Golden Valley & West Metro

Duo arrested following road rage attack with golf club in Robbinsdale — Two people are facing assault charges after reportedly attacking a man with a golf club and stealing his car keys in downtown Robbinsdale. Patience Jentzen, 31, and Clarence Lyons, 37, were both arrested in connection with the road rage-fueled incident. Residents in the Robbinsdale area should be aware this occurred in the downtown corridor.

Beloved DJ Mark Wheat returns to the airwaves — Former MPR staple Mark Wheat is back, recently spotted leading a session at Yoga Center Retreat in St. Louis Park. The beloved local DJ, a familiar voice to Twin Cities public radio listeners for years, is reconnecting with the community in new ways.

Federal policy changes threaten gender-affirming care for Minnesota youth — A report from ThreeSixty Journalism students examines how federal policy shifts are putting gender-affirming care for young people at risk. The story was produced by students from Johnson Senior High, St. Paul Academy, and Breck School, highlighting the impact on families across the metro including the west suburbs.

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Minneapolis

Downtown commercial property values down 28% over the past decade — New research shows downtown Minneapolis commercial property values have fallen 28% over the last ten years, a long-term trend that could continue shifting more of the tax burden onto homeowners across the city. The decline reflects ongoing challenges with office vacancies and changing work patterns downtown.

State lawmakers eye sales tax dollars to rescue Hennepin Healthcare — Legislators are considering redirecting sales tax revenue to keep HCMC running amid growing financial concerns. Hospital board members and longtime employees like 28-year veteran Sara Franck describe widespread "fear and anxiety" about the institution's future.

Minneapolis police flag 28% jump in motor vehicle thefts — MPD says motor vehicle thefts are up nearly 28% year-over-year, prompting a renewed push to address the trend. Police are urging residents to take extra precautions with their vehicles.

City plans redesign of 1st Avenue from 8th Street to Washington — Minneapolis is moving forward with a redesign of 1st Avenue that would bring changes to sidewalks and lane configurations. The project aims to improve safety and accessibility along the busy downtown stretch.

Key city leaders make their case to keep their jobs — Three top Minneapolis officials are pitching to retain their positions, each having been part of significant cost and governance discussions. The presentations come as the city works to keep budgets in check.

Bruce Springsteen added to First Avenue's wall of stars — The Boss has officially received a star on the iconic First Avenue exterior wall in downtown Minneapolis, joining the legendary roster of artists who have graced the venue's stage.

Brooklyn Park family holds vigil for missing man — Police are asking for the public's help finding Jontae Brandon Lee, 27, who was reported missing from Brooklyn Park last month. His family held a candlelight vigil to raise awareness about his disappearance.

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St. Paul

2-year-old in critical condition after window fall — A toddler is in critical condition after falling from a second-floor window on the 900 block of Euclid Street in St. Paul around 6:34 p.m. Tuesday. Officers responded and the child was transported for emergency care.

Gas prices spike nationally but Minnesota sees some relief — The price of a gallon of gas nationally averaged more than $4 this week due to disruptions from the war in Iran, but Minnesota motorists have been partially spared from the worst of the increases. Drivers should still expect elevated prices at the pump for the foreseeable future.

Push to crack down on cryptocurrency kiosk scams — Advocates are urging the Minnesota Legislature to act now to curb fraud at cryptocurrency kiosks, where scammers are tricking families into losing thousands of dollars in minutes. The scheme typically starts with a phone call or message directing victims to deposit cash at a crypto ATM.

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Local Sports

Wild clinch playoff spot with 5-2 win over Canucks — Matt Boldy scored his 39th and 40th goals, Kirill Kaprizov added his 40th, and the Minnesota Wild locked up a playoff berth with a convincing 5-2 victory over Vancouver Thursday night. The Wild sit third in their division heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Twins crush Royals 5-1, blast three homers in the ninth — Taj Bradley threw six shutout innings of five-hit ball, and the Twins broke the game open with three home runs in the ninth inning to beat Kansas City 5-1 Thursday, avoiding a series sweep. The Twins now prepare for a packed April at home with 17 home games this month — the most of any month this season.

Anthony Edwards ineligible for NBA postseason awards — Ant won't reach the 65-game minimum after the Timberwolves ruled him out against Detroit Thursday night, making him ineligible for end-of-season honors. Without their superstar, the Wolves fell 113-108 to the Pistons, led by Jalen Duren's 22 points and 14 rebounds.

Wolves face home stretch without McDaniels — After weathering Anthony Edwards' absence with inspired defense, Minnesota now must navigate the final stretch without Jalen McDaniels as well. The injuries pile up at a critical time as the Wolves fight to solidify their playoff positioning.

Wild and St. Thomas team up for hockey innovation — The inaugural Minnesota Wild Hockey Lab Competition paired engineering students from the University of St. Thomas with a real-world challenge: designing better hockey shin guards. The competition gives students hands-on experience solving problems for a professional sports franchise.

Gopher gymnastics heads to NCAA Regionals — Head coach Jenny Hansen and Big Ten Freshman of the Year lead the Gophers into the NCAA Regional Semifinals this weekend at Oregon State. The team continued preparations Wednesday with eyes on advancing deeper into the tournament.

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Weather

⚠️ Forecast First Alert: Wintry mix through noon today — A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through midday Thursday for icing across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Expect a messy mix of freezing rain and sleet making roads slick this morning — give yourself extra time for the commute and use caution on bridges and overpasses. Conditions should improve through the afternoon as temperatures climb above freezing.

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Minnesota Statewide

Edina charter school to close, cites funding concerns — Agamim Classical Academy in Edina will shut its doors after this school year, leaving families scrambling to find alternatives. The school cited funding concerns as a key contributing factor in the closure decision.

Social services workers still using 1980s-era software — Bipartisan legislation is gaining support to modernize the outdated computer systems used by social services agencies across Minnesota, some dating back to the 1980s. Workers describe the current tools as "terribly inefficient," hampering their ability to serve vulnerable residents.

Rep. Walter Hudson won't face charges after handgun incident — Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, will not be charged after police confiscated his handgun when they found him appearing impaired while riding in a colleague's vehicle. Officers made a "discretionary call" not to screen him further at the scene.

I-94 bridge work between Minnesota and Wisconsin coming this summer — Drivers crossing the I-94 bridge over the St. Croix River should plan for lane closures this summer as road work gets underway. The project will affect traffic flow between the two states during peak travel season.

Action-packed month of tie votes at the Capitol — The evenly split Minnesota House has produced a string of dramatic tie votes, creating an action-packed legislative session. The deadlocks are shaping key policy debates heading into the spring stretch.

Minnesota Zoo's Farm Babies and 'Cowchella' return — The popular Farm Babies event is back at the Minnesota Zoo from April 25 through May 17, featuring interactive meet-and-greets with baby animals. The event also aims to educate visitors about agriculture, farmkeepers, and animal welfare.

Air Wisconsin's ICE charter flights draw scrutiny — Reporting reveals that regional carrier Air Wisconsin has been providing charter flight services for federal immigration enforcement authorities after its sale to CSI Aviation. The story has drawn attention across the Upper Midwest.