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

While it’s a quieter day on the hyperlocal front, our community is stepping up in a big way: the Animal Humane Society—headquartered right here in Golden Valley—is taking in 50 dogs released from a Wisconsin breeding facility. The pups will receive medical care at the Golden Valley campus before finding their forever homes. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms rolling through the west metro Sunday night sparked a house fire in nearby Minnetonka after a lightning strike.

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

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has filed charges against an ICE agent accused of shooting and injuring Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg during a "Metro Surge" operation in north Minneapolis back on Jan. 14. Minneapolis police are searching for suspects after a man was found with life-threatening gunshot wounds in a garage. A vehicle fleeing that scene subsequently crashed into a police squad car at 34th St E and 3rd Ave S. On Harriet Avenue, seven residents (including five children) and two cats are receiving Red Cross assistance after a house fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. It's Art-A-Whirl weekend, which means Northeast Minneapolis is the place to be. If you're heading that way, stop by Indeed Brewing to check out the local artists and the Whirlygig exhibit.

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

The Stillwater Fire Department and state authorities are investigating a fatal fire that broke out Thursday evening in the 10000 block of 60th Street North in Grant. Over at the State Capitol, marathon floor sessions prompted some heartfelt retirement speeches from lawmakers, offering a brief moment of clarity and perspective before the final legislative push.

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

The Minnesota Timberwolves' season has come to an end after a series-clinching loss to the San Anthony Spurs. Head coach Chris Finch and players Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo are now looking ahead to a pivotal offseason. At Target Field, Jackson Chourio hit a go-ahead solo homer in the sixth to lead the Milwaukee Brewers past the Minnesota Twins 2-1. Minnesota United also fell short at home, losing 2-1 to the New England Revolution after a go-ahead goal by Luca Langoni early in the second half.

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

The Minnesota DNR has issued a Red Flag Warning for 15 Minnesota counties due to extreme fire risk conditions. While the immediate metro is largely catching a break from the worst of the fire weather, residents should be aware of the dry, dangerous conditions if traveling north. Thunderstorms and lightning rolled through the Twin Cities Sunday night, bringing much-needed moisture but also dangerous strikes.

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

Good news for your wallet: the Minnesota Legislature has agreed to reduce vehicle tab fees, with the new law set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. In a frantic final hours of the 2026 session, lawmakers passed a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure projects and a financial bailout for HCMC. However, the heavily lobbied 340B pharmaceutical legislation failed to get a House vote before the deadline. Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the National Guard as several wildfires burn across central and northern Minnesota. The largest blaze near Crosslake has burned over 1,500 acres, while the Stewart Trail fire near Two Harbors is at 376 acres. In a bizarre and dangerous twist, a 48-year-old Orr man was arrested for allegedly shooting a firefighting plane while it was battling a wildland blaze near Two Harbors on Friday evening.