Last week, the Blaine City Council passed an ordinance formally banning nudity in public spaces. 

The ordinance included language defining nudity as the “showing of the male or female genitals, pubic area, or anus with less than a fully opaque covering," as well as the “showing of the female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola with less than a fully opaque covering.” 

The inclusion of a woman’s breasts in the city’s definition of nudity comes in response to a 2025 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, said Ward 2 City Council Member Leslie Larson. 

The Supreme Court ruling stated that breasts are not inherently sexual and do not constitute indecent exposure on their own in Minnesota.

“I had brought this item forward, saying, ‘Well, we have a public beach here in Blaine, and it would be nice to make sure that we have this area covered, as it’s a family beach. It's a community beach. And I wanted to make sure that nudity was not allowed at the beach,” Larson said. 

Larson added that the city did not have any issues last summer, but that it was “good to see that we have it in writing and that it is an offense to have nudity."

On Thursday, Erik Adrian Blanco, 43, was sentenced in Morrison County District Court. He was previously convicted of felony second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of 14-month-old Riverlynn VanNorman. 

On July 6, 2023, police were called to a report of a medical emergency at Blanco’s home, where Riverlynn and her mother were staying. 

According to court documents, Riverlynn was reported to have been “choking on vomit and not breathing.” At the scene, first responders noticed bruising on the girl’s face and marks on her neck. She had also suffered bruising and swelling behind her ears. 

An autopsy later revealed that Riverlynn had suffered blunt force trauma, asphyxial injuries, numerous hemorrhages and a skull fracture, which caused her death. 

Riverlynn’s mother told police that she and her daughter had been staying with Blanco for about a week. Prior to the 911 call, she had made a “brief trip to a liquor store,” leaving her daughter in Blanco’s care. When she returned, Riverlynn wasn’t breathing and Blanco was performing CPR on her, she said.

Charges also stated that Riverlynn's mother had reported seeing the bruising on her daughter's neck earlier that day after Blanco had cleaned her up in the shower following a diaper accident. 

"The murder of a 14-month-old child is one of the most appalling and tragic cases my office has prosecuted," Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement. 

"I am keeping the victim’s family in my prayers, and I hope they have the support of their loved ones and communities in this difficult time. Justice cannot undo the grievous wrong done here, but it can help protect others from similar tragedies.

"I am grateful to everyone who helped ensure Erik Blanco faced justice for his crimes, and I will continue to do everything I can to uphold the rule of law and hold those who harm their fellow Minnesotans accountable."

According to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, a woman who was driving an SUV northbound on University Avenue when she was shot by someone in another vehicle around 9:03 p.m.

The woman who was shot wound up going off the road and stopping near the ramp to Interstate 694. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, though the sheriff's office says she was stable.

"A juvenile female also in the vehicle was not injured," the sheriff's office said.

"No arrests have been made and anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Anoka County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 763-427-1212."

No further information has been disclosed.

“Tragically, another person has lost their life after a firearm was apparently used during an altercation,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. “This is a senseless loss of life, and our investigators will take all necessary steps to ensure the person responsible is held accountable.”

According to MPD, the shooting was reported around 5:35 p.m. from an apartment building located at 2435 Pillsbury Avenue South. Officers reached the scene and found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

Depsite life-saving efforts, the woman died after being taken to Hennepin Healthcare.

Police believe an argument unfolded before shots were fired. The shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.

The woman's identity has not been revealed.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to leave a voicemail at 612-673-5845, or send an email to policetips@minnepaolismn.gov. Anonymous tips can be called into 800-222-8477, or submitted online at CrimeStoppersMN.org.

According to the Minneapolis Crime Dashboard, Saturday's shooting marks the 15th known homicide in the city in 2026. That's down from 17 at the same point in 2025, and below the three-year average of 19 to date.

Survival.

The Minnesota Wild spent three long days marinating in the hot mess they created in Denver, knowing there was no climbing out of an 0-3 hole against a team with Colorado’s firepower, pedigree and confidence.

Not against the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners. Not against Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Gabriel Landeskog, who can smell and exploit panic like a pack of bloodhounds.

Two flat, unraveling losses in the Mile High City left Minnesota reeling and threatened to turn Game 3 and the block party roaring on West Seventh Street into a wake. Instead, the Wild rediscovered their identity Saturday night and reclaimed their relevance in this sizzling second-round series with a resounding 5-1 victory.

The snarling, physical and relentless club that humbled Dallas in the first round vanished during the quick turnaround and raised pointed questions about whether Minnesota had anything left for the well-rested Avs.

As the series shifted to St. Paul, an unconventional three-day respite turned into a shiny reset button for the Wild to collectively pound and get their stars to show up.

Kirill Kaprizov played like he was possessed with a goal and two assists. Defensemen Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber each had a goal and pair of helpers. Marcus and Nick Foligno combined for 15 hits. And special teams finally stopped detonating on contact.

Behind it all stood Jesper Wallstedt, calmly restoring order after his Game 2 benching. The young goaltender re-emerged with the poise and prowess that he used to bury the Stars. His 34 saves, many through traffic and chaos, allowed the Wild to build a three-goal lead and, most importantly, restored the team’s emotional equilibrium.

For the first time in this series, Colorado looked uncomfortable.

“We forced our game on them early, got the lead and didn’t look back,” said Foligno. “When we play with that style in our game, we know how it works. We made it easy for them the first two games. But our physicality led to a lot of misplays and turnovers by them.”

Kaprizov led the charge. He was dynamic with the puck and hungry to assert himself and carry his teammates into the light.

With four minutes left in the opening period and the game still taking shape, Kaprizov face-planted Scott Wedgewood with a big-boy deke, opening the top shelf and the emotional floodgates all at once.

The arena erupted. The Wild bench exhaled. The Thrill was back, and his 14 points now lead all playoff scorers.

“I thought it was his best game all year,” said Foligno. “He just had that look on his face. He was in the zone. You need your stars to show up. When Kirill gets going, good things happen.”

Ninety-three seconds after Kaprizov’s opening salvo, Hughes toe-dragged through the slot and buried a four-on-three power-play goal past a defenseless, stickless Wedgewood, and the Avs were on the run.

Ryan Hartman’s power-play goal four minutes into the second chased Wedgewood to the bench, a shocking turnabout after six straight victories to start his postseason.

The Wild were dynamic with the puck all night and heavier when they didn’t have it. Foligno and company marched Colorado defensemen into the boards and worked them over below the circles like it was a playoff game and not the track meet Colorado dictated in Denver.

“We came out with desperation,” said Faber. “No excuses for how we played in the first two games. It was a quick turnaround after an emotional series. Tonight was the way we want to play.”

When MacKinnon finally broke through on a Colorado power play in the second period, there was a brief flicker of familiar dread inside the building. The Avs can erase a two-goal deficit faster than it takes to refresh a social feed.

But Faber answered 20 seconds later as the Wild refused to let the emotional pendulum swing against them.

By the third period, the Wild were swaggering. There was a mesmerizing stretch midway through the final stanza when the Wild yo-yoed the puck around the Colorado zone, rolling lines and rotating defensemen like a relay team. The Avalanche barely touched it.

A single win does not define a series, but Minnesota’s rediscovery of its winning blueprint brought them back to life along with the tension of a tighter series.

Game 4 on Monday no longer feels like an obligation before Colorado inevitably closes the door. The Wild have fresh evidence that they can bully their way back into this series on their terms.

Colorado, meanwhile, heads into Monday carrying its first postseason loss and uncomfortable questions about Wedgewood’s leakiness.

That is what playoff hockey does. Momentum swings violently. Confidence evaporates overnight. One team redeems itself while the other starts hearing footsteps.

Desperation can be a hell of a motivator.

In a must-win game, the Wild's stars delivered. Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes scored less than two minutes apart late in the first period, and Minnesota never trailed on its way to a 5-1 win in a packed Grand Casino Arena on Saturday night.

Ryan Hartman gave the Wild further separation when he batted a puck out of the air to make it 3-0 early in the second period. The Avalanche found some life when Nathan MacKinnon scored to make it 3-1 later in the second, but the Wild responded with a Brock Faber goal just 20 seconds later to ease the nerves of their home fans.

Jesper Wallstedt, who returned to the net after being benched for Game 2, was outstanding for Minnesota in this one. He made 34 saves on 35 shots, and the only goal he allowed was more the fault of young defenseman Daemon Hunt. There will be no goalie decision for the Wild heading into Game 4 on Monday.

Kaprizov, Hughes, Faber, and Mats Zuccarello all had multi-point nights for the Wild. Kaprizov's three points give him 14 in these playoffs, which leads the league. He's now tied with Zach Parise for the second-most points by a Wild player in a single postseason. Marian Gaborik's 2003 record of 17 may be in some danger. Hughes, with 13 points, is right on Kaprizov's tail.

Crucially, the Wild's special teams were much better in this game. They scored on two of their three power plays and killed two of the Avs' three power plays, including both of their shorthanded situations in the first period.

The Wild came out with all kinds of energy from the opening puck drop on a rowdy night in downtown St. Paul. Kaprizov had a great scoring chance within the first 30 seconds. Marcus Foligno fired up the crowd with a booming hit early on. Wallstedt made some timely saves to keep Colorado off the board.

After the Wild successfully killed a Faber penalty, Kaprizov opened the scoring in a 4-on-4 situation when he took a pass from Faber, deked out Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood, and roofed the puck in beautiful fashion.

🗣️ KIRILL KAPRIZOV #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/rb1d9jKakQ

— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2026

A minute later, the Wild got their first power play. And Hughes scored another beauty, maneuvering into open space and firing a puck past Wedgewood. Zuccarello and Kaprizov picked up the assists.

Quinn Hughes makes it a two-goal game! 😤 #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/9kOBm9xtu9

— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2026

When Hartman's power-play goal made it 3-0 Wild early in the second, Colorado coach Jared Bednar pulled Wedgewood from the game.

The lead was cut to two for a moment in the second period, which surely caused some nerves for Wild fans. Foligno went to the box for an interference penalty that he clearly did not agree with, and MacKinnon scored after Hunt pushed Gabriel Landeskog into Wallstedt. But the Wild answered right away when Vladimir Tarasenko's shot deflected off of Mackenzie Blackwood, off of Faber, and into the net.

The Wild couldn't convert on a couple chances to add onto their lead early in the third period, but it didn't matter. The Avs never found a second goal, and Matt Boldy tacked on an empty-netter from his own end with 3 seconds left for good measure.

Game 4 is Monday night at 7 p.m. central.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft made some WNBA history in her first career game on Saturday. Miles became the second player ever with at least 20 points and 8 assists in their debut, joining Hall of Famer Candace Parker in 2008. Unfortunately, her effort didn't quite lead to a win, as the Lynx failed to close out a game they led almost from start to finish, falling 91-90 to the Atlanta Dream in their season opener at Target Center.

Miles nearly finished the night with a highlight and a victory. With less than ten seconds on the clock and the Lynx down by one, she drove to the hoop for what would've been a go-ahead layup. That's when she may have had her "Welcome to the W" moment, as Atlanta star Allisha Gray blocked her shot to preserve the Dream's lead.

After the Lynx won a jump ball, the ball wound up in Miles' hands again. With just two seconds remaining, she made a great pass to reserve forward Emese Hof. But Hof, who was only playing out of pure necessity, fumbled the ball a bit and was blocked by Angel Reese at the buzzer.

