Quick Hits

• West Metro Schools: Support is growing in the Robbinsdale school district to increase property taxes in an effort to address aging buildings and entice new families to the area.
• Minneapolis Budget Crunch: Mayor Jacob Frey is set to unveil a difficult budget next week that reportedly includes layoffs, service cuts, and a property tax increase to offset a major shortfall, even as MPD overtime spending continues to surge.
• Transit Tensions: Tempers flared at a special Metro Transit meeting over a massive funding gap threatening the $3.5 billion Blue Line Extension light rail project.
• Local Sports Split: The Twins secured a gritty 4-3 comeback win over the Royals on Thursday, but the WNBA-leading Lynx saw their 10-game winning streak snapped by the Sparks.

Golden Valley & West Metro

Residents in the Robbinsdale school district—which serves parts of Golden Valley, Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale—are eyeing a potential property tax bump. There is growing community support to increase local property taxes in a bid to modernize aging school buildings and attract new families to the district.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is bracing for a tough budget season. Mayor Jacob Frey is planning to release his budget next week, and those familiar with the proposal say it will force difficult decisions, including budget cuts, city layoffs, and a property tax increase to offset a looming shortfall. This comes as city leaders and the mayor face mounting scrutiny over a surge in MPD overtime spending, demanding more accurate forecasting for police pay.

At the county level, the Hennepin County sheriff is facing threats of federal criminal charges after allegedly declining to give U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to inmates subject to deportation.

In local business and health news, Minneapolis-based UCare will lay off 102 employees this fall after losing state Medicaid contract support work to Medica. Across the city, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board has issued a hazardous warning for blue-green algae at all three Cedar Lake beaches—the highest risk level possible.

If you're looking for weekend plans, a new authentic Irish pub, Killen’s Irish Pub, just opened in the North Loop. History buffs can check out the newly opened "Titanic: An Immersive Voyage." Looking ahead, passes are now on sale for the MinnPost Festival 2026, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis. The city is also celebrating local teen James Pumphrey, who won the National Endowment for the Arts' Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, earning a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to New York City for his original song, "Am I Doing Enough?"

St. Paul

The city of St. Paul's closure of a homeless encampment in Pig’s Eye Park has caused rapid growth at another camp several miles down the Mississippi River, as displaced residents look for a new place to stay.

In legal news, attorneys for Georgia Fort have filed a motion to dismiss federal charges against her. Fort was charged alongside journalist Don Lemon and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong following a protest at a St. Paul church. Separately, the final defendant, Amanda Jen..., was sentenced this week in a federal fentanyl trafficking ring that brought nearly 30 kilograms of pills from Arizona to Minnesota.

St. Paul police are also asking for the public's help locating 34-year-old Anthony Brosi, who was last seen Monday in the area of Shepard Road between Randolph Avenue and Eagle Parkway.

Local Sports

Minnesota Twins rookie Brooks Lee played the hero on Thursday night, hitting a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning to lift the Twins to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. The victory snapped a brief slide after the Twins fell 2-1 to the Royals on Wednesday, despite a strong Twins debut from pitcher Dean Kremer (though Kansas City's Noah Cameron struck out nine in eight innings).

Over on the hardwood, the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end. Rae Burrell scored 17 points, and Erica Wheeler helped fuel a game-ending 8-0 run for the Los Angeles Sparks, who handed the Lynx an 89-82 loss. Coach Cheryl Reeve and guards Kayla McBride and Chloe Bibby were back at practice this week preparing for the next matchup.

Finally, the University of Minnesota will hold a public celebration of life for legendary Gophers baseball coach John Anderson at the Maturi Pavilion.

Minnesota Statewide

With the primary election coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 12, voters are reminded of their election rights. In Minnesota, you do not need a photo ID to cast your ballot—a rule that differs from neighboring Wisconsin. Residents can also take advantage of early voting options, either in-person or via mail-in absentee ballots.

In lighter statewide news, history was rediscovered when missing film footage of a historical South St. Paul vote was found after more than a century. Wildlife enthusiasts can also celebrate: an orphaned loon chick placed with a foster family by a Minnesota rescue volunteer successfully survived and was recently tracked all the way to Florida. Food lovers should note that Minnesota Monthly is hosting its first-ever Minnesota Burger Week, with over 50 restaurants participating across the state.