Golden Valley & West Metro

• Just next door to Golden Valley, Crystal police were involved in a bizarre and dangerous vehicle chase on Wednesday. Officers assisting in stopping a wanted vehicle ended up in a pursuit where the suspected burglars actually threw a flamethrower at the police.

Minneapolis

• An Minneapolis police officer with a history of discipline has been fired after liking a social media comment about lynching a Black man. The termination occurred in February, and the case continues to highlight ongoing challenges within the MPD.
• If you're planning to cool off today, note that elevated E. coli levels have triggered the closure of some metro beaches. Lake Hiawatha is currently displaying yellow warning signs advising residents to stay out of the water.
• The Vance Boelter state case in Hennepin County has been scheduled to begin just over a week after his federal sentencing, which is set for July 23.
• Minneapolis leaders are increasing drug enforcement by installing cameras and adding patrolling officers around known "open-air drug markets" to cite and arrest more sellers and users.
• As celebrations kick off, families connected to Annunciation Church and School are asking neighbors to be mindful with their fireworks this Fourth of July.

St. Paul

• Saint Paul residents will finally get to enjoy a free fireworks show on the Fourth of July after nearly a decade without one. The display was brought back through a grassroots fundraising campaign organized by the St. Paul Rotary Club.
• West St. Paul police are currently investigating a death after a severely decomposed male body was discovered in a wooded area on Friday morning. Law enforcement says the body was found in a state of advanced decomposition.

Local Sports

• It was a tough night for the Minnesota Lynx, who fell 99-86 to the New York Liberty on Friday. The loss denied Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve her first attempt at becoming the WNBA's all-time career wins leader.
• Despite the loss, the WNBA announced Thursday that Lynx forward Natasha Howard and rookie guard Olivia Miles have been named 2026 All-Star Game starters.
• The Minnesota Twins also dropped their Friday night matchup, losing 5-2 to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Ben Rice hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning to secure the win for New York.

Weather

• Storm chances remain tricky as we head into America’s 250th birthday celebrations today. Meteorologists are tracking scattered showers across the metro, so keep an umbrella handy if you're heading out to local picnics or parades!

Minnesota Statewide

• If your holiday weekend plans include heading southeast, be aware that several state parks and trails are closed due to heavy rain and flash flooding. Beaver Creek Valley State Park in Houston County is among those completely shut down; officials urge you to check the DNR website before traveling.
• President Donald Trump's new "Trump Accounts" program officially launches today, July 4th, aiming to provide cash incentives and investment money to families with children.
• Tragically, a Minnesota woman in her 20s died near Eau Claire on Monday night after the car she was riding in drifted off I-94 on the drive back from the Electric Forest music festival; the driver has been arrested.
• In national-state news, Homeland Security officials are criticizing Governor Tim Walz after a Minnesota board recently pardoned a child sex offender, a move that federal agencies warn may block the individual's deportation.