Golden Valley & West Metro — Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, St. Louis Park

Armstrong High School rape allegation under investigation. Plymouth police are investigating allegations that an Armstrong High School student raped another student on school property during lunch in April, according to court records filed Wednesday in Hennepin County. Armstrong, part of the Robbinsdale Area Schools district serving Golden Valley families, is located at 10635 36th Ave. N. in Plymouth. The investigation remains active. [KSTP]

HCMC secures $705 million in bipartisan legislative deal. Minnesota lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz reached a deal to send emergency funding to Hennepin County Medical Center — the state's largest safety-net hospital — along with new oversight and accountability measures. The funding is part of broader end-of-session budget negotiations with a Sunday deadline looming. [MinnPost, KARE 11, KSTP]

Hennepin County approves $19 million for affordable housing. The Hennepin County Board approved $19 million in funding for affordable housing projects across the county, according to notes from the meeting. The investment aims to address the metro's ongoing housing crunch that West Metro residents are feeling acutely. [MinnPost]

Minneapolis — city council, public safety, neighborhoods, development, transit

Mayor overrides community survey on George Floyd Square development. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and city staff are recommending a development group for the George Floyd Square site at 38th and Chicago that did not receive the most support in a community survey, drawing growing pushback from City Council members. The decision has raised questions about whose voices shape the site's future. [KSTP]

Minneapolis schools stung by five-year special education coding error. Families in Minneapolis Public Schools are feeling the effects of a coding error that spanned at least five years, leaving the district without maximum special education reimbursements from the state. The district is now working to assess the full financial impact. [KARE 11]

Bauhaus Brew Labs in Northeast Minneapolis to close. The beloved Northeast Minneapolis brewery announced it will close its doors, telling fans in a statement: "We are going to send Bauhaus off the way it deserves — with great beer, great music, and the people who made this place what it is." No closing date has been announced yet. [KARE 11]

Metro Transit operator brings Minnesota sports spirit to every route. Jarrett Ballard grew up watching Minnesota sports with his dad — a Metro Transit driver — and now he's carrying on both traditions himself, cheering for local teams while driving his routes. He's become a familiar and welcome presence for riders across the system. [KARE 11]

St. Paul — Saint Paul news, Ramsey County, East Metro

St. Paul man charged after toddler pulls loaded gun from diaper bag. Kenneth Terry, 36, of St. Paul was charged with child endangerment and possessing a gun without a permit after a toddler pulled a loaded handgun from a diaper bag during a May 11 traffic stop. Police say Terry placed the weapon in the bag during the stop. [KARE 11, KSTP]

Wild owner Craig Leipold buys historic St. Paul Hotel. Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold is the new majority owner of the historic St. Paul Hotel in downtown St. Paul, leading an investment group that will begin renovations later this year. The hotel has been a landmark at Market Street and 5th since 1910. [KARE 11]

Saint Paul Brewing's patio named among best in Twin Cities. St. Paul Brewing on the city's east side is getting major recognition for its lush, green patio space. The brewery is located in the historic former Hamm's Brewery complex along Minnehaha Avenue. [KSTP]

Local Sports — Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Lynx, United, Gophers

Timberwolves eliminated in Game 6 blowout, 139-109. Stephon Castle poured in 32 points as the San Antonio Spurs eliminated the Timberwolves with a dominant Game 6 win at Target Center. Anthony Edwards briefly went to the bench in the fourth quarter as the deficit grew insurmountable, ending Minnesota's playoff run. [KSTP]

Vikings open 2026 season vs. Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The NFL released the full 2026 schedule Thursday: Minnesota opens Week 1 with the border battle against Green Bay at home and travels to face the reigning AFC champions in Week 14. The Vikings face the league's 11th-toughest schedule, including eight games against playoff teams. [KSTP, KARE 11]

Twins fall to Brewers 3-2 on controversial interference call. Aaron Ashby became the majors' first eight-game winner as Milwaukee beat the Twins 3-2, with the tying run scoring on an interference call against Minnesota third baseman Royce Lewis in the eighth inning. [KSTP]

Lynx lose Emma Čechová for the season to torn ACL. Minnesota Lynx forward Emma Čechová will miss the rest of the 2026 season after tearing the ACL in her right knee, the team announced Friday. In better Lynx news, Natasha Howard scored 26 points — including the go-ahead basket with 51 seconds left — and Courtney Williams added 21 as the Lynx beat the Dallas Wings 90-86 Thursday night. [KSTP]

Weather — current conditions, forecasts, any active warnings for the metro

Forecast First Alert: Strong storms possible Sunday and Monday. Minnesota's Weather Authority has issued a Forecast First Alert for Sunday evening through Monday evening, with multiple rounds of thunderstorms expected. Some storms could reach severe levels — keep an eye on forecasts if you have outdoor plans this weekend. [KSTP]

Minnesota Statewide — state legislature, governor, statewide issues affecting metro residents

DFL lawmakers stage Capitol sit-in demanding vote on gun legislation. DFL House members continued their historic sit-in at the State Capitol into Friday morning, pushing for a vote on a gun violence prevention bill that has passed the Senate. Despite the effort, an assault weapons ban appears unlikely to get a vote in the tied 67-67 House, and Democrats say they'll make it a top 2026 campaign issue if it doesn't. The House adjourned Thursday night without taking action. [MinnPost, KARE 11, KSTP]

Lawmakers propose one-time homeowner payment to offset property taxes. As part of end-of-session negotiations, legislators are proposing a one-time payment plan to help homeowners dealing with rising property taxes. Details on eligibility and amounts are still being finalized ahead of the Sunday deadline. [KSTP]

Legislature passes bill to regulate social media for kids 15 and under. A bipartisan bill requiring parental consent for minors under 15 to use social media platforms is one step away from becoming Minnesota law. The bill aims to protect children from the harms of excessive social media use. [KSTP]

Red Flag Warning issued for 54 northern Minnesota counties as wildfires burn. The Minnesota DNR issued a Red Flag Warning for 54 counties in northern Minnesota until 9 p.m. Friday as crews work to contain active wildfires. Conditions are extreme — no burning is permitted in affected areas. [KARE 11]

Minnesotans honor fallen officers at State Capitol. On National Peace Officers Memorial Day, law enforcement from across the state gathered at the Capitol to lay wreaths and hold a memorial service for officers killed in the line of duty. [KARE 11]