On July 24, the Mall of America and Ryan Meetup are inviting people named Ryan to "Ryde the Ryan Coaster." No, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but that's part of the Ryan-centric allure. 

Starting at 6:30 p.m., Ryans are gathering in the Huntington Bank Rotunda — renamed the "Rytunda" for the day — before heading to the Pepsi Orange Streak roller coaster in Nickelodeon Universe.

The Ryans will attempt to break the world record for the most people of the same name riding a roller coaster together.

It's hosted by Ryan Meetup, a not-for-profit group that connects people named Ryan with other people named Ryan.

"The gathering is part of a larger mission to unite Ryans everywhere, with [the] aspiration to break the world record for the largest same-name gathering in history," an announcement says.

A day after the world record attempt, the group will host the Ryan Baseball Classic at Target Field. It'll include a Ryan Pregame event at Cowboy Jack's, a parade of Ryans before the Twins play the Athletics, and the promise of other "Ryan fun" during the game.

On Tuesday, the deadline for the Nov. 3 election, Engen filed as a candidate in House District 36A, according to Minnesota Secretary of State records.

That means he will compete with Sebastian Stoss, who won the Minnesota Republican Party endorsement days earlier, in the August primary. Whomever receives the most votes will get the GOP nomination and go up against DFL-endorsed Jim DeMay in November.

Stoss issued a statement Tuesday alleging that Engen's last-minute decision to run for reelection to the seat – which covers parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties – presents an additional barrier for the Republican Party, and called on him "to do the right thing and withdraw his primary challenge immediately."

"It is disappointing after previously announcing he would not seek reelection in House District 36A, Elliott Engen has decided to primary the endorsed Republican candidate, which will damage the Republican Party and enhance the chances of the Democrats taking control of the State House," the statement reads.

Engen hasn't publicly announced his reelection bid, despite being active on social media Wednesday. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Bring Me The News.

Engen was arrested in late March during a late-night traffic stop in White Bear Lake and charged with driving while intoxicated. At the police station, his blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.13, compared to the legal limit of 0.08 in Minnesota.

Rep. Walter Hudson was in the vehicle with Engen, along with an unidentified woman, and was armed with a concealed handgun at the time. He was not charged with any crime, though it's illegal in Minnesota to carry a firearm while under the influence.

The pair were spotted hours before Engen's arrest eating and drinking at a St. Paul restaurant before returning to the Capitol.

After the incident, Engen and Hudson were removed from committee assignments, but an ethics complaint against them was ultimately dismissed.

Engen is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on June 26.

Back in April, the Lynx announced that "the current timeline for a return to on-court activities is early June" for Collier, who underwent surgery on her left ankle on March 24. It's now June, but it sounds like Minnesota's superstar still has at least a little ways to go.

"I'm not equipped today to tell you exactly where she's at," Reeve said. "What does on-court activity mean? She's been on-court. Team-related activities and things like that, no, we're not there. But she's been on-court doing basketball things. But I have to get better description for you guys and see if we can't get maybe a little bit more update on a timetables, etcetera. I'm not equipped to say that today."

It's rather remarkable that the Lynx currently sit atop the WNBA with a 7-2 record despite not having Collier or Dorka Juhasz due to injury and the fact that they lost every notable player from last year's roster outside of Collier, Courtney Williams, and Kayla McBride.

Rookie point guard Olivia Miles and veteran newcomers Natasha Howard and Nia Coffey have been outstanding for the Lynx so far. Williams is also playing the best basketball of her career. The Lynx have thrived despite McBride, one of their All-Stars, shooting an uncharacteristically poor 28.6 percent from three so far. Reeve thinks Collier's eventual return will be big for McBride's efficiency.

"I think she'll make the life of someone like Kayla easier," Reeve said. "That's what I've told Mac is that it's a little bit harder for her right now, she's feeling a little more sped up because she's getting a great deal of attention. And Mac knows this, because Phee has been out before. Mac knows the difference between Phee being on the floor and not. And that's probably the biggest thing, is some of that gravity is absolutely going to go to Napheesa Collier."

Miles named top rookie in May

In news that should be entirely unsurprising to anyone who has paid attention, Miles was named the WNBA's rookie of the month for May on Wednesday. The No. 2 overall pick, who is off to a sensational start to her career, averaged 15.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game over eight contests last month. She leads all rookies in points, assists, and steals this season and is second in rebounds.

LIV IS THE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH. 🥽 pic.twitter.com/HDZUqHMO5p

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 3, 2026

In a five-month season, it feels like a pretty good bet that this won't be Miles' last ROTM award this year. She's off to quite the start in June, having put up 19 points and 9 assists in Monday's blowout win in Phoenix.

Marquee matchup on Thursday

The next challenge for Miles and the Lynx is a big one. On Thursday night, they're hosting the 6-3 Golden State Valkyries at Target Center (8 p.m., Prime Video). It'll be a matchup between the teams with the two best net ratings in the WNBA so far, with the Lynx first at +13.8 and Golden State second at +8.9.

The Valkyries' offense has been humming. They have the lowest turnover percentage in the league and they lead all teams in three-point makes, attempts, and percentage. Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, Kayla Thornton, and Janelle Salaün are all dangerous from long range.

The big individual matchup to watch on Thursday will be at point guard, with Miles going against an excellent two-way player in Burton, who was the WNBA's most improved player last year.

Jordan Carol Hanson, 24, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder in the March 2025 shooting death of Justin Esparza, 42, of Hallock.

The Kittson County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 1:30 p.m. on March 13, 2025 from a woman who reported that her daughter, identified as Hanson, told her that she had been at Esparza’s home in Hallock and shot him in the head.

A witness told investigators that he had been smoking meth with Hanson and Esparza at the latter’s home, and that he saw Hanson shoot Esparza.

Hanson, previously of Kennedy, left the scene with Esparza's truck and dog after shooting him with his own handgun.

Hanson’s mother said her daughter had been at a drug treatment center and “evidently got picked up by someone during the night and came back to Kittson County," according to a criminal complaint.

During her arrest, a family member told deputies that Hanson was “completely delusional from using drugs," with her asking at one point “what all the sugar beets were still doing on the ground?”

Hanson was prosecuted by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office at the request of Kittson County Attorney Robert Albrecht.

“My team and the Kittson County Attorney’s Office are holding Jordan Hanson accountable for the murder she committed in March of 2025,” Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement Tuesday.

“One of my primary missions as Attorney General to help Minnesotans live in safety, and I will continue to partner with local law enforcement across our state to accomplish that mission."

Just under a year from its opening, Hennepin Arts has already extended its return run of "Hamilton," part of its 2026-27 Broadway on Hennepin season.

Originally scheduled to be staged from April 20 to May 16 at the Orpheum Theatre, the downtown Minneapolis arts organization is adding a week of performances, extending the run through May 22.

Even though individual show tickets aren't yet on sale, it's not surprising that there will be a little more of Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical. 

The 2026-27 Broadway on Hennepin season also includes productions of "Clue," "The Soud of Music," "Buena Vista Social Club," "Hadestown," and "Beetlejuice," among other award-winning musicals. Subscription packages are available at HennepinArts.org.

The brewery – known for its Detroit-style pizza and Dorito-dusted wings arguably as much or more than its beer – is expanding with a new outpost in Mendota Heights.

Bricksworth hasn't officially announced it yet, but its website lists a location at 752 N. Plaza Drive, within the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center, as "coming soon."

Bricksworth launched in Burnsville in late 2020, initially only offering curbside and carryout due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The brewery added a Minneapolis location in the former Darby's space in early 2023, the same year that it made the Washington Post's list of the 23 best pizzerias in Minnesota.

Due to its spacious patio and proximity to Target Field, the North Loop outpost is a popular spot to eat and drink before Minnesota Twins games.

Alvin Gee, 23, of Blaine, Kevin Morris, 18, of Brooklyn Park, and Beyan Kanneh, 23, of Brooklyn Park, are facing felony charges in relation to the incident which took place on the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Brooklyn Park's Oak Grove Park.

Multiple people called 911, reporting hearing between 30 and 50 shots being fired at the park on the evening of May 24. Other callers told police they saw multiple cars fleeing the scene, with one car crashing into a tree near the park’s entrance. 

