Golden Valley Daily Digest — Thursday, April 9, 2026

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Golden Valley & West Metro

🥃 Where's the Best Old Fashioned in the West Metro? A St. Louis Park resident is crowdsourcing recommendations for the best old fashioned cocktail in the west metro, preferring bourbon-based and not too sweet. If you've got a go-to spot in Golden Valley, SLP, or the surrounding communities, the Reddit thread is buzzing with suggestions — a good excuse to support your favorite local bar this weekend.

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Minneapolis

Four Teens Arrested After Back-to-Back South Minneapolis Robberies Minneapolis police arrested four teenagers — ages 14, 15, 16, and 17 — in connection with two robberies that occurred minutes apart in south Minneapolis on Tuesday. At least one suspect allegedly used a gun during both incidents. The juveniles were taken into custody on Wednesday.

Man Convicted of Hate Crime in Fletcher's Ice Cream Firebombing A jury found a man guilty of arson and a hate crime for firebombing Fletcher's Ice Cream in Northeast Minneapolis twice in two days. The conviction marks a significant outcome for the beloved neighborhood shop and its community.

Second Man Charged in 2020 Drive-By Killing of Arionna Buckanaga Nearly six years after 18-year-old Arionna Buckanaga was killed in a south Minneapolis drive-by shooting, Namirilove Laqundas Tanner has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors say the case remained under active investigation since the 2020 incident.

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office $15M+ Over Budget Sheriff Dawanna Witt says her office is more than $15 million over budget but pushes back on taking full blame, saying systemic issues predate her tenure. Witt says she is actively seeking ways to tighten spending going forward — a story worth watching for Hennepin County taxpayers across Golden Valley and the west metro.

Thieves Using Professional Key-Programming Tools to Steal Cars in Seconds A Twin Cities locksmith is warning that the same professional tools used to help stranded drivers are now being exploited by thieves to steal vehicles in seconds, sometimes from several feet away. Residents should be aware of this growing method of car theft across the metro.

School Districts Ask Judge to Block ICE Enforcement Near Schools Attorneys for two Minnesota school districts and the state's main teachers union asked a federal judge Wednesday to restore limits on immigration enforcement near public schools. The move challenges a Trump administration policy change that expanded where federal agents can operate.

$4 Million House Bill for School Safety Surveillance Tech A bill at the Minnesota House would create a pilot program funded at $4 million to test cutting-edge surveillance technology designed to detect potential weapons threats in schools. The technology is already on the market and could be deployed across participating districts.

11-Year-Old Missing from Brooklyn Park Since March 23 Authorities are asking for the public's help finding Amina Maryam Rice-El, an 11-year-old girl from Brooklyn Park who has not been seen since March 23. She is described as 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 90 pounds. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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St. Paul

22-Year-Old Charged for Posing as High School Student in White Bear Lake A 22-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts after allegedly enrolling as a 17-year-old student at White Bear Lake High School. The case has raised serious concerns about enrollment verification procedures in area schools.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Returning to St. Paul The circus is coming back to town — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced a St. Paul stop in October, marking the first time in more than two decades the show has visited the Twin Cities. Details on venue and ticket sales are expected soon.

St. Paul's Famous Albino Squirrels A longtime St. Paul resident is wondering if anyone has ever done a scientific study on the city's unusually high number of albino squirrels. After nearly 25 years in the city, they report spotting at least one every year across different neighborhoods — a quirky St. Paul claim to fame.

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Local Sports

⚾ Twins 8, Tigers 6 — Huge First Inning Powers the Win The Minnesota Twins jumped all over Detroit's Framber Valdez, batting around in a six-run first inning to set the tone early. Byron Buxton led the way with three hits as Minnesota held off a Tigers rally to win 8-6.

🏀 Timberwolves Fall to Magic 132-120, Locked Into 6th Seed The Wolves dropped their road game in Orlando as Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 20 points and eight rebounds. Minnesota is now locked into the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs — fans can start circling the postseason schedule.

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Weather

Cooler to End the Week, Warmer and Wetter by the Weekend Enjoy the quiet, comfortable weather through Thursday and Friday as calm conditions hold across the metro. The pattern shifts over the weekend with warmer temperatures and increased rain chances moving in — plan your outdoor errands for the next couple of days.

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Minnesota Statewide

Hospitality Industry at a "Breaking Point" Hospitality Minnesota says the state's restaurants, bars, and hotels are at a breaking point, with many still recovering from the pandemic. A new Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey confirms that economic uncertainty and tightening consumer budgets are hitting local businesses hard — a trend felt from downtown Minneapolis to Golden Valley's own dining scene.

Minnesota Toddler Stella McMahon Dies After Cancer Battle Stella McMahon, a Minnesota toddler whose cancer fight drew national attention, has passed away. Billionaire Mark Cuban had stepped in to pay for a medical flight in hopes of helping Stella, but the family shared the heartbreaking news of her passing.

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Stay safe out there, Golden Valley. Back tomorrow morning with your next digest.