Slavic Experience Returns to St. Louis Park; MPD Boosts Uptown Patrols After Nightclub Shooting

July 26, 2026 · 27 sources

Golden Valley & West Metro

Slavic Experience Festival Returns: The Slavic Experience is returning to Saint Louis Park this August for its fifth year. Golden Valley and west metro residents are invited to enjoy free events focused on traditional Slavic culture, food, and music just a few minutes down the road.

Public Safety and Uptown Violence: Minneapolis police are increasing patrols in Uptown following a mass shooting outside the Reign nightclub that left a man fighting for his life in the ICU. Mayor Jacob Frey is now pushing for new tools and answers to prevent future violence after the city experienced two mass shootings in less than 24 hours last weekend.
Crime and Justice Updates: A Hennepin County judge found Raymond Jones guilty of murder after he shot and killed a woman he paid for sex work over $30 near West Broadway. In separate incidents, 29-year-old Jarvay Gay was charged with firing a gun near Nicollet Avenue, and police are actively seeking two suspects connected to a serious assault in the Warehouse District.
Community and Development: The CDC is cutting off a $450,000 annual grant that funds HIV prevention in Minneapolis, a move heavily impacting the Aleness Project. On a positive note, the American Solar Challenge kicked off at the University of Minnesota with 19 student teams launching a 1,500-mile road trip in sun-powered cars, and a new women's clinic offering primary and mental health care is officially opening at the Minneapolis VA.

University of Minnesota Housing: The University of Minnesota has announced that Bailey Hall on the St. Paul campus will be closed for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. The closure affects both the residence hall and its attached dining center.
Arts and Community Support: Park Square Theatre is bringing a classic comedy murder mystery to the stage with its upcoming production of "The Butler Did It." Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been established to support the families of MCMC team members who were tragically killed in a recent St. Paul shooting.
East Metro Neighbors: Over on the r/SaintPaul subreddit, one resident is seeking recommendations for the best "soupy" mac and cheese in the city, while another neighbor near Lexington and Thomas is asking for reliable yard cleanup help after falling behind due to medical issues.

3M Open Thrills in Blaine: PGA Tour rookie Jackson Koivun stole the show at the 3M Open on Saturday, shooting a third-round 61 to take a three-stroke lead at 20-under par while setting a tournament record on the back nine. Minnesota native Muzzy Donohue also had a stellar Friday, shooting an 8-under 63 to the delight of the hometown crowd.
Twins Split with Athletics: The Minnesota Twins bounced back on Saturday, snapping a 14-inning scoreless streak to beat the Athletics 2-0 thanks to Alan Roden's two-RBI single and a strong start from Rojas. The win followed a frustrating 2-0 Friday night loss where Oakland's Jacob Lopez allowed just one hit over five innings.
Lynx, United, and NFL Camps: Jonquel Jones made WNBA history on Saturday, dropping 22 points and 13 rebounds to help Team Spoon beat Team Coop 129-122 in the league's 30th-season All-Star Game. Minnesota United played to a scoreless 0-0 draw against Vancouver behind keeper Drake Callender's five saves, while former Gophers Tyler Johnson and Nick Kallerup officially reported to Cowboys and Seahawks training camps.

Brooklyn Park Police Chase: Brooklyn Park police arrested a driver on Friday after a witness reported seeing a man assaulting a woman. The suspect fled a subsequent traffic stop, leading officers on a brief chase before being taken into custody.
Everson Griffen Charged: Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen is facing new charges after being pulled over for failing to use his court-ordered ignition interlock. It adds to a growing list of vehicle-related legal troubles for the ex-NFL player.
Green Energy at MSP: The Flint Hills Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount is stepping into the future of air travel. The facility will soon begin producing 30 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually to help power flights out of MSP Airport.