Another witness was hosting a family picnic at a park pavilion when they saw two groups starting to shoot at each other, one of which was near the parking lot.

A few minutes after the shooting, a group of three men walked out of the woods, and asked the witness if his family was ok. Officers were eventually able to track down Gee, Morris, and Kanneh on the nearby Rush Creek Trail System. 

Kanneh had a 9mm Smith and Wesson Shield Plus with an extended magazine on it tucked in his waistband, and Gee was found with a handgun with an extended magazine. 

Detectives were able to tie the three men to the shooting using surveillance footage and video from witnesses. Charging documents detail investigators recovered 74 cartridge casings from various locations around the park.

Prosecutors allege Gee, Morris, and Kanneh started the gunfight based on video evidence recovered. It’s still unclear how many other people were involved in the incident, and if more charges could be on the way. 

Gee, Morris, and Kanneh have all been released from custody, and are due in court next later this month.

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On Wednesday, the festival announced it'll get the celebration going a day early with a kickoff show featuring hometown favorites Semisonic.

The "Closing Time" band will play a show on Thursday, July 16, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, accompanied by Humbird.

The announcement means that the band will be doing double duty at Yacht Club, as they're also on the schedule for Sunday at the fest.

Semisonic was also scheduled to be part of the 2025 festival, but had to cancel as bassist John Munson was recovering from a stroke.

The kickoff show isn't included in festival passes. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5.

Meanwhile, tickets for the festival in St. Paul are still on sale. Bands on the bill include The Lumineers, The Black Keys, Mt. Joy, The Strokes, Matchbox Twenty, Lord Huron, Geese, Cage the Elephant, Atmosphere, and others.

Minnesota Agape Movement was announced in mid-May as the city's top choice to take control of and develop the People’s Way, a former Speedway gas station at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue that was destroyed during civil unrest following Floyd’s murder at the intersection in 2020, which has become a gathering place for activists.

Agape, a violence prevention group, is one of four nonprofits that submitted a proposal to transform the People’s Way into a permanent community space, though another was later withdrawn.

During the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee on Tuesday, several council members argued that a year-old survey of almost 800 area residents found that a proposal by Rise & Remember for a memorial garden and greenhouse is closest to what the community wants at the site.

"The survey results showed us that the path being ushered forward by the city today is not in alignment with the community," Council Member Jason Chavez said, adding that Rise & Remember's proposal garnered the strongest positive reactions overall.

Chavez made a motion to refer back to staff the recommendation that Agape be awarded exclusive development rights, in an effort to "address the issues at hand and build a People's Way proposal that actually reflects our community."

But the city attorney suggested that sending the item back to staff would not result in them changing course and instead choosing Rise & Remember, prompting Chavez to withdraw his initial the motion and make a new one to deny the Agape recommendation.

Council Member Soren Stevenson is not a member of the committee but joined its meeting to speak about Agape's proposal to build a six-story building with a cafe, museum, business incubator, an entertainment and media hub, restaurant and bar, and rooftop garden.

"I'm concerned that awarding Minnesota Agape Movement exclusive rights to the People's Way site ignores the clearly stated community input, organizational capacity for development, feasibility of the project, and issues with the proposed timeline," Stevenson said.

He added that he's worried Agape "may not have the right experience and support for carrying out their proposed project" since it doesn't have a track record of development.

Council Member Aurin Chowdhury, vice chair of the committee, agreed that the survey indicates Agape's proposal lacks broad community support, especially as it relates to stewardship.

"We all believe that there should be a good project at the People's Way that represents this community, and stewards the needs and the values of everything that George Floyd Square holds, and everything that community is trying to memorialize, especially the loss of Black lives at the hands of police," she said.

"This is a decision that needs to be made with democratic support from the community," Chowdhury continued, "After all, it is called the People's Way."

The committee ultimately voted 4-2 to deny the Agape recommendation, with Council Members Elizabeth Shaffer and Pearll Warren in the minority.

The item is expected to go before the full City Council on June 11.

Situated on more than six acres near the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Dog Park is popular with dog owners and four-legged friends for its scenic views and expansive spaces to roam. 

But now, advocates have raised concerns about the dog park’s location, arguing it is a part of Mni Owe Sni, an area sacred to the Dakota people with cultural and archaeological significance. 

A resolution to close and decommission to park will go before the Park Board’s Planning Commission on Wednesday night, and if it passed, it will then be heard by the full board.

Last month, park board members also heard from members of the National Parks Service, the Minnesota Historical Society, and Indigenous people about the significance of the area.

According to Commissioner Jason Garcia, the resolution directs the superintendent to work to decommission the off-leash area at the earliest practicable date, no later than Dec. 31. It also directs staff to develop and implement a community engagement and communication plan for working with community members on the next steps forward. 

Garcia tells Bring Me The News the decision was not one that was made lightly, but that it is the right thing to do.

"I understand how important off-leash recreation is for our pets, and I understand the difficulty of losing off-leash access to such a unique place,” Garcia said. “However, as I considered the harm caused to Indigenous people, I found the best option is to move to decommission the off-leash recreation area while maintaining access for people and leashed pets, and moving forward to find alternate locations for off-leash recreation.”

Residents have voiced opposition to the closure, with a Facebook group changing its name to “Save Minnehaha Dog Park” in recent weeks. 

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It less frequently conjures the fluorescent lighting and produce aisle of Cub Foods. But maybe it should. It’s an often-discussed “secret” that Cub has surprisingly wonderful donuts.

For National Donut Day on June 5, Cub is offering a deal to those who know it’s a donut haven.

From June 5 to 7, Cub is offering Rewards Members 99-cent donuts.

Additionally, the grocer will deliver more than a thousand donuts to first responders — including St. Paul Fire Station No. 8 — on National Donut Day, “in appreciation for serving our communities every day,” the company says in an announcement.

Cub is just one of many places that will be offering discounts on pastries this week to celebrate the entirely superfluous, but delicious, faux holiday.

The Minnesota Reformer was first to identify the delegate as Christopher Rocco, who told the outlet following his motion at the event in Duluth on Saturday that he thinks Chauvin should get a retrial and a federal pardon.

Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd in 2020, is currently in a federal prison after being sentenced to more than 22 years for murder and federal civil rights offenses.

Rocco filed to run for Minnesota State Senate District 65 on Tuesday, according to Minnesota Secretary of State records.

The district covers parts of St. Paul and West St. Paul in Ramsey and Dakota counties. It's currently represented by DFL Sen. Sandra Pappas, who has held the seat since 1991.

Outcry following the 10-second "moment of reflection" for Chauvin has continued throughout the week, with attorneys for Floyd's family calling the it "disgusting" in a statement provided to Bring Me The News on Wednesday.

“As the legal team who fought for civil justice for George Floyd and systemic legislative change to improve policing in his name, we are sickened by this lack of respect and urge all who planned and participated in this tribute to deeply reflect on the rule of law,” the statement from Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci reads.

“We call on Minnesota GOP leaders to issue an immediate retraction of this immoral act and issue an apology to the family of George Floyd and to the people of Minnesota that they serve.“

Instead, one of the most influential Republican lawmakers from Minnesota, U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, has defended the decision to honor Chauvin during the GOP convention.

"It’s a sad day in the State of Minnesota when it’s so-called ‘news’ that hundreds of patriotic Minnesotans came together to peacefully and respectfully recognize a member of law enforcement," Emmer said in a statement provided to Fox 9.

Bring Me The News has reached out to Emmer’s office for additional comment.

Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash did not share an opinion on the move, writing in an emailed statement to Bring Me The News on Monday that “the moment of silent prayer was a spontaneous motion brought forward from the convention floor” and was not held at the direction of party leadership.

At least two Republican candidates for governor have provided vague answers when asked about the moment of silence for Chauvin, including Kendall Qualls, who won the GOP endorsement.

“There are some concerns that people have about the Chauvin case,” Qualls told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “I don’t know if that was the best venue to do that.”

After announcing Tuesday that she's not suspending her gubernatorial campaign despite promising to do so if she lost the GOP endorsement, House Speaker Lisa Demuth said she would have preferred a moment of silence for fallen officers instead and declined to share whether she would support a pardon for Chauvin.

