pressure Kept Texas Senate Interview Off Broadcast TV

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Jimmy Kimmel told viewers his interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico would not air on ABC and would run only on YouTube, citing regulatory pressure.

Kimmel said the Federal Communications Commission under President Trump had "threatened" his show, ABC and its affiliates over editorial guest-booking decisions.

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Allina Mercy, Unity doctors confirm 4-day Sept. 14 strike

More than 150 doctors at Allina Health's Mercy and Unity hospitals are set to begin a four-day strike on Sept. 14 after bargaining stalled over a first contract, union leaders said.

The unit includes OB-GYNs, psychiatrists and critical care physicians, and 91% of members voted to authorize the strike. FOX 9 Dr. Alia Sharif said three years of bargaining produced no progress on basic protections like paid sick days and that doctors feel they have "no choice but to strike." FOX 9 Picket-line locations will be announced in the coming days.

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Cartel-linked meth ring leader gets 20 years

Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, 34, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for leading a cartel-linked meth-trafficking ring that operated across Minnesota and Chicago.

Prosecutors said Diaz-Aguilar, known as "Homie," led a network prosecutors called the "Diaz-Aguilar Drug Trafficking Organization" and was tied to the Sureños gang. FOX 9 A federal judge imposed the 240-month term.

Trump Administration Lets Salvadoran TPS Deadline Pass, Leaves Holders In Legal Limbo

The Trump administration let the September 9, 2026 deadline for Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans pass without a formal decision, and the Department of Homeland Security said protections would remain in place until it announced next steps.

DHS issued identical statements on Sept. 9 and again on Sept. 10 saying an announcement would come "at an appropriate time" and that TPS for El Salvador would remain in effect until then. PBS Immigration lawyers say federal law can automatically extend TPS by six months if the government truly takes no action by the deadline. PBS Advocates caution that DHS could still move to end TPS at any time, potentially with little public advance notice.

Panorama of the west facade of United States Supreme Court Building at dusk in Washington, D.C., Uni
Sam Bankman-Fried Asks Supreme Court To Review Fraud Conviction

Sam Bankman-Fried asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to review his fraud conviction and to challenge an about $11 billion forfeiture.

His petition argues he should have been allowed to show that FTX customers were ultimately repaid with interest. New York Times It also asks the court to overturn an approximately $11 billion forfeiture as an excessive fine. New York Times The Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney lists a separate pardon application from Bankman-Fried as pending.

Trump Administration Proposes 2030 Census Changes To Exclude Many Noncitizens And Drop Race Data

The Trump administration proposed sweeping changes to the 2030 census that would exclude many non-U.S. citizens without green cards from the apportionment count used to allocate House seats and Electoral College votes.

The plan would require adding a citizenship-status question to the 2030 census, a move the Census Bureau's own research says is likely to depress response among households with noncitizens. NPR Civil-rights groups including the ACLU and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights say they are weighing new lawsuits and warn the proposal would break with centuries of constitutional tradition on counting all persons. NPR The administration argues the Constitution's framers did not intend to include non-green-card noncitizens among "persons" for apportionment.

Denver And Advocacy Groups Sue To Block Armed ICE Presence At U.S. Polling Places

Denver and UnidosUS, LULAC and Common Cause sued in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to block the deployment of armed ICE officers to U.S. polling places ahead of the November 2026 midterms.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan. MS NOW The complaint specifically targets remarks by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and a DHS statement on September 1 that said ICE could be deployed to polling places for "specific threats" or to serve warrants. MS NOW Plaintiffs argue DHS adopted the polling-place policy without a "reasoned decisionmaking process" and say the presence of armed ICE officers would illegally disrupt voting and local election administration. MS NOW They are asking a judge to issue an order to preemptively block the Trump administration from deploying ICE agents to voting sites during the midterms.

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Bloomington forms regional unit to fight human trafficking

Bloomington police announced a new regional multi-agency investigative unit to fight human trafficking and will detail it at a 1 p.m. Thursday press conference in Bloomington.

Chief Booker Hodges, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt and Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko are scheduled to speak at the news conference. FOX 9 Bloomington officials say the unit follows a two-day late-August operation that recovered trafficking victims and involved the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Hennepin and Dakota county sheriffs, and several south-metro police departments.

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Allina hospice nurses set Sept. 11 start for 7-day strike after talks collapse

Allina Health hospice nurses set a seven-day strike to begin Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, after contract talks collapsed, threatening hospice staffing across metro-area facilities.

A final bargaining session ended without a deal and no further talks are scheduled, union and hospital negotiators said. FOX 9 Union leaders said they made concessions but that Allina would not move on issues beyond base wages, including extra pay for extra hours, holiday pay and scheduling. FOX 9 Nurses say the dispute is about workload, holiday pay and "reasonable" scheduling, and that they feel "frustrated, dismissed and disrespected." FOX 9

Brown University Report Details 213 Civilian Deaths From U.S. Yemen Airstrikes

Brown University's Costs of War Project reported Thursday that U.S. airstrikes in Yemen killed 213 civilians from late 2023 through mid-2025.

The report says 208 of those deaths and 341 wounded occurred during President Trump's second term, while the Pentagon has acknowledged 153 deaths and 243 wounded in 2025 alone. New York Times It also says hundreds of Yemenis lost farms, shops, factories and small businesses in the strikes, worsening homelessness and poverty.

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Investor expands control of downtown St. Paul offices

Downtown Revival Trust acquired 375 Jackson Square and 135 Fifth St. E. in downtown St. Paul through a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure that closed Sept. 4, 2026.

Jamie Rand bought the loan on the property — which carried about $15 million in unpaid principal — from an undisclosed bank at a discount before taking ownership. Business Journal The two-building complex totals about 270,000 square feet, is roughly 40% occupied, has an assessed value of $4.8 million and needs about $1.5 million in combined maintenance and cosmetic work.

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Judge rules Loring Park grocery killer insane

Judge Michael Burns ruled Taylor Schulz not guilty by reason of mental illness for the Dec. 8, 2023 killing of 66-year-old Robert Skafte at Oak Grove Grocery in Loring Park.

The court found the state had proved Schulz committed the murder but concluded he was legally mentally ill and did not know his actions were wrong. FOX 9 Burns ordered Schulz to remain under civil commitment as "mentally ill and dangerous" and to stay under court supervision rather than serve a prison sentence.

A U.S. Army paratrooper prepares to launch an unmanned aerial system (UAS) in the Middle East during
Gold Star Family Pressures Army To Release Kuwait Drone Strike Probe

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Gold Star parents Jim and Stacey Khork pressed the Army on national television to publicly release its internal probe of the March 1, 2026 drone strike in Kuwait.

They told interviewers their son, Capt. Cody Khork, was one of six U.S. troops killed in the attack.

Federal Judge Says Pentagon's Anthropic Blacklist Was Illegal Retaliation

U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in the Northern District of California ruled Thursday night, August 27, 2026, that the Pentagon illegally punished AI firm Anthropic for criticizing the administration's AI policies.

Lin's 59-page opinion said the Pentagon's actions appeared aimed at making "a public example" of Anthropic and described the government's evidence as "slim." NPR She had earlier blocked the Pentagon from labeling Anthropic a supply-chain risk and from enforcing President Trump's social-media order directing federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's Claude chatbot.

Fired Immigration Judge Sues DOJ, Alleging Retaliation And White House Pressure

Former immigration judge Chloe Dillon filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint against the Justice Department on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in federal court in the Northern District of California.

Dillon alleges she was fired last spring two days after reporting that ICE agents unlawfully detained an unaccompanied minor who had just been in her San Francisco courtroom. MS NOW She says her supervising assistant chief immigration judge told her in April 2026 that "the White House was watching" when she questioned a directive to automatically grant all ICE venue-transfer requests. MS NOW The complaint also challenges the Trump administration's position that immigration judges, as executive-branch "inferior officers," can be removed at will, an issue already on appeal at the Merit Systems Protection Board. MS NOW The White House and Justice Department did not respond to MS NOW's requests for comment on Dillon's filing.

DOJ Fires Senior Prosecutor Who Withdrew From Dismissed Adani Bribery Case

The Justice Department fired Andrew Tyler, an acting assistant chief in the Criminal Division's Fraud Section, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, multiple sources said.

Tyler had withdrawn from the Adani prosecution shortly after politically appointed officials, led by acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter, moved in May 2026 to dismiss the foreign bribery and securities-fraud charges.

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Trial opens for Columbia Heights father in son's landfill killing

Jury selection is set for 9 a.m. Thursday in Anoka County for the murder trial of Jordan Collins Sr., who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 16-year-old son.

Collins has elected to represent himself, and the trial is expected to last about four weeks with more than 90 potential witnesses.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee Loses Democratic Primary To Helena Foulkes

Helena Foulkes defeated Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in the Democratic gubernatorial primary on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, handing the sitting governor a rare primary loss and positioning her for the November general election.

With roughly half the votes counted at about 7:30 p.m. Central, Foulkes led McKee 62.3% to 37.7%. CBS News Foulkes declared victory in Providence, saying, "You will have a governor for everyone," and McKee conceded there, promising a "smooth transition" and saying he holds his head "very high." PBS

Democratic Socialist David Morales Defeats Providence Mayor In Primary Upset

David Morales defeated incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in the Providence Democratic mayoral primary on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, winning 54% to 46% in a surprise upset that reshapes the city's November race.

Morales is a 27-year-old state representative endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna. Fox News He will face 77-year-old Republican Dave Talan in November and would be Providence's youngest mayor if elected.

Declassified Files Show Spain Was Warned Before Ceuta Border Surge

Declassified Spanish intelligence files show the National Intelligence Center warned officials on July 29, 2026, about social-media calls to "assault" Ceuta's border before the mass breach.

The archive includes 40 documents that alerted Ceuta officials, Spain's Civil Guard and said a report was shared with Moroccan intelligence services. CBS News More than 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta between July 30 and 31, triggering Spain's deadliest recorded mass crossing and prompting NGO reports of over 140 migrant deaths. CBS News Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on September 9 that officials had known of the online campaign but that it did not signal the scale or probability of the breach.

Puerto Rico Operations Area (Aug. 8, 1998) -- An SH-60B "Sea Hawk" assigned to Light Helicopter Anti
Rubio Defends Lethal Boat Strikes As U.S. And Ecuador Expand Joint Drug Operations

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Quito, Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly defended U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats while American forces carried out a lethal strike in the Caribbean that killed three people.

Rubio said cartels would "eat these countries alive" if not confronted and added that decisions about destroying vessels are made case by case but "we still blow up ships." CBS News U.S. Southern Command described the Caribbean attack as a "lethal kinetic strike," called the three killed "narco-terrorists," and released strike footage.

Justice Department Backs OpenAI As NYT Copyright Case Enters Key Phase

The Justice Department filed a brief supporting OpenAI as summary-judgment arguments in the New York Times' copyright suit were heard in federal court in Manhattan on Friday, September 4, 2026.

The DOJ told the court that large-scale training on digital works produces a transformative public benefit and urged judges to allow the practice. Axios The Times said the companies copied its journalism at scale to build commercial substitutes. Axios OpenAI and Microsoft countered that training on publicly available material is fair use and that reported facts are not copyright-protected. Axios OpenAI cited California rulings Kadrey v. Meta and Bartz v. Anthropic as support, and the Times said those cases are nonbinding and factually different.

Teen Survives Bering Sea Capsize; Two Relatives Found Dead Off Alaska

A 15-year-old was rescued after clinging to a capsized 18-foot fishing skiff about 4 miles east of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea on Monday, September 7, while two relatives were later found dead.

Coast Guard officials said the teen showed signs of hypothermia when found clinging to the overturned skiff. Fox News Coast Guard aircraft dropped a raft with survival gear and a good Samaritan vessel assisted in rescuing the teen and recovering the two deceased mariners, who were taken to Nome, Alaska.

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St. Paul council blocks police drone expansion after rescue highlights program

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the St. Paul City Council refused to authorize the police department's grant application to expand its Skydio docked drone program. FOX 9 Council President Rebecca Noecker said, "We will not be authorizing this grant application," citing the need for more information and community concerns.

Protesters packed the council meeting, raising surveillance concerns and calling out Skydio's federal military contracts. FOX 9 Police repeatedly defended the program, saying docked drones typically arrive five to seven minutes faster than officers. FOX 9 The department pointed to Monday's rescue of an autistic child from a pond as evidence of the technology's value. FOX 9 Opponent Cedar Larson told the council the same public safety work could be done without "dangerous technology." FOX 9

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Frey pitches 11.3% Minneapolis property tax hike

Mayor Jacob Frey has proposed an 11.3% property tax increase to close a Minneapolis budget gap of more than $60 million, a move that would raise the average homeowner's bill by over $400 a year.

At a Board of Estimate and Taxation hearing, homeowners told officials "We can't basically afford it" and urged more park funding, sometimes by cutting police as a tradeoff.

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Driver killed in multi-vehicle crash on Lake Street

A driver was killed and another injured in a multi-vehicle crash about 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at East Lake Street and 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis, police said.

Police said one vehicle hit a second and then crashed into a building, and the second vehicle struck a third. FOX 9 The driver who caused the crash died at the scene. FOX 9 The second driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and no bystanders were hurt.

Russian Drone Incursion Delays Zelenskyy Flight As Moldova Closes Airspace

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's flight from Chisinau to Norway was delayed after Moldova closed its airspace on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a Russian drone incursion that disrupted airport departures.

Moldovan authorities said the closure delayed three scheduled departures, including the president's plane. MS NOW Police said the drone crashed in a sunflower field in Riscani district about 100 miles from Chisinau International Airport, sparking four fires but causing no injuries. MS NOW The unmanned aircraft crossed into Romanian airspace where it was tracked through several northeastern counties and shadowed by two Spanish F-18s before returning to Moldova. MS NOW Explosives experts recovered fragments with a propulsion system similar to the Geran-type drones Russia has used in its war on Ukraine. MS NOW Investigators also found a large impact crater and are working to determine the type and mass of the explosive payload.

TSA Expands Gateside PreCheck Access For Travelers Without Airline Tickets

The Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday announced it will allow eligible TSA PreCheck and other trusted-traveler members to pass through airport security and enter gate areas without an airline ticket.

The program, called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, lets eligible travelers request a one-day pass online one to three days before their visit; approved visitors can reenter the secure gate area multiple times that day. NPR TSA said the pass is meant for people returning to gates for welcomes and send-offs, meeting friends during layovers, or enjoying airport dining and shopping. NPR Officials and coverage stressed the expansion is limited to pre-approved trusted-traveler members, not the general public.

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MDH says Twin Cities bat-removal firm may have misled customers on rabies tests

The Minnesota Department of Health says a Twin Cities bat-removal firm may have misled customers about rabies testing, and the agency has opened an investigation announced Wednesday.

ASAP Wildlife Services is owned by Louis Monette, who told FOX 9 that "the customers that have asked me to test bats I have done so or if a bat shows signs of rabies or contamination," but he provided no documentation. FOX 9 When pressed about telling a customer they received a negative result from a lab that does not test for animal rabies, Monette called it a "misunderstanding" and then shut down his Facebook page.

UK And Allies Sanction Israeli Settlements As Trump Declines To Oppose Measures

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Britain announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and new sanctions targeting settlement activity. PBS News Canada and France said they would take similar steps, and other European governments signaled support. NPR President Trump declined to say whether the United States opposed the measures.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons that the measures aim to bar imports and services to settlements, and he described settler actions as "ethnic cleansing." PBS News Miliband said the rules will target companies and individuals who provide construction, infrastructure, financing or real-estate services to settlements and that the bans should take effect within six to nine months. CBS News Israel responded by announcing it would close the British consulate in Jerusalem, remove U.K. staff from a Gaza monitoring center, end British training of Palestinian security forces and bar entry to a dozen British nationals.

Ohio Grandfather In Squalor Neglect Case Found Incompetent For Trial

A Vinton County judge found 73-year-old Gary Siders Sr. mentally incompetent to stand trial on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in the child neglect case involving 16 grandchildren rescued from a Hamden, Ohio, home.

A court-ordered psychiatric evaluation concluded his mental condition has declined and is not restorable, and the prosecutor did not oppose the finding. CBS News He had faced 16 counts of child endangerment linked to a June 30 rescue. CBS News Investigators say the children, ranging from 18 months to 18 years, were kept in a small room with human feces and severe neglect, and some could not speak.

Hurricane Lowell Kills At Least One And Cuts Power To Most Of Kauai

Hurricane Lowell killed at least one person in Hawaii and cut power to most of Kauai, authorities and news reports said on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 (Central).

Early reports said more than 33,000 customers — about 90 percent of Kauai — lost power as heavy rain and outer bands hit the island. New York Times By late Tuesday morning roughly 50,400 customers were without power across Hawaii, and the Kauai utility said nearly all of the island's roughly 73,000 residents were without electricity.

Hurricane Marie Surf Threatens Southern California Beachfront Homes

Powerful surf from the remnants of Hurricane Marie battered the Southern California coast on September 9, 2026, threatening beachfront homes and causing visible coastal damage.

The damage came from large waves, sand erosion and pounding surf rather than direct hurricane-force winds. CBS News CBS footage showed waves breaking against seawalls and leaving debris along shorelines.

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MPCA fines Schwing Bioset for unpermitted emissions, waste mishandling

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an $18,939 civil penalty to Schwing Bioset for operating without required air and stormwater permits at its North Branch facility.

Inspectors discovered an unpermitted paint booth at the plant during an October 30, 2024 inspection. FOX 9 The MPCA said the facility had lacked an air emissions permit and an industrial stormwater permit since August 2021.

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More Feeding Our Future defendants sentenced, ordered to repay funds

Federal judges this week in Minnesota sentenced several more defendants in the Feeding Our Future pandemic meal-fraud case and ordered them to repay millions in losses to child nutrition programs.

Husband and wife defendants Mekfira Hussein and Abduljabar Hussein received 57 months and 40 months in prison, respectively, and were ordered to pay $8,886,380 in joint restitution. FOX 9 Abdihakim Ali Ahmed was sentenced to 54 months, must report to prison on Oct. 6 at noon, and prosecutors say ASA Limited LLC received about $5 million in fraudulent child nutrition payments with more than $2 million paid to Ahmed. FOX 9 Minneapolis man Ahmed Abdullahi Ghedi was sentenced to 65 months after prosecutors say his ASA Limited site billed for more than 1.6 million meals and caused about $7.2 million in losses. FOX 9 Court records say Ghedi funneled more than $2 million into a shell company, spent large sums on vehicles and credit cards, and will forfeit a Park Avenue mansion and a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. FOX 9 Hussein Mohamed Farah was sentenced to 20 months and ordered to pay $471,000, and Ahmed Sharif Omar-Hashim received 36 months for related fraud tied to claimed meal services.

Manhattan Woman Admits Killing Three Men With Fentanyl-Laced Drugs

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Tabitha Bundrick pleaded guilty in Manhattan to three counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault after prosecutors said she gave fentanyl-laced drugs that killed three men.

Prosecutors say Bundrick gave fentanyl-laced drugs to four male customers between April 30, 2023, and February 25, 2024, killing three and then robbing them. Fox News Victims were identified as Mario Paullan, 42; Miguel Navez, 39; and Abrihan Fernandez, 34, each found dead with personal items missing from their apartments. Fox News Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Bundrick "knowingly killed three people" and showed "shocking indifference" as she left them to die. Fox News She is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6, 2026, and is expected to receive a term of 27 years to life in prison.

Texas To Distribute 7 Million Settlement Eggs Through Food Banks

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Tuesday, Sept. 8 that the state will distribute more than 7 million free eggs through food banks statewide.

The eggs are part of June 2026 antitrust settlements that require more than 7 million donated eggs and $3.3 million in payments to participating states. Fox News About 1.7 million eggs have already been delivered to Texas food banks, with another 5.3 million expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Fox News Houston Food Bank is slated to receive 1,544,400 eggs; North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank will each get 842,400 eggs.

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St. Paul council and Crystal exit deepen regional split over Flock cameras

St. Paul's City Council unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution on Aug. 26 calling for an end to Flock Safety automated license-plate cameras in the city and Ramsey County.

The resolution directs Mayor Kaohly Her and Ramsey County commissioners to respond and requires the city administration to report back within 60 days. FOX 9 Mayor Her and St. Paul Police Chief Axel Herny said the two Flock cameras owned by the city will be removed in the interim. FOX 9 Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher rejected calls to end his office's contract, calling ALPRs "one of the best technologies" he's used and crediting them with steep drops in auto theft and violent crime.

Conductor Julian Wachner Gets Probation, Must Register As Sex Offender

Conductor Julian Wachner was sentenced Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to nearly six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender in Marion Superior Court in Indiana.

He received a suspended sentence and was given credit for five days he had already spent in jail. NPR He pleaded guilty on July 15, 2026, to five counts of possession of child sex abuse material and one count of cocaine possession as part of a plea agreement.

The White House, Washington, D.C. USA
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court To Revive SAVE Voter Citizenship Database

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow revival of the federal SAVE citizenship database for screening voters, a move that could reshape how citizenship is verified for voter rolls.

The administration filed a petition asking justices to lift prohibitions that have stopped agencies from using SAVE to check citizenship. CBS The filing says the database is necessary to ensure accurate voter eligibility lists.

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One wounded, multiple detained in Bloomington apartment shooting near MOA

One person was wounded and multiple people were detained after a shooting shortly before 2 p.m. at an apartment building near American Boulevard and 30th Avenue South in Bloomington.

The victim suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the lower body and was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. FOX 9 Bloomington police said officers had multiple people detained at the scene, that the area was contained, and that there was no ongoing danger to the public. FOX 9 Police said the motive remains under investigation.

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Honda invests in Minneapolis rare-earth-free magnet maker Niron

Honda Motor Co.'s Honda Xcelerator Ventures has invested in Minneapolis-based Niron Magnetics, the companies said, signaling a strategic bet on Niron's rare-earth-free magnet technology.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed. Business Journal Niron is headquartered in Minneapolis.

D.C. National Guardsman Charged In Gunpoint Assault On Colleague Over Hair Regulations

Zion Mitchell, 21, a Georgia National Guardsman, was arrested and charged after allegedly drawing and pointing a pistol at a female colleague in Northeast Washington, D.C.

He faces charges of possessing a firearm while committing assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon and is being held without bond, court records show. CBS News Police say the incident unfolded on August 25 while Guard members were on break in a black van outside a Popeyes in Northeast D.C. CBS News Multiple witnesses told detectives they saw Mitchell remove and point his gun at the woman.

New York Stock Exchange in New York City, New York, USA
Treasury Plans Up To $6 Billion Bond Buyback To Curb Rising Yields

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced in Washington that the Treasury will buy back up to $6 billion in long-term U.S. Treasury bonds on Wednesday to try to curb rising yields.

The operation exceeds a prior pledge to at least double monthly buybacks to $4 billion, the department had said. CBS News The 10-year yield rose to 4.85% and the 2-year to 4.42%, their highest levels since October 2023, even as the buyback was announced. CBS News Analysts said rising U.S. government debt, now above $40 trillion, is the main driver of yields and questioned how effective the buybacks will be.

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Rogers sets preliminary 19.3% 2027 tax levy hike

Rogers City Council approved a preliminary 19.28% property tax levy increase for 2027 at its Sept. 8 meeting, a move that would sharply raise bills for local homeowners if finalized.

