Golden Valley Daily Digest — Monday, April 20, 2026

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Golden Valley & West Metro

SUV plunges into water near I-394 in Golden Valley. An SUV went off the road and plunged into water near Interstate 394 in Golden Valley over the weekend. Authorities say the lone occupant was able to escape without significant injuries — a fortunate outcome given how dangerous water rescues can be. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Waterworks Car Wash in Golden Valley goes fully automated. Residents are buzzing on social media after Waterworks Car Wash in Golden Valley dropped its full-service and interior detailing options. The business reportedly laid off most of its employees — many of whom were immigrants — as it transitions to an automated, subscription-based model. Longtime customers are lamenting the loss of the personal touch.

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Minneapolis

Target revamps grocery strategy in ultra-competitive Twin Cities market. With Walmart holding the largest grocery market share in the metro, Minneapolis-based Target is reworking its approach to win over local shoppers. The retailer is looking to sharpen its grocery offerings as competition intensifies across the Twin Cities.

AIPAC donations complicate Rep. Angie Craig's campaign. As national Democrats debate their relationship with Israel, Second District Rep. Angie Craig finds herself in the crosshairs over campaign contributions from pro-Israel groups. Many Democratic lawmakers are now rejecting money from groups like AIPAC, putting Craig's acceptance of those funds under a spotlight.

Minneapolis spotted in Mexico City museum exhibit. A Twin Cities traveler visiting the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City was surprised to find Minneapolis featured in an exhibit, with references to remembering George Floyd and local community figures. A fun reminder that our city's story resonates far beyond state lines.

Magnet fisherman hauls 820 lbs of metal from the Mississippi near Stone Arch Bridge. A self-described newbie magnet fisherman says he's pulled an astonishing 820 pounds of scrap metal from the north and south shores near the Stone Arch Bridge in just four or five outings. Fellow enthusiasts are chiming in with theories about where it all came from.

Line 3 oil spill history revisited. MinnPost looks back at the March 3, 1991 rupture of Lakehead Pipeline Company's Line 3 near Grand Rapids, when an estimated 1.7 million gallons of oil spilled into the Prairie River and surrounding wetlands — one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history.

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St. Paul

Influencer banned from St. Paul parks for 180 days. A man has been banned from all St. Paul city parks for six months after officials determined he was harassing vulnerable adults and profiting off them through his TikTok platform. The ban is sparking debate online about the line between content creation and exploitation.

People of Color Career Fair returns for 16th year. The People of Color Career Fair is coming up later this month, bringing together 40 Minnesota employers with job seekers. The long-running event continues to be one of the region's premier networking opportunities for diverse professionals.

E-bike safety regulations head to lawmakers. After subsidizing e-bikes for Minnesotans in recent years, state legislators are now turning their attention to safety regulations for the increasingly popular vehicles. Expect debate at the Capitol on age restrictions, speed limits, and where e-bikes can be ridden.

Emma Norton's Opening Doors gala set for April 23. The local nonprofit, which provides housing and services for women and families, will host its annual gala at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel this Thursday. Emma Norton has been a cornerstone of supportive housing in the metro.

St. Paul housing market heating up — or cooling off? Residents in the Como neighborhood are noticing a surge in "For Sale" signs this spring. Some chalk it up to the usual spring selling season, while others point to rising property taxes as a motivator for homeowners to move on.

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Local Sports

Wild dominate Stars 6-1 in playoff opener. Matt Boldy led the charge with two goals and an assist, Joel Eriksson Ek added two power-play goals, and rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt stopped 26 shots in his postseason debut as the Minnesota Wild overwhelmed the Dallas Stars in Game 1. A statement win at home to open the series.

Timberwolves fall 116-105 to Nuggets in Game 1. Jamal Murray torched Minnesota for 30 points, going a perfect 16-for-16 from the free-throw line, while Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double as Denver overcame a sluggish start. The Wolves will need to find answers quickly in this physical first-round series.

