Golden Valley Daily Digest — Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Your neighborhood news from Golden Valley and the Twin Cities metro

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Golden Valley & West Metro

Dungeons & Dragons & Doughnuts Returns to St. Louis Park April 11 The monthly Dungeons & Dragons & Doughnuts event is back at Angel Food Bakery in St. Louis Park on Saturday, April 11. Your ticket includes a doughnut, a set of dice, and two hours of tabletop roleplaying — a fun, low-key community night out just minutes from Golden Valley. Tickets tend to move quickly, so grab yours early if you've been curious about trying D&D in a casual setting.

Weekly Protest List Updated for Minnesota An updated list of recurring weekly protests across Minnesota has been posted, following the "No Kings 3" demonstrations. Residents looking to get involved can find events organized by day, time, and location to fit a range of schedules throughout the metro.

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Minneapolis

City Moving Forward on George Floyd Square Reconstruction Minneapolis is advancing plans to reconstruct the intersection at 38th & Chicago, with the project spanning 38th Street from Park Avenue to 10th Avenue and Chicago Avenue from 27th Street to 39th Street. The effort will reshape the area that became a global landmark after George Floyd's murder in 2020.

Infant Found Safe After Car Stolen from North Minneapolis Day Care A 3-month-old baby was recovered safe after the vehicle the child was in was stolen from a north Minneapolis day care parking lot Tuesday evening. The infant was missing for more than an hour before officers located the car; the thief escaped and remains at large.

Kado no Mise Chef Nominated for James Beard Award Shigeyuki Furukawa, chef and co-proprietor of Minneapolis sushi restaurant Kado no Mise, is the sole Minnesota nominee at the 2026 James Beard Awards. Furukawa has earned wide acclaim for his omakase concept in the city.

$7 Million in Cash Relief for Minneapolis Small Businesses The Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey have approved a $7 million plan to support small businesses that lost revenue during Operation Metro Surge. Local business owners have expressed concern about whether the funding will be enough to offset the damage from recent disruptions.

Supreme Court Conversion Therapy Ruling Could Impact Minnesota The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors, a decision that could put Minnesota's own ban in legal jeopardy. The ruling has raised questions about whether the state's protections for LGBTQ youth will survive future legal challenges.

Trump Administration Sues Minnesota Over Transgender Athletes The Trump administration filed suit against Minnesota and the Minnesota State High School League on Monday over policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. The case carries out a previous federal threat to punish states with inclusive athletics policies.

Trauma Support Training Demand Surges Amid ICE Operations Fairview Health Services reports rising demand for trauma support training as more Minnesota students and families seek help in the wake of recent immigration enforcement actions across the Twin Cities. Schools and community organizations are scrambling to meet the need.

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St. Paul

Gas Prices Top $4, Squeezing Household Budgets Gas prices have climbed past $4 a gallon nationally, and the ripple effects are showing up in everyday spending across the metro. AAA data shows higher fuel costs are driving up prices on groceries, delivery services, and other household essentials.

Saint Paul Saints Home Opener Tonight Baseball season is officially underway at CHS Field as the St. Paul Saints host their home opener tonight. The Saints are looking to build on last season's momentum in front of what's expected to be a packed house.

Conny's Creamy Cone Kicks Off the Season Beloved Saint Paul soft-serve spot Conny's Creamy Cone is back open for the season — a sure sign of spring in the capital city, even if the weather isn't fully cooperating yet.

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Local Sports

Vikings Legend Joey Browner Dies at 65 Joey Browner, a three-time All-Pro defensive back who played nine of his 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, has passed away at age 65. Browner was one of the most feared safeties of his era and remains a fan favorite in Vikings history.

Twins Fall to Royals 3-1 on Warm Opening Day The Kansas City Royals beat the Twins 3-1 at a sellout Target Field on an unseasonably warm afternoon, powered by home runs from Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins — two hitters not known for their power. Minnesota managed just one run in the loss.

Wolves Rout Mavericks 124-94; Edwards Returns Julius Randle poured in 24 points and Anthony Edwards added 17 off the bench in his return from a six-game absence as the Timberwolves demolished the Dallas Mavericks 124-94. It was a dominant wire-to-wire win for Minnesota.

Wild Practice Update Head coach John Hynes spoke with media following Tuesday's practice at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul, discussing scheduling, lineup combinations, and defensive pairings as the Wild push toward the postseason stretch.

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Weather

Forecast First Alert: Messy Spring Storm Arrives Wednesday Night Minnesota's Weather Authority has issued a Forecast First Alert for Wednesday night through Thursday for a disruptive storm expected to impact much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. After a warm, pleasant start to the week, expect a significant shift — be prepared for a messy mix of rain, wind, and potentially snow. Plan accordingly for your Thursday morning commute.

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Minnesota Statewide

House Leaders Probe Conduct of GOP Reps. Engen and Hudson After DWI Arrest DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson is demanding answers after Republican Rep. Elliott Engen was arrested for DWI, with fellow GOP Rep. Walter Hudson reportedly in the car at the time, according to a police report. House leadership is looking into the conduct of both lawmakers.

Minnesota Marks First 'Farmworkers Day' Minnesota celebrated its first official Farmworkers Day after the state legislature unanimously voted to repeal the previous day honoring Cesar Chavez. The change comes as tributes to Chavez are being altered in states across the country.

USDA Grant Cancellation Hits Minnesota's Underserved Farmers The USDA's cancellation of a grant program is directly impacting underserved farmers in Minnesota. The Latino Economic Development Center says its grant was expected to help more than 150 farmers statewide, and the loss of funding leaves a significant gap in support.

Church Pastor Faces Child Sex Abuse Charges David DeMenge, a pastor in a small Minnesota town, is facing multiple child sex abuse charges in McLeod County. Prosecutors say DeMenge is accused of having a "significant relationship" with the child over a five-year period.

Fatal Crash in Dakota County One person is dead after a crash Tuesday morning near the intersection of 280th Street and Highway 3 in Castle Rock Township, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The crash occurred shortly after 11:15 a.m.

Forensic Lab Oversight Concerns A recent impaired-driving case revealed that an expired calibrator was used during blood-alcohol testing at the Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory. Advocates are calling for independent oversight of Minnesota's forensic labs to prevent future errors that could compromise criminal cases.

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Stay safe out there tonight and tomorrow, neighbors — that storm is no joke. See you Thursday.