The preliminary levy must be certified in September and will appear on truth-in-taxation notices in November, with a final levy scheduled for Dec. 8, 2026. FOX 9 City leaders described the increase as necessary to balance the budget amid rising costs and delayed capital work.

Federal Special Education Chief Resigns Amid Education Department Downsizing

Kelly Rogers, acting head of the Education Department's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, that she will resign effective September 11, 2026.

Education Department press secretary Savannah Newhouse confirmed Rogers' departure and said Rogers is moving to Florida for a new opportunity and to be closer to family. NPR Her exit comes less than a day before many of her staff are scheduled to move from the Education Department to the Department of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration's plan to downsize parts of the Education Department. NPR Disability rights advocates have widely condemned the planned transfer.

Romania Indicts Andrew Tate And U.S. Judge Denies Bail In U.K. Extradition Case

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren F. Louis denied Andrew and Tristan Tate's bail request in Miami on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, ordering them to remain in federal detention while they fight extradition to the United Kingdom.

Judge Louis issued a written decision after an eight-hour detention hearing on August 27, 2026, at the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse in Miami. NPR She said the brothers had "failed to demonstrate that special circumstances here warrant relief" under the Supreme Court's strict standard for bail in international extradition cases. NPR Prosecutors told the court the brothers are flight risks and dangerous, citing Andrew Tate's online claims of seven passports, 15 driver's licenses, and access to private jets and boats. NPR The defense said those statements were hyperbolic personas for fans, offered that the brothers would surrender passports and accept GPS monitoring, and noted they had repeatedly returned to Romania to check in with authorities there. NPR The brothers were arrested in Miami on July 18, 2026, after a U.K. request to extradite them on charges including rape and human trafficking.

Aviation Safety Investigator Josh Cawthra examines the tail rotor drive shaft of the accident helico
Two Killed In Cessna Crash At San Diego's Montgomery-Gibbs Airport

A Cessna 172 crashed while landing at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, killing two people aboard, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration's preliminary notice said the plane's left wing dipped, the aircraft appeared to stall and then spun into the ground, sparking a post-crash fire. Fox News The National Transportation Safety Board said the crash occurred amid a go-around maneuver and has dispatched an investigator to the scene.

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I-394 to I-94 ramp closing Sept. 11-14

Officials will close the eastbound I-394 ramp to eastbound I-94 from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, disrupting traffic during the Vikings home opener.

The closure is for bridge work tied to improvements on more than 30 bridges along the I-394 corridor. FOX 9 Drivers will be detoured via Highway 169 and I-694, and additional weekend closures on I-394 are expected later in the season.

Pappas And Sununu Win New Hampshire Primaries For Open U.S. Senate Seat

Rep. Chris Pappas and former Sen. John E. Sununu won New Hampshire's Democratic and Republican U.S. Senate primaries on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. PBS They will face each other in November for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in a race that could help determine control of the Senate.

Pappas defeated Karishma Manzur, David Jarvis, Maxwell Saal and John Vail, and he out-raised Manzur by more than $15.3 million to about $415,000 in the primary. MS NOW Sununu beat seven other Republicans, including former Sen. Scott Brown, leaving only about eight weeks before the November general election.

Street corner rally for Jon Ossoff
Stefany Shaheen And Anthony DiLorenzo Advance To New Hampshire 1st District General Election

Stefany Shaheen and Anthony DiLorenzo won their primaries on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, setting up a general-election matchup for the open seat.

Shaheen narrowly prevailed in a seven-candidate Democratic field, defeating Maura Sullivan and others. PBS News She is a Portsmouth city councilor who founded a business to help people with chronic medical conditions after her daughter's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and helped lead a state regenerative-medicine initiative. PBS News DiLorenzo won the Republican primary over Hollie Noveletsky and other rivals while running as a Trump-backed auto executive and owner of a chain of car dealerships. Fox News He said his campaign is "about prosperity" and urged more pragmatic businesspeople in Washington. PBS News At a WMUR debate earlier in September he defended past comments saying deportation should prioritize "dangerous people" such as criminals and human traffickers.

Maggie Goodlander And Lily Tang Williams Set For New Hampshire 2nd District Rematch

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander and Republican Lily Tang Williams will meet again in November after both won their primaries for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District on Sept. 8, 2026.

Goodlander defeated progressive state lawmaker and nurse Paige Beauchemin in the Democratic primary. PBS News She is seeking a second term after first winning the seat in the 2024 cycle. PBS News Lily Tang Williams won the Republican primary and will again be the GOP nominee. PBS News Her campaign has sought to rally GOP voters as it tries to flip the crucial seat.

Netanyahu Denies UAE Warning On Oct. 7, Plans Haaretz Defamation Suit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday denied that an Emirati warning call about the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack occurred and said he has instructed lawyers to file a defamation suit against Haaretz.

The Prime Minister's Office said internal checks by the PMO, the National Security Council and the Military Secretariat found no record of an Emirati emissary visit or an encrypted call before Oct. 7, 2023. CBS News Netanyahu said he had instructed his attorneys to sue Haaretz and the reporter who wrote the story, and Haaretz said it stands by its Monday report.

Ringleader In $245 Million Bitcoin Theft Pleads Guilty In U.S. Racketeering Case

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 22-year-old Singaporean citizen Malone Lam pleaded guilty in Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., to racketeering and conspiracy charges tied to a large cryptocurrency-theft scheme.

Prosecutors say Lam led an international network that stole and laundered more than $245 million in cryptocurrency. New York Times They say the group met mainly on online gaming platforms and used social-engineering tactics to defraud holders, including persuading one investor in August 2024 to transfer more than $240 million in Bitcoin.

Intersection of Broad Street and Wall Street with New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Hall.
U.S. Economy Adds 162,000 Jobs In August, Jobless Rate Steady

The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, and the national unemployment rate was unchanged from July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

The figures appear in the BLS's official August 2026 employment report released September 4, 2026. CBS News Economists and investors watch the monthly report for signs of labor-market strength that can influence Federal Reserve policy.

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Lakeville hangar owner hit with unexplained $61K Xcel bill

Lakeville hangar owner Terry Zeien says Xcel Energy charged him more than $61,000 after unexplained meter spikes at his Airlake Airport hangar, leaving a $61,445.21 balance as of Sept. 2.

Some monthly bills topped $10,000 and one month showed 36,754 kilowatt-hours. FOX 9 Xcel says the meter is properly connected, untampered and serves three hangars while it continues investigating.

Facing north across the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as viewed from the entrance to the Smiths
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch Announces Year-End Retirement Amid Trump-Era Criticism

Lonnie Bunch announced Tuesday, September 8, 2026, that he will step down as secretary of the Smithsonian at the end of 2026 amid escalating criticism from the Trump administration.

Bunch, 73, told The New York Times his retirement "is not due to fights with the administration" and said "now's the time." CBS News He said he decided in late August and acknowledged the political pressure had been "stressful." MS NOW Chief Justice John Roberts, as chancellor of the Smithsonian and a member of its Board of Regents, praised Bunch's leadership and pledged to work with him on a smooth transition.

Photograph of Ashley Ehasz giving a speech at a campaign event
Trump Super PAC Network Adds New $25 Million Multi-State Ad Buy For Midterms

No Going Back PAC Inc., a newly incorporated group tied to President Trump's main super PAC, reserved about $25.8 million in ad time for multiple Senate and House battlegrounds on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The reservations include roughly $9.6 million for the New Hampshire Senate race and $7.7 million for Alaska, with smaller buys aimed at Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia and a House contest in Pennsylvania. New York Times No Going Back PAC Inc. was incorporated on September 1, 2026, its formation handled by GOP operative Charles Gantt, and it will not have to disclose donors until mid-October. New York Times Two people familiar with the plans told the New York Times the group is linked to MAGA Inc., making it the largest midterm expenditure yet tied to Trump's roughly $400 million war chest.

Malibu Sinkhole Triggers Local Emergency And Evacuations Of 31 Homes

A roughly 30-foot-deep sinkhole about 30 by 60 feet opened under a beachfront driveway in Malibu early Tuesday, September 8, 2026, triggering a local emergency and evacuations of 31 nearby homes.

A gas leak prompted the Southern California Gas Company to shut off gas service to the area. New York Times The sinkhole narrowed a private road and blocked emergency vehicles from accessing the property. New York Times The City of Malibu declared a local emergency and by Tuesday evening had expanded evacuations to 31 nearby properties. New York Times The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Malibu High School for displaced residents.

Stefany Shaheen And Anthony DiLorenzo Win New Hampshire 1st District Primaries

Democrat Stefany Shaheen and Republican Anthony DiLorenzo won the New Hampshire 1st Congressional District primaries on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, setting up a competitive November contest for a D+2 seat.

Shaheen, a first-time congressional candidate and the daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, claimed the Democratic nomination. New York Times She defeated Maura Sullivan, who had led Shaheen in fundraising and recent polls before the primary. CBS News The Democratic race featured late attack ads, including one from Shaheen accusing Sullivan of being bankrolled by the pro-Israel lobby and corporate interests and a Sullivan ad calling Shaheen "born on third base." CBS News On the GOP side, Trump-endorsed Anthony DiLorenzo won the Republican primary after outraising rivals, though recent polls showed him essentially tied with fellow frontrunner Hollie Noveletsky.

LIV Golf Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Saudi Fund Exit

LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, after the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew support and left players owed millions.

A proposed restructuring backed by an arm of BC Partners has been floated, but the plan still leaves a large funding gap and uncertainty over when players and other creditors will be paid.

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St. Paul pauses further encampment clearances after Pig's Eye displacement drives 1,200% spike in Randolph police calls

St. Paul has paused plans to clear remaining homeless encampments, City Council President Rebecca Noecker said Tuesday.

The move follows the Aug. 5 closure of the Pig's Eye Park encampment. After the closure, police calls near Randolph rose from an average of 11 per month to 145, a more than 1,200% increase.

Biden Says Prostate Cancer Treatment Worked, Urges Men To Get Screened

President Joe Biden said Tuesday, September 8, 2026, that the radiation treatment he received in fall 2025 for Stage 4, bone-metastasized prostate cancer "worked as intended" and urged men to get screened.

He said he remains under medical management but continues to stay active. MS NOW Biden is finishing a memoir titled "Promise Me, America" set for release on November 17, 2026.

U.S. Border Patrol agents unload a "gator" utility vehicle from a trailer while searching vast ranch
Army Laser Deployment Cuts Cartel Drone Flights At U.S.-Mexico Border By About 75 Percent

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Pentagon said the U.S. military used a laser weapon to shoot down drones, producing nearly a 75% drop in drone activity at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Pentagon officials said the strikes targeted drones tied to drug trafficking and cartel operations, and they described the reduction as roughly 75 percent. CBS News They framed the measure as a tool to blunt drone flights probing the border rather than a broader change in force posture.

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Minneapolis repeat offender gets 20 years in ghost gun case

A federal judge in Minneapolis has sentenced repeat offender Esau Chucky Sago to 240 months in prison in a case tied to a ghost gun and a high-speed chase.

The 240-month federal term equals 20 years and marks Sago's ninth felony conviction, the reporting said. FOX 9 The case is linked to a high-speed chase that ran through New Hope, Crystal and Robbinsdale into Minneapolis on October 10, 2024.

college of law trial courtroom
Judge Raises Barry Morphew's Murder Case Bond To $10 Million Cash

An Alamosa County judge raised Barry Morphew's bond from $3 million to $10 million cash-only on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, keeping him in custody after the ruling.

The judge said she increased bond because of Morphew's "capacity to commit new offenses while on bond," his lack of "respect for the court," and her belief he would not follow conditions that were inconvenient to his preferred lifestyle. CBS News Morphew appeared in shackles and a white-and-orange striped jail uniform and was escorted from the courtroom by deputies after the ruling. CBS News He was arrested on September 3, 2026, in unincorporated Boulder County around 9:11 p.m. on an Alamosa County warrant for failure to comply and was booked into the Boulder County Jail.

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DNR moving 650 workers to revamped St. Paul tower

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has leased about 125,000 rentable square feet at 10 River Park Plaza in downtown St. Paul for a new headquarters, with a move targeted for June 2027.

The 10-year lease will bring the building's occupancy to roughly 94% and will relocate roughly 650 DNR employees from 500 Lafayette Road, the department's home since 1985. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Officials called the deal one of the Twin Cities' largest office leases in recent years and said it boosts downtown demand amid high vacancy.

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Ex-Minnesota trooper gets 27 years for infant abuse videos

Former Minnesota state trooper Jeremy Plonski was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison and 15 years of supervised release for producing and distributing videos of infant sexual abuse.

He pleaded guilty in October to producing and distributing child sexual abuse material that included videos he made while wearing his state trooper uniform. FOX 9 FBI agents connected Plonski during a Houston child sexual abuse material probe after he shared multiple abuse videos on the Kik messaging app; he was arrested at his Shakopee home in April 2025.

The week of February 4-11, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of targe
U.S. Marshals Recover 79 Missing And Endangered Children Across Ohio

The U.S. Marshals Service announced on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, that Operation Meridian located 79 missing and endangered children across Ohio.

The Marshals said the effort, carried out in August 2026, involved cooperation with federal, state and local law-enforcement partners. CBS News Officials called it a historic operation in the effort to recover vulnerable young people.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Dec. 2, 2020) The U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309) transits the
U.S. Expands Operation Economic Outcast To Hit Iranian Oil Revenues And Aviation Sector

The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, imposed sanctions on 36 entities tied to Iran's aviation industry under Operation Economic Outcast, warning foreign firms they risk secondary penalties.

The list targets more than two dozen commercial and private airlines and multiple foreign cargo service providers, U.S. officials said. PBS News Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned firms that do business with the newly sanctioned airlines could be cut off from the global financial system and face U.S. asset freezes and secondary sanctions. PBS News The Treasury said private suppliers in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Malaysia provided parts and logistics to Mahan Air, expanding prior counterterrorism sanctions on that carrier. PBS News Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly mocked Washington's "more sanctions" approach and called the longstanding campaign disastrous for America's global standing.

New Jersey Governor Acknowledges Internal Probe Of Lieutenant Governor

On September 8, 2026, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said credible complaints of inappropriate behavior must be examined amid reports of an internal probe into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell.

A Sherrill spokesperson said the statement responded to reports of an internal investigation into alleged misconduct by Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State Dale Caldwell. MS NOW Sherrill said credible complaints must be "fully examined and addressed." MS NOW

DOJ Sends Election Monitors To New Hampshire Primary In Two Cities

The Justice Department sent election monitors to polling sites in Manchester and Nashua during New Hampshire's state primary on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The department dispatched four monitors to each city under the Civil Rights Division's program to observe voting and enforce federal voting laws. MS NOW Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the New Hampshire deployment is the last primary monitoring action before the Justice Department ramps up to deploy 1,000 monitors for the November midterm elections.

Houthi Barrage On Saudi Oil Facilities Raises Risk To Red Sea Chokepoint

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Houthi forces fired dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi oil and civilian sites in Abha, Jazan, Najran and Khamis Mushait, wounding 73 people and igniting fires.

Saudi authorities said operations at several southern energy and utility sites were temporarily suspended after the fires, including at the Jazan refinery, which can process roughly 400,000 barrels per day. NPR The strikes hit state oil infrastructure, including Aramco facilities; Aramco produces about 10 million barrels per day and supplies roughly 10 percent of global oil demand. Fox News Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a coalition spokesman, called the strikes a serious escalation and vowed the coalition would take all necessary operational measures in response, and Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, warned of "stronger and wider strikes" if Saudi operations in Yemen continue. NPR Saudi authorities also vowed retaliation after the attacks.

Armed Man With Two Pistols Charged Toward Ohio Governor Candidate Amy Acton At Fair

A 38-year-old man charged toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton while she spoke at the Canfield Fair in Canfield, Ohio, on Sunday, September 6, 2026. New York Times He was arrested at the scene and booked on disorderly conduct and two counts of assault.

Law enforcement said he forced his way through the crowd carrying a taser and two pistols; deputies later recovered two handguns and a set of brass knuckles. PBS Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said the man pushed through the crowd and knocked over two elderly audience members, who were assessed and declined further treatment, and that Acton was not injured.

Apra Harbor, Guam (July 26, 2005) – The conventionally-powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 6
Navy Overhauls Carrier Logistics After USS Lincoln's Six-Month Iran Deployment

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Navy leaders announced an overhaul of carrier logistics for the USS Theodore Roosevelt's upcoming Middle East deployment after lessons learned from the USS Abraham Lincoln's six-month Iran deployment.

Admiral Daryl Caudle and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman outlined the changes and framed them as fixes to shortfalls exposed on the Lincoln. MS NOW The plan includes maximizing the Roosevelt's loadout of food, retail and hygiene items and converting onboard spaces into additional storage.

United States Supreme Court Building
Supreme Court Says Parties Qualify For Lowest TV Ad Rates Before Midterms

The Supreme Court on Friday, September 4, 2026, issued an emergency order finding that political party committees are entitled to the same lowest-unit television ad rates as candidates so they can reach voters before the midterms.

The unsigned order said the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals likely lacked jurisdiction to review the FCC's political-advertising guidance at this stage. CBS News It said broadcasters had already begun withdrawing the favorable "lowest unit charge" rates from party committees after the 4th Circuit decision. CBS News The Court said denying the low rates would cause irreparable harm and would implicate party committees' First Amendment rights, and that later refunds could not remedy that injury. New York Times Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the emergency order.

Small Plane With Florida Family Missing Off Bahamas Coast

A small PA-34 Piper plane carrying four members of a Florida family went missing after departing Great Harbour Cay for Miami Executive Airport on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, and authorities are searching off North Andros in the Bahamas.

Bahamas police said contact was lost when the aircraft was about 13 miles west of Andros Island, and they are coordinating efforts to locate a possible crash site off Red Bays, North Andros. CBS News The aircraft bore tail number N212ML. CBS News The U.S. Coast Guard deployed an HC-144 Ocean Sentry from its Southeast District to assist the Bahamian search after a 2 p.m. request.

Justin Hebert, left, a senior at Kaiserslautern High School and lead prosecutor, questions Caleb Cha
Trial Opens In Mexico For Alleged Killers Of U.S. And Australian Surfers

A trial opened Monday, September 7, 2026, in Ensenada, Mexico, for three men accused of killing American surfer Jack Carter Rhoad and Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson.

In court, a key witness who is the stepson of one defendant testified under concealment that he accompanied the group to the scene and was later threatened not to speak. CBS News He said he was told the same thing that happened to the "gringos" would happen to him. CBS News Co-defendant Ary Gisell Silva had already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 20 years after admitting she urged her boyfriend and two other men to rob the surfers for their phones and tires.

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Hiawatha Avenue to go single-lane for safety work Sept. 8

Lanes on Hiawatha Avenue (Highway 55) will be reduced to one lane each way between Minnehaha Parkway and East 44th Street starting Sept. 8 as crews begin safety upgrades that will run into mid-December.

The project will add new pedestrian signals, marked crosswalks, refuge areas and rebuilt turn lanes, plus a median fence between East 45th and East 46th to curb unsafe crossings. FOX 9 Mid-September through November, East 46th Street between Hiawatha and 36th Avenue South and the northbound right-turn lane from Hiawatha to 46th will be closed. FOX 9 Starting in October, access between Hiawatha and East 45th Street east of the highway will be closed into December. FOX 9 The Metro Blue Line and bus routes will still serve 46th Street Station, but pedestrian detours will route people around the construction zone.

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DOC says prison-to-homelessness down 57% since 2021

The Minnesota Department of Corrections says the number of people leaving prison and becoming homeless has fallen 57% since 2021.

The agency credited a homelessness-prevention program with the decline. FOX 9 The Legislature has provided $500,000 per year for the work, and the program housed about 800 formerly incarcerated people in 2025. FOX 9 Placements include halfway houses, sober homes and apartments. FOX 9 One example is the No Luck Club in St. Paul, which houses about 15 men who must meet sobriety and employment requirements.

EU Pledges €200 Million To Greenland, Backs Sovereignty Against U.S. Pressure

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Nuuk and pledged €200 million while signing an EU-Greenland declaration on Monday, September 7, 2026, to bolster Greenland and defend its sovereignty amid U.S. pressure.

Von der Leyen said Greenland's future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide. PBS The EU offered €200 million in support over the next two years and signaled plans to double total EU budget support to about €500 million from 2028.

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Minneapolis board weighs 3-year extension, raise for schools chief

The Minneapolis school board is weighing a three-year extension and pay increase for Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams at a public meeting in Minneapolis.

The proposed contract would run through June 2030, start at $281,520 in 2027, and include 2% raises in 2028 and 2029. FOX 9 The benefits package would include a 10% retirement allocation, a $600 monthly car allowance and a $2,000 annual HSA contribution. It would also give 35 vacation days with 15 eligible for cash-out and pay out 18 sick days at contract end.

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Bloomington SUV driver arrested after fatal trike crash

A Bloomington SUV driver was arrested after a collision that killed a 60-year-old man riding a three-wheeled motorcycle shortly after 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Portland Avenue near Bischoff Lane.

Police say the 35-year-old driver of a Nissan Murano was hospitalized after the crash and later arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. FOX 9 Officers say investigators believe he was driving at a high rate of speed.

Israeli Strikes On Kfar Rumman Kill 12 Civilians After Seizure Of Ali Taher Ridge

Israeli airstrikes on the village of Kfar Rumman in southern Lebanon early Monday, September 7, 2026, killed at least 12 civilians, including two children, the Health Ministry said.

Officials said one strike hit a residential building, killing 11 people — four women and two children among them — and wounding eight, including three children and a paramedic. PBS News A separate strike on a car killed a paramedic from the Lebanese Islamic Risala Scout Association and wounded two others, the ministry said. PBS News The Israeli military said the strikes were retaliation for two Hezbollah drone attacks launched from the area and that it had targeted a Hezbollah militant transporting weapons.

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St. Paul teen charged in ghost-gun ambush of 2 13-year-olds

Jerry D'John Anthony Sanders, 18, was charged Monday with three felony counts for a Sept. 1 ambush shooting that wounded two 13-year-olds near Marion Street and Sherburne Avenue in St. Paul.

A boy was shot in the lower left leg and a girl was grazed in the left calf; a third juvenile who was with them was not hurt. FOX 9 Police said a juvenile witness identified the shooter as "Fat J" and gave officers his grandmother's address at 175 Charles Ave., a phone number and an Instagram handle that led to Sanders. FOX 9 Investigators arrested Sanders on Sept. 3 at a Rice Street apartment and recovered two firearms, including a ghost gun with a 31-round magazine. FOX 9 Shell casings from the scene matched a gun tied to multiple Minneapolis shootings. FOX 9 A caller on a group phone call told investigators Sanders bragged he "came out with 31 came back in with 21" and that he chased the juveniles for about a block before firing.

Kushner Blames Israeli Election Politics For Stalled Gaza Reconstruction Plan

On Sunday in Kyiv, Jared Kushner said Israel's upcoming late-October elections are impeding U.S.-backed plans to rebuild Gaza and form a new Gaza police force.