“The ability for a governor to do any type of pardons — obviously, there’s a pardon board — there’s a lot that goes into any type of decision,” Demuth said.

The Twin Cities ABC affiliate is welcoming Kip Thomas to the air, with the North Carolina native joining as its weekend meteorologist.

Thomas is moving to the Twin Cities from Memphis, where he worked at ABC24. It's the second recently addition to the KSTP team from Memphis, with reporter and Minnesota native Harrison Klopp joining earlier this year from WREG.

"This is an amazing opportunity to work in a great metropolitan area of the Twin Cities and cover lots of snow!!" Thomas said when announcing his move. "It’s close to home for my husband who is from Iowa, and we have some friends in the Twin Cities as well."

Thomas has almost a decade of experience in TV forecasting, including stints in the Quad Cities, Nebraska, and Colorado.

It's the second addition to the KSTP weather team this spring, with Molly Rosenblatt joining in April. This came a month after Matt Serwe announces his departure.

Thomas and Rosenblatt are now part of a team headed up by chief meteorologist Ken Barlow, who is currently off the air as he recovers from back surgery.

It marks the first major championship at Hazeltine since the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in 2019, which saw Australian Hannah Green go wire-to-wire, winning by one stroke over the then-defending champion Park Sung-hyun.

Hazeltine, arguably the most prestigious golf course in Minnesota, has hosted two men's U.S. Opens (1970, 1991), two men's PGA Championships (2002, 2009), and the Ryder Cup (2016).

It's one of only two courses in the country to play host to the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Amateur, and the Ryder Cup.

This year's PGA Championship will mark the third women's major at Hazeltine. Prior to 2019, the last women's majors at Hazeltine were the U.S. Open in 1966 and 1977.

Hazeltine is schedule to host the Ryder Cup again in 2029.

This year's Women's PGA Championship will be played at more than 6,700 yards, highlighted by four 500-plus-yard par 5s. The third hole is set to play at 568 yards, followed by the 516-yard seventh hole, the 555-yard 11th hole, and the 530-yard 15th hole.

The 156-player field will feature all of the top players in the World Golf Rankings, including world No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA), who won the first women's major of the year at the Chevron Championship. She's looking to go 2-for-2 in 2026 majors at this week's U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

You can find the full list of golfers playing in the tournament right here.

Tickets to the tournament start at $45. Kids 15 and under get in free with a ticketed adult, while military, both active and retired, are allowed free access and one guest. All of the ticket options and information can be found here.

Cameron James Mertens, of Watkins, known by some as Jimmy, died after he fell from his kayak on Pleasant Lake just north of Annandale on Monday evening.

Deputies responded to the emergency around 8:18 p.m. Monday and found an overturned kayak near the dock at the public access on the north side of the lake, where several other people were fishing.

His body was recovered by the Wright County Sheriff's Office dive team.

A GoFundMe is raising money to cover funeral expenses and provide other financial support to the Mertens' family so they can take time off work to grieve.

"At just 18 years old, Cameron had recently graduated high school and was beginning the next chapter of his life when his life was tragically cut short," the page reads.

A photo of Mertens shows him holding a diploma for Kimball Area High School, whose seniors graduated during a commencement ceremony on May 21, according to a Facebook post.

"Cameron had a way of making people laugh, bringing energy wherever he went, and keeping life interesting," the GoFundMe says. "He brought joy to those around him and created memories that will be cherished forever."

Not everyone will get storms, but dew points will rise into the mid-60s Wednesday night through the weekend, making it feel warm and muggy.

Wednesday's severe threats

Storms are expected to develop in the Dakotas by the early evening. Storms that stay discrete could drop very large hail (two-plus inches in diameter) and spin up tornadoes. But once the storms organize into a mesoscale convective system (MCS), the main threat will be damaging winds.

The line of storms will likely be diving to the east-southeast, moving from western Minnesota towards the Minnesota-Iowa border.

Here's a closer look at where the SPC thinks tornadoes are possible.

Thursday's severe outlook

South Dakota will again be the focus for most of the severe weather on Thursday, but isolated storms could flare up and reach severe levels in Minnesota.

At this point, the models aren't generating much in Minnesota except for a cluster of storms that flare up and quickly die in far western Minnesota, near the triple border with the Dakotas.

Friday's outlook

How the storms evolve on Wednesday will affect how things play out on Thursday, and the same goes for Thursday's storms impacting Friday's setup. Right now, the SPC has a slight risk (level 2 of 5) in far south-central and southeastern Minnesota, but that will surely change as the picture becomes clearer.

According to the SPC, organized storms will be "capable of mainly large to very large hail and damaging wind gusts."

Don't take the models too seriously, but here's a look at how the RRFS model has things playing out on Friday. If it were to be accurate, it would keep most of the severe weather in Iowa.

The cuts, which will be achieved through a combination of buyouts and layoffs, will reduce the newspaper's headcount to around 430. The newspaper's award-winning newsroom reducing from 200 to 175, though the cuts will not affect "news gatherers," namely reporters, photographers, and videographers.

It's the latest round of job cuts at the newspaper, which laid off 125 last year when closed its Minneapolis printing plant last year and shifted printing to Iowa.

Star Tribune publisher, former Google executive and State of Minnesota DEED commissioner Steve Grove, told staff in an internal memo obtained by Racket that the cuts are "necessary to position us for growth as a digital media company."

Grove also says that the Star Tribune, owned by billionaire Glen Taylor, is looking to shift to a nonprofit model and place the newspaper under foundation ownership.

It comes at a time that publishers are increasingly being squeezed by big tech algorithm changes, the ongoing shift to video, and the looming threat of AI.

"This decision is very difficult," Grove wrote. "The colleagues leaving us have dedicated years, and in some cases decades, to help build this institution. We’re deeply grateful for their contributions to the Minnesota Star Tribune and to journalism in Minnesota. We would not be where we are today without them."

The cuts have been roundly condemned by the Star Tribune Newspaper Guild, which says any claim that the cuts will help the organization "lacks any foundation in reality."

"Our union has always prided itself on covering the most difficult and beautiful stories that take place in Minnesota. That collective effort in the past year included covering events that shook the state — from attacks on lawmakers in the middle of the night to the shooting at Annunciation Church and School and Operation Metro Surge. The impact of those stories is felt by everyone in this newsroom," the union said.

"The argument made by Star Tribune management that these layoffs are going to improve our company in any way, shape or form lacks any foundation in reality. This is a direct attack on the staff that just won a Pulitzer Prize for our work and has been widely praised – including by management – for its efforts.

"The Guild will fight this decision."

The Star Tribune was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in early April for its coverage of the Annunciation Church and School mass shooting last summer.

The Minnesota Truth Council will be led by chair Peter Cahill, a retired Hennepin County judge who presided over former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's murder trial in the May 2020 killing of George Floyd.

Other members include Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik – who was at the forefront of the response to Operation Metro Surge as several of her students were detained by ICE – former Eagan Police Chief Roger New, Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish, and Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul CEO Liliana Letran-Garcia.

Walz announced the council in late March, saying it would be composed of “leaders with a range of expertise and perspectives," whose goal is to “create a public record of both the harm endured and the generosity and resilience of Minnesotans across the state” during Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS.

“Documenting history requires trusted leaders who are committed to listening, preserving people’s experiences, and ensuring that Minnesota’s story is not forgotten,” Walz said in a statement Monday.

"These council members bring deep expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to the truth. Their work will help create a lasting public record of both the harm endured and the resilience Minnesotans demonstrated during this difficult chapter in our state’s history.”

Everyone on the Minnesota Truth Council:

• Ana Pottratz Acosta, immigration attorney – St. Paul, MN
• Kate Beane, executive director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art – St. Paul, MN
• Peter Cahill, former Hennepin County judge – Plymouth, MN
• Jenna Chernega, sociology professor at Winona State University – Winona, MN
• Abdulahi Farah, chair of the Somali-American Leadership Table-MN – Bloomington, MN
• Pakou Hang, program vice president at the Northwest Area Foundation – Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Liliana Letran-Garcia, CEO of Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul – Fridley, MN
• Dr. Kathleen Miller, pediatrician at University of Minnesota Boynton Health – Minneapolis, MN
• Fionnuala Ni Aolain, human rights lawyer – Hopkins, MN
• Roger New, former Eagan police chief – Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Jose Pablo Obregon, Willmar's director of community growth – Willmar, MN
• Zena Stenvik, superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools – Columbia Heights, MN
• Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union – Renville, MN

The council will collect testimony, data, and firsthand accounts from residents who suffered as thousands of immigration agents flooded the state between December and February. It will also make “recommendations to prevent future harm and support the state’s long-term recovery," per the previous announcement.