That secured a win for the Dream, who took their first and only lead of the night when Te-Hina Paopao hit the game-winner with 11.3 seconds on the clock.

TE-HINA PAOPAO HITS THE GAME WINNER FOR THE ATLANTA DREAM

ALLISHA GRAY & ANGEL REESE SEAL THE WIN w/ TIMELY BLOCKS!! pic.twitter.com/qLrnq7pluJ

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 10, 2026

Even in defeat, Miles made a heck of a first impression on the home crowd in Minneapolis. She scored 15 of her 21 points in the second half, including some big buckets in the fourth quarter. She dished out 8 assists with only 3 turnovers. And she chipped in 2 steals and 2 blocks on the defensive end of the floor.

Miles became just the 17th player in WNBA history with at least 21 points in their debut, and the first since her currently-injured teammate Napheesa Collier had 27 in her first game back in 2019. She tied Maya Moore, Charde Houston, and Seimone Augustus for the second-most points by a Lynx rookie in their debut.

Olivia Miles tonight 🔥

• 21 points
• 8 assists
• 2 blocks
• 2 steals pic.twitter.com/7DD8W1APlQ

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 10, 2026

For much of this game, the Lynx looked like they were going to cruise to a win. They led 24-12 after the opening quarter and were up by as many as 19 points late in the second quarter. But their lead shrunk in the third quarter, and the Dream kept it close in the fourth before finally striking at the very end. Atlanta won the second half 54 to 38.

Kayla McBride had 18 points for the Lynx and hit a big three late in the game. Courtney Williams had 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, but she shot just 7 of 18 from the field. Rookie forward Emma Cechova also had a strong WNBA debut, scoring 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting.

Unfortunately for the Lynx, who were playing without Collier and Dorka Juhasz due to injuries, both Natasha Howard and Cechova fouled out in the fourth quarter. That's why Hof, who the Lynx just signed a week ago, was on the floor and wound up shooting the final shot in her first WNBA game.

Losing a game that they led for 96 percent of the night is a tough way to start the season for the Lynx, who will be without Collier for at least the rest of May. But the result isn't as important as what Miles displayed in her first time wearing a Lynx uniform. If she continues to play like this, the wins will follow.

After being benched for Game 2, Jesper Wallstedt will be back in net for Minnesota. The 23-year-old will look to bounce back from a difficult outing in Game 1 last Sunday, in which he allowed eight Colorado goals on 42 shots.

Wallstedt is 4-3 with a .903 save percentage and a 2.81 GAA in this postseason. He had a .924 save percentage and a 2.05 GAA in six games against the Stars in the opening round. During the regular season, he was 18-9-6 with a .915 SV%, a 2.61 GAA, and four shutouts.

John Hynes and the Wild played Filip Gustavsson for the first time in these playoffs in Tuesday's Game 2 loss, a decision that didn't exactly pay off. Gustavsson allowed goals on the first two shots he faced and gave up four in total on 22 shots.

The Wild need better play from Wallstedt, who was beaten on multiple unscreened shots from the same right offensive circle in Game 1. But they also need to defend better in front of their goaltender. In an attempt to do so, Hynes has tinkered with his lineup of defensemen for Saturday's game.

With Jonas Brodin injured, the Wild's Jared Spurgeon-Jake Middleton pairing has been a nightmare through two games in this series, going -4 at even strength. They've been split up for this game. Spurgeon will skate with young Daemon Hunt, who made his playoff debut in Game 1. Middleton will be paired with Zach Bogosian, who missed Game 2 with an injury and was replaced by Jeff Petry.

So that's Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, Spurgeon and Hunt, and Middleton and Bogosian as the Wild's three defense pairs. Brodin remains out. It sounds as if Spurgeon and Middleton may still skate together when the Wild are on the penalty kill.

As for the forward lines, the only notable update is No. 1 center Joel Eriksson Ek remains out due to injury. Danila Yurov will continue to center Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson on the Wild's second line. Ryan Hartman centers Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello on the top line. The bottom six consists of Yakov Trenin, Michael McCarron, and Vladimir Tarasenko on the third line and Nico Sturm between the Foligno brothers on the fourth.

The Wild need to be significantly better on special teams to have a chance at getting back into this series against Colorado. The Avs have converted on three of their seven power plays, while the Wild have gone 0 for 5 with the man advantage.

It should go without saying that this is a must-win game for the Wild, who cannot fall down 3-0 in this series against the best team in the league. It's an 8 p.m. central time game at Grand Casino Arena, televised on TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says the water emergency was reported at 8:18 a.m. at the Island Lake Dam, where police were informed two people were in the water with life jackets after the capsize.

A 61-year-old woman from Duluth was pulled from the water by anglers who were fishing from the shore. Her canoeing partner, a 63-year-old man from Duluth, "was pulled under the strong currents" but was eventually able to get to shore.

The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and was taken to a hospital by Mayo Ambulance. The woman had no apparent injuries.

"As the boating and fishing season are kicking off and in full swing, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office would like to remind everyone to please be careful on and around the waterways," the sheriff's office said.

"Please wear your life jackets and exercise caution around fast moving, turbulent water."

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The Bad Plus have announced dates for their annual Christmas-time residency at the Nicollet Mall concert venue. In 2025, the band played eight shows over four nights starting on Christmas Day. This time, there's even more to enjoy. They'll play 10 shows across five nights beginning on Dec. 23. 

The bulkier residency is likely the result of the band — once a trio, now a quartet — announcing earlier this year that 2026 would be the end.

"The Bad Plus has been a band for 26 years. That's quite a long time," reads a letter to fans signed by Dave King and Reid Anderson. "As we enter into year 27 — after a great deal of soul searching and consideration — we have decided to bring this chapter to a close."

The announcement goes on to say the group will call it a day at the end of this year. The shows, dubbed "The Bad Plus Farewell Tour Finale," will be The Bad Plus' final shows, The Dakota tells Bring Me The News.

Representatives for the band did not respond to a request for comment. 

It's a fitting finale, as the group formed in the state and its Dakota residency has been running for more than a quarter-century.

The Bad Plus formed as a trio in 2000, featuring Andersen, King, and pianist Ethan Iverson. When Iverson departed, Orrin Evans joined the group. It later expanded to a quartet following Evans' departure, resulting in the current lineup that includes guitarist Ben Monder and tenor saxophonist Chris Speed.

As ever, the group's Dakota residency isn't a typical holiday show, as there's no holiday music involved. "We don't intone that the holiday is going on at all," King told MPR in 2024. 

Tickets for the 2026 residency are on sale now, with each night's early show starting at $41.95 and late shows starting at $35.77.

Insomnia Cookies held its grand opening on Saturday at 818 West Lake St., with the store offering in-store, pickup and delivery service

The chain has been rapidly expanding, passing 350 locations this past November, split between the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The new location will be open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Insomnia Cookies serves a variety of gourmet cookies as well as ice cream, brownies and blondies. 

Insomnia's other Minneapolis locations can be found downtown and in Dinkytown. Outside of Minneapolis, Insomnia Cookies operates stores in Duluth, Mankato, St. Cloud and St. Paul.  

Taste of Minnesota and the Pryes Block Party announced lineups this week, and they're both stacked exclusively with local artists. Same goes for the opening concert for Live Nation's new Mystic Lake Amphitheater.

Get the details on those events, as well as a whole lot of others below, in Bring Me The News' roundup of concerts announced around the Twin Cities this week.

Concerts announced in the Twin Cities this week:

• May 13: Mobetta and Friends: the Afterparty with DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak) at Icehouse
• May 18: Travis Anderson Trio: The Music of Studio Ghibli at The Dakota
• May 27: Gauze, Spiderlily, Vayga, and Spamcaller at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• May 31: Flowers Now! A Celebration of Black Elders of the Arts Community at The Cedar Cultural Center
• June 3: Prince Celebration Kick-Off Party with Chaka Khan at First Avenue
• June 5: TH3 EP release party at Icehouse’s Starlight Room
• June 7: Dylan Salfer Band at The Dakota
• June 9: Room3 at The Dakota
• June 10: Innocent Reggae Band at Como Park Zoo (free)
• June 12: Big Jay Oakerson at Pantages Theatre
• June 12: The Thirsty Giants, Orchid Club, Unstable Shapes, and DJ Doug Busson at Cloudland Theater
• June 15: Müllet, Backstroke, HEAT, and Shrimp Olympics at Mortimer’s
• June 17: Tomboyy, The Devil Said Jump, and Ditchweed at Cloudland Theater
• June 17: Miss Georgia Peach at Como Park Zoo (free)
• June 18: Permanent Record and Private Oates play Beck! Odelay! at The Parkway Theater
• June 19: Pryes Block Party feat. Soul Asylum with Agnes Unchained and Lamaar at Pryes Brewing
• June 19: Cameron Kinghorn & Friends with Kavyesh Kaviraj, Trevor Peterson, and Joey Hays at Berlin
• June 20: Pryes Block Party feat. Gear Daddies, Maygen & the Birdwatcher, and more at Pryes Brewing
• June 20: Motion City Soundtrack, Ber, Rocket Club, and Tommy Brennan of “Saturday Night Live” at Mystic Lake Amphitheater
• June 20: Reverend Horton Heat with The Surfrajettes at Turf Club
• June 20: Pity Party with Stock Market Cinema and Jammaz at Pilllar Forum
• June 23: The Melismatics and Che Arthur with Two Harbors at 7th St. Entry
• June 24: Jellyjacket at Como Park Zoo (free)
• June 25: Magical Frybread Drive-In with Brian Babb, Annie Humphrey and Friends at The Hook and Ladder
• June 27: GR3G with Mack OC, Blood $moke Body, and Jandeltha Rae at 7th St. Entry
• June 28: Lambchop at Crooners Supper Club
• June 28: Jules! at The Parkway Theater
• June 30: River Shook with Andrew Sa at The Parkway Theater
• July 1: Puppeteers for Fears presents “Robopocalypse: The Musical!” at The Cedar Cultural Center
• July 1: Betty Won’t at Como Park Zoo (free)
• July 3: Taste of Minnesota feat. Polica, Dillinger Four, and Bad Bad Hats in downtown Minneapolis
• July 3: Terrapin Stallion at 7th St. Entry
• July 4: Taste of Minnesota feat. Brother Ali, Ant, Dessa, Nur-D, and Gully Boys in downtown Minnesota
• June 5–6: Mathis Picard Trio at Berlin
• July 6: Sounds of Santana starring Joe Cruz at The Dakota
• July 8: Salsa del Soul at Como Park Zoo (free)
• July 9: Jed Harrelson at Icehouse
• July 10: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (voice and piano) at The Cedar Cultural Center
• July 11: Cowboy Mouth at Fine Line
• July 13: Placeholder, Drift Pattern, and Big Yikes at Pilllar Forum
• July 15: J-Mo on the Beat & the J-Lighters at Como Park Zoo (free)
• July 17: Chastity Brown with Barbara Cohen at The Hook and Ladder
• July 18: Surrounded by Water, The Color of Cyan, Prgrphs, and Trellis at Underground Music Venue
• July 19: Eleni Mandell with Mike Gunther at The Hook and Ladder
• July 19: Jim Gaffigan at The Ledge Amphitheater
• July 22: The Family Crest at 7th St. Entry
• July 22: Red Eye Ruby at Como Park Zoo (free)
• July 25: Blu & Exile with Sirplus at 7th St. Entry
• July 25: WonkyWilla at Skyway Theatre
• July 28: Daywithcycy, J-Raa, _Graveblunt_, Open Minded, and DD the Spektrum at Underground Music Venue
• July 29: School of Rock at Como Park Zoo (free)
• July 31: Hilde Amplified festival feat. Brett Young, Ashley McBryde, Rodney Atkins, and Matt Stell at Hilde Performance Center
• Aug. 1: Hilde Amplified festival feat. Third Eye Blind with lovelytheband at Hilde Performance Center
• Aug. 2: Brotherkenzie at 7th St. Entry
• Aug. 2: Cairo Jag with Another Heaven and Busey at Underground Music Venue
• Aug. 7: Sophie Hiroko with Ava Levy, Scrunchies, and Lana Leone at 7th St. Entry
• Aug. 7: Sevendust and Theory of a Deadman at DECC Arena in Duluth
• Aug. 8: Kirsten Vangsness at The Parkway Theater
• Aug. 8: Dale Watson and His Lone Stars at Turf Club
• Aug. 8: The Penny Peaches with Lone Rock Bride at 7th St. Entry
• Aug. 9: Tracy Bonham at The Parkway Theater
• Aug. 9: DWLLRS with thebandfriday at 7th St. Entry
• Aug. 12: Oliver Tree at The Fillmore
• Aug. 12: Braxton Cook at The Dakota
• Aug. 15: 38 Special at The Ledge Amphitheater
• Aug. 15: Sevendust and Theory of a Deadman at Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton
• Aug. 23: Jason Carter Band at The Parkway Theater
• Aug. 25: Todd Rundgren at Uptown Theater
• Aug. 30: Lambchop at Crooners Supper Club
• Sept. 4: Black Marble with Public Circuit and Jimmy Cicero at Fine Line
• Sept. 11: Brenn! at Varsity Theater
• Sept. 15: An Evening with Kevin Smith at The Fitzgerald Theater
• Sept. 18: Mac Mcanally at The Dakota
• Sept. 20: The Takes at 7th St. Entry 
• Sept. 27: Lambchop at Crooners Supper Club
• Sept. 29: Tangi Le Gall-Carre and Typhaine Corre at The Cedar Cultural Center
• Oct. 1: Alana Springsteen with Erin Kinsey at Fine Line
• Oct. 2: Mon Rovia with Sydney Rose and Sarah Julia at Palace Theatre
• Oct. 10: Carbon Leaf at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• Oct. 11: Muna at Palace Theatre
• Oct. 14: Paris Paloma at First Avenue
• Oct. 16: The Menzingers with Hot Water Music and Weakened Friends at Varsity Theater
• Oct. 17: Blake Whiten with Eli Winders at Fine Line
• Oct. 21: Fonville x Fribush at Icehouse
• Nov. 1: Allison Russell with Autumn Nicholas at First Avenue
• Nov. 3: L7 at Fine Line
• Nov. 8: Teddy Thompson at The Cedar Cultural Center
• Nov. 11: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at State Theatre
• Nov. 21: Michigander with Wildermiss at Fine Line
• Dec. 23, 25, 26, 27, and 28: The Bad Plus Farewell Tour Finale at The Dakota