Reds complete three-game sweep of Twins. TJ Friedl hit a go-ahead three-run double in the ninth inning and Rece Hinds added a two-run double in the 10th as Cincinnati rallied past Minnesota 7-4 on Sunday. The Reds also took Saturday's game 5-4 on a Dane Myers RBI single in the ninth — a brutal weekend at Target Field for Twins fans.

Lynx open training camp with overhauled roster. Six of the top nine players from the end of the 2025 season are gone as the 2026 Minnesota Lynx gathered for the first day of training camp Sunday. Plenty of new faces as the team looks to rebuild on the fly ahead of the WNBA season.

Minnesota United blank Portland 2-0. Tomás Chancalay opened the scoring in the 16th minute and Kelvin Yeboah added insurance in the second half as the Loons posted a clean sheet at home Saturday night.

Gophers gymnastics finishes 4th at NCAA Final Four. The Minnesota Gophers gymnastics team made program history by reaching their first-ever NCAA championship Final Four, ultimately finishing fourth as Oklahoma claimed a repeat title. A landmark season for the program under tremendous fan support.

Frost fall to Toronto Sceptres 2-0. Savannah Harmon and Daryl Watts scored for Toronto while Raygan Kirk made 24 saves, handing the Minnesota Frost a shutout loss as the Sceptres (10-1-5-12) fight to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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Weather

Cool and breezy Sunday, but spring warmth is on the way. Snow showers rolled across southern Minnesota early Sunday morning before giving way to a mainly sunny but chilly afternoon with steady breezes. Expect a return to more seasonable spring temperatures in the days ahead.

NWS confirms 8 tornadoes struck southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Survey teams confirmed that at least eight tornadoes touched down Friday, including an EF3 with 140 mph winds. Over 100 homes were damaged in the Rochester area and surrounding Olmsted and Dodge counties, but remarkably no injuries were reported.

Rochester cleanup underway — watch out for scammers. As communities in the Rochester area begin clearing debris, authorities are warning residents to be on guard against storm-chasing scammers offering too-good-to-be-true repair deals. Verify any contractor's credentials before signing anything.

DNR expands burn restrictions statewide. The Minnesota DNR has expanded burn restrictions as much of the state faces moderate to high fire danger with temperatures expected to rise this week. Check with your local fire department before any outdoor burning.

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Minnesota Statewide

Impeachment resolutions against Walz, Ellison fail in committee. Republican-led resolutions to impeach Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison drew contentious debate in a House committee this week at the State Capitol but ultimately did not advance. The effort was largely seen as a political statement by GOP lawmakers.

Congress voids BWCA mining protections. In a move with major implications for northern Minnesota, Congress has voided protections that had blocked mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The decision is expected to reignite fierce debate between mining advocates and environmentalists across the state.

Trump-Pope Leo feud on the minds of Minnesota Catholics. The ongoing public dispute between President Trump and Pope Leo — playing out against the backdrop of the Iran conflict — is stirring conversation among Minnesota's large Catholic community. Church leaders and parishioners are divided on whether the feud will have lasting political consequences.

DHS sues Zion Baptist Church over alleged misuse of $2.48M in grants. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has filed a lawsuit against Zion Baptist Church, accusing it of misusing funds that were intended for community services. The case involves $2.48 million in grant money.

Medical transport company warns 95 jobs at risk. A Minnesota medical transportation provider says a sudden contract termination will leave 95 workers jobless and disrupt service for patients and families who depend on non-emergency medical rides. The company is calling on state officials to intervene.

'The Travel Companion' screens across Minnesota. Co-director Travis Wood's debut feature film, which premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, is now playing in theaters across the state. The film explores themes of friendship and artistic struggle.

Vadnais Heights hockey tournament supports first responders. The eighth annual Big Bear Hockey Classic in Vadnais Heights is expected to raise more than $35,000 for a Washington County deputy and his family. The tournament brings together the hockey and first-responder communities for a great cause.

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Stay safe out there, Golden Valley. Have a tip or story idea? Drop us a line. See you tomorrow morning. ☀️