The Advocates for Human Rights is partnering with Walz’s office to collect stories on selected topics, like impacts on immigrants, children and businesses, and to hold at least four public meetings.

The new store at the Eagan outlet mall will become the eighth Hollister in Minnesota. It's currently under construction in the former Eddie Bauer space.

Hollister, owned by Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has experienced a resurgence alongside Y2K fashion trends.

Last year, the brand reintroduced dozens of its original silhouettes for its newest generation of young customers. Think fur-trimmed hoodies, low-rise jeans and graphic tees.

There's no word yet on when the new store will officially open.

The emergency was reported at 8:18 p.m. on Pleasant Lake just north of Annandale, with Wright County deputies arriving to find an overturned kayak near the public access and dock on the north side of the lake, where several other people were fishing.

"Witness statements and evidence gathered from the scene by deputies showed an 18-year-old male was fishing from a kayak near the dock at the public access about 75-100 yards from the dock," the Wright County Sheriff's Office said. "Witnesses stated the male fell from the kayak while fishing."

The victim was identified as Cameron Mertens, of Watkins, with his body recovered by the sheriff's office dive team.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

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The James Beard-winning restaurant from chef and activist Sean Sherman closed its original riverfront location recently as it prepares to transform into Indígena by Owamni.

The acclaimed eatery will open in the street-level restaurant space at the Guthrie Theater. The dining room is bright, with an arc of towering windows and around 200 seats.

However, it's not just a new building and tweaked name arriving this month, Sherman explained during a media preview on June 2. It will, most importantly, feature a new menu and broadened vision.

"This is basically an evolution of what we started," Sherman says. "This is really going to be our flagship. It's going to be a lot higher-end. We're going to push the boundaries of what's possible with modern Indigenous foods. We're going to be a lot more inclusive with other Indigenous cultures across the Americas."

The menu, which has not yet been revealed, draws on a broader range of Indigenous influences while still focusing on ingredients that were available in North and South America before colonization, predominantly sourced from Indigenous producers and companies.

In preparation for the opening, Sherman and director of culinary, Lee Garman, traveled to restaurants and food producers throughout North and South America to get perspectives on sourcing, menu, and traditions, they say. 

"We spend a good deal of time not only cooking, researching, talking, but we spend time with a lot of chefs from all over," Garman says.

"So, it's not only the way we cook and function and the way we order, but the way that we flavor things, the way that we cook them here, the way that we train our staff. We have a lot of conversations with everybody, like, 'How would you do this? How should we do this? How can we do this better?'"

The restaurant will continue to serve tapas-style dishes, but will also offer more entrées, including an expanded selection of game meat and steaks like bison, venison, and elk.

The broader scope will include adding an oyster bar and seafood to the menu. 

"We're taking advantage of this beautiful seafood bar that was already built because we're bringing in special seafood from the Pacific Northwest and Northeast from businesses that are doing tribally-harvested seafoods," Sherman says. 

Even with the addition of seafood, the restaurant will continue avoiding big food distribution companies to instead work with Indigenous food producers and companies.

That furthers the mission of Owamni's nonprofit parent company, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), Sherman says.

The nonprofit and restaurant look to advance food access, support Indigenous producers, and invest in training and opportunities for a diverse workforce.

The bar program is expanding as well. It will continue to have a similar ethos. It will focus on sourcing from BIPOC-run companies while using pre-colonial ingredients, which means it'll forgo spirits made with sugar cane like rum.

The restaurant's hours will also grow, with the addition of a pre-show and post-show menu that caters to theatergoers when it opens later this month.

"We believe in the power of food," Sherman says, "and that it connects us to our humanity."

Miguell Schmerbeck documented the milestone in an emotional video he shared on TikTok (which you can watch below) and the moment went mega-viral, generating over 16.6 million views and 3.1 million likes in two days.

"Everybody had someone waiting for them after they crossed that stage. I had nobody," Schmerbeck wrote. "Deceased mother. Absent father. No brothers. No grandparents. Just me, standing in a room full of celebrations trying not to fall apart."

"The hardest part wasn't graduating," he says. "It was watching everyone else celebrate with the people who showed up for them."

Schmerbeck's mother died when he was 13 and he's previously shared videos detailing his experiences being homeless at 17.

"Right now, I’m couch hopping and trying to build stability for myself," he wrote on a GoFundMe page, which he created after his TikTok viewers requested a way to lend support.

Schmerbeck, who doesn't have a vehicle, said he works long hours and double shifts to cover basic expenses while also trying to save for college classes.

"My goal isn’t just to get through today – it’s to build a life I’m proud of," he wrote.

The fundraiser has collected over $14,200, which Schmerbeck said will help with him pay for housing, transportation, food, college, work-related costs and other expenses as he works to create a stable foundation in his adulthood.

And for those unable to donate, Schmerbeck said the kind messages have meant "just as much."

"The support I’ve received has shown me that there are people willing to help someone they’ve never even met, and I’ll never forget that," he wrote. "Thank you for believing in me and helping me take the next step forward."

As for his June 20 graduation party in the small town of Blackduck: "Everyone is welcome," he writes.

One supporter wrote on TikTok shared that he and his wife plan to drive 11 hours to make the celebration.

@ifgodprovides

Everybody had someone waiting for them after they crossed that stage. I had nobody. Deceased mother. Absent father. No brothers. No grandparents Just me, standing in a room full of celebrations trying not to fall apart.#fypシ #graduate #foryoupage

♬ original sound - audios

The No. 2 overall pick out of TCU put together one of her best games yet in Monday night's Lynx blowout in Phoenix. Miles scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, doing all of her work close to the rim. She dished out a career-high nine assists. And she chipped in three steals and four rebounds for good measure.

Watching her play, it's hard not to overreact to what we're seeing from Miles so early in her career. Her handle and finishing ability are high-level traits — and neither one is her best skill. That would be her rare playmaking feel and passing ability, which is a gift that can't be taught. She's also a solid rebounder and defender with good positional size at point guard. She's been everything we thought she might be on draft night.

Olivia Miles is special. She's gonna play in this league for a long, long time pic.twitter.com/ssuyv4o1Er

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) June 2, 2026

Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx have to be pinching themselves on a daily basis and thanking the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings for their contributions to the cause. The Lynx had the best record in the WNBA last season but received the No. 2 pick in this year's draft because of a trade they made with the Sky a year earlier. And they landed Miles because the Wings used the top pick on Azzi Fudd, who has looked great in her own right but might not have the same type of all-world ceiling as Minnesota's PG.

"What we've learned now is just really how mature of a player she is at a young age," Reeve said after Monday's game. "Her ability to manipulate defenses. There were audible gasps on our bench, from our coaching staff and our support staff, at some of the passes that she made. ... (Her passing) makes everyone else's lives a lot easier."

Miles hit the ground running with 21 points and eight assists in her WNBA debut, and she hasn't looked back since. She's scored at least 13 points in every game she's played, which ties her with Seimone Augustus and Tonya Edwards for the Lynx record of consecutive double-digit scoring games to begin a career. Miles has also recorded at least five assists in eight of her nine games so far.

The clear early favorite to win rookie of the year, Miles is leading all first-year players in points, assists, and steals. She's second in rebounds and fourth in blocks. She hardly looks like a rookie, and she's already playing like a borderline All-Star. Among all WNBA players, Miles ranks 20th in points per game (15.8), sixth in assists per game (6.2), and eighth in steals per game (1.7) while shooting just under 50 percent from the field. It's still early, but it's been a truly incredible start.

Beyond her obvious talent, Miles' presence in Minnesota is massive for a couple reasons. The first is that she's allowed Courtney Williams, the Lynx's point guard for the past two years, to slide back to her natural position of shooting guard. Williams is thriving off the ball so far this season, averaging 17.8 points on 50/44/86 shooting splits. She dropped 30 points in one of the best performances of her 11-year career on Monday night.