What started as a food truck and moved into its brick-and-mortar storefront in August 2024 will close its doors on Saturday, May 9. However, this isn't the end of the restaurant from owners Marques Johnson and Billy Tserenbat of Billy Sushi.

"We built something special on Lyndale, and that only happened because this community showed us love from day one," reads a statement on the restaurant's social media. 

"It breaks our hearts to say this, but it's time for us to move on from this location. We are officially moving locations and getting ready for our next chapter."

The post does not detail the reasons for the move.

View this post on Instagram

Representatives did not respond to a request for comment; however, a staff member confirmed that there will be a new brick-and-mortar location. No timeline for the move was offered.

The restaurant's posts do not say where it will next appear, but add that diners should "follow our food truck journey" to find out what's next.

In addition to its food truck and its storefront at 2700 Lyndale Ave. S, Tender Lovin' Chix opened an outpost inside U.S. Bank Stadium at the start of the last Vikings' season.

Last year, the Twin Cities-born burger chain closed its North Loop location for six weeks to renovate and implement a menu refresh. Now, its 50th and France eatery is getting a similar treatment. 

The restaurant at 3624 W 50th St. in Minneapolis closed this week for an update that is scheduled to last through June 1. 

Similar to last year's revamp, an announcement says the restaurant will again work with the North Loop clothing and interior design retailer MartinPatrick3, which led the changes at the nearby Red Cow.

Representatives did not respond to a request for comment on what the changes will entail for this location.

After the closure last year, the North Loop location emerged with a brightened design that added a convertible space that can be closed off for private events. 

During the closure of the 50th and France restaurant, Red Cow's restaurants in Minneapolis (Uptown and North Loop), St. Paul, Rochester, and Wayzata will remain open.

However, just a day after the announcement, the band canceled all tour dates due to a medical issue affecting a member of the band. 

"Due to a serious medical issue in the band, the tour dates scheduled for spring and summer are being canceled," the band said in a statement. "Please accept our deepest apologies for the inconvenience... More soon."

No further details were shared. 

A notice on the First Avenue website says that there is no rescheduled date, and that all tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. 

On Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced his office had filed a lawsuit against the nonprofit We Push for Peace and Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan, two of its former directors. 

The lawsuit alleges that Pollard – who founded We Push for Peace in 2016 – and McGuigan diverted more than $6.5 million in nonprofit assets to pay for personal expenses. More than $6 million benefitted Pollard in particular, according to the lawsuit. He allegedly used the money to pay for trips to Las Vegas, child support payments and to fund his for-profit liquor store — Merwin Liquors in north Minneapolis —  as well as his car dealership businesses.

The lawsuit goes on to allege that Pollard and McGuigan attempted to hide the misuse by providing Ellison’s office with false statements while under the penalty of perjury. 

One statement claimed that a child support payment made with nonprofit funds was actually for the organization’s overhead expenses, while another claimed that a $35,000 payment to Pollard’s friends was for "Chicago Payroll," according to the lawsuit. 

Shortly after Ellison’s office had contacted Pollard about the investigation, Pollard founded "We Push for Peace-For Profit Professional Service Corporation." He told the office that this for-profit arm handled "private contracts and/or non-government funds" despite having only been operating for ten days. 

Ellison’s office also noted that Pollard had more recently formed a new nonprofit, Change Makers. The new organization was meant to further divert contracts and workers to Pollard, according to the lawsuit. 

When the City of Minneapolis reached out to We Push for Peace for support during Operation Metro Surge earlier this year, the organization lacked the resources to help despite having formerly handled millions of dollars, the lawsuit continues. 

"We Push for Peace’s former leaders betrayed their basic duties to the nonprofit and communities they were supposed to serve," Ellison said in a statement. 

"Instead of helping the community, they helped themselves to millions of dollars that should have gone into the community. During Operation Metro Surge, when we needed nonprofits providing social services and community support the most, We Push for Peace was utterly incapable of assisting Minnesotans," he continued.

"When my office asked questions, Pollard and McGuigan lied about key facts, continued to misuse assets, and ultimately caused the demise of the nonprofit. We filed this lawsuit to redress these harms and hold its former leaders accountable."

We Push for Peace was among the violence interruption groups that received funds from the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County in the wake of George Floyd's murder by city police.

Bring Me The News reached out to We Push for Peace for comment, and did not receive a response.

The City of Minneapolis told the Star Tribune it has not had a contract with We Push for Peace in more than a year.

The 59th Edina Art Fair will take over the shopping district at the border of Minneapolis and Edina, with more than 250 locally-based and visiting artists in a sprawling arts market.

"We have artists coming from 25 different states along with top talent from Minnesota, which makes for a special mix," says Jill Osiecki, Edina Art Fair organizer. "The energy of this event is unlike anything else in the state, filling the streets with art for everyone."

The annual event includes food trucks, a local vendor market, and a kid zone stacked with activities for young art enthusiasts. 

This year's edition will also feature live music stages and three beverage gardens, featuring drinks from Mr. Paul's Supper Club, Pajarito, and Red Cow. 

The Edina Art Fair will take place around 50th and France from noon to 8 p.m. on June 5, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 6, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 7. Metro Transit will offer free rides to the fair from Edina City Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

A free watch party will be held just outside Grand Casino Arena on West 7th Street between West Kellogg Boulevard and West 5th Street from 5 p.m., with some other pre-game festivities expected to start an hour earlier.

Game 3 gets underway at 8 p.m., with the Wild facing a titanic task to rescue the series after comfortably losing the first two in Denver.

Road closures will go into effect from 12 p.m. until an hour after the end of the game, with anyone traveling to downtown St. Paul advised to be aware of the following changes:

• Westbound lanes of Shepard Road closed from Jackson St. to Eagle Parkway.
• Jackson St. closed from Kellogg Blvd. to Shepard Road for outbound downtown traffic.

"Fans are invited to gather and cheer on the Wild in a high-energy, community atmosphere just steps from the arena," the event listing says on NHL.com.

"A ticket will not be required to enter the free event, and capacity is subject to a first-come, first-served basis. All fans will be required to pass through security screening to enter."

Pregame activities include live programming from the Wild on 7th podcast, a Red Bull DJ set, and a drum line performance. There will be food and drinks available on site, with payments card-only.

"Fans attending both the game and the outdoor watch party are encouraged to account for road closures in St. Paul and the surrounding areas," St. Paul Police Department said.

"Fans are encouraged to arrive early, allow extra travel time, and consider alternate routes."

Jonathan Berg, 72, of Merrifield, Minnesota, is facing multiple charges – including first-degree premeditated attempted murder – after the shooting on the evening of Sunday, May 3, which left his grandson with birdshot wounds to his buttocks and thighs.

The criminal complaint against Berg alleges he had been arguing with his grandson on the day of the shooting about him not storing his fish house. During the argument, Berg hit the teen in the face, with the teen retaliating by hitting Berg.

Berg then allegedly told the teen that he was going to shoot his dog, at which point Berg's daughter – the victim's mother – intervened and her son left the property.

About an hour before the shooting, the victim's mother said Berg had asked her "when is your son coming home so I can shoot him."

When the teen arrived home at about 9 p.m., his mother said she heard the sound of a gunshot, heard glass breaking, and heard her son screaming. She said she saw Berg sitting on his bed "holding the gun," which was a 16-gauge shotgun and which appeared to have smoke coming from it.

The victim's mother said she screamed "why the f*** did you shoot my kid?", to which he allegedly replied something to the effect of: "Shut the f*** up or I'll shoot you too."

She took her some from the house and they drove to a nearby Dollar General in Merrifield, where she called the police.

The mother told police she and her son had moved in with her father to try and get him help with his medical conditions and limited mobility. She said Berg "drinks to excess" and had been drinking heavily in the days prior to the incident, the complaint states.

The off-price retail chain will officially open at Ridgehaven Marketplace, 13131 Ridgedale Dr., on May 21, the company announced.

The space was formerly occupied by Barnes & Noble, which closed in the location last year and relocated a short distance away to a former Staples space at WestRidge Market just off of I-394.

Marshalls is relocating from its previous location at the Bonaventure Mall, located in between Ridgehaven Marketplace and the Ridgedale Mall.