Kushner called Israeli decision-making around Gaza "a little irrational," a rare pointed criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government by a senior Trump official. CBS News A U.S. official told reporters that Israel has not given guarantees needed to form a Gaza police force independent of Hamas and is not fully meeting commitments on reconstruction materials. CBS News Netanyahu has rejected any withdrawal before what he calls genuine disarmament, setting up a core disagreement over sequencing.

Jaguar Land Rover To Cut 4,000 Jobs As Tariffs, EV Rivals Bite

Jaguar Land Rover announced it will cut 4,000 jobs across its global workforce to reduce costs and boost competitiveness, the company said on Monday, September 7, 2026.

The cuts will be implemented over the next two years, the company said. PBS News JLR is targeting 1.7 billion pounds in cost savings to help fund 15-18 billion pounds of investment over five years. PBS News The company is owned by Tata Motors and said most of the job losses are expected in its U.K. operations, where it employs about 34,000 people.

Glacier-Collapse Nepal-Tibet Floods: Nepal Holds Mourning Day As Rescues Continue

On Monday, September 7, 2026, Nepal observed a national day of mourning after August 26 glacier-collapse floods that officials say killed more than 1,300 people and left roughly 5,000 missing across Nepal and Tibet.

Search-and-rescue teams are concentrating at ruined hydropower projects, where authorities report about 900 workers missing and roughly 500 thought trapped in tunnels. PBS News Specialized teams from India, China, South Korea and the United States are operating at multiple sites, and Nepal's army has airlifted thousands of people since the disaster. CBS News Families held traditional 13-day rites during the mourning day, and relatives of missing hydropower workers staged protests in Kathmandu demanding faster search-and-rescue at project sites.

Germany Blames Russia For Explosive Drone Plot, Seeks Baltic Hybrid-Defense Task Force

On Monday, September 7, 2026, Russia's Foreign Ministry ordered the German consulate in St. Petersburg to cease operations and said its staff must leave Russia by September 18.

The ministry also ordered the closure of the German Goethe-Institut centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg and said their employees must depart Russia by Sunday, September 13. MS NOW Moscow said the measures were retaliation for Germany's September 2-3 decision to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. PBS Russia's Foreign Ministry warned that German actions had "once again provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations" and said Berlin would bear responsibility for the consequences.

AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund holding election rally and meeting voters in Magdeburg city cente
AfD Landslide In Saxony-Anhalt Triggers Complex Coalition Standoff

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, taking 39 of 83 seats and forcing a tense coalition standoff.

Turnout was 77.8%, and analysts say the AfD mobilized many prior nonvoters. CBS News The CDU fell to 17.2% (15 seats) while the Social Democrats, Greens and Left each won eight seats, and the left-wing BSW took 5.3% and five seats. CBS News AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund said the result gave his party a mandate to govern and said it would not pursue a minority government.

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Man killed in Sunday evening shooting in Lakeville

A man was fatally shot Sunday about 6:30 p.m. at a home on the 16200 block of Flagstaff Avenue near County Road 46 in Lakeville, police said.

Officers who responded found an adult man with a gunshot wound; he was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and later died, the report said. FOX 9 No arrests have been made, and police said there is no ongoing threat to the public but did not explain what led to the shooting.

Florida AG To Seek Death Penalty In Alleged Truck Cab Child Abuse Case

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on September 1, 2026 that he will seek the death penalty against Keisha Monique Epps and Tamra Marshon Stewart in a child-abuse case.

Prosecutors say the four victims were ages 5, 5, 6 and 9. Fox News They say the children were confined to the cab of a tractor-trailer for more than six years while the vehicle ran a route between Miami and Atlanta. Fox News Charges include sexual battery, molestation and neglect, and Florida law allows capital punishment for sexual battery against a child younger than 12.

Ex-USCIS Official Charged In $960,000 Citizenship Bribery Scheme

A former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official and an associate were arrested and charged in a scheme that allegedly took about $960,000 to fast-track citizenship and immigration cases.

Federal prosecutors charged both defendants with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official, a crime that carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Fox News The criminal complaint identifies the former official as Ganiyu and the alleged accomplice as Somoye.

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Dakota County residents press board on mail voting order

On Sept. 1, Dakota County residents and church leaders pressed commissioners to sign a pledge refusing to comply with any federal order or data request that would restrict mail voting ahead of the November election.

Only two of the seven commissioners had responded to the request, organizers said. FOX 9 Speakers at the county board meeting warned that sudden enforcement of the administration's mail rules could disrupt local election operations and voter access.

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Video shows sequence of Minneapolis I-94/35W freeway shooting

A FOX 9 video published Sunday shows a white SUV crossing the median from I-94 onto the I-35W left shoulder after a shooting just south of downtown Minneapolis.

The footage shows a person stepping out of the SUV and standing beside a car idling in the far-left lane on I-35W until officers arrived. FOX 9 FOX 9 reports several state troopers and Minneapolis police reached the scene within about five minutes after the cars stopped.

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Scott County pool contractor gets 5 years for $820K fraud

Charles Ray Workman, 41, the owner of MN Crete Pools in Scott County, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison on a wire fraud conviction by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis on Sept. 3.

Prosecutors said Workman stole at least $820,000 from 21 customers, taking more than $750,000 in down payments between 2021 and 2022. FOX 9 The court ordered $1.15 million in restitution, but records did not make clear when victims will be repaid or when Workman must report to prison.

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Driver dies after car hits I-694 overpass in Oakdale

A driver was killed after his car left the roadway and struck the foundation of the I-694 4th Street North overpass in Oakdale on Saturday.

The Minnesota State Patrol said the vehicle was a Honda Accord and the crash happened on I-694 northbound near the 4th Street North overpass. FOX 9 Officials identified the driver as 61-year-old Roger Swanson of Woodbury. FOX 9 The patrol said the car left the roadway to the right and struck the bridge foundation, and that the cause remains under investigation.

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Deputy injured as Minneapolis stolen-car chase ends in crash; 4 arrested, gun recovered

A Hennepin County sheriff's deputy was injured around 2 a.m. when a fleeing stolen vehicle ran a red light and crashed into his squad car in Minneapolis.

The deputy was treated at the scene and is expected to be OK, and his squad car was towed. FOX 9 Minneapolis Police originally pursued the stolen vehicle and will handle the crash investigation. FOX 9 Deputies recovered a firearm, a replica gun and narcotics from the vehicle. FOX 9 The car had been flagged in connection with multiple smash-and-grab thefts and for earlier reckless fleeing. FOX 9 Four people, including juveniles, were arrested and smash-and-grab tools were recovered.

Local
Three bystanders wounded in Columbia Heights crossfire

Three adult male bystanders were wounded when two men exchanged gunfire about 12:52 a.m. Friday in a parking lot on the 3800 block of Central Avenue NE in Columbia Heights.

One suspected shooter is in custody, and investigators are working to identify and locate a second shooter who remains at large.

Local
Woman critically wounded in north Minneapolis parking-lot shooting

A woman was critically wounded in a north Minneapolis parking-lot shooting about 3:12 a.m. Saturday near 41st Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North, police said.

Responding officers found the woman with suspected gunshot wounds, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Local
Four juveniles detained after Brooklyn Center shooting

Four juvenile males were detained after a shooting reported about 5:30 p.m. Friday on the 5600 block of Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Center; one person self-transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two out-of-agency officers nearby witnessed the shooting, chased the suspects on foot and detained the four juvenile males. FOX 9 Police recovered a handgun with an extended magazine and at least six spent shell casings at the scene. FOX 9 One person self-transported to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

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Judge again refuses to block Minnesota AI nudification ban in xAI case

U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank on Friday, September 4, 2026, denied xAI's follow-up motion for a preliminary injunction, keeping Minnesota's ban on AI "nudification" in effect while the lawsuit proceeds.

The ruling reiterated that xAI had not met the legal standard required to block enforcement, the same conclusion the court reached when it denied a temporary restraining order on July 31. FOX 9 The statute is written to target website operators and software developers who enable AI "nudification," and it bans advertising or promotion of such products. FOX 9 The law also allows private lawsuits with damages of at least $500,000 for each alleged unlawful access.

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Texas federal court arraigns ICE agent Castro on false-statement charges in Minneapolis shooting case

A federal court in Texas arraigned ICE agent Christian Castro on six federal counts of making false statements tied to a Minneapolis shooting, and he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

Castro turned himself in to federal authorities in Texas on Thursday evening and appeared in court Friday, where a judge ordered him released on a $75,000 unsecured bond and required a GPS ankle monitor. FOX 9 The federal indictment says Castro lied that he was attacked with a broom and a shovel and that he fired into the ground; prosecutors say he instead fired once through a closing front door and struck Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.

Local
Ellison clears Sanford-North Memorial merger with conditions

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison approved the merger of Sanford Health and North Memorial Health on August 28, 2026, clearing the deal to proceed with conditions intended to protect jobs and services in the state.

Ellison required Sanford and North Memorial to keep employee jobs, honor collective bargaining agreements and preserve current levels of emergency transport, mental health and reproductive services. Business Journal The combined organization will invest $15 million to support rural providers and enhance Level 1 trauma and safety-net care in the Twin Cities. Business Journal Sanford CEO Bill Gassen said the deal is expected to close in September.

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St. Paul police recover stolen Suni Lee statue during shots-fired raid

St. Paul police recovered a bronze bust of Olympic gymnast Suni Lee during a shots-fired raid at a Forest Street home around 12:30 a.m., and arrested a man on suspicion of receiving stolen property.

Officers responding to the shots-fired call found spent rifle casings outside and, after securing the scene, obtained a search warrant to search the home. FOX 9 Inside they recovered multiple firearms, ammunition and the bronze Suni Lee statue. FOX 9 The statue was taken from Phalen Regional Park on July 31, 2025, and city officials said they plan to reinstall it there.

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Wells Fargo moves to foreclose on 1.5M sq. ft. of southwest metro offices

Wells Fargo, acting as trustee for commercial mortgage investors, filed a foreclosure action Aug. 13, 2026 in Hennepin County District Court against affiliates of Workspace Property Trust.

The suit seeks Minnesota collateral tied to a $1.28 billion nationwide commercial loan that covered 146 suburban office and light industrial/R&D properties and went unpaid at its July 1, 2025 maturity.

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Man killed when BMW hits SUV on Hwy. 169 shoulder

A 48-year-old Minneapolis man was killed just before 2 a.m. Friday when a BMW X5 struck his Nissan Rogue that was stopped on the southbound shoulder of Highway 169 near County Road 21 in Shakopee.

The BMW was driven by an 18-year-old Shakopee man. FOX 9 The Nissan's driver died, and his three passengers and the BMW driver were uninjured.

Local
Man fatally shot inside car in south Minneapolis

A man was fatally shot inside a car around 3:20 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, on the 2400 block of 18th Avenue South in south Minneapolis, police said.

Officers responded after ShotSpotter alerts and 911 calls reporting gunfire at the block, the department said. FOX 9 They found a man in the driver's seat with life-threatening gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Operation Metro Surge: 'Minnesota 15' seek broader DHS surveillance records in federal case

Defense lawyers for the "Minnesota 15" asked a federal judge in Minneapolis on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to compel DHS to disclose surveillance and facial-recognition records from Operation Metro Surge.

Attorney Kevin Riach, representing defendant Isaac Sant, argued the request at a hearing before U.S. District Judge David Schultz, who said he will issue an order at an unspecified time. FOX 9 DHS declined to comment, and Sant and defense lawyer Jordan Kushner accused the agency of using Metro Surge as a pretext for broad spying on Twin Cities residents and civic groups.

Local
Eagan man gets 17 years for producing child pornography

Christopher Robert Nelson, 45, of Eagan, was sentenced Aug. 27 in Minneapolis federal court to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release for producing child pornography.

Officials said investigators and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 25 known victims across 46 separate series of abuse material found on his device. FOX 9 Prosecutors said the material included roughly 400 images and videos and that Nelson coerced at least one 11-year-old girl in January 2023 to send explicit content in exchange for money.

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Minneapolis landlord fined daily for defying repair deal

A judge has ordered Quadrel Realty Group to pay $750 a day for failing to carry out court-ordered repairs and rent credits at the Brentwood Apartments in Minneapolis.

The penalty has pushed the company's debt from nearly $50,000 in fines to more than $100,000, court records and tenant accounts show.

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Minnesota drought worsens; 4% now in extreme category

Minnesota's drought worsened this week as the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported the area in extreme drought jumped from 1% to 4% of the state.

Severe drought now covers 45% of Minnesota, up from 44% last week, while 30% is in moderate drought and 17% is abnormally dry. FOX 9 The DNR is urging residents to water newly planted trees with 15-25 gallons per week for the first three to five growing-season years. FOX 9 Farm-level impacts include delayed alfalfa harvests, earlier corn harvests with smaller kernels and lower expected yields, and soybeans that look healthy but are under-yielding without August rain.

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State sues gangs over State Fair threats; how injunctions will be enforced

Ramsey County and Minnesota officials sued two rival gangs to block them from the Minnesota State Fair, and eight of 10 named alleged members have agreed to avoid the fair and its safety zone from Aug. 27-Sept. 8.

Three alleged Muddy members earlier signed a joint stipulation promising to skip the fair; in return prosecutors agreed to dismiss those three from the broader nuisance lawsuit if they comply. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul A Ramsey County judge did not ban the two remaining named Muddy defendants from the fair but barred them from associating with known gang members, intimidating anyone, or using gang signs inside the safety zone. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Police will not use facial-recognition technology, and officers who think they spot an alleged gang member must first call a specialized Ramsey County deputy familiar with the targets before any arrest. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Sheriff Bob Fletcher also sent warning letters to 233 people tied to 12 gangs, saying any attendance with known gang members will be documented for potential future prosecution. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Ramsey County Attorney John Choi called the action preventative, and State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla said officials will be sensitive to not interfering with fairgoers who are just there to enjoy the event.

Local
Brooklyn Center minibike crash kills girl, critically injures another

A crash in Brooklyn Center killed one girl under age 10 and left another under age 10 critically injured after both were struck while riding the same minibike.

The southbound driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. FOX 9 The Minnesota State Patrol and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office are leading the investigation. FOX 9 A KSTP reporter on scene said bystanders performed CPR on one child near Brooklyn Drive and 63rd Avenue North.

Local
Loring Park apartment death reclassified as homicide

Minneapolis police say a July 8 death at a Loring Park apartment of 54-year-old Abdiwahab A. Isse has been reclassified as a homicide, officials said Aug. 27.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide and listed the cause as complications of blunt force head injury, the release said.

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Minneapolis boosts Heritage Park funding after HUD-subsidized neglect exposed

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority Board voted to approve an additional $6 million investment in Heritage Park Apartments, pending approval from the city's Board of Estimate and Taxation.

MPHA said it will repurpose funds from other agency projects and part of its annual housing levy to cover the money. FOX 9 The authority said $3 million will pay near-term operating needs, and $3 million from MPHA's 2027 levy is being held for a future $55-65 million large-scale rehab. FOX 9 MPHA said the long-term project could include full in-unit renovations and major plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof, stucco and window work across the 440-unit complex. FOX 9 Director Abdi Warsame framed the $6 million as on top of roughly $12 million MPHA says it has invested at the site since 2022, blamed a past lack of "political will" and thanked Council Member Pearll Warren for elevating the issue.

Local
Walser settles tax-evasion case for $490K, dodges charges

Walser Automotive agreed to pay $490,000 to the State of Minnesota and court documents say all criminal charges tied to a Hennepin County tax-evasion case will be dropped.

Prosecutors accused Walser and a buyer, William Frederick Ward, of using Montana limited liability companies to title new luxury cars out of state. FOX 9 They said the cars were then resold as "used" to avoid Minnesota motor vehicle sales tax. FOX 9 Investigators noted many cars had identical or nearly identical odometer readings between manufacturer purchase and final sale. FOX 9 They also cited Montana's lack of vehicle sales tax and Walser's employee-lease practice as evidence the company knew a car must be placed in actual operation to qualify as "used" under Minnesota law.

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Minneapolis council passes dress-code posting ordinance aimed at 'velvet rope' discrimination

The Minneapolis City Council voted 13-0 Thursday, August 27, 2026, to pass a dress-code posting ordinance for bars and restaurants, and the measure now heads to Mayor Jacob Frey for final approval.

Lead sponsors Jason Chavez and Pearll Warren, with co-authors Robin Wonsley and Council President Elliott Payne, championed the ordinance at the council vote. FOX 9 Chavez and Warren said the rule is meant to curb arbitrary exclusions and increase transparency by forcing venues to post their dress codes where patrons can see them.

Local
Minneapolis money transmitter charged in $750K cartel laundering

Christopher A. Bravo Marin, 46, of Minneapolis, was indicted on a federal charge accusing him of laundering at least $750,000 in drug proceeds for Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The indictment returned Aug. 20, 2026, accuses Bravo Marin of a conspiracy that ran from February 2023 through February 2026. FOX 9 The complaint says he processed structured transfers just under $1,000, used fake Hispanic-origin sender names, straw beneficiaries in Mexico, forged signatures and texted receipts.

Local
Annunciation one-year anniversary marked with Day of Hope, Pearl Park event

Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed Aug. 27 "Annunciation Day of Hope, Resilience and Love" as Minneapolis held a one-year remembrance and supply-drive at Pearl Park.

The event, set from 1-5 p.m., included flower and tree plantings, assembling youth care kits for Avenues for Youth and collecting supplies for Minneapolis Public Schools. FOX 9 Organizers released specific lists of requested school and care-kit items and asked residents to place two candles or lights in their windows in memory of Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel.

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Developer seeks early demolition at Arden Hills TCAAP site

Maplewood Development asked the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on Aug. 6 to demolish about 60 abandoned buildings at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant parcel in Arden Hills, citing safety concerns.

Arden Hills City Council approved the demolition request on Aug. 10, but the state board must still sign off and a 20-day public comment period is required before demolition permits can be issued. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal The teardown would clear land for the developers' 62-acre Hillview Business Park, which envisions roughly 972,200 square feet of warehouse, distribution and office space north of Rice Creek Commons.

Local
Minnesota expands wasp biocontrol program as emerald ash borer spreads to 60 counties

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture released about 8,000 parasitoid wasps into Ki-Chi-Saga Park in Chisago County as the emerald ash borer spreads across the state.

Ki-Chi-Saga Park covers about 97 acres and is roughly 90 percent ash, leaving nearly the entire canopy vulnerable to emerald ash borer. FOX 9 Most of the roughly 8,000 released wasps were placed as pupae and larvae in tree-mounted pull boxes and bark barrels. FOX 9 The adult wasps are gnat-sized, native to Asia, parasitize emerald ash borer eggs and larvae, and do not sting people. FOX 9 State entomologist Angie Ambourn said studies show the wasps can establish and persist for years after releases. FOX 9 Local parks staff say the Ki-Chi-Saga canopy still has "a lot of green leaves," suggesting the biocontrol may be buying time even as long-term success remains uncertain.

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Meta to pay Minnesota $214M and impose teen limits on Facebook, Instagram

Meta will pay Minnesota $214 million and impose new age-based limits on Facebook and Instagram to resolve the state's teen-addiction lawsuit, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said.

Under the agreement, Meta must set a combined two-hour daily limit for users ages 13 to 17, add mandatory pauses after 15, 60 and 90 minutes, and block access overnight from midnight to 6 a.m. FOX 9 The deal also ends push notifications on school days, restricts beauty filters and visible like counts, and requires stronger age-assurance measures plus independent auditing for most changes for five to ten years.

Local
Xcel says Hopkins utility pole that killed driver had passed recent inspection; cause still unknown

Xcel Energy says the utility pole that fell onto a vehicle and killed a driver in a Hopkins parking lot had been inspected recently and was in compliance with required safety standards.

Police now say the driver did not strike the pole before it fell. FOX 9 Xcel says it is conducting an internal investigation while working with authorities and issued a statement offering condolences. FOX 9 About 160 Xcel customers lost power because of the incident, and service was expected to be restored by noon Monday.

Local
Canada's $20B tariffs threaten Minnesota farm exports

Canada is imposing $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods effective Sept. 8, a move that threatens Minnesota's farm exports and raises costs for local growers.

Minnesota ships about $5.5 billion in goods to Canada each year, making Canada the state's largest trading partner. FOX 9 Farmers and state leaders warn the tariffs could squeeze margins by raising prices for equipment and fertilizer while pushing crop prices lower. FOX 9 Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish says more farmers have entered foreclosure mediation this year than in the previous three years combined, and he partly blames tariff impacts.

Local
South St. Paul man gets life for killing roommate

Jacob John Audie, 37, of South St. Paul, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Tuesday for the premeditated first-degree murder of his 72-year-old roommate.

Audie was found guilty on one count of premeditated first-degree murder and one count of intentional second-degree murder after a stipulated-facts trial on Aug. 19, 2026. FOX 9 Prosecutors said Michael Maurice Schille, 72, was shot inside the apartment they shared on April 11, 2025. FOX 9 Investigators found Schille on a back-bedroom couch holding a remote and with a gunshot wound to the left side of his face. FOX 9 Audie admitted using Schille's rifle and calling 911, prosecutors said.

Local
St. Paul meth trafficker gets 10-year federal sentence

Rodolfo Rebollar-Gonzalez, 29, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in St. Paul on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, after pleading guilty to meth trafficking.

He received a 120-month federal term and had pleaded guilty on April 24. FOX 9 Court documents and prosecutors say he was in the United States illegally while committing the offenses.

Local
Statewide weapons ban coming to all Minnesota courts

Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson signed an order that bans firearms and other weapons in all Minnesota court facilities, effective Sept. 1, 2026.

The ban applies to everyone, including people with permitted carry, but allows limited exceptions for on-duty licensed peace officers and some federal agents. FOX 9 It also allows weapons formally introduced as evidence and permits weapons screening at courthouse entrances, with denial of entry for those who refuse.

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Charges dropped for Jake Lang after Minneapolis riot arrest; Spider-Man protester charged

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, declined felony charges against Edward "Jake" Lang in connection with his Minneapolis rally arrest, saying prosecutors could not prove required intent.

Moriarty said extensive evidence showed communication and logistical coordination between Minneapolis Police and Lang's security detail, a dynamic she said undercut a felony riot case. FOX 9 She also noted an officer was struck by a truck, but police reports showed the officer did not believe the driver saw what was happening, which undercuts an assault theory that requires intent. FOX 9 She said the Minneapolis City Attorney could still pursue misdemeanor or gross-misdemeanor charges against Lang. FOX 9 A counterprotester who was dressed as Spider-Man has been charged with fifth-degree assault after video showed him striking Lang, and officials identified him as 33-year-old William Nicholas Love. FOX 9 The Minneapolis City Attorney's Office filed the charge as fifth-degree assault — fear of bodily harm or death — and officials said no detailed complaint was yet on file.

Local
Three St. Paul house fires in 90 minutes; duplex victim later dies

HealthPartners confirmed Tuesday that the adult woman rescued from a duplex fire on the 700 block of Magnolia Avenue East on Saturday has died from her injuries.

Fox 9 earlier reported firefighters rescued a woman and a toddler from the burning duplex, one of three structure fires that broke out in roughly 90 minutes Saturday. FOX 9 FOX 9 said there has been no public update on the toddler's condition as of Tuesday.

Local
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation pledges $15M for downtown

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is committing up to $15 million to redevelop downtown St. Paul, using investment capital officials say could steer which projects get financed and tackle lingering office vacancies.

