Golden Valley Daily Digest — Sunday, April 26, 2026

Good morning, Golden Valley! Grab your umbrella if you're heading out today — showers are possible through the afternoon before stronger storms roll in tonight. Here's what you need to know.

Golden Valley & West Metro

Bill Seeks $10 Million to Reimburse Cities Hit by Operation Metro Surge A new bill at the state Capitol would direct $10 million to Minnesota cities burdened by costs from this winter's federal immigration operation. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley testified Tuesday about a flood of 911 calls as residents reported masked men in unmarked vehicles driving through neighborhoods. The funding would help west metro suburbs and other cities across the state recoup public safety expenses tied to the operation.

Legislature Working to Keep HCMC Afloat Amid Financial Crisis As the May 18 legislative deadline approaches, lawmakers say they're confident they can keep Hennepin County Medical Center — a critical safety-net hospital for Golden Valley and west metro residents — from going under. HCMC has been battling a deepening financial crisis, and the Legislature is weighing multiple proposals to stabilize the facility. For families in Golden Valley who rely on HCMC's Level 1 trauma center and specialty services, this is one to watch closely.

Minneapolis

ICE Arrests Drop Nearly 12% After Minneapolis Killings and Immigration Shake-Up Federal immigration arrests have fallen nearly 12% following the deadly incidents in Minneapolis that prompted a national re-examination of enforcement tactics. At the peak of the crackdown, carloads of masked officers were a common sight on Minneapolis streets, while thousands were being arrested weekly in other states. The shift marks a notable change in the metro's day-to-day reality.

Hennepin County Declines to Charge 3 of 4 in Edina Shooting El'evoun Wren was charged Friday with second-degree intentional murder in connection with an Edina shooting, but Hennepin County declined to charge the three other people arrested. Prosecutors say video surveillance showed Wren getting into an altercation with the victim before the fatal shooting.

Metro Transit Seeking Public Input on Proposed Fare Changes The Met Council wants your feedback on proposals that would simplify bus pricing and lower some costs for riders. One option would set all express fares at a flat $3 all day. If you commute on Metro Transit routes through Golden Valley or St. Louis Park, this could affect your daily ride — public comment is open now.

Parents Rally Against Special Education Cuts at Capitol "These are people, not just dollars," said advocate Maren Christenson-Hofer at the Minnesota State Capitol on Friday, as parents and advocates called on lawmakers to pause proposed special education funding cuts. Families across Hennepin County school districts are watching the budget debate closely as the session nears its end.

Missing Teen in Brooklyn Park Brooklyn Park police are asking for the public's help locating 15-year-old Bushra Othman Alsso, who was last seen Friday around 4:00 PM leaving a residence. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Brooklyn Park Police Department.

Richfield Charter School Preparing to Close Watershed High School in Richfield is preparing to shut its doors due to funding shortfalls, leaving students like 18-year-old senior Madeline Hage scrambling for alternatives. The charter school's closure highlights the financial pressures facing smaller schools across the metro.

Minneapolis Architect Shares Memoir of Grit and Grace Minneapolis architect Damaris Melo-Gyasi has published Making My Way: A Story of Grit and Grace, chronicling her journey from poverty in São Paulo, Brazil to professional success in the U.S. The book is available now.

St. Paul

Beloved Como Park Zoo Lion Mumford Passes Away Como Park Zoo announced Friday that Mumford, a beloved lion and longtime favorite of Twin Cities families, has died. The zoo has not yet shared details about memorial plans, but the news has drawn an outpouring of tributes from visitors across the metro.

Emerald Ash Borer Spreads to 59 Minnesota Counties On Arbor Day, officials reminded residents that Emerald Ash Borer — first discovered in Saint Paul in 2009 — has now infested 59 of Minnesota's 87 counties. If you have ash trees in your Golden Valley yard, the DNR recommends consulting a certified arborist about treatment or removal options.

Local Sports

Wild 3, Stars 2 (OT) — Series Tied 2-2 Matt Boldy delivered the heroics with a deflection goal with just 28.9 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Minnesota Wild past the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Saturday. The first-round playoff series is now knotted at two games apiece heading back to Dallas.

Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 96 — Wolves Lead Series 3-1 Ayo Dosunmu erupted for a career-high 43 points off the bench — the highest-scoring playoff performance by a reserve in 50 years — as the Wolves overcame leg injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to beat Denver in Game 4. Minnesota now holds a commanding 3-1 series lead and can close things out in Game 5.

Vikings Trade Jonathan Greenard to Eagles for Two 3rd-Round Picks On Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the Vikings dealt outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and pick No. 244 to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two third-round selections. Follow KSTP's draft tracker for every Vikings pick as the 2026 draft continues.

Twins Drop Two in Tampa Bay It was a rough weekend in St. Petersburg for the Twins, who fell 6-2 on Friday (Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda each homered twice for Tampa Bay) and were blanked 6-0 on Saturday as Rays starter Shane McClanahan tossed five scoreless innings for his first home win in nearly three years.

LAFC 1, Minnesota United 0 David Martinez scored early and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made it hold up as LAFC snapped Minnesota United's four-match winning streak with a 1-0 victory Saturday. LAFC improved to 6-2-2 on the season.

Frost Fall in Regular-Season Finale Sophie Jaques scored at 1:24 of overtime to give the expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Frost on Saturday in the final regular-season game for both teams.

Weather

Showers Today, Stronger Storms Tonight and Monday Expect a mainly dry start to your Sunday, but rain and thunderstorms are likely by Sunday evening as a stalled cold front pushes through the metro. Monday could bring strong to severe thunderstorms, so keep an eye on alerts. Saturday highs ran near normal for late April, and today should be similar — upper 50s to low 60s. Areas north and west of the Twin Cities will trend cooler through the weekend.

Minnesota Statewide

Minnesota GOP Calls on Royce White to Suspend Senate Campaign The Minnesota Republican Party is publicly asking U.S. Senate candidate and former Hopkins basketball standout Royce White to step aside from the race following court filings detailing threats he allegedly made against his ex-wife. White has filed an appeal of a judge's order of protection issued for his ex-wife and teenage son.

Target Tells 150 Remote Workers to Relocate to Twin Cities Target is requiring two teams within its merchandising organization — about 150 remote employees — to move to the Twin Cities. The return-to-office push is part of a broader trend among major employers tightening remote work policies.

Hemp and THC Beverage Industry Watches Farm Bill Vote Minnesota's booming THC-infused beverage industry is on edge as the U.S. House prepares to vote on a farm bill that could include a federal ban on their products, potentially taking effect as early as November. Ryan Kopperud, VP of a Duluth-based cider company making THC drinks, said the ban is already creating uncertainty across the industry.

DVS and Clay County DMV Help Bust Multi-State Identity Fraud Ring Minnesota's Department of Public Safety is crediting the state's Driver and Vehicle Services division and the Clay County DMV for helping to uncover and stop a multi-state identity fraud ring. Details on the scope of the operation are still emerging.

Drug Take Back Day Draws Strong Turnout Minnesotans turned in bags of old medications Saturday as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Officials urged residents to continue safely disposing of unused prescriptions year-round — many local police departments, including those in the west metro, accept medications on an ongoing basis.

Arbor Day Celebrations at the Arboretum in Chaska The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska hosted an Arbor Day celebration Saturday with family-friendly activities and free tree saplings to plant at home. If you missed it, the Arboretum remains a great spring outing just a short drive from Golden Valley.

--- Have a great Sunday, Golden Valley. Go Wolves and go Wild! 🏀🏒