The new location will have slightly more space than Marshalls' previous Minnetonka space, at 26,210 square feet compared to 25,905 square feet, and now finds itself in a mall also occupied by other major chains including Target, Lunds & Byerlys, and Ulta Beauty.

"At Marshalls, we hustle every day to bring the good stuff to stores for consumers. With the opening of this store, we are excited to provide Minnetonka shoppers with high-quality, brand name merchandise at an amazing value," said Nancy Carpenter, President of Marshalls.

The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for its grand opening on May 21. After that its regular store hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

It's also expected to bring an additional 60 jobs to the area, a mixture of full- and part-time.

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d826.1082872530029!2d-93.4475413404328!3d44.96924511084255!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x52b34b0034ec8af5%3A0x7663a6578e5396ad!2sMarshalls!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1778269801248!5m2!1sen!2sus

The Inver Grove Heights theater and executive-artistic director Jeremy Stanbary will start the 13th season on Oct. 2 with "Doctor Faustus," Christopher Marlowe's 16th-century cautionary tale about the unrestrained avarice of a magician who makes a deal with Mephistopheles.

After that, the company's Christmas-time production will feature Santa, err, Father Christmas, but not in a production that is typically seen as holiday fare.

For the first time in 11 years, Open Window will present the Joseph Robinette adaptation of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." It will be a fitting complement to the theater's spring 2025 production of "Tolkien," which dives into the friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and Lewis. The journey to Narnia starts on Nov. 28 and runs through Jan. 3.

The new year starts with another returning production. "A Man for All Seasons" will open on Feb. 19. Open Window previously presented the Tony-winning play in 2014, when it was at its former Minneapolis home.

The season will close with William Gibson's Tony-winning "The Miracle Worker" about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. It'll run from April 30 to May 30, 2027.

Season tickets are on sale now for Open Window's 13th year. Single-show tickets will go on sale at a later date.

In the meantime, its season 12 closer, "Joan of Arc," opened on May 1 and will continue through May 31. Originally scheduled for the prior season, it was delayed a year, with Stanbary calling it the theater's "biggest and most ambitious original play" at the time.

Members of the evenly divided House voted 127-5 on Thursday in favor of establishing an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to watch over the state’s use of tax dollars and prevent fraud in its social services programs.

A companion bill sailed through the Senate on a 60-7 vote last May, then made its way to the House, where the measure was refined after months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats.

Rep. Patti Anderson (R-Dellwood) considers it "the most significant piece of anti-fraud legislation that has passed the House to date."

"Minnesotans who have been demanding action can now be assured that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being safeguarded by an apolitical entity with the sole mandate of investigating and prosecuting fraud," Anderson said in a statement Thursday.

The Senate is expected to agree to the changes made in the House, then the bill will head to the desk of Gov. Tim Walz, who has said he will sign it.

Sen. Heather Gustafson (D-Vadnais Heights), an author of the Senate companion bill, applauded her colleagues for supporting OIG's creation, adding that the measure "passed overwhelmingly in both chambers because of the hard work and bipartisan cooperation that went into it."

“This bill is a testament to our ability as legislators to bridge partisan divides and pass good policy that will safeguard taxpayer dollars," Gustafson said in a statement.

Here's your guide to the outdoor concert series and festivals running around the state throughout the summer of 2026.

Hewing Hotel Rooftop Concert Series

When: Select dates from May 17 to Oct. 4 at The Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis

Who is playing: Nur-D, Kiss the Tiger, Dessa, Tina Schlieske, Rogue Valley, Martin Zellar, Jeremy Messersmith, Davina and the Vagabonds, The Dan Israel Band, Al Church, SWAG, Going to the Sun, The Scarlet Goodbye, Leslie Vincent and Sarah Morris, ABBAsolutely Fab

What you need to know: The shows take place on the hotel’s rooftop, and each show is ticketed separately. Click here for more

Minneapolis Music in the Park

When: Select dates from May 21–Sept. 7 at various Minneapolis parks

Who is playing: Favourite Girl, Meatraffle Ska, Dan Israel, Dred I Dread, USPOP, FINICK, Prairie Fire Choir, J-Mo on the Beat and the J-Lighters, Kung-Fu Hippies, Ait Ait, Andra Suchy, Lazy Scorsese, Ditch Pigeon, the Belfast Cowboys, Minneapolis Pops, and many more

What you need to know: The series of free concerts in Minneapolis parks includes almost daily concerts. Click here for more

The Ledge Amphitheater

When: Select dates beginning May 22 at The Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park

Who is playing: Brantley Gilbert, Little River Band, Lee Brice, Wynonna Judd, Melissa Etheridge, Trace Adkins, TobyMac, Black Label Society, Jim Gaffigan, Lindsey Stirling, 38 Special, John Mulaney, Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms

What you need to know: The amphitheater in Waite Park has shows throughout the summer, each ticketed individually. Click here for more

The Great Lawn Concert Series

When: Select dates from May 29–Sept. 18 at Allianz Field Festival Grounds in St. Paul

Who is playing: Brit Floyd, Blank Space, Mr. Brightside, Bohemian Queen, AM Gold Yacht Rock, SuperSonic

What you need to know: It's a new series held outside Allianz Field, exclusively featuring cover bands. Click here for more

Lowertown Sounds

When: Most Thursdays from June 4–July 30 at Mears Park in St. Paul

Who is playing: Dr. Mambo's Combo, Poliça, The New Standards, Flamin' Oh's, Ashley DuBose, the Scarlet Goodbye, Salsa del Soul, Pert Near Sandstone

What you need to know: The (almost) weekly concerts are free to attend and all start at 6 p.m. Each show has an opener in addition to the groups listed above. You’ll also find local beers and wines as well as food trucks lined up around the park. Click here for more

Force Fields

When: June 5–6 in Cadott, Wis.

Who is playing: Zeds Dead, Tape B, San Holo, Ganja White Night, LSDream, Clozee, Boogie T, Ahee, Deathpact, Space Wizard, Raecola, and more

What you need to know: It's the EDM festival's second year. Camping is available. Click here for more

Grand Old Day

When: June 7 on Grand Avenue in St. Paul

Who is playing: Gully Boys, the Plastic Constellations, Molly Maher, Katey Bellville & Sons, Bettina Villamil with Lenz and Frenz, Thomas Sticha, Bunny Blood, Obi Original and the Black Atlantics, Lasalle, Love Band, International Reggae Allstars, Cellar Dwellers

What you need to know: The one-day street festival is free to attend, but there are VIP passes with a better view and access to a bar. Click here for more

Groovin' in the Garden

When: Wednesdays from June 10–July 29 at the Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul

Who is playing: Innocent Reggae Band, Miss Georgia Peach, Jellyjacket, Betty Won't, Salsa del Soul, J-Mo on the Beat & the J-Lighters, Red Eye Ruby, School of Rock

What you need to know: The annual free concert series has activities for kids and food trucks each week. Click here for more

Kick'N Up Kountry

When: June 10–13 in Karlstad

Who is playing: Jake Owen, Aaron Lewis, Jackyl, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Baldridge, Neal McCoy, Booz N Tuna, Brianna Helbling, Pibon, and more

What you need to know: The country music festival offers camping options as well as fest passes. Click here for more

The Sunset Series

When: Most Thursdays from June 11–Aug. 20 at Downtown Park in Hopkins

Who is playing: Salsa del Soul, Tae & the Neighborly, The Strolling Clones, Hot Club Mania, International Raggae Allstars, The Montvales, Obi Original and the Black Atlantics, and more

What you need to know: The annual series offers free shows in Hopkins at 7 p.m. most Thursdays throughout the summer. Click here for more

Twin Cities Jazz Festival

When: June 19–20 at various locations around St. Paul

Who is playing: Yellowjackets, Sullivan Fortner Trio, Yogev Shetrit Trio, JazzMN Orchestra with Michael Mayo, The Selby Avenue Brass Band with Thomasina Petrus, Lucia Sarmiento, Zacc Harris Group, and many more

What you need to know: The sprawling jazz festival takes place all around town, with the main stage set up at Mears Park in St. Paul. Shows in the festival are free to attend, with a few exceptions. Click here for more

Winstock Country Music Festival

When: June 19–20 in Winstead

Who is playing: Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Muscadine Bloodline, Mitchell Tenpenny, Carly Pearce, Sara Evans, Rafe Carlson, Shane Martin, Maygen & the Birdwatcher, Zach Thomas, Whiskey River, Mason Dixon Line

What you need to know: Day and weekend passes, as well as campgrounds are on sale for the fest filled with big-name country acts. Click here for more

Pryes Block Party

When: June 19–20 at Pryes Brewing in Minneapolis

Who is playing: Soul Asylum, Gear Daddies, Agnes Uncaged, Laamar, Maygen & the Birdwatcher, Jillian Ray, JoJo Green, Mikel Wright & the Wrongs

What you need to know: The block party will take place in a new side lot at the Minneapolis brewery. Meanwhile, the taproom and patio will be open to the public. Click here for more

Summer Jam Music Festival

When: June 19–20 at the Eau Claire Event District in Eau Claire

Who is playing: Third Eye Blind, The Wallflowers, Styx, Bret Michaels, Blue Oyster Cult, Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors, Violenta, Starship (feat. Mickey Thomas), Six Figure Sunrise

What you need to know: The second year of the new Summer Jam festival is filled with '90s and '80s radio rock fixtures. Click here for more

Surly Brewing Festival Field

When: Various dates starting June 20 at Surly Brewing in Minneapolis

Who is playing: Amyl and the Sniffers, Young the Giant, Big Thief, Alabama Shakes

What you need to know:The concerts at Surly Brewing Festival Field, just four are on the calendar for the summer so far, are all individually ticketed. Parking can get a little messy, so it’s usually worth getting out there early or taking public transportation.Click here for more

Mystic Lake Amphitheater

When: Select dates starting June 20 at Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee

Who is playing: Guns N' Roses, mgk, The Guess Who, Bob Dylan, Hilary Duff, Kesha, Willie Nelson, Lil Wayne, Pitbull, John Mellencamp, Creed, Dave Matthews Band, Dirty Heads and 311, Jack Johnson, 5 Seconds of Summer, Kesha, Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte, Black Crowes, Chris Stapleton, and more

What you need to know: While Mystic Lake is in the name, this is Live Nation's splashy new venue in Shakopee. It's a 19,000-capacity outdoor venue and features some of the biggest tours that are coming through Minnesota this summer. Click here for more

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

When: June 20–21 along West River Parkway in Minneapolis

Who is playing: The lineup has not yet been announced.

What you need to know: Details about this year's festival haven't yet been shared. Click here for more

Blue Ox Festival

When: June 25-27 at The Pines in Eau Claire, Wis.

Who is playing: Charley Crockett, Marcus King Band, The Dead South, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Pert Near Sandstone, I'm With Her, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Sierra Hull, Valerie June, Shadowgrass, and more

What you need to know: he fest also features activities like yoga, art displays, music workshops, outdoor activities around Eau Claire, and more. Click here for more

Rockin' the Island

When: June 26-27 at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch

Who is playing: Stone Temple Pilots, Buckcherry, Theory of a Deadman, Skillet, Hoobastank, Hinder, Crossfade, Black Stone Cherry, Royale Lynn

What you need to know: This is the inaugural installment of a new summer festival at the casino. Click here for more

Breakaway Music Festival

When: June 26-27 at Allianz Field Festival Grounds in St. Paul

Who is playing: Gryffin, Knock2, Levity, Subtronics, Zedd, Alleycvt, Roddy Lima, Malaa (Alter Ego), Wuki, and more

What you need to know: The EDM festival, which hosts events around the country, is back in the parking lot outside Allianz Field for a third year with a mix of big names in EDM and local artists. Click here for more

Hoofbeat Country Fest

When: June 25–27 in Cadott, Wis.