The funds will be deployed as investment capital tied to specific redevelopment projects rather than given as unrestricted grants. Bizjournals Foundation leaders said the move aims to attract private co-investment and speed project starts in the downtown core.

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CDC, FDA tie 15-state E. coli, salmonella outbreak to Minneapolis sprouts firm Everything Sprouts; lawsuits now target company

The CDC and FDA tied a multistate E. coli and salmonella outbreak to alfalfa sprouts grown by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts.

Two Wisconsin consumers infected with salmonella have filed lawsuits against Everything Sprouts.

Local
Trump tariff-free beef plan alarms Minnesota ranchers

President Donald Trump's plan to import 660 million pounds of foreign beef tariff-free and sell it at 25 percent below market has alarmed Minnesota ranchers, who say it could bankrupt operations.

Rancher Don Schiefelbein says he expanded his operation by 50 percent after recent high prices and now expects the plan will make his new production unprofitable. FOX 9 Rancher Aaron Chervstad warned the imports could be mixed with U.S. beef and sold as American, leaving consumers unable to tell the origin. FOX 9 The White House has said President Trump is expected to sign an executive order by next week, though officials have not disclosed which countries would supply the beef.

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Northern MN wildfires: burning ban lifted in Superior National Forest as BWCA reopenings expand

Burning restrictions were lifted across all three million acres of Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, effective 12:01 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, officials said.

More than 1,600 of roughly 2,000 BWCA campsites — about 73% — had reopened beginning Aug. 13, and two additional Echo Trail entry points are due to open Tuesday, Aug. 25. FOX 9 Officials reported seven July lightning fires have burned about 76,032 acres combined, with 598 personnel assigned as operations shift toward recovery. FOX 9 A new Muskeg Creek Fire inside the BWCAW was reported around Aug. 23 and crews are assessing resource needs.

Local
Twin Cities gas climbs to $4.19 as Russian refinery attacks squeeze supply

Twin Cities average gasoline price rose to $4.19 per gallon on Monday, August 24, 2026, an 18.2-cent weekly jump that tightens household budgets as refinery disruptions squeeze supply.

The increase is 6.5 cents above a month ago and $1.18 more than a year earlier, with metro pump prices now ranging from $3.60 to $4.39 and statewide spreads widening to $3.46 to $4.85.

Local
Minneapolis opens public search for new police chief

Minneapolis is launching a public search for a new police chief, starting with three council-led community listening sessions this week as the first step in a six-part process.

Mayor Jacob Frey expects the search to last about 16 weeks, with a nominee submitted to the City Council for confirmation in October or November. FOX 9 Interim Chief Bill Peterson is not seeking the permanent job. FOX 9 Former Chief Brian O'Hara resigned after Mayor Frey said O'Hara could be discharged over alleged interference in an internal investigation of a subordinate.

Local
Security worker stabbed outside north Minneapolis after-hours club

A security worker was stabbed just after 4 a.m. Sunday on the 3200 block of 2nd Street North in Minneapolis after refusing two women entry to an after-hours club, police said.

Two women in their 20s were arrested on assault charges, and the victim was hospitalized and is expected to survive, authorities said.

Local
MPD probes 87-car window-smashing spree; victims face repeat costs

Minneapolis police are investigating a spree that left 87 vehicles with smashed windows across nine neighborhoods, local reporting said.

Ivan Koh said he discovered his car window smashed on 1st Avenue South and saw seven or eight other damaged cars nearby. FOX 9 Koh told FOX 9 this was his second break-in in less than three weeks; the first time thieves took about $20, and the second time nothing was stolen but the window was destroyed. FOX 9 He said repeated repairs are draining his savings as he prepares to start an unpaid internship, and that the incidents have him second-guessing his move to Minnesota.

Local
ALPR, phone data tie suspect to North Side shooting

Minneapolis police arrested Ananias Cortex Williams on Aug. 19 in connection with a July 20 shooting on the 1200 block of Oliver Avenue North that wounded a man.

The victim suffered a left-arm wound and three parked cars were struck, police said. FOX 9 Investigators recovered roughly 35 spent shell casings and linked a 9mm casing from the scene to a Glock 19 tied to three other shootings earlier in 2026.

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Sinaloa-linked meth trafficker gets 21½ years in Minnesota

A man with reported ties to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced to 21½ years in prison in Minnesota for trafficking methamphetamine.

FOX 9 reported the sentence as part of a federal drug-trafficking case tied to a Minnesota meth ring.

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Highway 280 reopens after $34M rebuild

Highway 280 from I-94 to Highway 36/I-35 reopened after a roughly four-month MnDOT rebuild costing about $34 million, restoring traffic in time for the Minnesota State Fair.

The project included bridge repairs, ramp resurfacing and drain repairs as part of the $34 million effort.

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Federal hemp-THC ban delay collides with Minnesota hemp industry collapse

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 8 passed a bill delaying a federal ban on intoxicating hemp-derived THC until Dec. 11, 2026, a temporary lifeline for Minnesota producers who say the market is collapsing.

The measure cleared the Senate by 61-32 and uses delay language championed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and modeled on her Hemp Planting Predictability Act with Sen. Rand Paul. FOX 9 The bill would also ban synthetic hemp derivatives even as it extends the broader hemp-derived THC market, and it still must pass the U.S. House before the delay and the synthetic ban become law. FOX 9 Minnesota's Department of Agriculture says licensed hemp farmers fell from more than 400 at the industry's peak to about 60 after ban language first appeared and to just 46 this year.

Local
Apple Valley tree worker charged in coworker's death

Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, was charged with second-degree manslaughter after a hydraulic grapple crushed a coworker's head on Aug. 20, 2026, on 132nd Street West in Apple Valley.

The 26-year-old victim died at the scene, and a witness said the grapple hit or pinched his head. FOX 9 Investigators found blood on the grapple.

Local
Man found dead after north Minneapolis garage fire

A man was found dead inside a detached garage after an early Friday morning fire on the 4700 block of Colfax Avenue North in north Minneapolis.

Fire crews extinguished a large blaze before it could spread to nearby houses, trees or power lines. FOX 9 A man who was not associated with the home's residents was found dead inside the garage, and authorities said the man's identity, cause of death and the fire's origin remain under investigation by Minneapolis fire arson investigators, police and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Local
Bde Maka Ska, East River Flats and Stone Arch victims all identified or distinguished; no links found

Police say the three bodies recovered from Minneapolis waterways this week have been identified or otherwise distinguished, and investigators have found no known link between the cases.

The East River Flats victim was identified as a 56-year-old woman named Sognesand. FOX 9 The Stone Arch victim was identified as Randip Eugene Satoskar. FOX 9 A decomposed body found along the shore of Bde Maka Ska remains under investigation and has not been publicly identified. FOX 9 Jurisdictions are split: Minneapolis police are handling the East River Flats case, the Hennepin County Sheriff is handling the Bde Maka Ska matter, and University of Minnesota Police are overseeing the Stone Arch investigation.

Local
Stone Arch Bridge victim identified; investigators see no link to other Minneapolis bodies

The man found near the Stone Arch Bridge was identified Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, as 54-year-old Randip Eugene Satoskar.

University of Minnesota Police said they currently see no known connection between Satoskar's death and two other bodies recently recovered in Minneapolis. FOX 9 FOX 9 earlier identified the East River Flats victim as 56-year-old Karen Sognesand on Aug. 19, 2026. FOX 9 The decomposed body recovered at Bde Maka Ska remains under the Hennepin County Sheriff's investigation, and officials say each case is being handled separately.

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NASA taps Minnesota as Midwest aerospace workforce hub

NASA named Minnesota State's Transportation Center of Excellence one of seven national aerospace skilled technical workforce State Hubs, making it the only hub in the Midwest.

The designation brings $1.5 million over three years to build a statewide system of aerospace career pathways through apprenticeships, technical training and work-based learning. FOX 9 NASA highlighted Minnesota's technical college network and named Dakota County Technical College, Pine Technical and Community College, and Ridgewater College as core partners.

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Lime geofences downtown, bans I-35W riders after Minneapolis takeover

Lime temporarily geofenced downtown Minneapolis ahead of a planned scooter takeover and says it has permanently banned riders it identified as entering I-35W.

Lime restored normal downtown service Thursday morning after the preemptive restriction. FOX 9 The company says it will permanently ban anyone it identifies as having ridden on I-35W and will issue warnings to other participants. FOX 9 The Minnesota State Patrol confirmed reports of roughly 200-300 scooters on I-35W during the takeover but said troopers made no contact or enforcement at the time. FOX 9 State patrol and Minneapolis police called the riding "reckless and disruptive" and urged scooter companies to work with the city on geofencing.

Local
State job growth cools in July after strong year

Minnesota lost about 1,900 nonfarm jobs in July, a 0.1% monthly decline that cooled a recent run of gains in the state's labor market.

The report showed the unemployment rate fell to 4.3% even as labor force participation slipped to 66.9%, which remains well above the national 61.4% rate. FOX 9 Over the year to July, Minnesota added 44,092 nonfarm jobs, a 1.5% increase compared with a 0.2% rise nationally.

Local
Minnesota, Minneapolis minimum wages set for 2027 jump

Minnesota's statewide minimum wage will rise to $11.87 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027, and Minneapolis' minimum will increase to $17.02 per hour.

The state also sets a 90-day training wage of $9.68 for workers under 20 years old. FOX 9 Minneapolis' 2027 rate rises from $16.37 in 2026 to $17.02. FOX 9 Minnesota's 2027 statewide adjustment was 3.99%, with the law capping annual increases at 5%.

Local
Boom Island mass shooter takes 40-year plea deal

Marquez Hill-Turnipseed, 24, agreed to a 40-year prison plea for two second-degree murder counts tied to the June 2025 drive-by mass shooting at Boom Island Park that killed one person and wounded five.

He signed a Hennepin County plea, accepting a 480-month term with the two murder sentences to run concurrently. FOX 9 The June 2025 drive-by at Boom Island Park killed 23-year-old Stageina Katraya Shapryia Whiting and injured five others, investigators said. FOX 9 Charging documents said investigators recovered roughly 130 shell casings and linked nine guns to the attack.

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New Brighton man charged with attempted murder after firing on Ramsey County sergeant and K-9 in Maplewood

A 24-year-old New Brighton man was charged with attempted murder after prosecutors say he fired at a Ramsey County sergeant and the officer's K-9 during a traffic stop in Maplewood.

He faces charges of attempted murder, ineligible possession of a firearm and two assault counts — one alleging the sergeant was shot and one alleging the K-9, Sonny, was shot. FOX 9 Prosecutors say he is legally ineligible to possess a firearm because of a prior criminal sexual conduct conviction.

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MPD touts 88 arrests by new violent-offender unit

Minneapolis police say their Violent Criminal Apprehension Team has made 88 arrests since the unit became operational on March 24, 2026.

Those arrests include 17 for murder, 10 for first-degree assault, 14 for second-degree assault, and 5 for aggravated robbery. FOX 9 The tally also includes 4 criminal vehicular-homicide or operation charges, 3 domestic assaults, 3 sexual assaults, 2 robberies of a person, 1 carjacking and 30 other violent-crime warrants.

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Teen arrested after 14-year-old shot in St. Paul

A 17-year-old was arrested after a 14-year-old boy was shot in St. Paul; the victim arrived at St. John's Hospital about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and is expected to survive.

Police say the shooting occurred on Supornick Lane off Maryland Avenue near Hazelwood Street, and St. Paul police arrested the 17-year-old in connection with the incident.

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Minneapolis 2027 budget fight: Frey, Park Board spar over $3.1M gap and consolidation push

Mayor Jacob Frey proposed a 2.5% increase to Minneapolis park funding on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, while the Park Board voted unanimously to seek 5.86%, creating a $3.1 million gap.

Frey said the shortfall could be closed by consolidating human resources, finance and information-technology functions with the city. FOX 9 He cited Park Board spending of $1.8 million on HR, $1.9 million on finance and $3.5 million on IT and made on-camera remarks pitching consolidation as a way to preserve recreation services. FOX 9 Park Board Superintendent Alfred Bangoura pushed back, saying the board has not seen sufficient specifics from the city. FOX 9 Bangoura added the board's prior "service redesign" work shows proposed consolidations could duplicate rather than streamline services.

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Isanti standoff: Suspect held on $3M bond as BCA probes SWAT shot

A judge ordered Isanti standoff suspect Jason Michael Phillips held on a $3 million bond and ordered a mental-health evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial.

Phillips faces 32 felony charges, including assault and attempted murder of a peace officer, and his next court appearance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central on Oct. 21, 2026. FOX 9 The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after a SWAT officer fired during the standoff; the agency has identified Anoka County Deputy Brian Torborg as the officer and said no one was injured. FOX 9 Body-worn and squad cameras recorded portions of the incident, and BCA crime-scene staff recovered multiple rifles, shotguns and spent cartridge casings throughout the home.

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Savage man charged in I-35E Eagan road-rage shooting

Antonio Carlos Grajeda Jr., 20, of Savage was charged Wednesday with five felonies, including drive-by shooting and assault, in Dakota County over a July 11 I-35E road-rage shooting in Eagan.

The July 11 incident occurred about 5:16 p.m. on I-35E northbound near Deerwood Drive and Diffley Road in Eagan. FOX 9 Shots were fired at a woman's vehicle and at a gray sedan carrying two men, authorities said.

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Brooklyn Park cat-hoarding case leads to home condemnation

A Brooklyn Park home on West Broadway was condemned after officers found nearly 30 cats, including three dead cats, during a July 22 search of the residence.

Sixty-eight-year-old Ann Rickson has been charged with six counts of animal neglect in Hennepin County. FOX 9 Officers seized more than 29 cats and a dog during the search. FOX 9 Three surviving cats later had their eyes surgically removed.

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East River Flats body identified as 56-year-old woman; no link to other cases, MPD says

Minneapolis authorities identified the body found near East River Flats Park as 56-year-old Karen Sognesand and said her death occurred Saturday with no known link to other cases.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said Sognesand's death occurred sometime on Saturday, the day her body was found. FOX 9 The Minneapolis Police Department said the case shows no known connection to the body recoveries at Bde Maka Ska or near the Stone Arch Bridge. FOX 9 Police said the recoveries included the East River Flats case on Saturday night and a body along the east shore of Bde Maka Ska on Sunday morning. FOX 9 A third body was recovered near the Stone Arch Bridge around 1 p.m. Monday, and that scene was investigated by University of Minnesota police.

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Dakota County calls for tips in suspicious river death of Minneapolis man

Dakota County authorities are asking the public for tips about the friends, associates and recent activities of Timothy Standish Jr., 40, whose body was recovered near East River Flats Park in Minneapolis.

Standish lived in Minneapolis' Stevens Square neighborhood. FOX 9 Dakota County first appealed for information in an Aug. 17 report asking for tips about Standish's friends and recent activities. FOX 9 The Minneapolis Police Department said it does not see a connection between the East River Flats recovery and other recent recoveries.

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Blue Line trains resume; extension cost jumps to $3.58B

Blue Line light rail trains between Target Field and the Mall of America will resume service Thursday after a months-long construction shutdown, Metro Transit said.

The closure was used to upgrade signals and vehicle-guiding equipment to improve schedule reliability and reduce delays. Metro Transit said the work will help restore a more dependable timetable for riders.

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Brooklyn Park medtech FastWave wins FDA trial green light

FastWave, a Brooklyn Park medtech founded in 2021, has won FDA clearance to begin a pivotal clinical trial of its peripheral intravascular lithotripsy system.

The company is launching a $40 million Series B to fund a pivotal trial of up to 125 patients. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal FastWave aims to file a 510(k) with FDA by late 2027 and could launch commercially in early 2028.

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Target pours $1B into grocery push, chases new niche

Target is investing more than $1 billion in its U.S. grocery business in 2026, a move that represents about 20% of its capital budget as it chases a new niche in food retail.

The company says the outlay is roughly twice its typical annual food investment and will fund assortment and store upgrades aimed at boosting food sales. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Target has added about 4,600 new food items, expanded produce and global foods, and opened a "food-forward" prototype with a grocery section roughly 30% larger than average.

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USDA move puts 62K Minnesota forest acres at risk

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move that could open about 62,000 acres in Minnesota's Superior and Chippewa national forests to logging and roadbuilding.

Nationwide, the proposal would allow permanent roads on 18.2 million acres and temporary roads on 11.3 million acres of currently roadless forest. FOX 9 USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rule has hampered wildfire-risk reduction and forest-health work. FOX 9 Environment Minnesota and other groups say new roads would damage habitat and water quality.

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Texas man gets 21 years for exploiting Minnesota girl online

Michael Salas, 52, of San Antonio, was sentenced in St. Paul to 256 months for producing and attempting to produce child pornography involving an 11-year-old Minnesota girl.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud called the conduct "depraved, cruel, and contemptable." FOX 9 Prosecutors said the sentence reflects the seriousness of online child sexual exploitation.

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St. Paul Gnome pub owner decries repeat break-ins, questions prosecutions after latest suspect charged

A suspect was arrested and charged in alleged burglaries at The Gnome pub and a Lexington business in St. Paul.

Pub owner Brian Ingram said he learned of the arrest but remains frustrated by repeat break-ins and by how past cases were handled. FOX 9 Ingram said the latest break-in left about $20,000 in damage that he covered with bank loans instead of insurance. FOX 9 He is publicly calling for harsher penalties for repeat burglars.

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Walz mining ban near Boundary Waters deepens rift with labor allies

Gov. Tim Walz signed Executive Order 26-10 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, banning new nonferrous mining near the Boundary Waters and targeting the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed.

The order directs the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency to halt new environmental reviews and permitting, stop offering new nonferrous mineral and surface leases in the RRHW, and decline to act as cooperating agencies on federal reviews. FOX 9 Walz said the fight for the Boundary Waters' future is over and vowed his administration will protect the area "forever." FOX 9

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Twin Cities housing inventory hits 7-year high

Minnesota's housing inventory hit a seven-year high in July 2026 as new listings and sales rose in the Twin Cities and across the state.

Statewide inventory reached 20,084 homes in July, a 9.1% increase and the highest level since 2019. FOX 9 New listings in July rose 9.1% statewide and 8.0% in the Twin Cities metro compared with a year earlier, while statewide pending sales were up 2.7% and closed sales rose 11.2% year-over-year. FOX 9 Year-to-date closed sales are up 2.7% and new listings are up 6.2%. FOX 9 Median prices rose modestly to $375,000 statewide and $408,000 in the Twin Cities, increases of 2.7% and 3.3% respectively.

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St. Paul man charged with attempted murder after shooting at Eagan officers

Adrian Ricardo Flowers, 37, of St. Paul, was charged with attempted first-degree murder after he allegedly fired at Eagan police officers during a domestic disturbance, prosecutors said.

He faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and two counts of first-degree assault of a peace officer. FOX 9 Prosecutors also charged him with two counts of obstructing legal process involving risk of death or serious harm and a firearm violation. FOX 9 The criminal complaint says Flowers fired a shot at one officer's head and missed, then pointed the gun at a second officer and pulled the trigger but the weapon jammed. FOX 9 Because of a prior conviction for unintentional second-degree murder, Flowers is legally prohibited from possessing firearms, the complaint says. FOX 9 Judge Christopher Bates set bail at $1 million without conditions or $750,000 with conditions, and a following hearing is scheduled Sept. 9 in Hastings. FOX 9 Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said the shooting left officers "very close" to being killed and praised their actions.

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Prior Lake daycare teacher charged with abusing 6 children

A Prior Lake daycare teacher, Rachel Lowe, 36 of New Prague, is charged with six counts of malicious punishment of a child after surveillance video allegedly showed her striking six children.

The footage from New Creations Child Care & Learning allegedly shows Lowe striking, slapping, pulling hair and grabbing children between July 9 and July 17, 2026.

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Minneapolis panel renews Reign club liquor license after mass shooting

The Minneapolis City Council's Business, Housing & Zoning Committee unanimously approved renewal of Reign Event Center's liquor license.

Minneapolis police told the committee they found no direct link between the club and the gunfire and have signed off on a revised security plan for the venue.

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Trump order to split MMR collides with accelerating drop in Minnesota vaccination rates

Donald Trump on Aug. 10 issued an executive order proposing to space out childhood vaccines and separate the measles-mumps-rubella shot, a move that collides with falling Minnesota vaccination rates.

Minnesota's kindergarten MMR coverage fell to 85.7% in 2025-2026, down from 86.5% the prior year, while the state's overall kindergarten vaccine exemption rate rose to 6.9% from 5.9%. FOX 9 State coverage for other core vaccines was mostly flat or slightly down: DTaP 86.1%, varicella 86.2%, hepatitis B 91.8% and polio 86.7%. FOX 9 Nationally, kindergarten vaccine exemptions hit a record 4.2% with exemptions rising in 41 states and the District of Columbia.

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CDC data show Minnesota kindergarten vaccinations falling again

CDC's 2025-26 kindergarten data show Minnesota's MMR vaccination rate fell to 85.7% while the state's exemption rate rose to 6.9%, leaving coverage well below the 95% herd-immunity benchmark.

Minnesota's MMR coverage was 86.5% in 2024-25, so the latest figure represents a 0.8 percentage-point drop. FOX 9 Other kindergarten coverage rates were DTaP 86.1%, varicella 86.2%, hepatitis B 91.8% and polio 86.7%, all below the 95% threshold.

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North Minneapolis house fire injures 3 firefighters, displaces 2 residents

Three Minneapolis firefighters were checked for minor injuries after crews responded just after 4 p.m. on August 17 to a house fire on the 1200 block of Russell Avenue North in north Minneapolis.

The home's two residents escaped unharmed, and the house was badly damaged and later boarded up. FOX 9 The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

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Court: Minneapolis skipped public housing inspections for decades

A court found that Minneapolis failed to inspect any public housing units from 1992 through at least 2020, flouting a city rental-inspection ordinance and raising questions about tenant safety.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals in 2020 ruled the city must inspect Minneapolis Public Housing Authority units like other rentals and that the authority must obtain rental licenses. FOX 9 A 2025 appellate decision criticized Minneapolis for restricting checks to 311 complaint calls and for not otherwise changing its inspection practices for public housing. FOX 9 The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority controls more than 6,000 low-income homes and long argued it could lose federal funding if it obtained city licenses, a claim the court rejected.

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Ex-Anoka prosecutor's alleged sex-trafficking ring tied to $2.5M Medicaid fraud; DHS-honored refugee charged over $1M Reva Health billings

Investigators say businesses tied to former Anoka County prosecutor Andrea Sampson and two co-defendants are linked to roughly $2.5 million in potentially fraudulent Medicaid claims for autism services, housing stabilization and assisted living.

The Minnesota Attorney General's Office filed a related Medicaid-fraud case against Salman Ahmed Elmi, alleging Reva Health billed Medicaid for more than $1 million for services that were not provided or not eligible.

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Hopkins daycare-Burnsville Brown family killings: sister details warning signs as city prepares vigil

Three members of the Brown family were found dead inside the licensed Brown Bear Daycare in Hopkins in an apparent murder-suicide. FOX 9 The City of Hopkins scheduled a public vigil for Kristen and her daughter Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Park, and relatives asked for privacy while thanking the community.

