Local News Digest.

Wild & Wolves Both Advance to Round 2; Violent Weekend Across Minneapolis

The League of Women Voters, in a new MinnPost op-ed, is urging Minnesota lawmakers to balance gun rights with community safety. The nonpartisan organization, which has advocated for democratic participation for over a...

Golden Valley Daily Digest — Saturday, May 2, 2026

Golden Valley & West Metro

League of Women Voters Calls for Balanced Approach to Gun Legislation The League of Women Voters, in a new MinnPost op-ed, is urging Minnesota lawmakers to balance gun rights with community safety. The nonpartisan organization, which has advocated for democratic participation for over a century, says it does not support candidates or party platforms but is weighing in on firearms policy affecting communities across the metro, including the west suburbs. Read more →

Minnesota Food Truck Festival Kicks Off in Hopkins Just a short drive down 7, the Minnesota Food Truck Festival is underway in Hopkins this weekend with live music, games, activities, and retail vendors alongside a lineup of local food trucks. It's a great excuse to get out and enjoy the first real weekend of May. Read more →

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Minneapolis

Woman Found Dead After South Minneapolis Apartment Fire A woman was found dead after a fire broke out on the second floor of an apartment building on the 2100 block of Harriet Avenue before 1 a.m. Friday. The Minneapolis Fire Department and investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze and the circumstances of her death. Read more →

Four Shot at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Four people, including a 19-year-old, were injured in a shooting at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in the King Field neighborhood Friday evening around 8:38 p.m. Minneapolis Park Police responded to a large gathering at the park and are searching for suspects. Read more →

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Man Charged with Murder Over Dirty Kitchen Prosecutors charged 23-year-old Javontae Deshawn Simms with fatally stabbing his brother in Minneapolis this week, with court documents revealing the sibling argument started over a dirty kitchen. Read more →

Man Seriously Injured in Uptown Crash Involving Possible Gunfire A man was seriously hurt in a crash near the CC Club at Lyndale Avenue and 26th Street in Uptown Thursday morning. Police believe the driver of one of the vehicles may have pulled a gun before the two vehicles collided, and the area was blocked off during the investigation. Read more →

Mayor Frey Pitches New Timberwolves Arena at City Center Site Mayor Jacob Frey is envisioning a new Timberwolves arena at the City Center site on Nicollet Mall, saying the team could help revitalize downtown Minneapolis by building just a couple blocks from the current core. The proposal would reshape the downtown skyline and foot traffic. Read more →

New Health Clinic Opening Monday in South Minneapolis A new health clinic near Midtown Global Exchange is set to open its doors Monday, expanding access to care in south Minneapolis. Read more →

Minneapolis Native Returns to Star in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Nick Dillenburg, a Minneapolis native, is back home starring as the title character in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Orpheum Theatre downtown. It's a homecoming run worth catching if you're a fan. Read more →

Farmers Markets Are Back This Weekend Twin Cities farmers markets are kicking off the 2026 season this weekend across Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs — time to stock up on fresh, local produce. Read more →

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St. Paul

Man Shot and Killed in Downtown St. Paul A homicide investigation is underway after a man was fatally shot near 7th Street East in downtown St. Paul on Thursday night. Officers responded after a 911 caller reported the shooting; medics were unable to save the victim. Read more →

Aldi Coming to Downtown St. Paul in Former Lunds & Byerlys Space A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the start of a new chapter for downtown St. Paul grocery access, as Aldi plans to open in the old Lunds & Byerlys location by the end of summer. Residents in the area have been without a nearby full-service grocery option since the Lunds closure. Read more →

Medicaid Fraud Review Impacts 800+ Minnesotans New state data show that more than 800 Medicaid care services clients in Minnesota are being affected as fraud-related reviews move forward. The reviews are disrupting services for some of the state's most vulnerable residents. Read more →

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Minnesota Opera Presents Pagliacci Minnesota Opera is staging Pagliacci — a great weekend option for arts lovers looking for a night out. Read more →

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Local Sports

🏒 Wild Clinch First Playoff Series Win in 11 Years Quinn Hughes scored twice as the Minnesota Wild eliminated the Dallas Stars with a 5-2 victory in Game 6 on Thursday night in St. Paul. It's Minnesota's first playoff series win in 11 years, and the Wild now advance to the second round. Read more →

🏀 Wolves Advance Past Denver in Game 6 Jaden McDaniels and Minnesota's bench players propelled a shorthanded Timberwolves squad past the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 to clinch the first-round series. It marks the first time both the Wild and Wolves have advanced to the second round in the same year — a historic moment for Minnesota sports fans. Read more →

⚾ Twins Split Opening Series Games with Blue Jays Byron Buxton homered for the third time in four games and Ryan Jeffers added a two-run shot as the Twins topped the Blue Jays 7-1 on Thursday. Toronto bounced back Friday, with Kazuma Okamoto homering twice and Yohendrick Pinango collecting three hits in a 7-3 Blue Jays win. Read more →

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⚾ Target Field Concession Workers Hold Strike Authorization Vote Union leaders say Target Field concession workers are fed up with low wages, lack of health insurance, and a contractor they say canceled a bargaining session. Workers held a strike authorization vote ahead of Friday's Twins game. Read more →

🏀 Lynx Move Up Season Opener to May 9 The Minnesota Lynx will now tip off the 2026 WNBA season on May 9 against the Atlanta Dream — mark your calendars. Read more →

⚾ North St. Paul's Louie Varland Returns to Target Field as Blue Jays Closer Former Twin Louie Varland, a North St. Paul native, is back at Target Field this weekend — this time as Toronto's closer. A fun homecoming storyline for local baseball fans. Read more →

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Minnesota Statewide

Gas Prices Surpass $4 Across Minnesota Outages at multiple refineries in Illinois and Indiana have sent gas prices soaring across the Great Lakes region, pushing Minnesota past the $4 mark this week. Wisconsin is faring even worse. State inspectors check more than 38,000 gas pumps annually to ensure you're getting every drop you're paying for. Read more →

Flags at Half Staff for WWII Hero Coming Home Governor's flags will fly at half staff for Captain Willibald C. Bianchi, a WWII soldier returning home to Minnesota for burial after 80 years. A fitting tribute for a long-overdue homecoming. Read more →

Man With History of Threatening US Senator Now Charged with Threatening Police Brendon Michael Daugherty, a Minnesota man who previously served federal prison time for threatening a U.S. senator, has been charged this week with making threats toward local police officers. Read more →

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Have a great weekend, Golden Valley. Get out to a farmers market, enjoy the Wild and Wolves runs, and stay safe out there. ☀️

Sources

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