Who is playing: Jason Aldean, Bailey Zimmerman, Kane Brown, Tucker Wetmore, Aaron Tippin, Ashley Cooke, Tigirlily Gold, Nate Smith, Terri Clark, Chase Matthews, Russell Dickerson, Phil Vassar, Dasha, and more

What you need to know: It's the fest's second year under the Hoofbeat name. The long-running Country Fest rebranded last year. Click here for more

Taste of Minnesota

When: July 3–4 in downtown Minneapolis

Who is playing: Polica, Dillinger Four, Brother Ali, Ant, Bad Bad Hats, Dessa, Nur-D, Gully Boys, DJ Sophia Eris

What you need to know: The Taste is still happening in Downtown Minneapolis with loads of vendors, food, and places to grab a refreshment. Click here for more

Treasure Island Amphitheater

When: Select dates from July 3–Sept. 5 at Treasure Island Amphitheater in Welch

Who is playing: Joe Bonamassa and Gov't Mule, Shinedown, Snoop Dogg

What you need to know: In addition to the Rockin' the Island festival, the casino hosts a few individual concerts throughout the summer. Click here for more

Lutsong Music Festival

When: July 9–12 in Lutsen

Who is playing: Polica, Humbird, Stonebridge Singers, Weary Ramblers, David Huckfelt's Mystery Lights, Dan Rodriguez, LaPlant Road, Clayton Ryan Trio, Luke Callen, Laura Hugo, and more

What you need to know: The fifth installment of Lutsong takes place overlooking Lake Superior. It includes a vendor village and plenty of food and drinks. As a bonus, kids under 12 get in for free. Click here for more

Minnesota Country Club

When: July 10–11 at Harriet Island in St. Paul

Who is playing: Treaty Oak Revival, Charley Crockett, Stephen Wilson Jr, The Red Clay Strays, Jessie Murph, Trampled By Turtles, Jesse Welles, Paul Cauthen, Chance Peña, Charles Wesley Godwin, Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners, and more

What you need to know: This is the inaugural Country Club fest, an offshoot of Minnesota Yacht Club. It'll function in pretty much the same way as its predecessor, except that there will be a focus on Americana, county, and folk musc. Click here for more

Riversong Music Festival

When: July 10–11 in Hutchinson

Who is playing: Fabulous Armadillos, Tina & the B-Sides, Johnny Clueless, St. George's Folly, Chicago Farmer & the Field Notes, Foxgloves, Josh Cleveland, Piano in Every Home, Boss Mama and the Jebberhooch

What you need to know: RiverSong's 18th installment continues its tradition of focusing on Minnesota-connected performers. It also offers food and drinks, camping, and more. Click here for more

Lakefront Music Festival

When: July 10–11 at Lakefront Park in Prior Lake

Who is playing: Billy Idol, Keith Urban, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Jefferson Starship, Jackson Dean, Karley Scott Collins

What you need to know: The Lakefront Music Fest is split into a classic rock day and a country music day, with Billy idol headlining the former and Keith Urban at the top of the bill for the latter. Click here for more

The Big Show

When: July 11, Aug. 1, and Aug. 22 at Indeed Brewing in Minneapolis

Who is playing: Jeff Rosenstock, Adrian Younge, Your Smith, Good Luck, Anita Velveeta, Lupin, Aby Wolf and Kavyesh Kaviraj with Laurels String Quartet

What you need to know: This new concert series from Indeed Brewing will take place in the large lot across from the taproom. Each of the three concerts will be ticketed separately. Click here for more

Riverside Music Series

When: Sundays from July 12–Aug. 9 at Mayo Park in Rochester

Who is playing: Lineup not yet announced

What you need to know: The free concert series has been running for more than three decades and brings in a combination of nationally-known artists and local musicians. Click here for more

Country Jam USA

When: July 16–18 at Eau Claire Event Disrict in Eau Claire, Wis.

Who is playing: Koe Wetzel, Travis Tritt, Riley Green, Justin Moore, Diamond Rio, Jordan Davis, Gary Allen, Corey Kent, Braxton Keith, Tyler Braden, LOCASH, Kolby Cooper, and more

What you need to know: The long-running fest offers camping across its three days of country music. Click here for more

Rock Fest

When: July 16–18 in Cadott, Wis.

Who is playing: Limp Bizkit, Gojira, The Offspring, I Prevail, Machine Head, Insane Clown Posse, Candlebox, Halestorm, Hatebreed, Lacuna Coil, Body County, The Pretty Reckless, Story of the Year, and more

What you need to know: Rock Fest is a sweeping event with more than 80 bands over its three-day run. It’s got some long days, and a lot of people will be camping out. There's also a pre-fest bonus bash on July 15 with Candlebox, Buckcherrt, Dying Wish, and others. Click here for more

Minnesota Yacht Club

When: July 17-19 at Harriet Island in St. Paul

Who is playing: The Strokes, The Lumineers, The Black Keys, Matchbox Twenty, Lord Huron, Geese, Cage the Elephant, Atmosphere, Mt. Joy, The Fray, Dashboard Confessional, The All-American Rejects, Lucy Dacus, Matt and Kim, Passion Pit, Shakey Graves, and more

What you need to know: For a second year, Yacht Club will last three days. Click here for more

Eaux Claires

When: July 24–25 at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wis.

Who is playing: Aimee Mann, Bon Dylan (Bon Iver playing Bob Dylan), Hotline TNT, Dijon, Lil Yachty, Bizhiki, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Kevin Morby, Monica Martin, The Union feat. Phil Cook, Daniel Caesar, Gash, Gully Boys, Julianna Baarwick & Mary Lattimore, Larry Goldings Trio, and more

What you need to know: The festival is returning after an eight-year hiatus, and it also offers camping. Click here for more

The Great Beyond

When: July 24–26 at Minnesota River Valley Sanctuary in Franklin

Who is playing: Akua, Altinbas, Analog Soul, Anthony Child/C. Lavender, Centrific, Claudio PRC, Craig Gonzalez, Delano Smith, Derek Plaslaiko, Dustin Zahn, DVS1, Joshua Calleja, Kangding Ray (live), Marijuana Deathsquads, Matrixxman, and more

What you need to know: The EDM festival is a well-kept secret, drawing people from around the country for its thoughtful curation and deep roster of talent. Click here for more

Hilde Amplified

When: July 31–Aug. 1 at Hilde Performance Center in Plymouth

Who is playing: Third Eye Blind, Brett Young, Ashley McBryde, Rodney Atkins, lovelytheband, Matt Stell

What you need to know: It's a newly-launched two-day concert event, featuring a day of country music and a day of rock music. Click here for more

Nershfest

When: Aug. 1 at 56 Brewing in Minneapolis

Who is playing: Reptar, Mae Simpson, The People Brothers Band, General B & the Wiz, China Rider, hosted by Nur-D

What you need to know: The annual (and affordable) one-day outdoor fest returns the northeast Minneapolis brewery. Click here for more

We Fest

When: Aug. 5–8 in Detroit Lakes

Who is playing: Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, Flatland Cavalry, Jamey Johnson, Nate Smith, Max McNown, Randy Houset, and more

What you need to know: The big country fest already has many levels of its tickets sold out, including its three-day general admission tier 3. Tier 1 and 2 are listed as "low inventory." Click here for more

Target Field

When: Aug. 5, 23, and 24 at Target Field in Minneapolis

Who is playing: My Chemical Romance with Sleater-Kinney, Tim McGraw with The Chicks and Lady A, Noah Kahan with Gigi Perez

What you need to know: Target Field took a summer off, but is hosting big concerts in downtown Minneapolis again this summer. Click here for more

Twin Cities Irish Fest

When: Aug. 7–9 at Harriet Island in St. Paul

Who is playing: Gaelic Storm, Chasing Abbey, Biird, Seo Linn, The High Kings, Tophouse, Howley, and more

What you need to know: Fromerly known as the Irish Fair of Minnesota, the fest has a new name. Click here for more

Bayfront Blues Festival

When: Aug. 14–16 in Duluth

Who is playing: Southern Hospitality, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, Mark Hummel, Mud Morganfield, John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band, Katie Henry, Piper & the Hard Times, and more

What you need to know: Kids 12 and under get in free, and there will be plenty of food and drink options. Click here for more

Campout in the Pines with String Cheese Incident

When: Aug. 14–15 at The Pines in Eau Claire, Wis.

Who is playing: The String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon, Lettuce, Eggy & Dogs in a Pile

What you need to know: The jam band's campout, obviosuly, features camping. Click here for more

Minnesota State Fair

When: Aug. 27–Sept. 7 at Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights

Who is playing: Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Sierra Ferrell, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Tommy James & the Shondells, AJR, Brad Paisley, Hardy, TLC and Salt-N-Pepa

What you need to know: It’s the State Fair. You probably know it all, but tickets to the Grandstand shows do not include admission to the fair or that bucket of cookies you’re inevitably going to buy. Moreover, in addition to the grandstand shows, there will be plenty of other live music around the state fair. Click here for more

Boats and Bluegrass

When: Sept. 24–26 in Winona

Who is playing: Not yet announed

What you need to know: This is another hidden gem festival, which fills up quickly. Details will be announced at a later date. Click here for more

The City of Plymouth is launching Hilde Amplified at the outdoor stage, which can accommodate thousands of attendees. The two-day festival will take place on July 31 and Aug 1, with lineups split down genre lines. The first night will feature country artists, while the second will lean toward rock.

The Friday roster will feature country chart-topper Brett Young and Grammy-nominee Ashley McBryde, as well as Rodney Atkins and Matt Stell. The next night will have '90s hitmaker Third Eye Blind ("Semi-Charmed Life") in the headlining slot with lovelytheband opening. More bands will be added to the Saturday bill at a later date.

"The Hilde Performance Center is one of the Twin Cities’ premier outdoor venues, with exceptional acoustics, expansive lawn seating, and a welcoming atmosphere," says Jennifer Tomlinson, the city's director of Parks and Recreation. "Hilde Amplified brings nationally recognized artists to Plymouth and creates a fun, high-energy experience for the community."

For now, the festival is the only date on the Hilde calendar featuring national touring acts at the too-infrequently utilized concert space. Though, the annual Music in Plymouth concert series has not yet been detailed.

In years past, the Hilde hosted concerts with Cheap Trick, Lucinda Williams, Indigo Girls, Cold War Kids, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Franti, Gary Clark Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, the Minnesota Orchestra, and Michael Franti. 

Tickets for Hilde Amplified are on sale now. Weekend passes start at $144.15, while single-day tickets start at $84.65.

Its annual Movies in the Parks series will return on July 9, with seven family-friendly films dropping into a different park almost weekly through Aug. 28.

Each event is free to attend, pet-friendly (except where noted), and most nights will feature a local food truck on site for attendees to grab a meal.

Unlike last year, the series won't have any R-rated fare only geared toward adults. The bulk are PG or G, with just two PG-13 features on the list.