Kristen Brown's sister, Amanda Paulson, said Kristen was a peacemaker, that 7-year-old Evie loved dresses and jewelry, and that she had been nervous after the couple separated in April, fearing Nathan "might do something horrible." FOX 9

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Burnsville-Hopkins Brown family killings: sister recounts couple's separation and daycare parent's rescue

On August 12, 2026, police said a Burnsville homicide was linked to a separate deadly incident at Brown Bear Daycare in Hopkins that left four family members dead.

The Hennepin County medical examiner identified the four as Nathan Matthew Brown, Kristen Ann Brown, their 7-year-old daughter Evie Ann Brown and 78-year-old Alice Anne Brown. FOX 9 Hopkins investigators say Nathan Brown stabbed his wife and their daughter and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot, and Burnsville police found Alice Brown dead inside a Maple Island Road home.

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Federal judge blocks Trump bid for full Minnesota voter rolls

A federal judge in Minnesota dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit that sought the state's full voter registration list, blocking federal access to private voter data.

The judge found no legal basis under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 or the Help America Vote Act for demanding unredacted voter rolls and called the effort a "fishing expedition." FOX 9 As a result, Minnesota officials will not have to turn over private voter information. FOX 9 The ruling follows similar Justice Department suits that have failed in at least 23 states and the District of Columbia. FOX 9 Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and Attorney General Keith Ellison praised the decision as a win for voter privacy and election security.

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State probes influencer's voter impersonation at Minneapolis polls

State election officials are reviewing video that shows conservative influencer Cameron Higby, disguised in a niqab, trying to vouch for or cast other Minneapolis voters' ballots on primary day.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon called the conduct "outrageous and totally unacceptable." FOX 9 He said poll workers flagged the behavior in real time and that law enforcement is reviewing the matter. FOX 9 At one Minneapolis polling place workers required documentation from the vouched-for voter and told Higby he could only vote if the person was already registered. FOX 9 Two other sites said vouching did not require ID but would be validated and could cover up to eight vouchees.

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Ramsey County seniors lose $1.2M in fraud since Aug. 1

Ramsey County seniors have lost more than $1.2 million to fraud since Aug. 1, the sheriff's office warned, and officials are urging anyone who suspects they were targeted to report it immediately.

Seventeen confirmed senior victims have been identified, with ages ranging from 61 to 78 and individual losses that span about $700 to roughly $800,000. FOX 9 One 73-year-old victim lost about $800,000, authorities said.

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Man critically wounded in Airbnb shooting in south Minneapolis

A man in his 20s was critically wounded in a shooting reported about 4:40 a.m. Sunday in the 3300 block of 38th Avenue South in Minneapolis. FOX 9 He arrived at a hospital just before 5 a.m. with potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Police found evidence of gunfire outside a home being used as an Airbnb, and they said no arrests have been made and no motive has been announced.

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Inmate charged with beating cellmate to death at Rush City prison

William Davon Hall, 29, was charged with second-degree murder in Chisago County after prosecutors say he fatally beat his cellmate, Stephen Scott Washington, at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City on Oct. 9, 2025.

Surveillance video shows about seven minutes of rapid movement and punching, then Hall covering the cell window from 1:00 to 1:06 p.m. before an alarm sounded at 1:26 p.m., officials said. FOX 9 Stephen Washington was found unconscious in cell 230 and pronounced dead at 2:07 p.m., and the Midwest Medical Examiner found extensive blunt force head and neck injuries and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

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BCA IDs St. Paul officer in Regions shooting

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified St. Paul officer Jacob Pederson as the shooter in the August 10 police shooting near Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Pederson is a 12-year veteran of the St. Paul Police Department. FOX 9 The BCA said the shooting was recorded on squad-car and body-worn cameras. FOX 9 The agency also said it will submit its investigative findings to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office for review.

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Law firm probes security at grain elevator where teen fell 20 stories

Eighteen-year-old Ash Ranallo-Korbel fell about 20 stories inside Minneapolis' Checkerboard Grain Elevator and survived, and a Chicago law firm has opened an investigation into alleged security failures at the site.

Chicago-based Romanucci & Blandin says it is weighing a civil case and cites years of security complaints and easy access at the Checkerboard site. FOX 9 Officials called Ranallo-Korbel's survival a "miracle" because he landed on a relatively softer flat-roof membrane rather than a harder surface.

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Two arrested in Roseville string of 30 burglaries

Roseville police arrested two men they say are responsible for nearly 30 burglaries and vehicle break-ins across Roseville and the Twin Cities metro.

Aaron Matthew Million was arrested Aug. 7 in Minneapolis while driving a 2018 Toyota Highlander reported stolen. FOX 9 Police say evidence seized in a stolen Kia Forte later linked Million to a separate Roseville home burglary on Aug. 10. FOX 9 Laurence John Charette was tied to a stolen Ford Bronco Sport after officers found a Department of Corrections ID and a probation officer's card inside, and he was arrested Aug. 13. FOX 9 Both men now face felony burglary charges, Roseville police said.

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Northern MN wildfires: firefighter ID'd as Alaskan crew member; Walz orders flags half-staff

A firefighter died after a mid-morning medical emergency while working the Bear Trap Fire near Ely, officials said.

He was identified as Leslie R. Washington, 41, of Noorvik, Alaska, who worked for Scorched Earth Services on a K-River 2 contract crew. FOX 9 Gov. Tim Walz ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at state buildings to half-staff in Washington's honor, and national wildfire leaders issued condolences.

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Wright County mom charged after 15-year-old kills pedestrian

Wright County mother Charlotte Free Breton was charged Thursday in connection with a May 3 crash in Rockford that killed a woman who was walking on a sidewalk.

She faces charges of aiding and abetting criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm, prosecutors said. FOX 9 The victim's wife was seriously injured in the crash.

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Minneapolis, St. Paul mayors propose 2027 budgets with double-digit tax hikes, service cuts

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her proposed 2027 budgets that would raise property taxes by 11.3% and 6.8%, and force cuts to libraries and safety programs.

Frey's plan would raise Minneapolis property taxes about 11.3% and would cost the median Minneapolis homeowner roughly $409. FOX 9 Her proposed a $888 million budget that would raise St. Paul property taxes about 6.8%, adding roughly $58 for the median St. Paul property owner. FOX 9 St. Paul officials warned the plan could close Dayton's Bluff Library, cut hours at other libraries and rec centers, and trim police supervision roles. FOX 9 Frey's budget would shrink the community service officer program and make drastic cuts to the city's violence interrupter program.

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Dorothy Day assault: suspect charged with murder after victim's death

Jerry Jovan Harris, 37, was charged in Ramsey County with second-degree murder and manslaughter after the death of Isaiah Jacob Wilson, who was assaulted outside the Dorothy Day Center on Aug. 3.

Prosecutors say security footage shows Harris "lifted his leg, reared back and punched" Wilson with no prior physical altercation, according to the charging document. FOX 9 Medical records list Wilson's cause of death as an acute left frontal subdural hematoma that led to brain death, and he was declared neurologically brain-dead and taken off life support on Aug. 7.

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Minnesota man gets 21 years for multi-state child grooming

Trent Fair, 31, was sentenced Aug. 11, 2026, to 260 months in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor in a multi-state grooming case.

He will also serve 20 years of supervised release after his prison term, federal prosecutors said. FOX 9 Court documents say Fair admitted producing child pornography involving at least a "few dozen" victims and soliciting abuse material from minors as young as 10.

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Parole board delays Ronald Reed decision to September

The Minnesota Supervised Release Board met on August 11 and delayed its decision on convicted St. Paul police officer killer Ronald Reed's parole until its next meeting on September 11.

Board members were split between granting a staggered, work-release-first "presumptive parole" over six to nine months and denying parole for at least a year. FOX 9 A motion to deny parole and reconsider in one year failed on a 2-3 vote. FOX 9 Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell cast the deciding vote and said he wanted to "figure out what it would take to move this forward." FOX 9 Members who favored some form of release cited Reed's institutional behavior and that he lived in the community for nearly two decades after the 1970 murder without additional violence. FOX 9 During the hearing Reed denied any role in Officer Sackett's killing, said he was wrongfully convicted and said his ex-girlfriend placed the false 911 call.

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Edina officer suffers facial fracture in Aquatic Center arrest

An Edina police officer suffered a fractured left maxillary sinus and will require oral surgery after a struggle during an arrest linked to a disturbance at the Edina Aquatic Center on Aug. 8.

The suspect, 21-year-old Tiana Hughes of Minneapolis, was arrested on suspicion of violating a domestic abuse no-contact order, and a second officer sustained a bite laceration to the right bicep during the altercation. FOX 9 Officials say the struggle unfolded at Hennepin County Medical Center after Hughes was transported there and briefly uncuffed to use the bathroom.

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Driver killed in fiery rollover on Hwy. 100 in Bloomington

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, a driver was killed when a southbound Honda Odyssey rolled, struck the I-494 bridge and caught fire on Highway 100 near I-494 in Bloomington.

Minnesota State Patrol said the vehicle rolled and struck the bridge before igniting, and one person inside was pronounced dead at the scene. FOX 9 Southbound lanes on Highway 100 were closed for several hours during the morning commute while investigators processed the scene.

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Record primary sets first-ever woman-vs-woman Minnesota governor race

Republican Lisa Demuth and Democrat U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar won Minnesota's gubernatorial primaries Tuesday, setting up the state's first woman-vs-woman general election this November.

Demuth captured 44.3% of the GOP vote, defeating Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls, and would be Minnesota's first Black governor if elected. FOX 9 Klobuchar won the Democratic primary with about 89.7% and has tapped former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer as her running mate. FOX 9 Statewide turnout topped a record 1,103,000 ballots, roughly 25% of eligible voters; counties will canvass returns and present them to the State Canvassing Board on August 18.

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Demuth-Klobuchar governor race guarantees Minnesota's first woman governor

Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for Minnesota governor on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. FOX 9 Her victory sets up a general election matchup with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and guarantees Minnesota will elect its first woman governor.

Demuth defeated Mike Lindell, who ran with former President Donald Trump's endorsement. Minnesotareformer Kendall Qualls, who held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement, was also a primary opponent. FOX 9 Statewide primary turnout topped about 1,103,000 ballots, roughly 25% of eligible voters, setting a new record above the 2018 total by about 177,000 votes. FOX 9 Counties will certify the results and the State Canvassing Board will review the returns on Aug. 18, the secretary of state said. FOX 9 FOX 9 also compiled an issue comparison from candidates' campaign materials showing Demuth's stances on fraud, immigration and the Metro Surge, taxes and health care heading into the general election.

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Record-turnout primary sets Flanagan-Tafoya U.S. Senate matchup

Michele Tafoya won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Minnesota's primary on August 11.

Unofficial data from the Minnesota Secretary of State show more than 1,103,000 ballots were cast statewide in the August 11 primary, roughly a 25% turnout. FOX 9 Secretary of State Steve Simon said the high turnout showed Minnesotans "value democracy" and noted the State Canvassing Board will review the results on August 18.

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Minnesota sets primary turnout record as Flanagan, Demuth advance

Peggy Flanagan won the DFL nomination for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat in the August 11 primary, putting her on the ballot for the November general election.

Minnesota set a primary turnout record, with the Secretary of State reporting more than 1,103,000 ballots cast — roughly 25% of eligible voters. FOX 9 It is the first state primary to surpass one million ballots, breaking the 2018 mark of 925,554.

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Activist investor bids $1.2B for H.B. Fuller unit

Activist investor Ancora Holdings Group offered roughly $1.2 billion for H.B. Fuller's building adhesive solutions unit, targeting the St. Paul-based company's construction business.

The proposed price is about $1.2 billion. Bizjournals The targeted division serves construction and building customers and is one of H.B. Fuller's major business segments.

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Scott Jensen wins GOP primary for State Auditor

Scott Jensen defeated GOP-endorsed Nate George to win the Republican primary for Minnesota state auditor, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Zack Filipovich.

The state auditor oversees the financial integrity and accountability of local governments and monitors about $60 billion in local spending statewide.

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Matt Little wins CD2 DFL primary, sets matchup with GOP Rep. Eric Pratt

Matt Little won the DFL primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, and will face Republican Rep. Eric Pratt in the November general election.

Incumbent Rep. Eric Pratt ran unopposed for the GOP nomination and is now locked into a head-to-head matchup with Little in November. FOX 9 Minnesotareformer's race call included updated vote totals and percentages that finalized the primary outcome.

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DOJ poll observers barred from Twin Cities polling sites; Secretary Simon details state-run monitoring plan

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, Department of Justice observers were denied entry to polling sites in Hennepin and Ramsey counties in the Twin Cities, prompting state officials to outline an alternate monitoring plan.

Secretary of State Steve Simon said state observers will accompany DOJ teams outside the 100-foot buffer at polling places when inside access is not granted. Minnesotareformer Simon also cited Minnesota law that limits non-local observers from entering polling places. Minnesotareformer He emphasized that DOJ monitors language access, disability access and overall compliance, and he warned against actions that could look like voter intimidation.

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Court upholds MPS layoff protections for teachers of color

A federal appeals court ruled Minneapolis Public Schools may keep a union-contract clause that gives layoff protection to teachers of color.

The decision leaves the provision in place as the district manages budget- and enrollment-driven staffing cuts.

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Crash shuts I-94 eastbound near North Loop Sunday night

Eastbound I-94 was shut down near Olson Memorial Highway in Minneapolis' North Loop Sunday night after a crash, creating heavy backups and prompting an on-scene crash investigation.

MnDOT's 511 travel site listed "crash investigation work" as the reason for the eastbound closure. FOX 9 Traffic cameras showed long backups along I-94 shortly after 10 p.m. as crews worked at the scene. FOX 9 There was no immediate information on injuries or when lanes would reopen.

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5-year-old drowns at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

A 5-year-old child was found unresponsive in the water at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista Saturday afternoon and later died after being taken to a hospital.

Lifeguards pulled the child from the water, performed CPR and the child was transported to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. FOX 9 The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is leading an active drowning investigation and has not released the child's name or further circumstances.

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18-year-old wounded in Stone Arch area shooting

An 18-year-old man suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday near the Stone Arch Bridge area in downtown Minneapolis, police said.

Police responded just after 2:30 a.m. to reports of gunfire in the 500 block of Main St. SE. FOX 9 They also reported shots near 6th Ave. and 2nd St. SE. FOX 9 The victim told officers he heard gunfire while outside near the intersection and was struck. FOX 9 He ran away and a friend drove him to a hospital, where he arrived about 2:40 a.m. FOX 9 No arrests have been announced, and police released no information on a suspect or motive.

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Elliot Park apartment fire injures firefighter, displaces four families

A fire broke out just before 10 a.m. Saturday in a three-story apartment building on the 1000 block of Portland Avenue near Elliot Park, injuring a firefighter and displacing residents.

Firefighters arriving at the building found heavy smoke and flames coming from third-floor windows and called a second alarm to contain the blaze. FOX 9 One Minneapolis firefighter was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury, and residents from four apartment units were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

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Man killed in late-night shooting in south Minneapolis

A man in his 30s was found shot inside a vehicle and died after the Minneapolis Police Department responded about 10:30 p.m. Friday to the 2000 block of 3rd Avenue South in Minneapolis.

Officers found the man with life-threatening wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. FOX 9 No arrests or suspect details have been released, and the motive remains unknown.

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Chronic Camden train delays spur $2M federal study

Minneapolis will receive $2 million in federal funding to study grade-separation and other fixes for chronic train delays in the Camden neighborhood, city officials announced Friday.

Canadian Pacific is adding $50,000 to the study, and city leaders said the work could lead to construction beginning around 2030 if projects and funding are approved.

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MN clemency panel backs pardon for Lao refugee facing deportation

On Friday, August 7, 2026, the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission formally voted to recommend a pardon for La Thammavong, a Lao refugee facing deportation whom supporters say would likely die if removed.

A Mayo Clinic doctor told the Commission Thammavong relies on more than a dozen post-transplant medications that are not available in Laos and that deportation would likely be a death sentence. FOX 9 Commission members noted Thammavong has had a clean criminal record for the last 25 years after earlier convictions for assault, drug and theft in the 1990s and early 2000s.

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Niron Magnetics wins up to $150M federal loan

Niron Magnetics has been approved for a federal loan of up to $150 million to expand production of rare-earth-free permanent magnets at facilities in Minnesota, a move that could boost local jobs and investment.

The money is earmarked for scaling manufacturing at Niron's Minnesota plants. Bizjournals The financing ties a major piece of federal industrial policy and clean-tech supply-chain strategy directly to the Twin Cities manufacturer.

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Man fleeing deputies drowns after driving into St. Croix

A man fleeing Chisago County deputies drove his car into the St. Croix River and drowned just before 6 p.m. Thursday at the Railroad Landing river access.

Deputies said the driver exited the vehicle and tried to swim away after driving into the water, and they lost sight of him. FOX 9 A multi-agency search recovered his body about 9 a.m. Friday roughly one-eighth of a mile downstream.

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AG settles with lender over illegal home-equity loans

Minnesota Attorney General settled with Unlock Partnership Solutions for $944,626 over unlawful home-equity loans and barred the company from lending in Minnesota without a mortgage license.

The package includes $201,050 in direct refunds, about $460,000 in debt cancellation and $283,576 for additional restitution to be administered by the Attorney General. FOX 9 Unlock entered about 86 "home equity agreement" deals with Minnesota homeowners starting in 2021, advancing $30,000 to $339,500 per agreement and typically claiming around 33% of each home's equity. FOX 9 The Attorney General's office calculated that Unlock's fees and equity stakes effectively charged illegal, very high costs. FOX 9 In some deals the total costs equaled 100% to 140% of the advanced amount, with annualized rates near 22% and large origination fees.

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Judge: Probable cause Lindell pillow handout broke MN campaign law

On Friday, August 7, 2026, a Minnesota judge found probable cause that Mike Lindell violated state campaign-finance bribery rules by handing out MyPillows at the July 4 Delano parade.

The judge said Lindell and his supporters tossed MyPillows, which typically sell for about $35, to paradegoers along with campaign literature. FOX 9 Lindell testified his campaign paid $4.90 per pillow wholesale and said similar pillows could be bought individually for $9.95 with a promo code. FOX 9 The judge noted Minnesota law bars giving voters a "thing of monetary value" to influence votes and that a narrow $5 exemption for food and nonalcoholic drinks does not cover pillows. FOX 9 The case has been referred to the state's chief administrative law judge, who will assign a three-judge panel for a full evidentiary hearing.

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Revol Greens warns of Medford plant closure, 89 layoffs

Revol Greens warned it will close its Medford, Minnesota greenhouse on Oct. 4, 2026, a move that would eliminate 89 jobs if no buyer or investor is found.

The company filed WARN notices that carry the same Oct. 4, 2026, shutdown date for its Temple, Texas greenhouse, where 115 employees would be laid off. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Interim CFO Michaele Gobel said Revol's business has been hurt by a national Cyclospora outbreak tied to competing lettuce suppliers, even though Revol's greenhouse-grown products were not linked to the contamination.

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St. Paul Mayor Her dodges harassment questions at Grand Ave event as probe continues

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her declined to answer questions about an ongoing sexual harassment investigation Thursday at the Grand Victoria mixed-use project groundbreaking on Grand Avenue, saying she did not want to be "distracted." FOX 9

After the ceremony, Her was quickly escorted away by staff and did not remain to socialize or take questions. FOX 9 City Council President Rebecca Noecker praised Her at the event, saying the city is "so lucky" to have her leading it.

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Shakopee medical waste firm fined for permit violations

Daniels Sharpsmart of Shakopee paid $47,000 in penalties after state regulators found it stored hazardous and infectious waste without the proper permits, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said.

The MPCA concluded the company intentionally stored 132 hazardous waste shipments without a proper storage permit. FOX 9 Investigators also found the firm accepted 19 hazardous shipments it was not authorized to receive and failed to report rejected shipments as required. FOX 9 Inspectors said Daniels Sharpsmart did not send 11 rejected loads to proper facilities and delayed shipping seven other loads beyond the 60-day deadline.

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Dakota County weighs 16-21% property tax hike, staff cuts

Dakota County is weighing a 16% to 21% property tax levy increase and planned staff cuts to close a budget shortfall, county officials announced.

Officials are considering three levy options: 21% (about $167 more per home per year), 19% (about $145), and 16% (about $123). FOX 9 All of the proposed tax scenarios still require cuts to libraries, parks, public health, crisis workers, youth homelessness outreach and corrections staff, and labor union AFSCME says employee morale is low as layoffs are discussed.

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Woodbury brothers get 15 years for fentanyl pipeline

Two Woodbury brothers were sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for leading a fentanyl pipeline that moved nearly 30 kilograms of pills from Arizona to the Twin Cities.

Shiloe Devanglo Nixon, 37, and Malik Deronte Nixon, 30, each received 180-month terms and five years of supervised release. FOX 9 Ernesto Alexis Seals of Welch was sentenced to 120 months and Justin Keith Banks of Rush City drew 60 months, while couriers Amanda Jennifer Freeman and Zakiya Niajoneu Whitney were given time served and supervised release.

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MPD overtime blows past budget, tax hike on table

Minneapolis officials say police overtime has surged far beyond the department's budget, and Mayor Jacob Frey warned a tax increase may be needed to cover the gap.

The city's 2026 budget included roughly $2.5 million for police overtime, while the Minneapolis Police Department has logged more than $20 million in overtime each year since 2022. FOX 9 MPD staffing has fallen from 888 sworn officers before 2020 to a budgeted 731 and an actual force of about 654 this year, a drop officials say is pushing officers into long overtime.

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Blue-green algae shuts Cedar Lake beaches in Minneapolis

Minneapolis officials issued a hazardous blue-green algae warning that immediately closed all three Cedar Lake beaches — East/Hidden, Point/West and South.

The advisory follows water tests that showed microcystin toxin levels at Cedar Lake South Beach exceeded state closure standards, city officials said. FOX 9 Officials warn people and pets to avoid all body contact with lake water and said the warning will remain in effect until further notice because blooms can shift quickly.

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State awards $2.8M to support Minnesota student-parents

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education awarded $2.8 million in Student-Parent Support Initiative grants for fiscal year 2027 to 24 colleges and community organizations across the state.

Recipients will receive up to $125,000 each, a group that includes multiple Twin Cities institutions and Hennepin County, officials said.

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Lindell plan ends income tax, slashes schools and health care

Mike Lindell released a campaign plan calling for the elimination of Minnesota's state income tax, a proposal he says would be funded by deep cuts to education and health care.

The proposal would target K-12 programs and Medicaid-type spending, shifting how the state raises revenue and reducing appropriations for schools and health services.

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Study: Minneapolis venues fuel $2B economy, few profit

A report released Thursday by the National Independent Venue Association found Minneapolis independent music venues generate more than $2 billion in annual economic impact while only 20% reported a profit.

The study says indie stages directly employ more than 7,300 people, support about 15,000 industry jobs and drive $134 million in off-site spending. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal First Avenue's CEO Dayna Frank told the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal the venue runs on a 1-3% margin. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal She said the club faces a 17.5% downtown sales tax on beer and a 3% entertainment tax on tickets.

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Sun Country blames Delta as pilot losses force 20% MSP cuts

Sun Country Airlines said it has cut more than 20% of its August and September 2026 schedule at Minneapolis-St. Paul after losing pilots to other carriers and shifting aircraft into cargo flying.