The other potential Miles ripple effect is purely speculative at this point, but it feels hard to ignore. Napheesa Collier, the Lynx's superstar who has finished as the MVP runner-up in back-to-back seasons, has a somewhat uncertain future beyond this year. But as she's watched Miles from the bench while finishing up her recovery from an ankle injury, surely Collier has found herself thinking about what it would be like to play alongside the Lynx's young point guard — not just this year but for a long time.

The Lynx are leading the WNBA at 7-2 despite not having Collier yet, so imagine how dangerous they're going to be when they get one of the league's best players back. Miles and Collier running pick-and-rolls promises to be incredibly fun to watch. The feeling (or at least hope) is that once Phee sees what it's like to play with such a gifted point guard, any thoughts she had about leaving Minnesota might fade away.

Collier's looming presence has to be scary for the rest of the W, as does the likelihood that Miles will only get better as she gets more and more experienced. She's still turning the ball over a bit more than is ideal (3.3 per game), and she's made just 2 of her 18 three-point attempts through nine games. Miles shot 37.6 percent from deep over her final two college seasons, so the threes should start to fall for her at some point.

Just nine games into her career, Miles has become one of the best shows in the WNBA and appointment viewing for fans of the Lynx and the league at large. With their point guard of the present and future in place, Minnesota's future looks incredibly bright.

The farmer-owned ag cooperative informed employees last week its plans to shutter its elevators in Kasson, Ostrander and Wykoff after the fall harvest, though it could also sell the facilities.

The news was first reported by the Rochester Post Bulletin, with the company saying changes in the grain supply chain is favoring larger processing facilities where farmers receive higher prices.

"While smaller facilities, such as these three, have served CHS well in the past, the grain supply chain in southern Minnesota has evolved into a market where local corn/soybean processing facilities and river terminals are the primary markets," the company said in a statement to Bring Me The News.

"CHS is committed to operating the right resources in the right locations to position our cooperative to deliver the best value for customers and owners. CHS will continue to operate in this region offering agronomy and energy products and services to producers in the area."

It's not clear at this time how many employees at each facility will be affected, and if they will be offered positions elsewhere in the company.

CHS is ranked 115th on the Fortune 500 list, and in 2025 reported full-year revenue of $35.5 billion, of which $597.9 million was profit. This was a reduction on the $39.3 billion revenue and $1.1 billion in profit it managed in 2024.

"The facilities will be operated through the 2026 fall harvest. We will continue to buy grain from customers for delivery to local processing and river facilities," the company statement continued. "CHS has recently made significant investments in Mankato and Fairmont and more farmers in this area are now delivering directly to those facilities."

Riniyah Brinique Allen faces one count of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the May 15 incident outside Rick’s Coffee Bar in Minneapolis, which ultimately led to the death of employee Amos Ferrier, a father of two from Spring Lake Park, days before his 39th birthday.

Prosecutors allege that Allen was behind the wheel of a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox that struck Amos, causing him to fall on the vehicle's hood, then "made numerous rapid accelerations and sharp braking maneuvers, in an apparent attempt to expel victim from the hood."

"When these efforts failed, defendant began driving at a high rate of speed, aggressively swerving from side to side in the roadway, leaving tire marks in the pavement," reads a criminal complaint. "This driving conduct expelled victim from the hood, and he fell to the ground, sustaining fatal head injuries."

Jordan Frost, 19, is accused of breaking into Ferrier's truck, "rummaging through it," and stealing a backpack, then getting into the Chevy as Ferrier ran out of Rick's Coffee Bar and into the middle of the street.

Both he and Janaya Frost, 18, have been charged with aiding an offender in connection with Ferrier's death.

Before the alleged theft and subsequent hit-and-run, Janaya Frost exited the Chevy and entered the coffee shop, per the complaint.

Surveillance footage captured Janaya Frost leaving Rick's Coffee Bar, running towards and getting in the Chevy, which Allen allegedly drove several blocks after fatally striking Ferrier. Jordan Frost was allegedly seen dumping the backpack and its contents in the street before the vehicle sped away with all three inside.

Allen was arrested at Janaya Frost's residence in St. Paul on May 19, two days after Ferrier was taken off of life support. She was released but arrested again after charges were filed, and is now being held in the Hennepin County Jail on $2 million bail.

Last fall, the Minneapolis Downtown Council announced it would stop producing large-scale events, including Holidazzle and the Aquatennial. But the long-running celebration has been brought back by the nonprofit Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO), which has taken over organizing the festival.

The 2026 installment will take place July 18–26, with free and family-friendly events taking place throughout the city.

"Few traditions capture the spirit of Minneapolis quite like Aquatennial,"  Mayor Jacob Frey said during an announcement on Tuesday.

"When our city cares about something, we find a way to make it happen. I’m grateful to the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassadors Organization and the many community partners who stepped up to bring this beloved tradition back and ensure it continues for years to come."

The new stewards of the Aquatennial will retain some of its signature events, like the Torchlight Parade, which will take place the night of July 22. 

Other events during this year's Aquatennial will include floating lanterns and a night market on July 18, milk carton boat races on July 19, a waterski show on July 22, a performance of showtunes with Hennepin Arts on July 23, Twin Cities Carifest on July 25, and the Loring Park Art Festival on July 25 and 26.

There will also be fireworks at Target Field following the July 24 game between the Twins and Athletics. 

A full schedule can be found at the Aquatennial website.

Cameron Chung was selected from thousands of entries as the 2026 Gerber Baby, with the baby food and baby wear company set to plaster the soon-to-be-one-year-old across its social media accounts and marketing campaigns over the coming year.

His parents, Rachael Olsen and Alden Chung, will receive a $50,000 prize and a Gerber Childrenswear "Grow with Us" wardrobe worth $2,000.

Cameron was selected as the winner of Gerber's 2026 Photo Search contest, with the company saying he was selected for his "contagious smile and his family’s story."

Gerber said this year's search was "a celebration of not just babies, but the parents behind them, who make everyday moments special." The winning photo was of his first "intentional smile" that followed a (very cold) family walk during the Minnesota winter.

His parents told Gerber that Cameron suffered colic for around the first eight months of his life, making the postpartum experience extremely challenging. Meanwhile his father Alden sustained an injury during those first few months that limited his ability to help.

"Navigating a colicky newborn and a challenging postpartum experience was incredibly tough, a reality we know so many mothers and parents quietly share,” said Rachael Olsen in the Gerber press release. "But seeing Cameron’s first true smile break through on that cold Minnesota day was pure magic. It erased the exhaustion of those early months and reminded us that his joy makes every single challenge worth it."

"This year, by shining a light on the parents behind the baby, we set out to honor the unglamorous yet profoundly beautiful work of raising a family," said Oscar Benítez, President of Gerber. "Cameron’s story brings that to life, reminding us that even in the real, imperfect moments, a baby’s pure joy is the ultimate reward. We’re incredibly proud and honored to welcome Cameron and his parents into the Gerber family."

In October, David Sedaris will return with an event almost a year to the day since his last event in downtown Minneapolis. The following month, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will arrive with a science lecture never before presented in the Twin Cities.

Tyson will bring "Science As a Way of Knowing: The Anatomy of Science" to Minneapolis on Nov. 8.

One of the most well-known science communicators in pop culture, he's authored many books, hosts the radio show and podcast "StarTalk," and has hosted both "NOVA ScienceNow" on PBS and the update to Carl Sagan's "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage," "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey."

The night after his stop at the State Theatre, Tyson will head north to present the same show at Symphony Hall at DECC in Duluth.

Meanwhile, Sedaris will return to the State Theatre on Oct. 18 for "An Evening with David Sedaris," the same title the popular satirist performed under this past October at the Orpheum Theatre.

The essayist and best-selling author of "Holidays on Ice" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" will stop in other Upper Midwest hubs during his tour as well, including an Oct. 18 event in Eau Claire, Wis., and an Oct. 20 date at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo.

Tickets for both events will go on sale through the Hennepin Arts website at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5.

Foxwell, which sells an array of design-forward home accessories, party goods and gifts at 44th & France, announced the move Monday.