The lineup includes "Sing," "Coco," "School of Rock," and "Wicked," with movies beginning around dusk and captioned in English, per the Parks and Recreation site.

Here's the lineup for St. Paul's Movies in the Parks series for 2026:

• July 9: "Sing" (2016) at Sibley Manor Apts. (No food truck)
• July 17: "Coco" (2017) at Midway Peace Park (food truck not listed)
• July 24: "High School Musical" (2006) at Como Park Midway Pavilion (Sizzling Wagon food truck)
• July 31: "School of Rock" (2003) at Edgcumbe (Pharaoh's Gyros food truck)
• Aug. 14: "Mamma Mia!" (2008) at Hampden Park (Que Tal Street Eats food truck)
• Aug. 21: "Encanto" (2021) at El Rio (Cheeky Chicks food truck)
• Aug. 28: "Wicked" (2024) at Phalen Beach House (Yum yum Truck food truck)

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) made the ruling Thursday following an investigation that determined Xcel passed along the costs of more expensive replacement power to customers after the company's own employees cut through buried electric cables at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant near Red Wing, shutting it down for more than three months.

“Xcel passing on its costly mistake to consumers who were in no way at fault was unacceptable,” Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement.

"My office stands up for ratepayers who can’t afford their own lobbyists, so we pushed back and argued consumers should get a full refund. At a time when the cost of too many items we can’t do without is already way too high, I’m gratified the PUC sided with us and Xcel customers will see the relief they deserve."

According to a news release from the AG's Office, a Minnesota Department of Commerce analyst flagged a "discrepancy buried in compliance paperwork," which led to the PUC finding about a year after the outage that "Xcel acted imprudently by lacking appropriate safeguards and not providing reasonable oversight of its workers."

Then the PUC ordered additional proceedings to determine a refund amount by calculating how much Xcel charged customers for replacement power that the company purchased from the regional grid to make up for lost power during the outage.

Xcel argued that it should be credited for various “benefits and offsets” that would've reduced the refund by more than $26 million, according to the AG's Office, but the PUC ultimately decided to Xcel should pay $40.6 million, plus interest.

Xcel said in a statement that it respects the PUC's decision and understands its impact on the Minneapolis-based utility's customers.

"Following the incident, we conducted a thorough review and made changes to how excavation work is planned, reviewed and overseen at the plant to reduce the risk of similar events in the future," Xcel said in the statement provided to Bring Me The News. "These changes include strengthened controls, clearer accountability and enhanced oversight of work performed on site.

"While the plant was offline following the incident, we also completed additional maintenance to support safe and reliable operations going forward."

Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Plant provides power to more than 1 million customers throughout the Upper Midwest.

They’re forecasting 12 to 16 days of wildfire smoke impacts in Minnesota. That’s on par with our more active recent years, unfortunately.

The forecast also calls for four to six days where ozone levels reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. That’s slightly above Minnesota’s historical average. Ozone is great many miles above us, where the chemical reaction caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays protects us from receiving high amounts of radiation at the surface. When ozone occurs in the layer we breathe in, that’s a problem. Ozone occurs at the surface when sunlight and heat react with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from pollution (cars, industry, etc.).

On hot, humid days when we have inversions (warmer air, relatively speaking, aloft) these pollutants build and remain trapped near the surface where we breathe. Urban areas, where the highest density of cars exists, are most impacted, or anywhere downwind of those locations.

Let’s take a closer look at the wildfire impacts. Those are directly related to hot, dry conditions. We’ve already discussed how drought levels within the lower 48 U.S. states are at the highest level in nearly four years, with 61% of the country in drought.

Vast areas of the West are in drought, so once wildfire season commences, any fire to the west could produce smoke headed in our direction. The drought outlook for this month keeps drought persisting and even expanding.

It’s very hard to overcome drought conditions once we head into summer with the intense sun and warmer temperatures.

Of course, many of our smoky days come from Canada. Once again, large patches of Canada are abnormally dry or in drought. Winter is still departing in those areas, but once summer warmth reaches them, fires will become likely again.

There appear to be similar levels of drought this year compared to last year in Canada, just in somewhat different areas. Here’s a comparison of last spring’s drought conditions to this year’s.

The European model forecasts warmer-than-normal temperatures throughout the West and even into Minnesota for the summer months, which is hard to argue with.

Just climatologically, 77% of our summers in the Twin Cities since 2000 have been warmer than normal. It takes unusually wet, cloudy conditions to create cooler conditions now since Canada is typically very warm due to rapid changes in the Arctic.

We have a rapidly developing El Niño, and by most accounts a strong one is coming. Analyzing those episodes, we can try to decipher summer precipitation patterns.

The picture is pretty mixed with weak to moderate El Niños, and in strong El Niños, we tend to dry out in Minnesota, BUT there are only three modern years to look at. That’s too small a sample to make conclusive predictions.

Regardless of any forecast, we likely need to get used to increased wildfire smoke pollution most summers now as a result of our rapidly changing climate, especially to our north.

In its announcement on Friday, the two organizations said the merger would result in a $600 million investment into North Memorial's two Twin Cities hospitals: North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital, a safety-net Level 1 trauma center; and Maple Grove Hospital, which is one of the state's leading maternity care facilities.

North Memorial also has 22 clinics under its banner, most of them situated in the north and northwest Twin Cities metro.

Sioux Falls-based Sanford already has an extensive network of rural clinics and hospitals across the Dakotas and the western third of Minnesota – with 94 facilities in Minnesota alone – and has made previous attempts to break into the Twin Cities market via two separate proposals to merge with Fairview Health Services.

With Sanford's latest merger attempt, the two organizations say they intend to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to "strengthen" North Memorial Hospital and "sustaining" its mission as a "critical safety-net provider of Level 1 trauma and emergency services." It also intends to "double the size" of the Maple Grove Hospital "to meet growing community needs."

"Today marks an important step forward as we build on and expand the care we provide across Minnesota – creating more choice for patients and connecting them to a broader network of providers, services and specialized expertise," said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health.

"By coming together as one nonprofit health care organization, with shared Midwest values and a deep commitment to the communities we serve, we will deliver more coordinated, regionally connected care – ensuring patients can access the right services, in the right place, at the right time."

It's the second major hospital merger proposal affecting the Twin Cities this year at a time hospital systems are struggling for sustainability amid a rise in uninsured patients and uncompensated care, as well as major pending cuts to Medicaid passed in President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which go into effect next year.

Earlier this year it was announced that Minneapolis-based Allina Health is the subject of a proposed takeover bid by California-based Sutter Health.

The Sanford and North Memorial merger would require state and federal approval.

"When we first met Sanford Health, it was clear we share the same values – rooted in our communities, putting patients first and being straightforward about the realities health care faces,” said Trevor Sawallish, CEO of North Memorial Health.

"We’ve been open about the financial and regulatory pressures and the rising costs that make it harder to protect access to care on our own. Through a deliberate national search, Sanford stood out as a partner who understands our true value and shares our belief that better – not just bigger – is what matters. This partnership is about staying strong for the long term – so our patients can keep getting the care they need close to home and our teams have the support they deserve.”

The proposal brought a swift comment from SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, the union that represents more than 1,000 workers at North Memorial.

"Hearing news of yet another proposed healthcare merger in Minnesota is worrisome for SEIU members both as staff and patients," it says.

"At a time when healthcare costs are skyrocketing for Minnesota families and frontline healthcare workers are getting squeezed by short staffing levels, this latest attempt at consolidation brings many concerns."

Just before noon on April 25, the Beechcraft F33A airplane came down and caught fire in Southbrook Park shortly after it took off from a runway at Crystal Airport, killing both occupants.

The plane was piloted by Joe Cass, a retired Mayo Clinic surgeon, and also carried his partner, North Dakota state Rep. Liz Conmy.

A day earlier, the pair had flown from Park Rapids Municipal Airport, roughly 165 miles northwest, to Crystal Airport and were flying back at the time of the crash, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report released Thursday.

Moments after takeoff, Cass radioed air traffic control, saying "abort, abort." Air traffic control told him that he was clear to land on any runway.

"Airport video surveillance captured the airplane turn left before it descended behind trees," the report reads. "Shortly after, a large plume of black smoke appeared from behind the tree line."

A witness who was on the north side of the airport told investigators that he saw the airplane when it was about 150 feet in the air and thought it was unusual that its landing gear was still down. He saw the airplane make a left turn, and thought it was returning to the airport, but then it started to lose altitude as he lost sight of the airplane, right before it crashed.

Investigators confirmed that the landing gear was down upon impact.

Another witness said the airplane's takeoff did not seem abnormal, but he thought it looked low and did not appear to be climbing.

An examination of the airplane determined that all of its fuel lines were damaged, but the fuel selector was on the right tank, and oil was leaking from the engine as it was being transported after the crash.

Two of the propeller's three blades were bent or twisted.

An investigation by the NTSB is ongoing.

On Thursday, Eric Dione Birth, 32, was sentenced to 90 months in prison in Winona County Court, after he previously pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving three victims, all of whom were students at the high school.

Birth served as a coach on the Winona Senior High School track team beginning in the spring of 2016. He later became a licensed teacher and began teaching physical education during the 2021-2022 school year.

In his plea, Birth admitted to sexually assaulting the three students in 2016, 2017 and 2022. The students, who were between ages 16 and 18 at the time of the assaults, were all on Birth’s track team. 

"Eric Birth abused his authority as a teacher and coach to harm multiple young people, and today he was held accountable for his heinous crimes," Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement. 

"I hope this can provide a modicum of solace to Birth’s victims, though I know justice can be cold comfort in cases as appalling as this. I’m praying for the well-being of the young people Birth abused, and I will continue to do everything I can to hold those who harm children accountable."

Here is what's in Sven's video forecast today:

• WARMER today! 70 degree afternoon temps.
• A clipper/cool front touches off showers early Saturday
• Slight dip in temperatures for the weekend
• Warming trend overall continues next week with 80s by end of next week possible
• Spotty shower chances Tuesday and Thursday, overall getting dry…

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BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here.

Veteran meteorologist Jensen said goodbye to KARE 11, with her last weekday appearance coming last Thursday, May 1, and her last Saturday show two days later.

On Thursday, KARE 11 posted a video confirming that Sarigianopoulos will join the Saturday team, co-hosting with current anchor Chris Hrapsky.

"After 10 years, I'm back. I'm going to give you two days to figure out how to spell my last name," Sarigianopoulos quipped.

Sarigianopoulos is one of the longest serving personalities at the Twin Cities NBC affiliate, joining the station in 2005 after stints working in Wisconsin and Iowa.

She was among the many KARE 11 staffers who paid tribute to the outgoing Jensen, who left at the weekend for retirement after more than 30 years at the station.

During her final appearance Saturday, Jensen revealed she will be writing a regular "In Touch with Kowalski’s" column for the Twin Cities grocery chain'sAt Home Magazine. Her first column covered suggestions for snacks to bring on summer boat days. 

On Thursday, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified Ethan Roy Basche as the man shot and killed by a Virginia police officer during the May 1 incident. 

The officer who shot Basche has been identified as Lt. Henry Trunk. Trunk has been placed on critical incident leave following the shooting. 

According to the BCA, Virginia police officers were called to the 300 block of 2nd Avenue South at around 8:20 a.m. after reports of a man wearing a ski mask and "waving a handgun" around on the sidewalk.