Allegiant CEO Greg Anderson told analysts Delta Air Lines' stepped-up hiring in the Twin Cities is drawing away Sun Country's junior MSP-based pilots. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Sun Country pays first-year first officers $83.28 per hour. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Allegiant's new pilot deal starts first officers at $107.28 per hour, and Delta pays roughly $118 to $247 per hour for comparable first-year positions.

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Report: Soaring MCA opt-outs skew Minnesota test data

A new analysis says student opt-outs from Minnesota's statewide Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments have nearly tripled since 2019, undermining confidence in the test data.

The analysis found that by 2025 about 40% of 10th-grade reading tests statewide and 11.5% of all grade-and-school combinations failed to meet the federal 95% participation requirement.

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Pedestrian killed walking in I-94 lanes in St. Paul

A 26-year-old woman was struck and killed while walking in the center lane of westbound I-94 at West 7th Street in St. Paul around 12:20 a.m. Thursday.

An SUV hit her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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MDH jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak now spawns Roseville Chipotle lawsuit

A federal civil lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Minnesota woman who says she was hospitalized with salmonella after eating a chicken burrito bowl from the Roseville Chipotle at Fairdale Shoppes on June 24, 2026.

The complaint alleges raw jalapeño peppers in the bowl caused the contamination and seeks $75,000 in damages. FOX 9 It cites state and federal lab data showing the salmonella strain in the woman's body matches the outbreak strain. FOX 9 MDH has linked that outbreak strain to jalapeños served at Chipotle and other Mexican-style quick-service restaurants. FOX 9 Chipotle said MDH has "no ongoing concerns" with the chain and that its ingredient traceability system isolated a common jalapeño lot, prompting a proactive removal and replacement of those peppers.

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Rondo plan maps $260M land bridge, Univ. Ave super-block rebuild

St. Paul Planning Commission released the ReConnect Rondo Restorative Neighborhood Area Plan for public review on July 31, 2026, mapping a proposed I-94 land bridge estimated to cost about $260 million.

The plan includes a financing framework from the Urban Land Institute that calls for state, federal and philanthropic support, and it sets a public hearing before the Planning Commission for Sept. 11, 2026.

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UCare to cut 102 HQ jobs in Minneapolis as Medica takeover nears

UCare will lay off 102 employees at its Minneapolis headquarters at 600 Stinson Blvd., the company told state officials.

UCare's notice to Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development says the affected roles are mostly administrative and management positions. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal The company says remaining staff have been kept on to transition state contracts to Medica, a task it expects to complete this fall. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal An earlier listing to sell or lease UCare's 210,000-square-foot headquarters through Savills was pulled, and broker James Vos was unavailable for comment.

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Target Field concession workers strike during Noah Kahan show

More than 500 concession workers at Target Field staged a one-day strike during the sold-out Noah Kahan concert on Aug. 5, 2026, aiming to press contract demands and disrupt stadium service.

UNITE HERE Local 17 said the walkout ran from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and was timed to the concert to maximize leverage. FOX 9 Delaware North says it offered $20 per hour for non-tipped, part-time employees and a new health plan, but the union says some non-tipped roles like food runners were excluded and the coverage would reach only about 10 of roughly 500 workers.

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St. Paul begins Pig's Eye encampment sweep amid protests

City crews began clearing the Pig's Eye Park encampment around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, with outreach teams on site helping residents pack and offering limited storage and shelter priority.

Volunteers and officials disagree on how many people live at Pig's Eye: volunteers say more than 100 people stay there. FOX 9 The city estimates about 140 residents and noted a posted sign at the camp claims more than 250. FOX 9 City officials say roughly 200 people live in the camps slated for clearing across St. Paul. FOX 9 Ramsey County plans to open a transitional hub at 11th and Cedar to process displaced residents. FOX 9 The city and county say outreach teams will continue follow-up after the clearings.

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CWD confirmed in wild deer near Stillwater

A wild female deer near Stillwater that died July 16 has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday.

DNR staff collected the deer and sent samples to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which confirmed CWD earlier this week. FOX 9 The detection occurred in a deer permit area about 30 miles from the nearest known CWD cases in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, prompting a DNR response plan that could include new hunting restrictions and expanded surveillance.

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Minnesota joins multistate suit over TANF data-sharing

Minnesota joined more than 20 states and D.C. in a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., challenging a Trump administration policy to share TANF recipient data.

The suit targets a proposed Administration for Children and Families rule that would let federal agencies and some outside entities access recipients' immigration status and Social Security numbers. FOX 9 The filing names more than 20 states plus D.C., with Minnesota listed among the plaintiffs.

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Lindell quits MyPillow CEO post to run for governor

Mike Lindell resigned as MyPillow CEO on Aug. 4, 2026, reduced his stake to a minority and will remain on the company's board to focus on Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial primary.

James Furlong, who was MyPillow president from 2004 to 2019, is returning as CEO, and Justin Butler will join the company as chief financial officer. FOX 9 Lindell said he is leaving day-to-day control of the company to concentrate on his campaign.

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Swimmer's body recovered from Mississippi at Hidden Falls

A man's body that went missing after he reportedly went under while swimming across the Mississippi River near Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul was recovered Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Law enforcement says the swimmer was last seen near the 1300 block of Mississippi River Blvd. S after going under while trying to swim across the river. FOX 9 Search teams were unable to locate him at first, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources joined the recovery effort on Sunday.

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ICE and CoreCivic set 2026 opening for 1,600-bed Appleton immigration lockup

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and private prison operator CoreCivic plan to open a 1,600-bed immigration detention center at the former Appleton, Minnesota, prison before the end of 2026, and ICE says it will put the facility into active use rather than holding it in reserve.

ICE intends to fold the Appleton lockup into its national detention network, primarily housing pre-removal detainees and transfers, though officials expect average occupancy to run below the 1,600-bed maximum. Minnesota Reformer The federal contract will let ICE scale populations up or down while continuing to pay CoreCivic base fees even when many beds are unused.

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Alcohol suspected in I-35 crash injuring state trooper

A Minnesota state trooper was injured Sunday when a northbound driver ran off Interstate 35 and struck the trooper's parked squad car just south of 220th Street North in Forest Lake.

Both the trooper and the other driver were hospitalized at Regions Hospital, and Forest Lake police say alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor.

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Champlin neighbor charged over Hoffman July 4 fireworks

Jeffery Scott Maciej, 66, of Champlin, was charged with gross misdemeanor harassment and misdemeanor disorderly conduct after video showed him setting off loud fireworks outside his neighbors' house on July 4, 2026.

Home security video recorded a man outside the Hoffmans' Champlin home saying "This one's for Hope" and "This one's for John" while igniting the fireworks, police said. FOX 9 A Minnesota State Patrol trooper turned over the neighbor's video to Champlin police, and the Hoffmans identified Maciej's voice. FOX 9 Maciej later admitted to setting off the fireworks and making comments about his neighbors, and he was summoned to appear in Hennepin County court on Aug. 25, 2026.

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Edina Yancey Park shooting: police cite Somali group feud, lack of witnesses

Edina police say the July 22 gunfire at Yancey Park involved a feud between two groups described as Somali, and investigators say they have evidence but are hampered by a lack of cooperating witnesses.

Police say more than 30 people were present during the incident and no one was struck by gunfire. FOX 9 Chief Todd Milburn told a crowd at a park meeting that investigators have evidence but are struggling with witness cooperation and called that reluctance a broader metro trend.

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MnDOT awards $8M for airport safety upgrades

MnDOT is awarding $8 million in grants to 39 Minnesota municipal airports to fund 57 safety and infrastructure projects.

Work funded includes runway and turf rehabilitation, crack repairs, obstruction removal, stormwater planning, fuel-pump replacements, facility upgrades, and improved lighting and security. FOX 9 The grants are intended to boost safety and keep local airports operational for pilots, emergency services and local businesses.

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North Loop Star Tribune plant data center plan faces Minneapolis moratorium debate

Legacy Investing plans to convert the former Star Tribune printing facility in Minneapolis' North Loop into a data center, a proposal that has sparked a City Council debate over a downtown moratorium.

The building has been empty since Star Tribune printing ended last year, and Legacy has not announced a construction timeline or responded to requests for comment. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Minneapolis Downtown Council CEO Adam Duininck says the project could reduce downtown's roughly 30% vacancy rate and help shift property-tax burdens off homeowners, renters and small businesses. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Council Member Michael Rainville explicitly backs the plan as a way to broaden the tax base, saying residents and small businesses are "getting crushed" by current taxes. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Council Member Aurin Chowdhury warns a low-job data center may not be the best use of prime downtown land and says she wants "real commitments" on clean energy and community benefits from Legacy.

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Minneapolis safety chief Barnette to resign after council standoff

Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette will resign at the end of the year but remain as interim while Mayor Jacob Frey conducts a national search for his successor.

The City Council twice rejected Barnette's reappointment, largely over Minneapolis Police Department overspending in 2025, and faced an August 3 deadline to act before the seat would be vacated. FOX 9 Frey will reappoint Barnette as interim commissioner to keep continuity in the office while a national recruitment proceeds.

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Boelter's state murder case stalls as he raises health, solitary confinement complaints

Vance Boelter raised health and religious-rights complaints at his first Hennepin County state-court appearance on August 3 as prosecutors restart state murder charges, and the judge delayed any substantive rulings.

Judge Juan Hoyos appointed a public defender, asked for written arguments from both sides and moved the matter to a September 2 review without taking immediate action; Boelter did not enter a plea.

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Brooklyn Center teen charged in random Minneapolis home-invasion rape attempt

Nineteen-year-old Cordero Orlando Ratcliff Jr. of Brooklyn Center was charged after allegedly breaking into an occupied south Minneapolis home on July 31 and attempting to rape a woman.

Prosecutors say Ratcliff entered the home naked from the waist down, wielded a screwdriver and used a taser on the victim's neck, legs and stomach.

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Minnesota stiffens prison terms for big Medicaid fraud

Minnesota has raised the penalty for Medicaid fraud over $1,000,000 by placing those offenses at Severity Level 8 on the state sentencing grid, creating a presumptive prison sentence effective August 1, 2026.

The change comes as part of new guidelines that make large-scale medical-assistance fraud more likely to result in prison time rather than probation or diversion.

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145-unit apartment project planned on Franklin Avenue

A Minneapolis developer plans to demolish an office building on Franklin Avenue to build 145 apartments, converting commercial office space into multi-family housing along the corridor.

The proposal calls for 145 apartment units on the Franklin Avenue site and would repurpose the existing commercial office property. Bizjournals Specific timing, affordability levels and the project's final design will depend on city planning and zoning approvals.

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July ranks as sixth-warmest month ever in Twin Cities

July 2026 was the sixth-warmest month on record for the Twin Cities, with an average temperature of 78.9°F.

The metro recorded 10 consecutive days with highs of at least 90°F, the longest 90°F streak in more than 70 years. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reached 100°F last week, the first 100°F reading there since 2022.

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Serious crash shuts down southbound Hwy. 169 in Shakopee

A serious crash shut down southbound Highway 169 in Shakopee early Monday, closing the road to all but emergency vehicles between County Road 17 (Marschall Road) and County Road 15 (Marystown Road).

Northbound Highway 169 is down to one lane between Old Brick Yard Road and County Road 17 because of the crash response. FOX 9 Shakopee police said the closure began early Monday and is expected to last through the morning while investigators work the scene. FOX 9 They released no information on injuries or the number of vehicles involved.

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Five metro men charged in sexual abuse of 14-year-old runaway

Five Twin Cities men were charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct after authorities say they sexually abused a 14-year-old runaway who was found in Minneapolis following a June 13 missing-person report.

The men, from St. Louis Park, Andover, Zimmerman, New Brighton and White Bear Lake, now face state charges. Alphanews Officials say they met the girl through online platforms before the alleged abuse, and the case prompted a month-long investigation by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

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Man critically wounded in shooting outside Minneapolis strip club

A man was found with apparent life-threatening gunshot wounds after a shooting shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday outside Deja Vu Showgirls on Washington Ave N near 3rd Ave N in Minneapolis' Warehouse District.

Police followed a vehicle from the scene to Hennepin Healthcare, where the wounded man was located. FOX 9 The Minneapolis Police Department's Firearm Assault Shoot Team is leading the investigation, and officers placed multiple evidence markers in front of Deja Vu and the Office Pub and Grill. FOX 9 No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning.

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Woman stabbed after large fight in Brooklyn Park

A woman was stabbed after a large fight between two groups shortly after 11:20 p.m. on Aug. 1 along Boone Avenue North near 63rd Avenue North in Brooklyn Park, police said.

Officers found the injured woman at the scene, rendered first aid and had her transported to a hospital, authorities said.

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Head-on DWI crash critically injures two on Hwy. 61

Two drivers were critically injured in a head-on crash on Highway 61 near Aspen Lane in White Bear Township just before 1 a.m. Saturday, and a 25-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of DWI.

The collision involved a northbound Honda CRV and a southbound Toyota RAV4 that struck head-on or nearly so, officials said. FOX 9 Both drivers were taken to area hospitals in critical condition, and the 25-year-old Toyota driver was booked on suspicion of DWI-criminal vehicular operation before being released to hospital care pending blood-test confirmation and any formal charges.

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Blaine sting nets 24 in child-sex solicitation case

Blaine police arrested 24 people after a two-day undercover online sting in which suspects allegedly offered to pay for sex with someone they believed was underage.

Investigators say they communicated with 368 people who responded to the online ads. FOX 9 Police said several arrestees are repeat offenders and at least one is a registered sex offender. FOX 9 Authorities have not released names or specific charges for the suspects.

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Judge lets Minnesota AI nudification ban take effect despite xAI lawsuit

A federal judge denied xAI's request for a temporary restraining order, allowing Minnesota's new ban on AI "nudification" tools to take effect on Aug. 1.

U.S. District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank wrote that xAI's delay in filing "suggests that harm is not immediate." FOX 9 The court declined to pause enforcement while xAI's First Amendment challenge proceeds, so there will be no last-minute stay. Minnesota Reformer The judge ordered the parties to meet and confer and set an Aug. 19 hearing on xAI's emergency motion for a preliminary injunction.

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CISA warns of rising water-utility cyberattacks after Minnesota incidents

Investigators now say Iran is "probably" behind coordinated cyberattacks that targeted roughly 36 Minnesota community water systems, prompting a federal warning about rising attacks on U.S. water utilities.

CISA issued an alert saying hackers have increasingly targeted programmable logic controllers used by water utilities and in some attacks changed passwords to lock out operators. FOX 9 The FBI says utilities in about seven states reported incidents that degraded operations and identified the targeted devices as Automation/Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1100 and 1400 series PLCs. FOX 9 About 36 community systems were targeted, and four cities — Plymouth, South St. Paul, Maple Plain and Braham — publicly reported disruptions; Plymouth and Maple Plain later restored communications.

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MPCA fight forces shutdown of St. Paul iron foundry

Northern Iron, a St. Paul iron foundry, will close in December after a fight with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency over air pollution.

The agency moved to revoke the plant's air permit after finding it likely emitted unacceptable levels of lead and other particles. FOX 9 Northern Iron announced the shutdown will take effect in December, ending more than 100 years of operation in St. Paul.

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Faribault man charged with stealing Flock police camera

A Faribault man, Justin Lee Campbell, 41, was charged July 29 with stealing a Flock police camera removed from Lyndale Avenue South near Highland Place.

He faces counts of interfering with emergency communications, theft of movable property and fourth-degree property damage. FOX 9 A Flock automated license-plate reader at Lyndale Avenue South and Highland Place went offline at 1:43 a.m. July 27; officers found it missing with its cables cut.

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Minnesota keeps Paid Leave payroll tax at 0.88% for 2027

On Friday, July 31, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development set the 2027 Minnesota Paid Leave premium at 0.88% of covered wages, unchanged from 2026.

Employers may collect up to half of that premium — 0.44% of wages — from employees, though they may choose to pay a larger share themselves. FOX 9 DEED's actuarial review found 2026 premium collections are broadly in line with benefits paid and projects the fund will remain sustainable through 2027 without a rate increase. FOX 9 More than 75,000 Minnesotans have used Paid Leave in 2026, and the program has paid out over $600 million in benefits so far.

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nVent adding 200+ jobs with new Blaine plant

nVent is opening a new liquid-cooling manufacturing plant in Blaine, leasing 160,000 square feet at 3705 and 3745 Pheasant Ridge Road. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal The plant will employ more than 200 people and is expected to begin production in the first half of 2027.

This is nVent's third Twin Cities facility expansion in three years, bringing more than 400,000 square feet of added space to the region. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal The new Blaine site was developed by CSM Corp., with R.J. Ryan Construction as general contractor and Colliers handling leasing. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal nVent reported Q2 2026 sales of $1.5 billion, up 53 percent year over year, and raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $5.00-$5.10.

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Feeding Our Future No. 2 extradited, pleads not guilty

Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, pleaded not guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in Minnesota to 31 counts tied to the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme after being extradited from Somalia on July 16.

He is being held at Sherburne County Jail. FOX 9 The indictment alleges he deposited more than $5 million in bribes and fraud proceeds into accounts tied to shell companies he controlled.

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Trump DOE probes MN schools over U of M 'transgender dolls' project

The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation Friday into a University of Minnesota-backed MyGenderDolls project after parents said the dolls were used in Minnesota classrooms without notice or an opt-out.

The probe is focused specifically on the MyGenderDolls project rather than a generic category of "transgender dolls." Alphanews Parents told reporters the dolls were shown to students across certain age ranges and grade levels and that schools gave no prior notice or opt-out option. Alphanews Alphanews reports the project is funded and institutionally backed by the University of Minnesota's Eli Coleman Institute and includes curriculum materials tied to its stated educational goals.

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Wells Fargo mortgage campus sold for 1,000-unit remake

Novarum Development Partners bought the 25-acre former Wells Fargo Home Mortgage campus at 2701 Wells Fargo Way for $8 million cash and plans a more-than-1,000-unit redevelopment called Iconic Plaza.

The Iconic Plaza plan calls for more than 1,000 apartments, townhomes and other residences plus retail, health care and educational space, a school, a banquet hall and a fitness center. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Developers estimate total project costs at up to $250 million and expect a five-year buildout that will need additional financing, multiple city approvals and dozens of tenant leases. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Plans show four new multifamily buildings, including a 15-story, 400-unit tower along I-35W, and a new technology center at 2801 Fourth Ave. S.

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Second teen arrested in Hartkopf Park murder

U.S. Marshals arrested a 17-year-old in Peoria, Illinois, on July 29 on a murder warrant tied to the Hartkopf Park shooting that killed a 16-year-old.

The suspect was taken into custody about 6:30 p.m. and is being held at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center pending extradition to Minnesota. FOX 9 Another 17-year-old suspect in the same case was arrested in Hennepin County on July 8.

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Senior housing plan revives Stone Arch riverfront fight

Developer Steve Minn proposed a five-story, 104-unit affordable senior housing building beside the Stone Arch Bridge at the east end of Main Street.

He is seeking rezoning of a triangular parking lot between Main Street and Father Hennepin Bluff Park. FOX 9 He has offered to build and maintain a new Main Street bike and pedestrian trail segment as part of the plan.

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Minneapolis OKs application for $300K DOJ ballistics grant

The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-5 to approve the Minneapolis Police Department's request to apply for a $300,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to upgrade NIBIN ballistic technology.

Council Member Jason Chavez warned the grant could tie the city to federal immigration enforcement. FOX 9 Assistant City Attorney Amy Schutt said the grant's terms do not require cooperation with ICE or violate the city's separation ordinance. FOX 9 Council Members Soren Stevenson and Aisha Chughtai argued the department should pay the $300,000 itself. FOX 9 Council Members Jamal Osman and Pearll Warren said the upgrade would help the city process ballistic evidence and deliver justice in gun cases.

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Helix Apartments fire cause ruled undetermined; investigators say no arson evidence

Investigators have ruled the cause of the July 17 fire at the Helix Apartments in St. Louis Park "undetermined." FOX 9 They said they found no evidence of arson, improperly discarded smoking materials, or cooking or grill activity on the balcony.

The St. Louis Park Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office say the blaze began on a fourth-floor balcony, but heavy damage prevented investigators from identifying a specific ignition source. FOX 9 Officials cautioned the undetermined classification could change if new evidence emerges, and they expect a final written report online by mid-to-late August.

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Pearson's closing St. Paul candy plant Sept. 28; union alleges bad-faith bargaining

Pearson's Candy Co. will close its St. Paul plant at 2140 W. 7th St. on Sept. 28, 2026, laying off about 80 workers, a WARN notice shows.

Some affected employees are represented by BCTGM Local 22 and reportedly have no bumping rights, which limits their options for reassignment. FOX 9 The union filed a June complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging Pearson refused to bargain and engaged in bad-faith bargaining. FOX 9 State Rapid Response Team specialist John Mohs is the designated point person handling the layoff event.

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AG shuts down Blaine nonprofit over stadium wage scheme

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has reached a settlement that orders Blaine-based MN Fundraising Initiative to stop operating in Minnesota and to dissolve.

Ellison's office says investigators found MNFI disguised hundreds of paid stadium workers as 'volunteers' and paid them hourly 'grants' to staff concessions at Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium and Allianz Field. FOX 9 The probe found MNFI paid more than $1.1 million in 'grants' to current or former board members, including over $237,000 to a single board member. FOX 9 For-profit vendors including Minnesota Sportservice, Levy Premium Foodservice and Aramark Sports and Entertainment benefited from low-cost labor while avoiding payroll and tax obligations, the office said.

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Owner of St. Paul Athletic Club enters bankruptcy

The landlord of the historic St. Paul Athletic Club building has filed for bankruptcy protection to restructure its debt, putting the downtown commercial property into court-supervised reorganization while it remains open.

The filing covers a major downtown multi-tenant commercial building that continues to operate with tenants in place. Bizjournals The move is intended to restructure debt amid elevated office vacancies and refinancing stress in downtown St. Paul.

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Wyoming man charged over screw 'spike strip' by park

Kyle James Steffen, 38, of Wyoming, Minnesota, was charged in Chisago County after police say he placed a screw-studded "pitfall" along the edge of Goodview Park; the complaint came April 28, 2026.

Authorities say the device was a roughly 3-foot by 5-inch plastic strip with about 40 three-inch screws pointing upward. FOX 9 It was anchored in grass bordering the park's popular bike path, police said.

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MPD FAST unit investigating new non-fatal Lake Street shooting

Minneapolis' Firearm Assault Shoot Team is investigating a non-fatal shooting around 11:56 p.m. Wednesday on the 1700 block of East Lake Street that left an adult man with potentially life-threatening injuries.

Officers found the man outside a Lake Street business and say he was shot multiple times. FOX 9 A possible suspect fled on foot through an alley, and no arrests had been reported at the time of publication.

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MPD launches multi-agency FAST unit for non-fatal shootings

The Minneapolis Police Department's multi-agency FAST unit responded late at night to a non-fatal shooting in the 1700 block of East Lake Street, where a man suffered life-threatening injuries.

FOX 9 reports FAST was deployed to the commercial-corridor scene and worked the late-night response alongside other agencies. FOX 9 The outlet says linking FAST to this critically injured victim shows the unit is operating in the field rather than existing only on paper.

