Golden Valley & West Metro

It was a quiet weekend in Golden Valley and our immediate surrounding communities like Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, and St. Louis Park, with no major incidents or disruptions reported. Neighbors here enjoyed a break in the weather to kick off the week, leaving the heavier weekend news to our neighbors in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Police had a busy and violent weekend, responding to multiple shootings across the city. A man was killed and another injured in a parking lot on Lyndale Avenue early Sunday morning around 1:20 a.m., and later that night at 9:45 p.m., a woman was found with gunshot wounds to her hand and head near Bossen Field Park.

Downtown also saw chaotic scenes overnight; an MPD officer was punched while trying to de-escalate a crowd outside Cowboy Jacks (126 Fifth Street North) at 2:07 a.m. Sunday following a separate shooting. Earlier in the weekend, an 18-year-old was arrested following a gunfire exchange in South Minneapolis Friday night, and a man was jailed for allegedly stabbing a woman near Pillsbury Avenue early Saturday morning.

In cultural news, Minnesota's Land Back movement is gaining momentum from Minneapolis to the State Capitol. Rachel Dionne-Thunder, CEO of the Indigenous Protector Movement, notes that current efforts are focused on much more than just a transfer of property ownership.

Despite a rough start from severe weather, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival is officially open and welcoming visitors for Father's Day. A sudden windstorm on Friday heavily damaged several artist tents, but organizers say over 200 artists, food trucks, and live music acts are ready for the weekend.

St. Paul

A fast-moving hailstorm slammed Roseville and St. Paul on Saturday morning, dropping pea-sized to golf-ball-sized ice in just minutes. Residents spent the morning clearing away heavy branches, leaves, and piles of hail, with some reporting the damage made it look like "a bag of marbles hit" their cars.

St. Paul city officials have announced plans to reopen three sections of the downtown skyway system. The move aims to safely bring vital foot traffic back to the downtown pedestrian network.

Looking ahead, St. Paul is gearing up to host the massive Hmong International Freedom Festival on June 27-28. The cultural celebration, featuring sports and performances, is expected to draw more than 55,000 attendees to the city.

Local Sports

The Minnesota Twins had a fantastic weekend out West, rallying to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 on Sunday behind a 3-hit game from Ryan Kreidler and a go-ahead seventh-inning single from Alex Jackson. This follows a dominant 16-8 rout on Saturday, where Byron Buxton highlighted a 10-run fifth inning with a grand slam, bringing his season total to 24 home runs.

The team will return to Target Field this week, but fans should note that concession workers are set to strike on Monday. Bargaining continues for better pay and more affordable health care, though the Twins assure fans that food and beverage service will still be available during the homestand.

On the hardwood, the Minnesota Lynx fell to the Washington Mystics 84-79 at home on Sunday, unable to contain a late 12-0 surge led by Washington's Sonia Citron (21 points) and Kiki Iriafen (17 points). In roster moves, the Minnesota Frost re-signed veteran forwards Claire Butorac and Klára Hymlárová for another season, and Twins reliever Kendry Rojas is officially back in action following a stint on the injured list for left elbow inflammation.

Weather

Meteorologist Molly says we are keeping things dry across the metro for your Father's Day! Any rain that pushes into the state will stay strictly confined to southwestern Minnesota. Expect increasing cloud cover with comfortable highs in the mid-70s and a light breeze.

Minnesota Statewide

Get ready for a massive week of athletic competition as Minnesota hosts the Special Olympics USA Games! Running Monday through Friday, the games will feature 3,000 athletes from all 50 states competing across 16 different team and individual sports.

In state politics, Republican State Rep. Peggy Bennett is calling for the immediate resignation of three top officials within the Minnesota GOP. Bennett is citing widespread dysfunction, favoritism, and mismanagement within the party structure.

Finally, statewide event planners are keeping the weekend celebrations going. Though Juneteenth was officially Friday, the Minnesota Humanities Center is hosting ongoing celebratory events throughout the rest of the month. Later this week, Mystic Lake will also host the Great Midwest Rib Fest, bringing top-tier barbecue and live music to the region.