Golden Valley & West Metro

Voters in the Robbinsdale school district—which serves parts of Golden Valley, Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale—are getting a clearer picture of a potential referendum that could total over $400 million. While the district outlines its facility needs, residents are raising questions about exactly how much their property tax bills will increase if the measure passes.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis officials are forming plans to address a "substantial" $30 million budget gap, a fiscal reality that is starting to rattle residents' minds across the city. In other city news, business owner Edwin Reed has filed a lawsuit alongside other business owners at George Floyd Square, alleging the City of Minneapolis has neglected them.

A Minneapolis committee has voted to repeal a decades-old ban on bathhouses and sex venues within the city. Over at the Park Board, commissioners voted amid heated debate to keep the Minnehaha off-leash dog park open, though all dogs must be leashed by December 31.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty filed a motion on Wednesday to block an ICE agent’s efforts to move a recent case from county to federal court. This follows a federal conspiracy case charging 15 people allegedly tied to two Minneapolis-based antifa groups with conspiring to attack and disrupt immigration agents; one defendant recently spoke out to push back on the charges.

The Twin Cities is gearing up for Juneteenth on Friday, with free festivals, runs, and tours scheduled across the metro to commemorate the end of slavery. Over in Northeast Minneapolis, the Celebrate Northeast Parade featured more than 60 participating groups to mark its 97th year of community fun on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, former MPD Chief Brian O'Hara appears to have a new gig on the East Coast, reportedly starting a consulting firm in New Jersey.

St. Paul

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is currently meeting with the public to gather input as the city faces a historic $26 million budget gap, vowing to grow the tax base to bridge the divide. Pao Her Lee, 49, was recently accused of threatening Her in videos allegedly posted on YouTube while she was a member of the House of Representatives.

The Minnesota Wild announced a new multi-year deal to switch ticketing for games and Grand Casino Arena events to SeatGeek starting July 1. In local news, fire crews responded to a house fire in St. Paul's Hayden Heights neighborhood where officials say eight cats are currently unaccounted for. Meanwhile, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is considering a 3.5% raise for next year.

Local Sports

Olivia Miles set a WNBA rookie record with 24 first-half points on her way to a career-high 31 points, leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 99-83 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night. In the PWHL Draft, the "State of Hockey" was well represented as Gophers star Murphy was taken 2nd overall by the Vancouver Goldeneyes, right after Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey.

The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team is hosting summer workouts at Athlete’s Village, looking to build momentum following a strong Sweet 16 run.

Minnesota Statewide

Judges have officially paused proposed data centers in Faribault and Pine Island after injunctions were secured by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. A new study shows the Twin Cities remains highly attractive to big businesses and career employees, though some emerging concerns are noted 10 years after being dubbed a "Headquarters Economy."

Minnesota is set to receive over $580,000 as part of a $7 million settlement with property management company LivCor, LLC. Across the state, the Minnesota National Guard honored its top soldiers and airmen for excellence in professionalism and combat skills, while excitement builds as the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" makes its way to the Twin Cities for the USA Games.