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Man critically wounded in late-night Lake Street shooting

An adult man was critically wounded in a late-night shooting around 11:56 p.m. Wednesday on the 1700 block of East Lake Street in Minneapolis, authorities said.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Hennepin Healthcare with potentially life-threatening injuries. FOX 9 The suspected shooter fled on foot through a nearby alley, and Minneapolis Police Department's FAST unit is investigating; no arrests have been made.

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Twin Cities move into moderate drought as 95% of Minnesota dries

More than 95% of Minnesota is now in some level of drought, and the Twin Cities metro has moved into moderate drought, state drought monitors reported Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The statewide drought area jumped from about 87% the prior week to over 95% this week. FOX 9 Nearly all of northern Minnesota is in severe drought, a condition that has helped fuel wildfires in the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest. FOX 9 More than three quarters of the state now faces at least moderate drought, raising risks for crops, municipal water strain and lawn deterioration in the metro.

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USDA warns on mislabeled Red's steak burritos at Costco

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert saying Red's Steak Cilantro and Lime Burritos sold at Costco may contain undeclared egg, posing a major allergen risk.

The alert covers 3-lb 2-oz cartons with ten individually wrapped burritos produced June 19, 2026, bearing establishment number EST. 46069 and lot codes starting with L1 SD6170. FOX 9 Shipments went to Costco distribution centers in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan, and the products are no longer sold in stores but may still be in consumers' freezers.

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Downtown St. Paul homicide under active investigation

A person was fatally shot on the 200 block of 7th Street East in downtown St. Paul early Thursday, and police are treating the death as a homicide.

St. Paul police kept part of Wacouta Street taped off as of 6:15 a.m., though 7th Street had reopened to traffic and buses. FOX 9 Police have released no details about the victim, suspects or motive and have not said if anyone has been arrested.

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Boston Scientific cuts outlook, plans $500M cost reduction

Boston Scientific lowered its 2026 organic net sales growth outlook to 5-6% and announced a restructuring designed to cut about $500 million in annual costs.

The company said the savings will come from supply-chain changes, production shifts and organizational restructuring, and that layoffs are expected though it did not specify job counts or affected sites. Business Journal CEO Mike Mahoney confirmed layoffs are expected but gave no specifics on numbers or locations. Business Journal The company employs about 59,000 people worldwide, including roughly 10,000 in Minnesota, where much of its cardiovascular work is based. Business Journal Its cardiovascular business accounted for 66% of 2025 net sales.

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DNR weighs new review for NorthMet copper-nickel mine

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is weighing whether proposed changes to the NorthMet copper-nickel mine require a supplemental environmental impact statement, and it plans to decide on next steps in roughly one month.

NewRange Copper Nickel proposed increasing ore production from 32,000 to 40,000 tons per day and shortening the mine life from 20 to 16 years. FOX 9 The redesign would swap rail transport for a covered conveyor and place tailings on adjacent, previously mined iron-ore lands. FOX 9 NewRange has also filed a Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland permit application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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Loring Park tenants report no hot water, filth at Brentwood

Brentwood Apartments residents in the Loring Park neighborhood say they have no hot water and are finding human feces in hallways after a gas leak disabled stoves and laundry.

Tenants say homeless people are sleeping in small basement closets and that the problems have persisted for months. FOX 9 They say a gas leak left them without stoves and laundry for four days and that hot water still has not been restored. FOX 9 Chicago-based Quadrel Realty Group manages the building and was fined nearly $50,000 earlier this year for failing to improve conditions after a 2025 heat outage, tenants say.

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New York investor buys 336-unit Burnsville complex

Osso Capital, a New York private equity real estate firm, bought the 336-unit Twelve 501 Apartments in Burnsville, marking the firm's entry into the Minnesota market.

The complex at 12501 Portland Ave. sits on about 15 acres and includes 336 units. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal It was built in 1986, renovated in 2017, and was about 97% occupied when it was marketed. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Seller FPA Multifamily bought the property in early 2017 for $35.35 million, and Dakota County now assesses it at roughly $47.2 million.

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Highway 62 ICE gun case snarls over victims' Fifth Amendment demands

Victims in the Highway 62 gun-pointing case said they will invoke the Fifth Amendment and refuse to testify at a Hennepin County hearing unless the federal government grants them immunity.

ICE agent Gregory Morgan Jr. is charged in Hennepin County with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for a Feb. 5 gun-pointing incident on Highway 62. FOX 9 Prosecutors say Morgan drove a black Ford Expedition on the shoulder to pass traffic, then pulled alongside a blocking vehicle, rolled down his window and pointed a handgun at the driver and passenger.

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Minneapolis sex offender admits exploiting at least 12 girls online

Christopher Allan Amelsberg, 36, of Minneapolis pleaded guilty July 27 to producing and attempting to produce child pornography after admitting he exploited at least 12 girls online.

Amelsberg admitted targeting girls ages 14 to 17 via text messages and social media from August 2023 through May 2026, prosecutors said. FOX 9 He is a registered sex offender with a prior Minnesota conviction for possessing child pornography and now faces a mandatory minimum 25-year federal prison sentence. FOX 9 Investigators said there may be additional victims and urged anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

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Plymouth couple charged in $2M-plus tax fraud case

Scott and Angel Hill of Plymouth were charged with six felony counts of failing to file individual returns and six felony counts of failing to pay individual income tax, prosecutors said.

Officials say the couple owes $813,000 in tax penalties, and Scott Hill alone allegedly owes about $1.2 million tied to prior tax-felony charges. FOX 9 The complaint says they funneled many small deposits into a company bank account to avoid reporting laws, then moved money into personal accounts to buy two Teslas and a Cadillac Escalade. FOX 9 Prosecutors allege the couple did not file individual tax returns from 2019 through 2024, and Scott Hill also failed to file business tax returns during that time. FOX 9 Each felony count carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine under Minnesota law.

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Four plead guilty in $2.25M Medicaid housing fraud via Brilliant Minds

Four men have pleaded guilty in Minnesota to a scheme that bilked Medicaid of about $2.25 million by billing housing services under the company name Brilliant Minds.

Alphanews confirmed that two previously reported defendants, Mustafa Dayib and Abdulbasit Ibrahim, are among the four who have now admitted guilt. Alphanews Prosecutors say the defendants submitted roughly $2.25 million in false Medicaid claims through the Brilliant Minds name.

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Man killed by train near Anoka County Fair

A man was killed when he was struck by a train just after 9 p.m. Friday near the 2700 block of Ferry Street in Anoka as people were leaving the Anoka County Fair.

Deputies responded just after 9 p.m. Friday to the train-pedestrian crash near the 2700 block of Ferry Street, the sheriff's office said. FOX 9 Investigators said early information shows the man was trying to cross in front of an oncoming train when he was struck and killed. FOX 9 Traffic leaving the Anoka County Fair was disrupted and Metro Transit assisted some people in returning to their vehicles; no other injuries were reported.

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Minneapolis fentanyl courier convicted in federal case

A federal jury in Minneapolis convicted Michaela Karon McKinney on three counts tied to fentanyl trafficking in July 2026, and she faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison under the charges.

Prosecutors told the jury McKinney helped distribute more than 180 grams of powder fentanyl, about 500 M-30 fentanyl pills and roughly 30 grams of meth during trips in June and July 2024. FOX 9 The conviction followed a two-day trial that began July 13, and co-defendants La'Veal O. Allen and Marquise J. Walker have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

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South Minneapolis rally targets ICE, sanctuary push after Pretti and Good shootings

Hundreds of protesters in south Minneapolis rallied to demand ICE leave Minnesota and to press city and state officials for sanctuary-style policies after two fatal encounters involving federal agents.

Alex Pretti's makeshift memorial near Nicollet Avenue has drawn visitors from across the country and at least one from Ireland, and a nearby restaurant has become an informal support hub for mourners and activists. FOX 9 Owner Tracy Wong says she opened her doors to freezing demonstrators and now displays a wall of thank-you notes. FOX 9 Federal authorities recently turned over evidence from the Pretti and Renée Good shootings to Hennepin County prosecutors, but Pretti's family left a same-day meeting with federal prosecutors unconvinced that justice was any closer.

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19-year-old charged in fatal Wedge Co-op shooting

A 19-year-old Minneapolis man was charged Friday with murder and weapons offenses in a deadly June 21 shooting at the Wedge Co-op parking lot on the 2100 block of Lyndale Avenue South.

Authorities identified him as Markez Patton, 19, and charged him with two counts of second-degree murder, possession of a machine gun, ineligible possession of a firearm or ammunition, and fleeing a peace officer. FOX 9 Police say one man died from gunshot wounds while being transported to a hospital and a second victim drove himself to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Omar, Jayapal blocked from speaking with ICE detainees at Whipple

Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Pramila Jayapal said they were barred from speaking with ICE detainees during an oversight visit to the Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities on Friday, July 24, 2026.

They said ICE required them to sign paperwork that barred interaction with people in custody and then refused to let them meet detainees. FOX 9 Jayapal said every detainee she saw was in leg restraints and that such restraints are not standard at comparable holding facilities. FOX 9 The lawmakers were told about 38 detainees were being transported that day for deportation, mostly routed through New Orleans. FOX 9 Omar estimated roughly 300 immigration detainees are held in four Minnesota county jails. FOX 9 A van believed to be carrying deportees drove past their news conference as activists shouted at it, underscoring local anger over Operation Metro Surge and unresolved killings from ICE encounters including Alex Pretti.

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After St. Paul leasing-office triple murder, property managers push safety and faster evictions

Twin Cities property managers said Friday they are stepping up leasing-office safety measures and backing faster eviction tools after a triple homicide at a St. Paul apartment complex that left three leasing employees dead.

Ramsey County prosecutors charged 30-year-old Tsegaab Ademassu Binessu with three counts of second-degree murder with intent in the killings, according to charging documents. FOX 9 Prosecutors say the complaint ties the shootings to an argument over a $65-per-month parking garage contract that property managers would not cancel. FOX 9 Surveillance video described in the complaint shows the suspect shooting three people in the Davern Park leasing office. FOX 9 Police recovered 21 spent 9mm casings in the leasing office. FOX 9 Officers say the suspect stole a victim's car to flee and was later located in St. Louis County with items including a passport and an empty magazine.

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Brooklyn Park home-invasion sex assaults: suspect charged in two cases

Darius Olson-Baker, 25, was charged Friday in two Brooklyn Park home-invasion sexual assaults that prosecutors say occurred July 17 and July 22, and he is being held on $1 million bail.

He faces 10 felony counts, including four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct alleging penetration while armed with a dangerous weapon, four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of first-degree burglary. FOX 9 Olson-Baker was arrested after a special Brooklyn Park police task force was formed, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Friday at 1:30 p.m. Central.

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Shakopee orders troubled hotel to shut down

The City of Shakopee revoked the license of a local hotel and ordered it to shut down, citing repeated police calls and two deaths tied to an adult-themed event.

Police had responded to 84 calls for service at the property before the city acted. Bizjournals Two people died during an adult-themed event at the hotel, a fact the city said helped justify revoking the license.

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Judge tosses wage-theft case against Brooklyn Park pastor

A judge dismissed wage-theft charges Wednesday against Bishop Harding Smith of Brooklyn Park, who leads the nonprofit Minnesota Acts Now.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office said it disagrees with the dismissal and that the judge's decision was based on case timelines, not the merits of the evidence. FOX 9 Smith acknowledged paying staff about $20 an hour while the Hennepin County contract required $35 an hour, and he said he believed the contract set a rate "up to" $35.

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Maplewood woman charged with attempted murder in CVS police stabbing

Jowharah Bilal, 49, of Maplewood, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault after allegedly stabbing a Maplewood police sergeant on July 21, 2026.

Charging documents say Sgt. Anthony Gabriel was speaking with Bilal about alleged threats and shoplifting when she suddenly pulled a knife and repeatedly stabbed him. FOX 9 A nearby witness who helped disarm Bilal was her adult son, who told police she has experienced serious mental health issues for years but refuses treatment. FOX 9 Bilal allegedly admitted taking merchandise but said she returned it and apologized. FOX 9 She told investigators she grabbed a knife after being told she was under arrest but did not remember using it. FOX 9 Bilal also told investigators the officer 'must have been a robot' because she did not see blood. FOX 9 She is scheduled for a first appearance in Ramsey County District Court on July 23, 2026.

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Ex-senator Nicole Mitchell files for Woodbury council

Nicole Mitchell has filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State to run for a Woodbury City Council seat in the November 2026 election.

She says her campaign will focus on four priorities: science-based decisions, keeping costs low, greater transparency and better representation. FOX 9 Woodbury's council races are nonpartisan and at-large, with four-year terms. FOX 9 Two seats currently held by Steve Morris and Jennifer Santini are on the 2026 ballot.

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Two more charged in fatal Frogtown shooting

Two men were charged Thursday in connection with a July 18 fatal shooting near Edmund Avenue West and North Kent Street in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood.

Prosecutors charged Treeheem Smith, 29, with aiding an offender after he allegedly helped conceal evidence. FOX 9 They charged Anthony Rivera, 28, with ineligible possession of a firearm or ammunition after he was allegedly seen firing a handgun on video.

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Minnesota makes police impersonation a felony Aug. 1

Minnesota will make impersonating a police officer a felony effective Aug. 1, upgrading the crime from a misdemeanor and raising the legal stakes for people who pretend to be law enforcement.

The law sets a maximum sentence of two years, and up to five years if the impersonation occurs while committing another crime. FOX 9 Sen. John Hoffman authored the bill.

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Motorcycle deaths spike; new Brooklyn Park fatality underscores Twin Cities toll

A motorcyclist was killed when their motorcycle collided with an automobile at Brooklyn Boulevard and Unity Avenue North in Brooklyn Park on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 9:37 p.m. Central.

All parties remained on scene and are cooperating with investigators, and no arrests were made at the scene. FOX 9 The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting Brooklyn Park police with a formal accident reconstruction.

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Motorcyclist killed in Brooklyn Park intersection crash

A motorcyclist was killed around 9:37 p.m. Monday after a crash at Brooklyn Boulevard and Unity Avenue North in Brooklyn Park.

The rider was taken to a hospital and later died from injuries sustained in the collision. FOX 9 All parties stayed on scene and are cooperating while the Minnesota State Patrol conducts a formal reconstruction, and no arrests have been made.

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Minnesota raises kratom age limit to 21 on Aug. 1

Minnesota will raise the legal age to buy and possess kratom from 18 to 21 effective Aug. 1, 2026.

Under HF 3453, selling kratom to anyone under 21 will be a gross misdemeanor, and possession by those under 21 will be a misdemeanor.

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CNN: Metro Surge agents accused of lying to prosecutors

A CNN investigation alleges federal immigration agents assigned to Operation Metro Surge lied to federal prosecutors about enforcement actions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, potentially undermining criminal and immigration cases.

Prosecutors relied on those agent accounts in building Metro Surge criminal and immigration cases. Minnesota Reformer The allegations come as local officials and residents press authorities over Metro Surge fallout, including Ramsey County's federal lawsuit over the seizure of U.S. citizen Chongly Scott Thao and protests after fatal ICE shootings.

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Farmington hit-and-run: 4 arrested, car recovered in death of 13-year-old cyclist

Farmington police arrested four people Thursday in connection with the July 14 hit-and-run that killed 13-year-old Sasha Balandin as she rode a bicycle in Farmington.

A 30-year-old Farmington man was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide and failing to stop, police said. FOX 9 Three others — a 28-year-old woman, a 36-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman — were arrested on suspicion of aiding an offender, police said.

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Feds drop ICE assault case against Inver Grove paraprofessional

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday moved to dismiss an assault charge against Christina Rank, an Inver Grove Heights paraprofessional, saying they could not find probable cause and dismissing the case with prejudice.

Rank had been charged in January after a vehicle crash tied to Operation Metro Surge and was one of 16 people arrested on allegations of attacking or impeding federal officers. FOX 9 She spent nearly 12 hours in federal custody after the incident.

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$3.7M Medicaid housing fraud suspect pleads guilty

Muhammad Abdulqadir Omar pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, admitting he and a co-defendant fraudulently obtained millions from Minnesota's Medicaid Housing Stabilization program.

Prosecutors say Omar and Ibrahim Bashir Abdi billed the program for more than $3.2 million between June 2022 and April 2025 and billed for 92 hours of services after a recipient's death. FOX 9 Charging documents also allege Omar personally collected another $480,000 through false claims and that he used some funds to buy property in Kenya. FOX 9 He is one of 15 defendants in a broader, roughly $90 million Minnesota fraud case targeting state-funded programs.

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Feeding Our Future ringleader gets 10 more years for juror bribe

Abdiaziz Shafii Farah was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to bribe a juror, to run consecutive to his 28-year Feeding Our Future fraud term for a total of 38 years behind bars.

Prosecutors said the juror, identified as "Juror 52," reported finding a bag that contained $120,000 and a note offering more money if she voted to acquit seven defendants. FOX 9 She was dismissed from the jury.

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Ex-Minneapolis communications chief charged in debit card theft

Former Minneapolis chief communications officer Adam Fetcher was charged Wednesday, July 22, with financial transaction card fraud.

Police allege he stole a coworker's debit card at the city office and used it about an hour later to buy $481 in merchandise at a Minneapolis tobacco shop.

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988 mental health calls in Minnesota triple since 2022

Minnesota's 988 mental health lifeline is handling about three times as many contacts now as when it launched in 2022, state reporting shows.

FOX 9 reported that since July 2022 Minnesota's 988 centers have answered more than 370,000 contacts. FOX 9 Contacts rose from roughly 25,000 in the first half of 2022 to about 83,000 in the first half of 2026.

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Champlin police warn after kids' e-moto highway near-miss

Two children riding an electric moped crossed in front of oncoming traffic on Highway 169 at 114th Avenue in Champlin, narrowly avoiding being struck by a truck traveling about 55 mph.

Champlin police said the maneuver was an illegal crossing that was captured on a patrol dashcam and that neither child was wearing a helmet. FOX 9 Police described the video as a public-safety warning to riders and parents.

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Minneapolis delays Reign nightclub license after mass shooting

The Minneapolis City Council's Business, Housing and Zoning Committee on Tuesday delayed Reign nightclub's liquor license renewal after nine people were injured in an early Sunday mass shooting outside the club in Uptown Minneapolis.

Council Member Jason Chavez said 911 calls to the club's address tripled between 2021 and 2024 and questioned why the renewal was moving forward. FOX 9 Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer called the violence "outrageous" and said the council is taking the incident seriously as it weighs licensing options.

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New Minnesota laws take effect August 1

Minnesota will implement multiple new laws on Aug. 1 that ban "nudify" image software, require payment transparency in public contracting, broaden virtual-currency custody and change food-bank and veterinary rules.

The new law bars owning, controlling or advertising software, apps or websites built to "nudify" photos or videos and lets victims sue civilly. FOX 9 The Payment Transparency Act requires public contracting agencies to provide project payment dates and amounts within seven days of a written request and to share subcontractor contact information. FOX 9 Banks and credit unions may begin offering virtual-currency custody in a non-fiduciary role if they adopt written policies on risk management, internal controls, cybersecurity, business continuity and compliance.

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UBS to abandon St. Paul tower, shift offices to Edina

UBS will leave its namesake UBS Plaza in downtown St. Paul when its lease expires in mid-2028 and consolidate Minnesota offices into new space in Edina.

The bank is leasing about 29,000 square feet on the fifth floor of Opus Development's new 118,000-square-foot Arcadia building at 5115 Arcadia Ave. in Edina. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal CBRE will occupy roughly 15,750 square feet on the building's third floor and Opus plans to take about 29,000 square feet for its own headquarters, leaving Arcadia nearly 63% pre-leased. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal UBS will also wind down space in the IDS Center in Minneapolis and the 8500 Tower in Bloomington as those leases end through 2027, while retaining a presence in downtown Wayzata.

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Ramsey sheriff details Somali gang violence at meeting after backlash

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher on Tuesday, July 21, held a meeting at the sheriff's patrol office in Arden Hills to detail Somali gang activity and appeal to parents for help. FOX 9 About 200 people attended.

Fletcher's office said about a dozen Somali gangs involve roughly 300 young people and have been tied to 14 murders and more than 100 shootings in recent years. FOX 9 Fletcher and investigator Jama Shine said many incidents involve automatic weapons and are fueled by social-media bragging, and they framed the meeting as an effort to educate Somali parents and enlist their help. FOX 9 Grieving mother Fatuma Salad and resident Harun Awad spoke about the toll of the violence, and Fletcher said he plans another meeting within the next couple of weeks focused specifically on solutions.

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Twin Cities now 8th costliest U.S. metro to raise a child

SmartAsset ranked the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro the eighth most expensive of 48 large U.S. metropolitan areas to raise a child in 2026.

The group's estimate puts the yearly cost for one child in a two-working-adult household at $33,307, signaling higher household expenses for families across the Twin Cities.

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Feds halt over $1B in Medicaid funds as Minnesota fraud fight escalates

Federal authorities have halted more than $1 billion in federal Medicaid funding to California and Minnesota, tying the move to fraud and program-integrity concerns and leaving Minnesota with hundreds of millions in lost funds.

CMS says it will restore full payments only after Minnesota meets specified corrective actions and timelines on provider screening, oversight and reporting. Minnesota Reformer Federal officials say the funding stoppage responds to alleged systemic weaknesses in Minnesota's fraud controls rather than a paperwork technicality. Minnesota Reformer Minnesota Department of Human Services says it is aggressively rooting out fraud through provider moratoriums and revalidation and warns the cutoff risks harming legitimate providers and patients. Minnesota Reformer Senators have pressed questions and criticism in recent days, with some lawmakers raising a roughly $2 billion withholding figure as they pressed federal officials for answers.

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Driver charged in 2024 Dayton fatal crash over app use

Jordan Thomas Land, 32, of Becker, was charged by summons in the fatal October 27, 2024, crash in Dayton, Minnesota, that killed a motorist whose disabled SUV was stopped in the center lane.

The victim was identified as 60-year-old Julie Kay Terwey of South Haven, whose Ford Escape had stopped after hitting a deer, and the collision occurred around 5:31 a.m. FOX 9 Investigators say Land's Mazda was traveling between 70 and 85 mph and his phone records showed nearly constant use of TikTok, Safari and Facebook from about 5:05 a.m. until seconds after the crash.

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St. Louis Park teacher charged after dragging 8-year-old

A St. Louis Park teacher, Steven Samuel Burth, was charged Tuesday in Hennepin County with gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child after an alleged May 5 dragging of an 8-year-old at Aquila Elementary.

Prosecutors say the May 5 incident left the student with a rug-burn-like injury to his side. FOX 9 The child, two classmates and a CornerHouse forensic interview all reportedly tied the injury to Burth.

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Costco buys Coon Rapids TGI Fridays to expand gas, parking

Costco has bought the former TGI Fridays at 12519 Riverdale Blvd. in Coon Rapids for $5.5 million to relocate and expand its fuel station.

The new station will double pump capacity from 10 pumps serving 20 cars to 20 pumps serving 40 cars and expand vehicle queuing from 43 to 84 spaces.

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Maple Grove fire chief resigns after sex assault charge

Maple Grove Fire Chief Maddison Michael Zikmund, 36, resigned effective July 16, 2026, after being charged in Anoka County with third-degree criminal sexual conduct while in a position of authority.

