Minneapolis

• A judge has officially ordered the Minneapolis mayor to meet the city's charter requirements for police staffing, which mandates a force of at least 0.0017 officers per resident. Meanwhile, City Council members are laying out their criteria for the city's next police chief, emphasizing that the ideal candidate must focus on reform, funding, and community trust.
• In a narrow 7-5 vote, the Minneapolis City Council approved a six-month pause on data center development to study community impacts, a move that is already drawing pushback from business leaders concerned about a slumping downtown. In other council action, members voted to repeal a 1988 ban on bathhouses and sex venues that was originally enacted at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
• Metro Transit officials are investigating a collision that injured one person just before 4 p.m. on Thursday involving a Green Line train at the Raymond Avenue Station. Police are also asking for the public's help locating David Searles, a man with a medical condition who was last seen on June 5 near the 500 block of North 5th Street after attending a concert.
• Over at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis, Judge John Tunheim has set a sentencing date of July 23 at 10 a.m. for Vance Boelter in the Hortman murders. On a lighter note, locals might be interested to know that the historic Minneapolis City Hall clock tower is actually larger than London's Big Ben.

St. Paul

• Drivers heading through the east metro this weekend should plan for a significant detour: a section of westbound Interstate 94 from St. Paul to Maplewood will be closed starting at 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
• The St. Paul Public Schools board has passed a new budget that includes a $14 million shortfall, though this puts the district in a notably better financial position than last year's anticipated $51.1 million deficit. Across the city, officials are reopening a contentious debate over the use of Flock Safety cameras, weighing police department interests against civil rights advocates' concerns.

Local Sports

• It was a massive week for Timberwolves fans, as the team reportedly traded Julius Randle and re-signed Ayo Dosunmu. In the 2026 NBA Draft, the Wolves added Duke guard Isaiah Evans with the No. 33 pick and Trey Kaufman-Renn in the second round, though multiple sources report fan-favorite Naz Reid is being traded to Charlotte in a deal that brings LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
• The Minnesota Twins struggled against the Dodgers, getting swept in a series where Mookie Betts hit his 300th career homer in support of Shohei Ohtani. The team also took a pitching hit, as starting pitcher Mick Abel will undergo arthroscopic surgery following a setback in his elbow injury recovery.
• Still in the middle of a lengthy break for the World Cup, Minnesota United players resumed practice this week at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Over in Chaska, Ina Yoon tied a tournament record with a 9-under 63 to open the Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Minnesota Statewide

• Early in-person and absentee voting for Minnesota's Aug. 11 primary election officially begins today, June 26, and runs through Aug. 10.
• Health officials are warning metro residents after mosquitoes collected in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota counties tested positive for West Nile virus. Families may also want to brace for retail changes, as rising prices and growing demand are prompting Minnesotans to plan their back-to-school shopping earlier than ever this year.
• Four Eden Prairie firefighters were recognized with a national award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota after saving an infant from a burning townhome two years ago. The state's recreation industry is also facing disruptions, as traditional boat rental companies call for stricter enforcement of laws and insurance requirements against unregulated boat rental apps.