Golden Valley Daily Digest — Tuesday, March 31, 2026

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Golden Valley & West Metro

No Golden Valley-specific stories today — but a change is coming that affects every Hennepin County Library cardholder in Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, and St. Louis Park. Hennepin County Library is ending its free Kanopy streaming service, the platform often called "the Netflix for libraries." If you've been using your library card to stream films through Kanopy, now's the time to catch up on your watchlist before it goes away. More details are expected on the timeline for the cutoff.

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Minneapolis

$7 million for small businesses hit by Operation Metro Surge. The City of Minneapolis approved a $7 million fund to support local businesses affected by the federal immigration enforcement operation. Business owners are expressing cautious optimism about the relief plan.

Trauma support demand surges after ICE operations. Fairview Health says demand for trauma support training is climbing as more Minnesota students and families seek help following recent immigration enforcement actions across the Twin Cities. The need is especially acute in school settings.

Uptown residents say new MPD patrol approach is working. Resident Eric Enge, who drives through Uptown 10–15 times a day as a self-described one-man block patrol, says a new Minneapolis Police crime initiative is making a noticeable difference in the neighborhood.

Forensic lab oversight under scrutiny. A recent impaired-driving case revealed that the Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory used an expired calibrator during blood-alcohol testing. A MinnPost editorial argues Minnesota needs independent oversight of its forensic labs to prevent wrongful outcomes.

Frozen lakes update (3/29). The ice is mostly gone across the Chain of Lakes, but Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet still have roughly 60% ice coverage. Swimmers and sunbathers were already out over the weekend enjoying the warm stretch.

Garden Art Fling coming to Flux Arts Building. The second annual Garden Art Fling is set for April 11 at the Art Flux Building in Minneapolis, featuring local artists. A good outing if you're ready to think spring.

Stop sign compliance drawing attention. A Reddit post with video documentation is drawing wide discussion about drivers blowing through stop signs across Minneapolis neighborhoods — a complaint many Golden Valley commuters will find relatable.

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St. Paul

No Kings III rally draws massive crowds — and Bruce Springsteen. The Boss headlined Saturday's No Kings III protest at the Minnesota State Capitol, performing live for tens of thousands. Aerial footage showed the scale of the crowd stretching across Capitol grounds and surrounding streets.

Copper theft sparks fire at former Sears lot. St. Paul Fire says an attempted copper cable theft from an underground vault at the former Sears parking lot caused an electrical surge and fire. The incident is under investigation.

Highway 280 closing for reconstruction in April. The stretch from St. Paul to Roseville will shut down for a full reconstruction project — plan alternate routes if that's part of your commute. As one Redditor quipped, Minnesota's two seasons are winter and road construction.

Rep. Engen's DWI details emerge. A newly released police report shows state Rep. Elliott Engen (R) repeatedly denied drinking before his DWI arrest last week. He told officers he was "sober cabbing" fellow Republican Rep. Walter Hudson, who was a passenger in the vehicle.

St. Paul Saints launch Mudonna's Kids Club. The Saints announced a new children's program allowing kids to attend games. The Mudonna's Club has already drawn more than 200 sign-ups — a fun, affordable option for families as baseball season approaches.

Whipple detention conditions detailed in court. A MinnPost report describes 12 hours of evidence presented to a judge, including non-working phones, a toilet overflowing with feces, and detainees describing treatment "like animals" at the Whipple federal building.

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Local Sports

Timberwolves 124, Mavericks 94. Anthony Edwards returned from a six-game absence with 17 points off the bench, while Dallas native Julius Randle led the way with 24 points in a dominant Wolves victory Sunday.

Twins fall to Royals 3-1. Kansas City's Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins — two hitters not known for power — each homered to beat Minnesota in front of a sellout crowd on a warm afternoon. The Twins' home opener is Friday against Tampa Bay at Target Field.

Joey Browner, Vikings legend, dies at 65. The three-time All-Pro defensive back who played nine of his 10 NFL seasons in Minnesota has passed away. Browner was one of the most feared safeties of the 1980s and a six-time Pro Bowler.

Former Gophers wrestling coach J Robinson dies. Robinson led the University of Minnesota wrestling program to its first three national championships in program history, building it into a national powerhouse.

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Weather

Enjoy today — it gets messy from here. Monday evening wraps up a warm and pleasant stretch, but KSTP meteorologist Chris warns that changes are already on the horizon. Expect a shift into a more active and potentially messy weather pattern through the week. Keep an eye on forecasts, especially if you're planning outdoor time mid-week.

Wildfire watch across Minnesota. Warm temps and dry conditions have fueled wildfires outstate — a 2,000-acre fire is burning at Camp Ripley in north-central Minnesota, and a fast-moving grassfire barely missed a southwestern Minnesota neighborhood. The DNR has imposed additional burning restrictions statewide.

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Minnesota Statewide

Trump administration sues Minnesota over transgender athletes policy. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday accusing the Minnesota Department of Education and the MSHSL of violating Title IX. Attorney General Keith Ellison vowed to keep fighting the case.

Social media "poisoning" the Legislature. During a contentious floor hearing before the Easter/Passover break, members of both parties voiced concern that social media is making it harder to govern and find compromise at the Capitol — a rare moment of bipartisan agreement.

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Have a tip or a Golden Valley story we should cover? We're always listening. Stay safe out there, neighbors.