Golden Valley & West Metro

• Weekend Roundup: Pride month keeps rolling this weekend with plenty of festivals, parades, and community events worth showing up for across the Twin Cities. If you're looking to stay local or venture into Minneapolis, drop a comment in the weekly roundup thread to help find specific neighborhood happenings! Read more

Minneapolis

• Sleep Number Merger: Minneapolis-based Sleep Number has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to initiate a sale process and merge with Sleep Country Canada. The announcement was made by the company on Friday as it navigates severe financial hurdles.
• Blue Line Extension Costs: The cost of the controversial Blue Line Extension project has increased again, jumping by over $330 million to reach an estimated $3 billion. The light rail project is still years away from starting passenger service.
• George Floyd Square: The Minneapolis City Council has voted to deny a recommendation that would have allowed Minnesota Agape to redevelop a portion of George Floyd Square. The decision effectively scratches the current redevelopment plans for the intersection.
• MPD Budget Overrun: A Minneapolis City Council member is raising alarms over a $21 million budget overrun by the Minneapolis Police Department. Audits point to questionable spending, including the purchase of Harley-Davidsons and trailers, recorded under vague ledgers.
• Vance Boelter Charges: The Hennepin County Attorney is moving forward with state charges against Vance Boelter. The charges include two counts of premeditated murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, cruelty to an animal, and impersonating an officer.
• Dinner Du Nord Returns: Dinner Du Nord, billed as the ‘largest dinner table in America,’ is returning to Nicollet Mall for its second year. The massive culinary celebration will once again transform the downtown corridor into a giant community dinner party.
• ICE Protest Charges Dismissed: Nearly two dozen ICE protestors in Hennepin County have had their charges dropped or are on a path to dismissal in the past week. Defense attorneys representing the protestors successfully negotiated the reductions.
• Dangerous Man Brewing Opens: Dangerous Man Brewing is officially opening its new taproom in Northeast Minneapolis on Saturday at noon. The highly anticipated reopening brings the beloved local brewery back to the neighborhood.
• Deadly Crash Sentencing: Rolando Miranda Martinez, 59, was sentenced after admitting to fleeing the scene of a deadly crash. Martinez struck a woman near Cliff Road and Nichols Road around 2 a.m. on March 7 while driving home from a Minneapolis bar.
• New Hennepin County Judge: Gov. Tim Walz has appointed Department of Labor Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach to serve as a Hennepin County judge. The shift leaves several Minnesota state agencies preparing for new leadership as Walz's term ends early next year.
• Youth Psych Facility Update: A youth psychiatric facility recently under DHS investigation has reached a deal with the state, resulting in its suspension being lifted. The situation has prompted questions regarding how Hennepin County vets its taxpayer-funded contracts.

St. Paul

• Remembering the Hortmans: Sunday marks one year since the tragic murders of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. Their Brooklyn Park community is honoring their memory, while family members share they are still healing from "the worst year of all of our lives."
• Godette Brothers Statue: A new monument was unveiled at the St. Paul Fire Headquarters to honor the legacy of the Godette brothers. The statue celebrates the brothers' profound impact on the city and their community.
• SPPS Trades Initiative: A new skilled trades initiative in Saint Paul Public Schools is already producing early apprenticeship successes for students. The program aims to equip young adults with hands-on experience for high-demand careers.
• 'Tree Stand' Killer Dies: Chai Vang, a St. Paul man convicted in the 2004 "tree stand killings" of six Wisconsin hunters, has died in a hospital. Wisconsin officials confirmed his passing on Friday.
• Art Start: Looking for summer fun in St. Paul? Art Start is offering fantastic programs to get kids creating and engaging with art. It's a perfect indoor or outdoor activity as the summer heats up.

Local Sports

• Twins Walk-Off vs. Cardinals: Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee homered in the eighth inning—two of three home runs surrendered by Cardinals reliever Ryne Stanek—to push the Minnesota Twins past St. Louis 9-8. Earlier in the week, the Tigers hit six home runs to rout the Twins 11-0 on Thursday.
• Target Field Strike: Over 500 concession workers at Target Field have announced a strike for June 22 during the Twins-Dodgers game. The workers are demanding better wages and comprehensive health insurance.
• Gophers Extensions: The University of Minnesota has signed contract extensions for both Athletics Director Mark Coyle and women’s basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit. Both are now under contract through June 2032, keeping Gophers leadership stable amid outside interest.
• State Baseball Championships: Champlin Park and Rosemount advanced to the MSHSL Class 4A state championship game after winning their semifinal matchups. Champlin Park will face Rosemount for the title.

Weather

• Weekend Forecast: Happy weekend, Golden Valley! Expect classic mid-June weather across the Twin Cities metro, providing perfect conditions for getting out to Pride events or catching a Twins game at Target Field. No active severe weather warnings are in effect for Hennepin County, so enjoy the beautiful start to summer!

Minnesota Statewide

• U of M Considers Tuition Hike: The University of Minnesota is weighing a tuition increase alongside $44 million in budget cuts. The proposals come as the university looks to balance its finances moving forward.
• Native American Medicine Garden: After five years of resting, the land supporting the University of Minnesota's Native American Medicine Garden has finally been reawakened. Organizers are calling the rebirth a "celebration of life."
• Fraud Judgment: Minnesota has successfully utilized the False Claims Act to secure a $2.5 million judgment against a meal program fraudster. The defendant falsely claimed to serve thousands of meals from the basement of his adult day care.