At the scene, Trunk exited his squad car and shouted commands for Basche to put his hands in the air. Basche then walked toward Trunk and "appeared to raise what was believed to be a firearm," according to the BCA. Trunk then fired his gun, striking Basche.

Basche was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

BCA personnel later recovered a ski mask, spent casings and a torch lighter that was "consistent with the appearance of a firearm" from the scene. 

The BCA says body cameras captured portions of the incident. The bureau will investigate the shooting and present its finding to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office.

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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"What's new?" asked morning show host Chris Hawkey.

"Oh, you know. Not a lot," Parrish said. "I just had to go take care of my head a little bit."

Parrish, 49, revealed that he was in Malibu, California, receiving care for traumatic brain injuries and pain management in the wake of his 12-year career in the National Hockey League, where the Bloomington native played two seasons for the Wild, along with stints with the Panthers, Islanders, Kings, Stars, Lightning, and Sabres.

"I had a little bit of a rough year/second half of last year, and I wasn't in the best place mentally. Had to go get some work done," Parrish explained, making sure to point out that his sobriety from alcohol addiction is intact as he nears his sixth anniversary.

"I had some trauma. I took a lot of head hits. Anybody who watched me play knows I took way too many head shots. Got in front of the net with Scott Stevens way too many times. I had some trauma that I had to deal with," Parrish said.

"It got to me. It got to a point last year, actually, I shouldn't say last year, the beginning of this year, where my wife and I realized that something had to be done about it. So I went out to California to a traumatic brain injury specialist and a pain recovery program because I'm in a lot of pain as well, and things were great. I spent about two and a half months out there getting better, mentally and physically stronger, and I feel awesome."

Six years ago, Parrish told part of his story to the Functional Neurology Center in Minnetonka, saying the head injuries he sustained while playing hockey spilled over into his day-to-day life, including "neck issues, sleep issues, emotion issues, all kinds of fun issues that my wife and kids had to deal with."

He said he suffered from sleep deprivation and headaches for years, and he also previously told Minnesota Hockey Magazine that he couldn't avoid phantom noises.

"There were times where I would actually hear noises, like the TV being on or the radio downstairs and I would go to shut it off and there was no sound happening," Parrish said. "My eyeballs were going bonkers. They were shaking, twitching and I was exhausted.

Parrish, who starred in college at St. Cloud State, wound up winning Friday's edition of the Power Trip's Initials Game.

"It was well worth it," Parrish said of his mental health progress. "Sometimes it's okay to not be okay."

The new mandate impacts employees who currently work in the office three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, and must now come in on Monday as well. Fully remote employees are exempt.

Best Buy is in the midst of a leadership transition, with CEO Corie Barry officially passing the torch to incoming CEO Jason Bonfig this fall, as the electronics retailer continues navigating stagnant sales while capitalizing on AI.

“We have started to create meaningful momentum this year,” reads a letter sent to Best Buy employees Thursday. “This next chapter is about being bolder, taking bigger swings and moving more urgently than we have before to continue driving growth in this fast-paced retail environment.”

Other local companies have gradually adjusted their expectations for in-person work since the COVID-19 pandemic induced the widespread remote work trend.

Ameriprise in downtown Minneapolis and Medtronic in Fridley already require their corporate employees to be in the office four days a week.

Target still offers more flexibility than most other corporations, but the Minneapolis-based retailer recently told about 150 remote merchandising employees that they must relocate to the Twin Cities or forfeit their jobs and take a severance package.

The Bemidji Police Department says the shooting happened in an apartment building on the 2500 block of Itasca Loop Northwest around 4:40 p.m., with officers and Beltrami County deputies arriving to find three adults with gunshot wounds.

The three were taken to a Sanford Bemidji Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries, with the hospital placed on lockdown as a precaution as police searched for the 16-year-old suspect.

At 6:40 p.m., the suspect surrendered at a police station without incident. No further details have been provided at this time about the suspect and their relationship to the victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at www.CrimeStoppersMn.org, by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.

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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Last month, the judge ordered the U.S. Department of Justice and Homeland Security to produce photos, videos and audio recordings taken by federal agents, including body-worn camera footage, and a plethora of other unredacted evidence related to Good's Jan. 7 killing by Ross in south Minneapolis.

The evidence was requested by the defense team of Roberto Carlos Muñoz-Guatemala, an undocumented immigrant who was found guilty of assaulting Ross by dragging the agent about 100 yards with his vehicle in Bloomington last June, which could ultimately be used to request a new trial.

An attorney for Muñoz-Guatemala confirmed this week that the federal agencies handed over evidence on a digital drive, though he hasn't personally reviewed it and remains skeptical that it contains everything that was ordered.

Plus, "there is no guarantee" that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will be able to access the evidence for its own review, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.

"But by producing the evidence for the separate case, the federal government has shown that it is choosing to hide it from state investigators and prosecutors in an attempt to obstruct the state investigation," Moriarty said Thursday.

The state of Minnesota is suing the federal government over its refusal to share evidence in Good's killing, as well as the killing of Alex Pretti and the non-fatal shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, all by federal agents in January during Operation Metro Surge.

“None of us can really speak to the motives there, but it is unprecedented that agents shoot and kill people in a community and that there isn’t a thorough and transparent investigation,” Moriarty said when announcing the lawsuit in March.

Homeland Security has stood by its positioning of what happened during Good's fatal shooting, claiming that Ross “acted according to his training and in a manner that ensured his own safety and that of his fellow officers and bystanders," while refusing to identify him.

Ross was reportedly moved to another state days after killing Good and allowed to continue working as an ICE agent.

Eleven of the 13 city council members wrote a letter to the Minneapolis Charter Commission ahead of its next meeting, asking commissioners to separate the item from a wider package of amendments to the city charter, saying it's "striking at the very core of a system of shared powers."

Mayor Jacob Frey supports the change that would allow him to unilaterally appoint certain department heads that currently require the council's approval, though the decision on whether the change is enacted would ultimately be up to voters through a ballot question.

"The council’s role in confirming mayoral appointments is fundamental to maintaining balance and accountability between legislative and executive branches," the letter reads. "Any modification to this authority carries significant implications for governance, policy alignment, and accountability."

Departments that would be impacted by the proposal include Public Works, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), Regulatory Services, Emergency Management, Civil Rights and Health, according to MinnPost.

Some council members who traditionally side with Frey, like Michael Rainville and LaTrisha Vetaw, signed onto the letter condemning the change to the appointment process. The only council members who did not sign the letter Ward 7 and Ward 13 council members Elizabeth Shaffer and Linea Palmisano, also key Frey allies.

Enacting such a change would consolidate even more power in the mayor's office, building on the major shift of power that followed Minneapolis voting for a "strong mayor" form of governance in 2021, giving Frey responsibility for the vast majority of city operations.

"We are committed to participating in considering a future proposal on the appointment provision in partnership with the Charter Commission, the Mayor’s Office, and the public to ensure any future proposal reflects a well-informed and broadly considered approach," the letter continues.

The Charter Commission voted 8-7 on Wednesday to return the ballot measure to a working group.

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The council's request comes as its progressive majority is at odds with Frey over the reappointment of Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette.

The council narrowly denied Barnette's confirmation on a 7-6 vote in April, prompting Frey to issue a veto, which the council failed to overturn. Now his nomination is stuck in limbo, though he's legally able to stay in the role until Aug. 3, MPR News reported.

Frey has also nominated Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara to another four-year term.

Council President Elliott Payne referred the reappointment Thursday to the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee. It's expected to go before the full council in June.

Both O’Hara and Barnette have faced criticism for their handling of the shooting of Davis Moturi by a neighbor whom he’d reported to police, and the deaths of Allison Lussier and Mariah Samuels, both victims of domestic violence who had reported abuse to police.

A recent audit revealed that MPD had delayed response times in the Moturi and Lussier cases “due to staffing shortages, heavy call loads, and shift‑change gaps.”

O’Hara has also been criticized over MPD’s response to Operation Metro Surge, with a number of community groups and residents saying officers should have done more to intervene following numerous examples of excessive force by ICE and Border Patrol agents during the months-long immigration operation.

The four charges filed Wednesday against Leslie James Grinsteinner, 49, are all misdemeanors.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began investigating Grinsteinner in December.

Grinsteinner allegedly posted photos on social media of his recent hunting trophies, but records revealed that he did not have valid hunting licenses and did not register any harvests.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Grinsteinner's house, and after learning that it involved an illegally killed bobcat and deer, he allegedly told officers, “I can tell you exactly what's going on.”

According to a criminal complaint, Grinsteinner said he shot the bobcat in his yard because it was eating his cats, and said the deer in question was frozen and hadn't been butchered yet.

Grinsteinner said he couldn't remember if he shot any deer the previous year, but officers later found several whole, rotten deer from 2024 in a garage on his property.

In a subsequent interview, Grinsteinner said he was unaware of the regulations regarding hunting bobcats, and that he didn't know what to do since it was causing damage, per the complaint.

“It is what it is, dude, I'm in possession of an illegal bobcat shot,” he reportedly told investigators.

 Grinsteinner was charged via summons and is not currently in custody.

According to the Minnesota DNR, residents may hunt bobcat if they have a license, and the harvested animals must be registered at a DNR station.

Robert Dunham, 51, of Rochester, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and possessing digital pornography.

In February, Rochester police executed a search warrant at Dunham’s home and seized multiple electronic devices, which contained evidence of a sexual assault and other crimes, including photos and videos of a girl with braces, according to a criminal complaint.

Police interviewed the victim, who said she met Dunham when she was 15 on a dating app, then began a sexual relationship with him in exchange for money, the complaint says.

She allegedly told law enforcement that she did not initially disclose her age to Dunham, but when she did, he told her that he was okay with it and that he had sex with other girls.

Dunham is also facing false imprisonment and criminal sexual conduct charges in a separate case, where he is accused of sexually assaulting two victims and recording the acts on cameras throughout his home. In one video, the victim appears to be unconscious, prosecutors say.

Dunham is the owner of All-Star Basements, a Rochester-based business that has provided basement waterproofing and foundation repair since 2011.

A biography listed on the company’s website says Dunham is a graduate of Lourdes High School, and has coached boys and girls youth and high school basketball for more than two decades.

Bring Me The News has reached out to an attorney representing Dunham, but did not immediately hear back.

Bauer Brothers has long been one of the Twin Cities' most loved spots for offbeat salvaged items and antique architectural goods, from claw-foot bathtubs to stained glass windows, doors with character, vintage signs, and chandeliers.

The business made the announcement on Wednesday in a brief social media post.

"For years, Bauer Brothers has been more than a place... it's been an experience," the post reads. "As we close this chapter, every piece inside carries a story... and now it's ready to become part of yours."

As part of the closure, Bauer Brothers will clear out its remaining inventory via an online auction that begins on May 22 and runs through June 3.

CEO Scott Bauer tells the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal that there's no succession plan and that the business, situated in a 93,000-square-foot north Minneapolis warehouse, can't operate at scale any longer. 

"Let's be honest," Bauer told the publication, "the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota are not business friendly."

On Thursday, the Bloomington Police Department unveiled its Executive Protection Unit, a specialized team dedicated to “ensuring the safety and security of public officials and others during high-profile events and daily operations,” according to a news release.

Officers in the unit underwent advanced training, in partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, taking courses in areas like threat assessment and protective intelligence.

Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said during a Thursday press conference that the politically motivated assassinations of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk were the impetus in the unit's creation.

The announcement also comes less than two weeks after President Donald Trump was targeted in an apparent assassination attempt during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

Hodges cited the “evolving threat environment" as another key reason in launching the unit, the first of its kind in the state.

"These threats have to be taken seriously," he said. "Being in government, people decide to serve. (They shouldn't) have to deal with this type of treatment."

Hodges also added that he has been the subject of death threats while serving as police chief.

The unit will cover any elected official within the city of Bloomington, including judges, City Council members, legislators, or visiting dignitaries, if a threat against them is determined to be credible.

The ninth annual two-day affair will take place on June 19 and 20 outside the brewery's Minneapolis taproom, with Soul Asylum headlining on Friday night. The Zamboni-loving Gear Daddies will be the main attraction the following night.

Agnes Uncaged and Laamar will open on Friday. Saturday's opening slots feature Maygen & the Birdwatcher, Jillian Ray, JoJo Green, and Mikel Wright & the Wrongs.

The concert will take place at what the brewery is calling the Pryes Side Lot, a new outdoor event space next to the taproom.

"This is the biggest Block Party we’ve ever put on," says Pryes co-founder Mike Corneille. "To bring artists like Soul Asylum and Gear Daddies to our stage is something we’re incredibly proud of — and just as important to us is making sure the event still feels open, welcoming, and rooted in community."

Tickets for the Pryes Block Party will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 8.

However, with the introduction of the Pryes Side Lot, the taproom and patio will be open to the public throughout the weekend.

Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin, Colorado's Cale Makar, and Columbus' Zach Werenski were named finalists. Makar has previously won the award twice, in 2021-22 and 2024-25, and has finished in the top three every year except for his rookie season. Weresnki was runner-up last season, while Dahlin has never been in the top five in the Norris vote.

Hughes won the award with Vancouver in 2023-24 and finished third in voting last season. How he was left off the list this season after registering 76 points (7 goals, 69 assists) may initially appear to be a massive snub, but the numbers say otherwise.

In fact, Edmonton's Evan Bouchard has a stronger argument for being snubbed.

Hughes has the edge over Dahlin in points, but he was outdone in that category, as was everybody else in this conversation, by Bouchard. The Edmonton star led all defensemen with 95 points (21 goals, 74 assists).

Points

• Evan Bouchard - 95 (21 goals, 74 assists)
• Zach Werenski - 81 (22 goals, 59 assists)
• Cale Makar - 79 (20 goals, 59 assists)
• Quinn Hughes - 76 (7 goals, 69 assists)
• Rasmus Dahlin - 72 (19 goals, 55 assists)

Defensively, the analytics continue to paint the picture that, individually, Hughes was just a slight step below the finalists this season. In terms of On Ice Goals Against per 60, Hughes was last among the five players, at 3.4 per 60 minutes. He was also last in Expected Goals Against (xGA) and High Danger Chances Allowed, two key statistics that judge a player's ability to limit opposition chances.

On Ice Goals Allowed per 60

• Cale Makar - 2.4
• Rasmus Dahlin - 2.8
• Evan Bouchard - 3.1
• Zach Werenski - 3.1
• Quinn Hughes - 3.4

xGA

• Cale Makar - 58.2
• Rasmus Dahlin - 62.4
• Evan Bouchard - 65.7
• Zach Werenski - 70.7
• Quinn Hughes 73.7

High Danger Chances Allowed

• Rasmus Dahlin - 257
• Evan Bouchard - 264
• Cale Makar - 266
• Zach Werenski - 272
• Quinn Hughes - 344

Overall, Hughes had a very good season. Upon joining the Wild in December, he helped turn Minnesota from a pretty good playoff team into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He has continued that strong play in the postseason, where he's tied with Kirill Kaprizov for the team lead in points (11).

Hughes and Minnesota trail Colorado two games to none in the conference semifinals, with Game 3 at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday night.

Officers were called to the area of Triangle Park, located at 415 South 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis, just before 10 a.m. Thursday. When they arrived, they found a dead man near an outdoor bench, with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds.

The park was cordoned off with police tape for much of the morning, as detectives worked to process the scene and collect evidence.

The man's identity has not yet been released.

Anyone with information on what occurred is asked to contact Minneapolis Police via email at policetips@minneapolismn.gov or via phone at 612-673-5845. 

Established in 1975, Triangle Park sits near I-35W between Fourth and Fifth avenues and 10th and 11th streets. It features a small dog park, pollinator garden, and seating area.

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

Unfortunately, head coach John Hynes didn't have an update on either player when he met with the media on Thursday, only revealing that neither Brodin nor Eriksson Ek has skated since suffering their respective injuries in Games 5 and 6 against Dallas.

Without them, the Wild's issues on special teams have been exacerbated. Without Eriksson Ek on the No. 1 power play unit, Minnesota has gone 0-for-5 on the power play through two games against Colorado. Eriksson Ek scored both of Minnesota's power play goals in Game 1 against Dallas, but the Wild have gone 2-for-26 on power plays since then.

The injuries are even more devastating to Minnesota's penalty kill, which was shredded by Dallas, even with Eriksson Ek and Brodin. Both are part of the Wild's top penalty kill unit, so playing nearly four full games without them has led to the Stars and Avalanche scoring on five of the last 13 power plays.

If neither player is skating by now, the odds of them playing in Game 3 on Saturday night in St. Paul appear low. In fact, the way Wild insider Michael Russo put described earlier this week, Brodin's season could be over.

"They both have significant injuries. I don't think we're seeing Brodin again for a while," Russo told KFAN's Dan Barreiro on Monday. "Eriksson Ek is something that is also a significant injury that maybe he is able to play on. I know they're really hopeful that he'll be able to play in Game 3, so we'll see. He's obviously not going to be 100%. But both of them have significant injuries."

Eriksson Ek was injured in Game 6 against Dallas. The injury occurred when he went feet-first into the sidewall, and his right ankle appeared to bend awkwardly.

Yeesh. Scary fall for Joel Eriksson Ek. Going down the tunnel now. pic.twitter.com/lJMwIJFhpX

— Robert Tiffin (@RobertTiffin) May 1, 2026

Brodin has a lower-body injury, and although specifics haven't been disclosed, there's speculation that he suffered a broken foot when he blocked a shot in Game 5 against Dallas.

Facing the high-powered Avs, the Wild cannot go down three games to none. Saturday's Game 3 is virtually a must-win, and one could argue that Game 4 on Monday is also a must-win, even if the Wild wins on Saturday.

An overnight fire Wednesday ripped through Haskell’s Port of Excelsior, a bar restaurant and liquor store that has been in downtown Excelsior at the corner of Water and Lake Street since 1977.

New photos of the structure show the charred interior of the building, with parts of the roof gone. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no one was injured in the blaze. 

Photos show aftermath of Haskell's Excelsior fire

Located at the corner of Water and Lake Street in Excelsior, the business has been open since 1977.

Haskell’s wrote on social media that while The Port restaurant and its Wine & Spirits shop are closed for the time being due to extensive fire damage, the business "remains committed to serving the Excelsior community."

The company is launching a “Virtual Tips for the Port” Venmo account – @HaskellsPortRelief – to help support their Port of Excelsior staff members, with “100% of the donations will go to displaced staff for lost wage relief.”

Haskell’s is also offering free local delivery for wine, beer, and spirits in the Excelsior area for orders over $50. 

For patrons looking for more ways to help support recovery efforts, the company suggests purchasing gift cards or visiting one of its eight other locations across the Twin Cities. 

“(Gift cards) are perfect for future visits or gifts, and they provide immediate support as we navigate our next steps,” the post details.

Here is what's in Sven's video forecast today:

• Not as chilly today and brighter skies!
• Near 70 Friday!
• A clipper / cool front touches off spotty showers Friday night
• Cooler behind it for the weekend: mostly 60s & 50s
• Warming trend overall continues into next week with a couple of ‘stumbles’
• Many models still bring in 80s by next weekend

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BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here.

The SPCO announced the new season on Thursday, unveiling an expansive season of nearly 80 performances throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs. 

"This season is about energy, collaboration and discovery," says SPCO president and managing director Jessica Mallow Gulley. "It brings together extraordinary artists and a wide range of musical voices, highlighting the creativity of our musicians and the breadth of influences that shape the SPCO."

The season will open and close with a program celebrating folk traditions in the U.S. and Hungary, led by conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy, one of the SPCO's five artist partners.

That opening weekend, beginning Sept. 18 at the Ordway Concert Hall, centers around Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 2, along with pieces by Ruth Crawford Seeger, Charles Ives, and Aaron Copland. 

Takács-Nagy will help close out the season over the weekend of June 11, 2027, with a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 8.

Throughout the season, SPCO will present work from familiar composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Béla Bartók, as well as living composers like Philip Glass and Karin Rehnqvist, and premieres commissioned through the SPCO's Sandbox Composer Residency program. Those nine premieres, eight of which are commissions, include work by composers Gabriela Lena Frank, Chen Yi, and Jon Deak.

"Each program offers something distinct, but together they create a season full of contrast, curiosity and momentum," says artistic planning director Jonathan Posthuma. "There’s a real sense of exploration — not just in the music we’re performing, but in how these different traditions speak to one another."

The season's eclecticism is partly the result of the SPCO's musician-led structure. The roster of artist partners collaborates with the orchestra and brings in renowned musicians to shape the season and overall direction. 

In 2026, the artist partners include Takács-Nagy, pianist Richard Goode, cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe, violist Tabea Zimmermann, and violinist Alina Ibragimova, whose first concert since being named the SPCO's newest artistic partner will feature Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. 

Additionally, a litany of guest performers making their SPCO debut, including Roomful of Teeth vocalist Eliza Bagg, accordionist Radu Ratoi, mandolinist Avi Avital, harpsichordist Justin Taylor, and the Aaron Diehl Trio with vocalist Mikaela Bennett.

The majority of the season will take place at the Ordway Concert Hall in St. Paul, but shows are also scheduled for the Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis, the Capri Theater in Minneapolis, Saint Paul's United Church of Christ in St. Paul, Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi.

Season ticket packages are on sale now, with prices starting at $18 per concert for adults and free for children and students. Individual concert tickets will go on sale in August. 

Its concert stage will be filled with Minnesota-based acts when it returns to downtown Minneapolis on July 3 and 4.

In recent years, there has been plenty of local talent, but aside from appearances from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Morris Day and the Time, headliners have largely been national touring acts like Martina McBride, Ludacris, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick, and the Wallflowers. 

This year, it's stacked exclusively with performers from the state or who were previous residents. 

On Friday, July 3, the stage will be headlined by Polica, who are joined by Dillinger Four and Bad Bad Hats. 

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On July 4, the stage turns toward a predominantly hip-hop lineup that features Brother Ali, Ant (of Atmosphere), Dessa, Nur-D (who also performed in 2025), and Gully Boys. 

The 2026 installment will be the fourth time the festival has been held in Minneapolis. It returned from an eight-year hiatus in 2023, but shifted cities after spending its first 20 years in St. Paul.

Typically, the Taste of Minnesota concert is free. In 2025, the festival added a VIP ticket tier that included amenities like a reserved viewing area, air-conditioned bathrooms, and a pair of drink tickets. Details on tickets for 2026 have not yet been shared.