Local News Digest.

Dozens of vehicles vandalized near 31st and Drew in Robbinsdale; Wild clinch playoff spot

Good morning, Golden Valley. Grab an extra layer today — rain is turning to snow overnight. Here's what you need to know.

Your Golden Valley Daily Digest — Saturday, April 4, 2026

Good morning, Golden Valley. Grab an extra layer today — rain is turning to snow overnight. Here's what you need to know.

Golden Valley & West Metro

Dozens of vehicles damaged in Robbinsdale vandalism spree — Police are investigating after dozens of vehicles were damaged near 31st Avenue North and Drew Avenue in Robbinsdale. If you park on the street in that area, check your car and report any damage to the Robbinsdale Police Department. No suspects have been identified yet. KARE 11

What's happening this weekend — Looking for something to do? KSTP's Twin Cities Live rounded up local events, food, and entertainment picks for the weekend across the west metro and beyond. KSTP

Federal policy changes threaten gender-affirming care for youth — A team of Three-Sixty Journalism students — including reporters from Johnson Senior High and St. Paul Academy — examined how federal policy shifts are putting gender-affirming care for young Minnesotans at risk. The story explores the local impact on families and providers across the metro. MinnPost

Minneapolis

Power restored at Target Field after North Loop outage — A power outage hit just before 2 p.m. Thursday, affecting more than 1,500 Xcel Energy customers in the North Loop ahead of the Twins' home opener. Power was restored and the game went on as planned. KARE 11

Bruce Springsteen gets a star on the First Avenue wall — The Boss has officially been added to First Avenue's iconic exterior wall of stars in downtown Minneapolis. The honor recognizes Springsteen's connection to the legendary venue. KARE 11

Lawmakers weigh sales tax dollars to save Hennepin Healthcare — State legislators are considering redirecting sales tax revenue to keep HCMC running amid a financial crisis. Sara Franck, a 28-year employee of the hospital, described widespread "fear and anxiety" among staff about the institution's future. KSTP

Ice-out declared on Lake Minnetonka — Nonprofit Freshwater and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Water Patrol officially called open water on Lake Minnetonka at 5:38 p.m. this week. It's one of the key seasonal milestones for boaters and lake lovers across the west metro. KSTP

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Regional airline tracked chartering ICE flights — Air Wisconsin, a regional carrier familiar to Twin Cities travelers, has been providing charter flight services for federal immigration enforcement after being sold to CSI Aviation. The story was originally reported by Wisconsin Watch. MinnPost

MPD ride-along in Uptown — KSTP rode along with two officers from the Fifth Precinct's directed patrol unit as they worked crime suppression along Hennepin Avenue in Uptown. The unit focuses on community engagement and proactive policing in high-traffic areas. KSTP

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St. Paul

Mumps case in Ramsey County highlights vaccination concerns — A confirmed mumps case in Ramsey County has public health workers urging residents to check their MMR vaccination status. Officials are working to improve vaccination rates amid growing concerns about eroding trust in public health. KARE 11

Gas prices spike nationally, but Minnesota catches a break — The average U.S. gallon of gas topped $4 this week due to disruptions from the Iran conflict, but Minnesota drivers are seeing somewhat lower prices than the national average. Still, expect to pay more at the pump for the foreseeable future. MinnPost

Legislature urged to crack down on crypto kiosk scams — Minnesotans are losing thousands of dollars in minutes to scammers who direct victims to cryptocurrency kiosks. Advocates are calling on state lawmakers to act now to regulate the machines and protect vulnerable residents. MinnPost

Local Sports

Wild clinch playoff spot with 5-2 win over Canucks — Matt Boldy scored his 39th and 40th goals of the season, and Kirill Kaprizov potted his 40th as the Wild locked up a postseason berth with a convincing win over Vancouver Thursday night. Sitting third in their division, the Wild will look to advance past the first round for the first time since 2015. KSTP | KARE 11

Twins crush Rays 10-4 in home opener — Tristan Gray launched his first career grand slam to cap a seven-run seventh inning as the Twins rolled past Tampa Bay in a cold, rainy home opener at Target Field. Minnesota has 17 home games in April — more than any other month this season — so bundle up. KSTP | KARE 11

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Timberwolves drop two straight — The Wolves fell 113-108 to Detroit on Thursday, with Jalen Duren posting 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Pistons, then lost 115-103 to Philadelphia on Friday as Paul George led the 76ers with 23 points. Anthony Edwards has been ruled ineligible for NBA postseason awards after missing too many games to hit the 65-game minimum. KSTP

Edina interchange project set to resume — The Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 interchange project in Edina restarts next week after months of delays caused by a buried power line. Commuters in the area should plan for continued disruptions. KSTP

Weather

Rain tonight, then a coating of snow by morning — Expect rain with thunder at times until around midnight, then a rain-snow mix through about 9 a.m. Saturday as temperatures drop into the mid-30s. Saturday will be cloudy, raw, and cold — a good day to stay inside or grab a warm drink. If you're heading to Target Field this month, layer up. KSTP

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Minnesota Statewide

Minnesota graduation rates hit record high — The Class of 2025 posted an 84.9% graduation rate, the highest in state history. While the milestone is encouraging, advocates note that students in foster care still need significantly more support to keep up with their peers. KARE 11 | KSTP

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Minnesota families sue over warrantless ICE home raids — A federal lawsuit filed by Minnesota families challenges ICE's use of forced home entry without a judicial warrant, allegedly conducted under a secret memo. The suit alleges violations of constitutional rights. KARE 11

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Trump suggests shifting Medicare costs to states — In a prime-time speech Wednesday, President Trump said the Iran war was "nearing completion" and suggested states take on funding for Medicare and other federal programs to free up money for the military. The proposal would have major implications for Minnesota's budget. MinnPost

Nearly 1 in 3 Minnesota police departments actively hiring — A statewide law enforcement staffing crunch continues, with recent data showing roughly a third of Minnesota police agencies are trying to fill officer positions. St. Cloud Police highlighted efforts to recruit and build the next generation of officers. KSTP

Garage door repair scam hits Minnesota — A nationwide scam targeting garage door repair customers has reached local businesses, including one run by Ray and Brad Larson, who have been fielding complaints from angry customers they never served. If you've recently booked a garage door repair online, verify the company is legitimate before letting anyone in. KSTP

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Have a great weekend, Golden Valley. Stay warm out there — April snow is just Minnesota's way of reminding us spring is earned, not given. ☃️

Sources

Kare11 · 2026-04-04
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Twins win their home opener 10-4 over the Rays behind Tristan Gray’s first grand slam
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Paul George has 23 points to lead the 76ers past the Timberwolves, 115-103
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Open water called on Lake Minnetonka
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Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby to close after three canceled races
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Graduation rates show more support needed for students in foster care
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Fast-growing wildfire in windy Southern California triggers evacuations
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Texas veteran scammed out of $40K, at risk of losing his home
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