"Our new home at the Galleria will bring our interior design studio and curated retail experience together under one roof in a whole new way," the business shared. "We’re keeping the exact same warm, organic-modern aesthetic you love, just in a fresh environment designed to inspire you even more."

Foxwell is owned by Heather and Brad Fox, of Fox Homes, who formerly hosted HGTV's "Stay or Sell."

A grand opening date at the Galleria hasn't yet been announced, but Foxwell says customers can stay tuned for more details in the next few weeks.

In announcing the move, the business wrote on Facebook that "44th & France has been incredibly special to us. We are so thankful for the neighbors, clients, and friendships that shaped us there."

Foxwell arrives at the Galleria during a time of transformation for the high-end mall.

As several longtime designer brands traded their Galleria space for the new luxury wing at Southdale Center, the Galleria has increasingly become a hub for home furnishings.

Another local interior design studio and home shop, Vivid Home, opened in the former Louis Vuitton space earlier this year and Arhaus has settled into a massive new showroom in the former Gabberts space following an extensive remodel.

West Elm is also coming to the Galleria, relocating from Centennial Lakes to the former Rejuvenation space next to Pottery Barn.

Frey called Peterson "the right leader for this moment" in a Tuesday announcement, adding that the 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department has proven himself throughout his tenure.

Peterson has led the First Precinct since 2019, overseeing public safety operations in the North Loop, Downtown East and West, Loring Park, Elliot Park, and Cedar-Riverside neighborhoods. He has also held leadership roles across patrol, special operations and officer training.

"He’s spent three decades serving Minneapolis, he’s earned the respect of officers across the department, and he understands that trust with the people of Minneapolis is paramount," Frey said in a statement. "Bill understands that trust is earned, and he has established a reputation of working every day to earn it."

Peterson said he felt "compelled to answer the call" when asked to step in as interim chief of a department that "has given me the opportunity to serve a city I love alongside some of the finest public servants I know."

"At a time when the Minneapolis Police Department needs experienced, steady leadership, I am honored to serve and ready to lead," Peterson said in a statement. "My focus will be on maintaining stability, supporting officers, building on the progress we’ve made, strengthening trust with our community, and ensuring every resident feels safe in the city we are proud to serve.”

A week ago, O'Hara stepped down as MPD's chief as he faced disciplinary action for interfering with an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. Claims that O'Hara engaged in intimate relationships with city employees, including at least one subordinate, were ultimately not substantiated.

Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell had served as acting chief of MPD since O'Hara's exit.

Peterson will stay on as interim chief until the city conducts a nationwide search and hires a permanent MPD chief.

The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on the 8400 block of County Road 9 NE in Green Lake Township.

According to a press release, a 44-year-old Spicer man was driving his family southbound in the van when he attempted to avoid a large payloader that was crossing the roadway in front of them.

The sheriff's office said the van struck the payloader in the bucket area and all five occupants of the van were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Another serious crash happened in Kandiyohi County on Sunday in Lake Andrew Township.

In that incident, a 22-year-old truck driver suffered serious injuries after he hit two cows in the roadway and then rolled after entering the ditch and striking a tree.

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2909.9692398697243!2d-94.9871225!3d45.2045005!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x52b5679dda5c32d9%3A0xe53f80bb16a282ae!2s8400%20County%20Rd%209%20NE%2C%20Spicer%2C%20MN%2056288!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1780418570499!5m2!1sen!2sus

Along with running mate Ryan Wilson, Demuth (R-Cold Spring) announced Tuesday that her gubernatorial campaign will continue to August's primary, despite previously saying she would drop out of the race if she did not win the GOP endorsement.

"Our intent is to take that message that we have been talking about the entire time we entered the race and make sure that Minnesotans are given a fair chance to put a Republican to finally defeat Amy Klobuchar on the ballot," Demuth said at a news conference.

During last weekend's GOP convention in Duluth, Qualls, a retired health care executive and Army veteran, emerged as the victor after 10 rounds of voting despite trailing Demuth during the early proceedings.

Demuth and others called into question the accuracy of the electronic voting system due to “anomalies” that were found on two ballots, including during the fifth round of voting, when the field narrowed from six candidates to Qualls and Demuth.

Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Alex Plechash issued a statement Monday, acknowledging the voting irregularities while stressing that "we remain confident in the integrity of the data, the results reported, and the endorsed candidates chosen by the convention."

He said the party "stands behind its endorsed candidates," including Qualls, but added that others shouldn't be held to pledges to suspend their campaigns without the GOP endorsement, seemingly giving the go-ahead for Demuth to stay in the race.

“Because of the unusual circumstances and the confusion caused by the disruption, I believe it is appropriate to make clear that any gubernatorial candidate who agreed to abide by the endorsement, should not be treated as bound by that pledge,” Plechash said. “Those candidates may make their own decision about whether to continue their campaign into the primary.”

Demuth told reporters Tuesday that Plechash's message regarding the GOP endorsement "felt like a full release that we could go forward."

"We fully know that Minnesotans know that we are the strongest ticket to defeat the Democrat machine here in Minnesota," she said. "I, as you well know, am a proven fighter, and a tested and proven winner also for Minnesota. This was the perfect opportunity to make that decision and go forward."

After Demuth's announcement, Qualls put out a statement, criticizing the House speaker for reneging on her promise to honor the sole GOP-endorsed candidate for governor.

"As recently as this weekend, Lisa Demuth committed to abiding by the party endorsement and respecting the decision of thousands of Republican delegates," Qualls said. "Now, she is putting vanity and political ambitions ahead of giving Republicans their best chance in a decade to elect a conservative governor."

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and John Krhin also plan to move on to the primary in August, and whoever wins will almost certainly face U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the DFL-endorsed candidate, in November.

The filing deadline for candidates running for governor and other state offices is Tuesday night.

"Confidence is increasing for an active stretch of weather starting Wednesday evening and continuing into Thursday. A few storms could become strong to severe, with large hail and damaging winds the primary threats," the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities says.

Before the front stalls over Minnesota on Thursday and Friday, the action begins Wednesday night as a line or clusters of storms are expected to blast into western Minnesota from the Dakotas, posing a threat for damaging winds and large hail.

The precipitation on Wednesday night is expected to be part of a mesoscale convective system (MCS), which is essentially an organized complex of storms. It'll probably weaken the further east it moves into Minnesota overnight, but NOAA's Storm Prediction Center is expecting some severe weather with it as it enters Minnesota.

When the storms first form in the Dakotas, they could drop very large hail and spawn tornadoes, the SPC says. Once the storms converge into a line, the main threat will become damaging winds.

The placement of the stalled frontal boundary on Thursday and Friday is still being ironed out, but it could set up shop somewhere over southern Minnesota. Right now, the SPC is favoring South Dakota for severe storms on Thursday, though there is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) in Minnesota.

The latest RRFS model shows west-central Minnesota under the gun on Thursday evening, and then closer to the Minnesota-Iowa border on Friday. But again, the front's placement isn't set in stone.

The rain should clear out for the weekend, with totals across Minnesota varying by location. Some areas could get an inch or more, but areas of northern Minnesota, where wildfires have been burning, could stay mostly dry.

It's also going to remain warm in Minnesota.

"While temperatures have already been running close to 10 degrees above normal from late May into early June, the second week of June may well feature temperatures closer to 15 degrees above normal," the NWS Twin Cities says. "The only aspect which may get in the way of that is the expected cloud/rain complications from later this week into early next week."

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The Minnesota DNR confirmed that Joe Bouta, of Benson, caught a 45.5-inch lake trout in Lake Superior in May, smashing the state's catch-and-release record.

Bouta landed the fish just a few weeks after Matthew Hammer of White Bear Township hauled in a 44-inch lake trout, breaking the previous record, also on Lake Superior.

It's one of two records that have fallen in recent weeks, with the other caught by David Selle, of Lino Lakes, who landed a 4 lb. 1 oz. black crappie from Cedar Lake in Rice County.

The Minnesota DNR says that has been certified as a Minnesota weight record, beating the previous record by a single ounce.

You can find more state records here.

Jeff and Sarah Schwenker announced May 27 that Marrow, their restaurant inside the historic Kelley Building, had closed permanently after three years in business.

