Golden Valley Names Matt Clark as New Police Chief

April 15, 2026 · 27 sources

Twin Cities Daily Digest — Wednesday, April 15, 2026

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Golden Valley & West Metro

Golden Valley selects Matt Clark as permanent police chief. After a six-month search, the city announced Monday that interim chief Matt Clark has been tapped to lead the Golden Valley Police Department full-time. The department has been without an official chief since October, and Clark's appointment brings stability back to the force. (KARE 11 · KSTP)

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Minneapolis

Man admits on the stand to killing ex-girlfriend. During his trial Tuesday in Hennepin County, David Wright testified that he shot and killed Mariah Samuels last September. The admission came while Wright was on the witness stand in his own defense. (KARE 11)

Man dies after assault by neighbor in Minneapolis apartment. A man in his 70s who was found unconscious in his apartment building hallway on April 5 has died from his injuries. Minneapolis police have arrested a suspect who lived in the same building. (KARE 11 · KSTP)

New Hennepin Healthcare CEO faces immediate crisis. Dr. John Cumming has taken the helm at Hennepin County Medical Center for the second time — he previously served as interim CEO from 2019–2020 as a trauma surgeon. Just days into the job, Cumming says his "eyes are wide open" about the financial and operational challenges facing the hospital system. (KARE 11 · KSTP)

The Lowry in Uptown closing after 13 years. The popular Uptown restaurant will shut its doors at the end of April, with owners blaming ongoing Hennepin Avenue construction and rising business costs. It's the latest closure to hit the Uptown corridor as the long-running street reconstruction project continues to impact foot traffic. (KSTP)

Fire breaks out in Hennepin County jail. A clothes dryer caught fire inside the kitchen and laundry area of the public safety facility in Minneapolis, prompting an evacuation. One person sustained minor injuries. (KARE 11)

Search continues for missing 14-year-old. Authorities are asking for help locating a girl last seen leaving her grandmother's Minneapolis home on April 5. Anyone with information is urged to contact police. (KARE 11)

MinnPost: Now is the worst time to cut transit investment. With the U.S. war against Iran destabilizing oil supplies, a MinnPost analysis argues Minnesota should be increasing — not reducing — its commitment to public transit infrastructure. (MinnPost)

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St. Paul

Ramsey County unveils $320M+ plan to revitalize downtown St. Paul. County officials presented a sweeping new economic development plan that includes more than $320 million in investments aimed at breathing new life into the downtown core. (KARE 11)

Ramsey County investigates ICE arrest of U.S. citizen as possible kidnapping. The county attorney and sheriff's offices are requesting case information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after federal immigration officers detained a St. Paul man — reportedly an American citizen — who was led outside wearing only underclothes. Officials are examining potential kidnapping, burglary, and false imprisonment charges. (KARE 11 · MinnPost)

Crash on I-35E causes major backups near Randolph Avenue. Drivers in St. Paul dealt with significant delays Tuesday due to a crash on I-35E. Commuters are advised to check conditions before heading out. (KARE 11)

TikToker banned from all St. Paul parks for six months. Josh Liljenquist has launched a Change.org petition asking the city to reconsider the ban from all Saint Paul Parks and Recreation facilities. (KARE 11)

Man dies in North St. Paul house fire. The fire broke out Monday morning in a home south of downtown North St. Paul. The victim has not yet been publicly identified. (KARE 11)

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Local Sports

Twins crush Red Sox in back-to-back wins. Byron Buxton was electric Tuesday night, homering twice with four hits and four runs scored, while Mick Abel struck out 10 over seven sharp innings in a 6-0 shutout of Boston. The night before, Minnesota rolled 13-6 behind homers from Victor Caratini and Ryan Jeffers, who each drove in three runs. (KSTP · KSTP)

Lynx draft TCU guard Olivia Miles with No. 2 pick. Minnesota used the second overall selection in the WNBA Draft to add one of the nation's top guards. Head coach Cheryl Reeve made the pick Monday night. (KSTP)

Timberwolves–Nuggets playoff schedule set. The No. 6 seed Wolves will open their first-round series on the road against the No. 3 seed Denver Nuggets starting Saturday. Tipoff times and TV info are locked in for the first four games. (KSTP)

Wild close regular season with 3-2 win over Anaheim. Rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt made 35 saves and Hunter Haight scored his first career goal as Minnesota tuned up for the playoffs. The Wild split their final two games after falling 6-3 to the Blues on Monday. (KSTP · KSTP)

League One Volleyball watch party in Minneapolis. The championship match viewing event is set for April 16 in Minneapolis. (KARE 11)

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Weather

Severe storms hit southern Minnesota with baseball-sized hail and three tornadoes. Monday night's storms brought dramatic damage near Dennison and other communities in southern Minnesota, with hail covering roadways. Insurance experts are urging all Minnesotans — including those of us in the metro — to review their homeowner's policies now, especially as Severe Weather Awareness Week begins. (KSTP · KARE 11)

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Minnesota Statewide

KARE 11 Investigation: Disabled Minnesotans abandoned after care provider vanishes. Months after a fraud investigation shut down a taxpayer-funded care provider, clients remain without support and their living conditions are deteriorating. The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about oversight of disability services in the state. (KARE 11)

Minnesota spent $20 billion on fraud-prone Medicaid programs since 2018. The cost of 14 scrutinized Medicaid programs more than doubled from $2.06 billion in 2021 to $4.32 billion in 2025. With the legislative session winding down, several bipartisan fraud bills are advancing at the Capitol and may pass before the May 18 deadline. (KARE 11 · KARE 11)

Dozens operate multiple companies billing Minnesota Medicaid. A KSTP investigation found numerous individuals owning and operating multiple entities billing the state's Medicaid system, raising further questions about fraud controls. (KSTP)

Minnesota's unemployment rate rises above national level for first time in nearly 20 years. The state is experiencing a job market shift not seen since before the Great Recession, according to new data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. (KSTP)

Walz acknowledges loopholes in Minnesota Promise Act. The governor said Tuesday he remains confident in the $100 million program despite conceding potential loopholes identified by investigators. (KSTP)

School board transparency concerns in northeast metro. A policy limiting who can hear public comments during school board meetings — by not streaming them — is drawing criticism as "unwise" and fueling transparency worries. (KSTP)