Blaine police say the alleged assault occurred in spring 2017 when the victim was 17 and a fire explorer in the SBM Fire Department program Zikmund helped supervise. FOX 9 Police say Zikmund admitted exchanging explicit photos with the teen and touching her vagina under her clothing at his Blaine home, though he denied having sex.

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Man killed after argument sparks north Minneapolis shooting

One man was killed after an argument turned into a shooting Wednesday afternoon on the 200 block of 27th Avenue North in north Minneapolis, police said.

The shooting was reported at 2:36 p.m., and officers found the victim outside with life-threatening gunshot wounds. FOX 9 The victim later died at North Memorial Health. FOX 9 Police say officers arrested a suspect near 30th Avenue North and Washington Avenue North less than 20 minutes after they were dispatched. FOX 9 The suspect was booked into the Hennepin County Jail.

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Minnesota posts third straight month of job growth

Minnesota added 13,200 jobs in June 2026, marking the state's third straight month of job growth, state officials reported.

The statewide unemployment rate held at 4.4% in June, compared with a 4.2% national rate. FOX 9 Educational and health services added 7,800 jobs while professional and business services added 3,500 and manufacturing added 2,800. FOX 9 Leisure and hospitality added 2,700 jobs, while trade, transportation and utilities lost 2,000 and government lost 1,400. FOX 9 Department of Employment and Economic Development officials say labor-force participation and wage growth remain in decline despite the new hires. FOX 9 Gov. Tim Walz called the numbers evidence of Minnesota's broader economic recovery and credited state investments in workforce and small businesses.

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Twin Cities housing inventory, sales climb in June

Housing inventory and home sales in the Twin Cities climbed in June 2026, with pending sales and new listings rising and statewide inventory hitting a seven-year high.

Pending home sales in the Twin Cities rose 9.7% year over year in June, while new listings increased 10.5%. Metro inventory grew 5.1% to 10,897 homes for sale, and statewide inventory reached 19,008 — up 7.5% from last year.

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Minneapolis approves $2.5M emergency funds to relocate Heritage Park residents

On Thursday, July 16, 2026 the Minneapolis City Council voted to approve and set aside $2.5 million in emergency funds to relocate residents of the Heritage Park housing complex.

The funds will be used to relocate 686 residents living in 212 households and to pay for urgent repairs at the complex during the transition. FOX 9 The council also approved a legislative directive requiring regular updates on the relocation process and spending, and it requested a legal memo exploring options to recover some or all of the $2.5 million from the court-appointed receiver. FOX 9 City officials said work to move residents out of Heritage Park is already underway.

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Minneapolis blocks Skydio police drone deal in 6-6 council split

The Minneapolis City Council deadlocked 6-6 on Thursday, July 16, 2026, a tie that procedurally killed a proposed Skydio contract for a "drones as first responders" pilot. FOX 9 The result blocks a proposed 75-day trial and leaves unclear whether the city will seek another vendor, rewrite contract terms, or shelve the drones-as-first-responders idea.

Multiple council members said Skydio's past sales and support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement helped drive their votes against the contract. Minnesota Reformer Organized protesters, including local civil-rights and privacy groups, packed City Hall on July 15 and warned the program would expand warrantless aerial surveillance over north Minneapolis and communities of color. Minnesota Reformer City staff and Minneapolis police officials said the drones would speed response times and improve safety, but those arguments failed to win a majority. Minnesota Reformer Council members LaTrisha Vetaw and Soren Stevenson framed the dispute as a clash between local safety needs and surveillance or immigration-abuse concerns. FOX 9 Council Member Jamal Osman said he supports the drones-as-first-responders concept in principle but opposed Skydio as the vendor and urged restarting the plan with a different company.

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U of M wins $10M NIH grant for virus research

The University of Minnesota Medical School announced it has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study how animals fight viruses.

Researchers will collect living cells from more than 100 animal species to create a "cellular zoo" that maps how different immune systems respond to infection. FOX 9 The project will focus on arboviruses such as West Nile to learn how animals' innate immunity influences whether viruses can jump to and spread in people.

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Sun Country to cut 58 MSP routes this fall

Sun Country Airlines will cut 58 routes from its fall schedule out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, shrinking leisure service as the carrier reallocates pilots.

The airline tied the reductions to an ongoing pilot shortage and to increased demand from its Amazon Air cargo contract, saying cargo operations require more pilot resources. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal The cuts primarily affect leisure routes served from Sun Country's MSP hub, reducing seasonal options for travelers.

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Ramsey County sues DHS over forcible removal of St. Paul U.S. citizen

Ramsey County filed a federal lawsuit on July 15, 2026, saying DHS unlawfully refused to hand over evidence in a criminal probe of a Jan. 18 ICE raid in St. Paul.

The complaint says investigators are probing possible kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment of Hmong-American U.S. citizen Chongly Scott Thao. Minnesota Reformer The county asked the court to compel DHS and ICE to produce body-camera or operational video, reports and the identities of agents involved. Minnesota Reformer County investigators say Thao was not suspected of any crime when agents broke into his home, removed him, drove him around for about an hour and then returned him home. FOX 9 Sheriff Bob Fletcher said the conduct could amount to false imprisonment or kidnapping depending on the agents' intent.

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MDH tracks parasite as U.S. cyclosporiasis cases surge

Minnesota health officials are tracking Cyclospora infections as U.S. cyclosporiasis cases surge, with thousands sick nationwide and dozens of cases already confirmed in the state.

Public health labs have confirmed 41 infections in Minnesota since May 1, which the Minnesota Department of Health calls not unusual but concerning. FOX 9 Cyclosporiasis has caused at least 6,000 illnesses in 34 U.S. states this year, including more than 3,000 in Michigan.

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Robbinsdale switches to Bridge911 alert and tip app

Robbinsdale switched from tip411 to the Bridge911 alert and tip app on July 6, 2026, moving city alerts and police tip-taking to the new platform.

Bridge911 will carry city alerts for snow emergencies, critical incidents and traffic-impacting events, and it will accept police tips. FOX 9 The app adds video calling and an officer-verification tool so residents can confirm the identity of Robbinsdale officers.

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Ex-DHS agent from Eagan gets 7 years in child sex case

Timothy Ryan Gregg, 53, a former Department of Homeland Security agent from Eagan, Minnesota, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison on a transportation-of-child-sexual-images charge.

Prosecutors say Gregg admitted having sex with the victim at least nine times between early March and May 2025. FOX 9 He continued the encounters after checking a law-enforcement database and confirming the girl was 17. FOX 9 He also used his Homeland Security number and email to book the hotel rooms where the encounters occurred. FOX 9 As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped a production-of-child-pornography count that would have carried a 15-year mandatory minimum.

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Pentair slashes 2026 outlook; CFO exits after 4 months

Pentair cut its 2026 revenue outlook and said CFO Nick Brazis has resigned after roughly four months, with former CFO Bob Fishman returning as interim chief.

The company now expects 2026 revenue to fall as much as 7% from 2025's $4.2 billion, down from earlier guidance of 2%-4% growth. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Preliminary second-quarter revenue was about $930 million, a 17% year-over-year decline, and adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.12 versus prior guidance of $1.47 to $1.50. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Pool treatment sales plunged 16% amid dealer destocking and weaker demand tied to higher interest rates and inflation.

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Trump endorses Mike Lindell in Minnesota governor race

Donald Trump endorsed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor via a Truth Social post Wednesday morning, injecting his backing into the Republican primary and potentially reshaping a competitive three-way race.

Trump praised Lindell for "sacrificing" for "election integrity" and said he had his "complete and total endorsement" and "will not let you down," according to the post. FOX 9 The endorsement comes amid a field that includes House Speaker Lisa Demuth and the party-endorsed Kendall Qualls, setting up a high-stakes Republican primary ahead of the August 11, 2026, nomination.

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23andMe breach hits 92,000 Minnesotans; state wins payout

Minnesota will receive $514,871 from consumer genetics firm 23andMe as part of an $18 million multistate recovery tied to the company's bankruptcy over a 2023 data breach.

The payout is Minnesota's share of the larger recovery that resolves state claims against 23andMe's estate, officials said. FOX 9 The 2023 breach exposed genetic and ancestry data for about 6.9 million customers worldwide, including 92,385 Minnesotans. FOX 9 Attorneys general found 23andMe failed to implement basic safeguards like multifactor authentication and protections against credential-stuffing, and they said the company did not promptly detect the intrusion.

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Burnsville crisis call ends in fatal house fire

A crisis call to a Burnsville home around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday ended in a large house fire that left one adult male dead, police said.

Officers reported seeing a man inside the Maple Island Road residence who was armed with a firearm and withdrew from the house out of caution. FOX 9 Police deployed non-flammable chemical irritants in an effort to get the man to come out before the home became fully engulfed. FOX 9 After firefighters extinguished the blaze, investigators found one adult male dead inside the home. FOX 9 The City of Burnsville asked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the State Fire Marshal Division to lead the investigation.

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New law drives 95% drop in Twin Cities catalytic thefts

Officials in Eagan and New Brighton say catalytic converter thefts in their cities have dropped about 95% since Minnesota's new law took effect Aug. 1, 2023.

Police say officers have been able to reassign resources from converter stings and bait-car operations back to broader investigations and regular patrol work. FOX 9 The law requires converters to be clearly tied to a specific vehicle and makes illegal scrap purchases a crime.

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State warns on brucellosis in South Dakota rescue dogs

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health warned that dogs adopted or imported from South Dakota are showing a high prevalence of canine brucellosis, an incurable bacterial disease that can force lifelong quarantine or euthanasia.

The board said it has traced seven brucellosis-positive dogs to South Dakota and is considering new import and quarantine rules for dogs coming from that state. FOX 9 The agency recommends veterinary exams, certificates of veterinary inspection, and testing before adoption or resale while it evaluates those measures.

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8-year-old on e-scooter killed in Brooklyn Park crash

An 8-year-old boy riding an electric scooter was struck and killed by a pickup truck Friday around 2 p.m. at Candlewood Drive and Brunswick Avenue North in Brooklyn Park.

Police say the driver immediately called 911 and remained at the scene. FOX 9 Authorities say he showed no signs of impairment and is cooperating with Brooklyn Park police and the Minnesota State Patrol investigation.

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Lawsuit targets U of M gender identity speech rules

Young America's Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging the University of Minnesota's gender-identity and pronoun policies, seeking policy changes and $1 in nominal damages and alleging the rules chill speech.

The complaint says students can be disciplined for refusing to use preferred pronouns or for expressing views that "there are only two genders" or opposing transgender participation in women's sports. FOX 9 It points to a U of M administrative policy that expects community members to use names and pronouns consistent with individuals' specified gender identities and pronouns.

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Trump ousts federal election commission, sidelines Simon

The White House removed all three sitting commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission effective July 9, 2026, leaving the agency without a quorum and unable to act.

Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland were notified of their firings by email, while Republican Christy McCormick was permitted to resign. FOX 9 Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who sat on the EAC board of advisors, said the removals will hamper the agency's work but he does not foresee immediate effects on Minnesota's election administration.

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State clemency panel weighs high-profile Twin Cities killers

The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission is weighing 35 commutation applications Friday, including requests from people convicted in several high-profile Twin Cities murders.

Among the applicants is Ronald Reed, who was convicted in 2006 of the 1970 killing of St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett and is seeking parole for at least the fourth time. FOX 9 Police groups and Sackett's family oppose Reed's release, saying under current law he would be serving life without parole even though his original sentence allows a clemency route. FOX 9 The panel is also reviewing Jason Williams' 1992 Brooklyn Park home-invasion murder and Meng Veng's conviction in a 2005 double murder at Jimmy's Pro Billiards in Columbia Heights. FOX 9 The commission's recommendations go to the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which has the final authority to grant or deny sentence reductions.

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DHS deports child sex offender pardoned by Walz

The Department of Homeland Security deported Tou Lue Vang from the United States on Friday, July 10, 2026, despite a full pardon granted by Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Board of Pardons.

DHS publicized the removal on Friday morning and released a photo showing Vang in custody in front of a plane. FOX 9 The pardon had been granted in June after the Minnesota Board of Pardons reviewed a victim's support letter, but federal immigration authorities said the state action did not block the removal order.

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Facebook bans MN public radio exec over AI error

Facebook permanently disabled the account of AMPERS president and CEO Joel Glaser after it flagged two news posts as child sexual exploitation, a move tied to a June 25, 2026 suspension notice in Minnesota.

Glaser says the flagged posts included a missing child alert and a Holocaust survivor story. FOX 9 After he appealed by submitting facial scans, Facebook denied the appeal in about a minute and permanently disabled his account, and also removed pages he administered including the MN90 Minnesota History in 90 Seconds page.

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Osseo residents blast $4M tax break for cannabis shop

Osseo residents blasted a proposed $4 million, 20-year tax abatement to help fund a city-owned cannabis dispensary and brewery at a Thursday night town hall, and the council chose to revisit the plan rather than approve it.

The dispensary would go into the former Osseo Press and News building, which the city owns, and be operated by Voyageur Cannabis Services alongside Heavy Rotation Brewing under a negotiated lease. FOX 9 City officials told residents cannabis revenues would be used to service the bond debt, but several people warned taxpayers could be left on the hook if the venture fails. FOX 9 One woman told the council her property taxes rose from $2,200 in 2011 to $6,300 a year and called the proposal "disgusting." FOX 9

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Day care owner admits $426K fraud of state pay program

Jillaine Mertens pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud after admitting she stole $426,382 from Minnesota's Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program.

Under a plea agreement, Mertens faces a federal guideline range of 21-27 months in prison, forfeiture of the stolen funds and supervised release pending sentencing. FOX 9 Prosecutors say she submitted false and inflated payroll claims tied to three day cares, including Tree of Life in Ramsey and Creative Stars Academy centers in Rochester and Kasson. FOX 9 Investigators found she listed at least 23 people she did not employ and inflated hours for real employees to boost reimbursements between November 2024 and May 2025.

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CVS pays Minnesota $850K in insulin billing fraud case

CVS agreed to pay Minnesota more than $850,000 as part of a national $36.5 million settlement over alleged Medicaid insulin billing fraud.

Minnesota's share includes more than $400,000 in direct restitution to its Medical Assistance program. FOX 9 Investigators say CVS sought reimbursement for ineligible refills, dispensed more insulin pens than insurance limits allowed, and under-reported days of supply instead of seeking proper overrides.

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Xcel, McGough fined over St. Paul stormwater spills

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Xcel Energy $13,687 and McGough Construction $12,168 for stormwater violations at Xcel's St. Paul Service Center, the agency announced Thursday.

A whitish-gray discharge was reported Nov. 6, 2025, and about 4,000 gallons of polluted water entered a storm sewer draining to a nearby wetland on Nov. 20, 2025. FOX 9 Inspectors also found another release on Oct. 28, 2026.

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Minnesota jumps to No. 5 in CNBC business ranking

Minnesota jumped to No. 5 in CNBC's 2026 Top States for Business ranking, a five-spot rise that state leaders say strengthens the case for jobs and investment.

The state rose from No. 10 in 2025 to No. 5 under CNBC's new methodology, which made Infrastructure the heaviest-weighted category at nearly 19% of a state's score. Business Journal Minnesota ranked No. 4 for quality of life, No. 7 for infrastructure, No. 8 for economy and No. 31 for cost of doing business.

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Minneapolis day care owner pleads guilty in $5.5M fraud

Fahima Egeh Mahamud, the former CEO of Future Leaders Early Learning Center in Minneapolis, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and conspiracy for stealing more than $5.4 million.

Prosecutors say she stole more than $4.6 million from Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program and about $850,000 from the federal Feeding Our Future child nutrition program. FOX 9 Mahamud admitted submitting false paperwork for child care assistance and falsely claiming her center served thousands of meals through Feeding Our Future. FOX 9 She is free on a conditional bond while a pre-sentence report is prepared, and a sentencing date has not been set.

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Minneapolis-based cartel trafficker gets 200-month sentence

Juan Carlos Felix was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl out of Minneapolis.

Alphanews described him as a Sinaloa Cartel affiliate and said the network distributed meth and fentanyl across multiple states.

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Eagan sued over data center moratorium, hearing set

Eagan Capital sued the city over its one-year moratorium on new data centers, arguing Eagan cannot regulate electricity use; a hearing is set for Aug. 12.

The city adopted the one-year moratorium in February to study potential local impacts. FOX 9 Eagan Capital, which owns a data center in the city, says the suit seeks $50,000 in damages.

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Firefighter hospitalized after blaze at vacant North Side home

A Minneapolis firefighter was hospitalized after a fire around 7:30 p.m. at a vacant, boarded-up multiunit home in the 2600 block of 4th Street North in north Minneapolis, officials said.

A second firefighter was treated on scene for a minor burn, and no civilians were found inside. FOX 9 One firefighter was taken to a hospital for heat exhaustion, and officials said the blaze was contained in about 45 minutes. FOX 9 Crews forced entry, requested additional assistance and conducted primary and secondary searches after finding evidence people had been living in the boarded-up building.

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Man critically wounded in shooting inside north Minneapolis home

A man was critically wounded in a shooting inside a north Minneapolis home just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the 1200 block of 36th Avenue North.

Officers found the man in the living room with at least one potentially life-threatening gunshot wound, and he was transported to a hospital. FOX 9 Police are investigating the circumstances, including whether the shooting was accidental, and no arrests or suspect details have been released.

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Teen arrested in fatal Hartkopf Park shooting of 16-year-old

A 16-year-old boy was shot in the head and killed at Hartkopf Park in Brooklyn Park about 10:45 p.m. Central on Sunday, July 5, police said.

Detectives quickly identified a suspect and arrested a 17-year-old boy on probable-cause second-degree murder, police said. FOX 9 Police say they recovered the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting. FOX 9 The 17-year-old was booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, and officials have not released the names of either teen.

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Workforce Pell Grants start at Hennepin Tech

Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park began offering Workforce Pell Grant-eligible short-term programs on July 1, 2026, making it one of only two Minnesota colleges to do so.

Hennepin Tech's initial offerings include nursing assistant and emergency medical technician courses, while Lake Superior College is offering EMT and phlebotomy programs. Federal rules limit eligible programs to 8-15 weeks and 150-599 instructional hours and require 70% completion and 70% job-placement rates. They also require documented earnings gains at least equal to tuition and fees. Students who qualify could start receiving Workforce Pell funds later in 2026, and federal spending is projected at $1.5 to $2 billion over 10 years.

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Minnesota paid leave: 75,000 approved so far, agency expects demand to taper

About 75,000 Minnesotans have been approved for payments from the statewide paid family and medical leave program during its first six months of operation.

The program has disbursed nearly $600 million in benefits, showing it is actively paying residents rather than only taking applications. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal State paid-leave officials told the Minnesota Reformer the early volume of claims reflects pent-up demand and that they expect application levels to taper off. Minnesota Reformer Officials outlined plans to adjust staffing, processing and financial projections in response to the early surge and the anticipated slowdown.

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Inver Grove Heights officer fires shot during pursuit

An Inver Grove Heights police officer accidentally fired a single shot during a vehicle pursuit around 3:40 a.m. Wednesday near South Street and 6th Avenue South, striking the tire of the suspect's car.

Police said the officer "accidently fired" the shot and that no one was inside or nearby when the bullet struck the tire.

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Edina 50th & France Starbucks votes to unionize

Workers at the Starbucks at 50th Street and France Avenue in Edina voted 9-6 to unionize with Starbucks Workers United.

The tally makes the store the 17th Starbucks in Minnesota to join the labor group and part of more than 700 U.S. locations with over 12,000 unionized baristas. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Starbucks Workers United alleges more than 400 labor-law violations by the company, including retaliatory firings and unlawful policy enforcement. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Starbucks disputed those claims, saying average pay and benefits at the company exceed $30 per hour and announcing plans for performance-based bonuses up to $1,200, weekly pay, and expanded tipping options for non-union stores.

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Audit flags voter registration lapses in Minnesota counties

A state audit found Minnesota counties missed deadlines and made errors while processing voter registration applications, though most registrations were processed within legal time frames, the report shows.

It found 96% of 2024 voter registration applications were processed within required legal time frames, excluding applications received within 20 days of an election. Identity verification was correct in 99.9% of cases; voter status assignments were accurate in 98% of manually reviewed cases, and 99% of residency checks used the correct process. More than one-third of manually reviewed residency cases had documentation gaps, and only 84% of voters who had their rights restored received required notices within 10 days.

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Feeding Our Future defendant faces sentencing in Minneapolis

Mustafa Jama, 48, is set to be sentenced Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.

Jama pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. FOX 9 Federal prosecutors are seeking a 16-month prison term, while his lawyers ask for a noncustodial sentence and note he has forfeited nearly $240,000 and real estate in Lakeville and Ohio. FOX 9 Prosecutors say Brava Restaurant in Rochester received about $4.3 million through the child nutrition program using fraudulent meal claims. FOX 9 They also allege Jama helped route funds through shell companies and used the money to buy homes in Lakeville and Columbus, Ohio, and property on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

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Minneapolis closes beaches after E. coli spike

Minneapolis closed multiple city beaches on July 7, 2026, after tests detected elevated E. coli levels, city officials said.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board posted no-swimming advisories at its swimming beaches. FOX 9 The board said each site will reopen only after follow-up testing shows E. coli levels meet state health standards.

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Twin Cities mom charged with murdering infant twins

A Twin Cities mother has been formally charged with murder in the deaths of her infant twins after she allegedly told others they died from vaccinations, prosecutors said.

The case was filed in a metro-area district court, and authorities say the charges were brought within the past two weeks. FOX 9 A first court appearance is expected soon.

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Man in his 20s killed by firework blast in Shoreview

A man in his 20s died after a firework exploded in his hand at the abandoned Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site in Shoreview, Minnesota, around the July 4 holiday period.

Ramsey County authorities are investigating the circumstances of the blast. FOX 9 Officials have not released additional details about the victim.

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Man drowns kayaking without life jacket at Lake Ann Park

A man drowned while kayaking at Lake Ann Park in Chanhassen Saturday night; he was not wearing a life jacket.

Authorities recovered the man's body after he went under, and emergency crews responded to the popular Carver County park. FOX 9 The City of Chanhassen expressed deep sadness and thanked the Carver County Dive Team, the sheriff's office and the fire department for their response.

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Allina nurses stage one-day strike over contract

Nurses at Allina Health staged a one-day strike at Twin Cities hospitals and clinics, pressing stalled contract talks and prompting the system to activate contingency staffing plans.

The walkout targeted bargaining over wages, staffing ratios and safety and working-conditions, union leaders said. FOX 9 Allina said its contract offer is competitive, while the union said the proposal fails to address burnout and retention.

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Man killed in shooting on Minneapolis' Wilson Street

An adult man was fatally shot on Wilson Street in Minneapolis and was pronounced dead after officers responded, police said.

Minneapolis police say a homicide investigation is underway and no arrests or the victim's identity have been released.

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Teen in critical condition after rescue at Minnehaha Falls

A teen was pulled from the water at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and taken to a hospital in critical condition. FOX 9 Social posts and local outlets said the swimmer was a 16-year-old boy and that the incident happened on July 4.

Emergency crews pulled the teen from the water and performed life-saving measures before transporting him to the hospital. FOX 9 Witnesses posted that crews carried out a swift-water rescue and CPR near the base of the falls as holiday visitors looked on.

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