The Schwenkers cited "an increasingly difficult operating environment" for independent restaurants, including changing dining habits and rising costs.

In a Facebook post, they said the Marrow space — including the existing restaurant buildout, infrastructure, equipment, and lease opportunity — is now available.

"We’re hopeful it continues to bring life, hospitality, and energy to this corner for years to come," they wrote.

Mezza9 Cafe & Dessert owner Sammi Loo said it's also become increasingly difficult to sustain her small business amid rising costs, high rent and low foot traffic in downtown Rochester.

Loo, who also owns Bebap Korean Eats and Ootori Sushi in Rochester, announced Monday that Mezza9 will close Tuesday, June 30.

"While the business is closing, we are proud of what we created and grateful for every guest who supported us along the way," Loo shared on Facebook. "To everyone who came in for coffee, lunch, desserts, meetings, or simply to say hello—thank you. Your support meant everything to me and my team."

In announcing the closure, Loo said she hopes it will serve as a reminder to support the small businesses at the heart of our communities.

"When local businesses struggle and close, we all lose a piece of what makes downtown unique and vibrant," she wrote.

Best-selling gospel singer CeCe Winans has joined the roster She will hit the Grandstand stage on the afternoon of Labor Day, Sept. 7, the final day of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.

The 61-year-old singer is one of gospel music's most heralded voices, having accumulated 18 Grammys, 33 Dove Awards, and 19 Stellar Gospel Music Awards, in addition to inductions into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Music City Walk of Fame. 

Her addition completes plans for the Grandstand in 2026. Winans will join Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and others as part of this year's lineup.

Tickets for CeCe Winans at the Minnesota State Fair will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5. Reserved seating tickets range from $37 to $49.25, while party deck tickets cost $47 to $59.25. 

The complete Grandstand lineup for 2026 can be seen here.

Minnesota didn't break the franchise record for points in a game on Monday night, but they scored 67 points in the first half en route to a 111-77 win in Phoenix, boosting their WNBA-leading record to 7-2.

The 111 points fell 13 shy of the franchise record 124 points scored in a double-overtime victory against Phoenix on July 24, 2010. It was only the fourth time in team history that Minnesota scored at least 67 points in a half.

According to Alexis Philippou of ESPN, the Lynx's 67 points in the first half is tied for the third-most points in any half of a road game in WNBA history.

The Lynx led by as many as 31 points in the first half, and they extended the gap to 37 points late in the fourth quarter.

Courtney Williams shot 13 of 20 and finished with a game-high 30 points. Rookie Olivia Miles scored 19 points to go along with nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Antonia Delaere scored 13 points off the bench, while Anastasiia Olairi Kosu scored 12 and Natasha Howard added 11.

Olivia Miles tonight 🔥

• 19 points
• 9 assists
• 4 rebounds
• 3 steals
• 7/9 FG pic.twitter.com/PApjAdfUtm

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) June 2, 2026

Minnesota shot 63.8% overall (44 of 69), including 59% from three-point range (10 of 17).

The Lynx have won five straight games, and they are expected to get MVP candidate Napheesa Collier back from injury at some point this month.

Up next: Lynx vs. Golden State, Thursday at 8 p.m. on Amazon Prime.

Saype started painting his latest installation of "Beyond Walls," his first in the U.S., on Monday in Boom Island Park. He's expected to continue working on it throughout the week, with an unveiling planned for Friday.

Since 2019, the project has taken the Franco-Swiss artist to 22 cities across the globe, including Berlin, Cairo, Cape Town, Istanbul, Paris, Tokyo, and Venice.

“Beyond Walls speaks to the invisible connections that unite people beyond borders, cultures, and differences,” Saype said in a statement. “Minneapolis is a city where questions of community, resilience, and living together carry a particular meaning and strength. Bringing this project here for its very first installation in the United States feels both natural and deeply symbolic."

In each location, Saype paints at least one large-scale pair of intertwined hands, using a biodegradable paint that he concocted himself, mostly with chalk and charcoal.

The artwork is designed to fade naturally, typically lasting three weeks to three months, depending on weather and climate.

As Saype paints a 12,500-square-foot mural at Boom Island, temporary fencing will keep people off of the lawn, but they'll be able to walk on it once he's finished.

Mayor Jacob Frey said it's not an accident that Minneapolis was chosen as first U.S. to host "Beyond Walls," alluding to the city's response to Operation Metro Surge, and shouting out its nationally ranked park system.

“Paris has the Eiffel Tower and Cairo has the Pyramids of Giza — but Minneapolis has something just as powerful: a community that comes together through challenge and change,” he said in a statement.

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is hosting events to celebrate the artwork at Boom Island on Friday and Saturday from 3-5 p.m.

“Parks are where communities come together, and 'Beyond Walls' is a powerful expression of that idea,” MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura said in a statement.

“We’re incredibly excited to host a unique project that creates a meaningful experience for residents and visitors alike. This installation will reflect the energy and creativity that built Minneapolis’ strong communities, excellent parks, and vibrant public art.”

Maplewood PD says the incident was reported at 9:14 p.m. at Rice Street and McCarrons Boulevard, with officers arriving to find a 37-year-old man "with significant injuries" lying in the road.

Witnesses say he had been hit by a dark-colored pickup truck that was northbound on Rice, and continued to flee north after hitting the pedestrian.

The man was taken to Regions Hospital with critical injuries, where he remains as of Tuesday.

Surveillance video saw police track the pickup to Cub Foods at 100 County Road B West just a few minutes after the collision, with the suspect entering the store and making a quick purchase before exiting.

On Monday evening, police said that the vehicle had been located and a suspect is in custody.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

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Dubbed the Birch Bay Fire, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says the blaze was reported just before 3 p.m. Monday about a half-mile north of North Arm Road and Lindskog Road, at the northwest end of Burntside Lake, before moving into a "heavily wooded area."

Several local fire departments, the Minnesota DNR and the U.S. Forest Service responded, with the latter contracting a CL-415 Super Scooper water delivery aircraft that was stationed in Duluth to provide suppression from the air.

An evacuation zone was put in place in the area of Lindskog Road and part of North Arm Road, impacting multiple seasonal homes and cabins. However, St. Louis County Sheriff's Gordon Ramsay said on Monday evening that there doesn't appear to be any threat to two nearby YMCA camps: Camp Du Nord and Camp Widjiwagan.

Here's video of the fire, courtesy of Friends of Northland Firewire.

YMCA Camp Du Nord posted that its staff were on alert for the fire, and the camp's wildfire suppression systems have activated and are "dampening the area around buildings."

As of Tuesday morning, no structures have burned as a result of the fire, with the National Forest Service saying on Monday evening that winds from the southeast and east were favorable for "moving the fire away from private property and towards the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)," with the closest areas impacted likely to be Silica and Ole Lakes.

However, the service also said the weather on Tuesday would bring "near-critical fire weather elements of hot temperatures and low relative humidity levels."

The public is continued to ask to stay away from North Arm Road and not to fly drones in the area.

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"It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr.," Larry's son Marcus wrote on X on Monday. "A devoted father, husband, grandfather, and a true pioneer in the Minnesota broadcasting community, he spent his life pouring into the people and the city he loved so much. He left us peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by his family and the people who loved him most."

"We are so grateful for the incredible care and kindness shown by the team at the University of Minnesota Fairview Southdale Hospital during this time," continued Marcus. "We ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate these first difficult days."

Fitzgerald's media career spanned over 40 years. He spent 35 years as a sports editor and columnist with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Minnesota.

On the radio, Fitzgerald first hit Minnesota airwaves in 1978 on KMOJ-FM 89.9. During his career, Fitzgerald also worked for Voyager Broadcasting and had a stint on KFAN in the early 1990s. After leaving KFAN in 1994, Fitzgerald hosted a Minnesota Timberwolves post-game show that aired live inside the Target Center.

On TV, Fitzgerald appeared on Twin Cities Public Television's Almanac as a sports reporter.

Fitzgerald was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was a two-time All-American defensive tackle for Fenger High School. He went on to play defensive tackle collegiately at Indiana State University from 1975-77.

Numerous sports reporters and personalities expressed their condolences to the Fitzgerald family following the news on Monday.

I would have never thought to work at KFAN Radio if not for

"I would have never thought to work at KFAN Radio if not for @FitzBeatSr," wrote WCCO Radio host Henry Lake. "He paved the way for many minorities in sports radio. So blessed to have become friends with him for the last 25 years. Going to really miss him."

"Very sad to hear this," wrote Purple Insider's Matthew Coller. "Larry was a big part of our media room from Day 1 and was always friendly to me and my wife when we saw him at any MN sports game. Our condolences to the Fitzgerald family."

Oh man, so sorry to hear

— Mark Rosen (@KFANRosen) June 1, 2026

Absolutely gutted to hear this news. Larry Sr was a true trailblazer. I’m always grateful for the time we shared when I covered the Vikings.

I will always remember his defiance, and his ambition. His presence provided a comfort that I definitely needed as a 21-year-old, and I… https://t.co/uowKh5qxaw

— Master (@MasterTes) June 1, 2026

Thoughts are with Larry Jr. and the whole Fitzgerald family. Big Fitz was in San Francisco to see his son be voted into the Hall of Fame in February. https://t.co/AMX6QP0qN0

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) June 1, 2026

Fitzgerald Sr. is survived by his two sons Larry Jr., 42, and Marcus 40. After a 16-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, Larry Jr. will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened shortly before 11 p.m. on County Road 29 near the intersection of 13th Street Northwest in Lake Andrew Township. 

The driver, a 22-year-old man from rural Pennock, drove into the ditch after hitting the cows and struck a tree. Authorities say his vehicle then rolled onto its side, pinning him inside the truck.

The man was still able to call 911 and was extricated with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff's office said.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office said it responded to the incident around 1 p.m. and used ropes to rescue the man, who'd been hanging onto a tree awaiting rescue after the long fall towards the water.

Lake County Search and Rescue, Lake County Ambulance and a Minnesota State Park Ranger assisted with the operation.

The man's identity was not released.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

With a packed 2026 concert lineup kicking off soon, Live Nation on Monday announced Stick Figure will bring its "Enjoy the Ride Tour" to fans in Shakopee on June 9, 2027.

Tickets to see Stick Figure, California-based songwriter Scott Woodruff's reggae band, will be available for presale starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. for Live Nation All Access members.

The amphitheater also announced a schedule shakeup Monday for its 2026 calendar.

Lil Wayne's show scheduled for July 18, with special guest 2 Chainz, has been postponed to Sept. 15 "due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict."

Tickets already purchased will be valid for the new show date and additional tickets are on sale now, according to Live Nation.

The amphitheater will officially open with "Setting the Stage: An Evening of MN Music, Comedy & Community" on Saturday, June 20.

The lineup includes Motion City Soundtrack, Ber, Rocket Club and School of Rock.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the victim as Cody Kent, a 29-year-old man from Burnsville.

The incident was reported just after noon on Saturday near the Little Emily Lake Park
swimming area, with Kent reportedly swimming out into the lake "before disappearing beneath the water."

A friend was able to find him underwater and help bring him to sure, but he ultimately died despite lifesaving efforts by responders.

"The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office extends its condolences to Mr. Kent's family and friends during this difficult time," the sheriff's office said.

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The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened around 3:45 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at Salem Road SW and 60th Ave. SW in Rochester Township.

Lifesaving efforts were attempted on both motorcycle riders, a 63-year-old man and 62-year-old woman, but both were pronounced dead at the scene, the agency said. Authorities did not share whether or not the truck driver, a 25-year-old man, suffered any injuries.

"The case remains open and active, and no further information is available at this time," the sheriff's office wrote Monday.

Five Minnesotans were killed in motorcycle crashes in just one week's time in late May.

Two people riding a motorcycle in Bloomington were killed May 29 when they collided with a Metro Mobility bus and a motorcyclist died in Hastings on May 25 after colliding with a vehicle.

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Mohamed Abdirizak Rage, 28, of Shakopee, was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the May 27 shooting death of Khalid Ibrahim Abdi.

Officers with the Shakopee Police Department were called around 9:55 a.m. Wednesday to Canterbury Park’s Expo Center, where a man had been shot in a parking lot and the suspect had fled.

When they arrived, Abdi was "conscious, alert and breathing" and was able to tell officers his name. He also said he could feel himself "filling up with blood" in his chest and stomach, and repeatedly said, "I can't breathe, please help me," according to a criminal complaint.

Abdi eventually went in and out of consciousness as he was treated at the scene, then taken by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died.

Abdi's wife told police that she and her husband were exiting the Expo Center when they were approached by a man who wanted to fight Abdi, who reportedly said: "Please leave me alone, I don't want to fight."

She said the man, identified as Rage, followed them through the parking lot and a physical altercation took place between him and Abdi, with an unidentified man trying to intervene.

Abdi's wife said Rage took out a gun and Abdi tried to run before Rage fired one or two shots.

She told police that the gunman recorded the altercation on his phone, which she later found at the scene and gave to officers, the complaint says.

Witnesses corroborated the wife's account, with one telling police that he saw a Somali man follow and record Abdi in the parking lot, Abdi punch the man, then the man take a gun out of his pocket and fire two shots at Abdi.

The witness said he followed the gunman and saw him get into a vehicle. He provided a description of the suspect and partial license plate number to police.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage showing an alternation between Rage and Abdi inside the Expo Center moments before the shooting in the parking lot, per the complaint.

Rage was identified through his phone, witness statements, and the vehicle in which he left the scene. He turned himself in at the Shakopee Police Department the following day.

Rage has previously been convicted of third-degree assault and therefore cannot possess a gun. He also faces a felony weapons charge in connection with Abdi's killing.

Abdi was a field representative for AFSCME Council 5, a local labor union that says he "will be forever remembered for his tenacious organizing spirit, his warm and inviting presence, and his unyielding passion and drive to fight for the working-class and all historically marginalized communities."

"His mentorship of countless workers, defending contract language and workers’ rights, and the collective bargaining agreements he negotiated alongside workers will last a lifetime," AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen says in a statement.

The Minnesota Card Show is hosting special, trading card game-only event on June 20 and 21 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul.

"The event will bring together collectors, players, vendors, artists, content creators, and fans from across the Midwest for one of the region’s largest TCG-focused weekends," reads an announcement from Minnesota Card Show.

"Attendees can expect hundreds of vendor tables dedicated entirely to TCG products, sealed products, singles, slabs, accessories, collectibles, and more."

The event runs from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 21.

General admission is $18 per day. Tickets are available online or at the door.

A two-day VIP pass grants attendees early access both days for $40.

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened in Rock Dell Township, southwest of Rochester, around 5:15 p.m.

According to the sheriff's office, a man in his 20s was in the trench when it collapsed in the 600 block of County Road 108 SW.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene and assisting with recovering the man's body from the trench.

Authorities have not yet publicly identified the man, nor indicated which entity was operating the trench.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

The world's largest passenger aircraft made an unplanned stop in the Twin Cities just before 5 p.m. Sunday, when an Emirates flight was diverted due to a medical emergency, as shared by Kyle Potter of Thrifty Traveler.

Flight Aware shows that Emirates Flight 215 from Dubai to Los Angeles landed at MSP at 2:09 p.m., taking off again at 4:49 p.m. It landed at Los Angeles International Airport a little over an hour after its scheduled arrival.

Today's Travel Article is sponsored by Visit Grand Rapids

pic.twitter.com/HdiC1rAeGO

— Travis Steele (@MNJackFlash) May 31, 2026

Emirates, a Dubai-based airline, currently flies the massive jet to five U.S. airports.

It was the second Airbus A380 diversion to MSP in less than a year, though they typically happen much less frequently.

On Aug. 6, a flight operated by Lufthansa was diverted to MSP due to a medical emergency, the first such visit in eight years, per JetTip.

"MSP has a pretty wide catchment in the region for medical diversions of large aircraft, being a major airport with top-level hospitals close to the airfield," Nick Benson of JetTip writes in his quick history of A380 visits to MSP.

With a wingspan of nearly 80 meters, or about 262 feet, the Airbus A380 has more than 850 seats throughout two levels.

MSP has the structural clearances and infrastructure to allow for the massive aircraft to land in emergencies, but none of the carriers found at MSP airport have A380s in their fleets.