Quick Hits

• Hennepin County Attorney Race Set: Golden Valley and west metro residents will see Cedrick Frazier and Anders Folk on the November ballot for Hennepin County Attorney, advancing from Tuesday's primary to replace Mary Moriarty.
• Minneapolis Budget Gap: Mayor Jacob Frey has proposed an 11.3% property tax levy increase and targeted budget cuts to close a looming city budget gap; the Minneapolis City Council will now review the 2027 proposal.
• Historic Governor’s Race Guaranteed: Amy Klobuchar has won the DFL nomination for governor, setting up a November showdown that guarantees Minnesota will elect its first female governor.
• Vikings Name Starting QB: The Minnesota Vikings have officially named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, concluding what head coach Kevin O’Connell called a true competition.
• Library Hours on the Chopping Block: New budget details reveal Hennepin County is pushing forward with a proposal to shorten public library hours, a move that is drawing mixed reactions from the community.

Golden Valley & West Metro

Residents in Golden Valley and the surrounding west metro communities had their voices heard in a record-shattering primary election on Tuesday. The most closely watched local race narrows the field for Hennepin County Attorney, where Cedrick Frazier and Anders Folk will now face off in November. The race is expected to serve as a referendum on progressive prosecution policies, especially following Current District Attorney Mary Moriarty's decision not to seek reelection.

Election integrity and access were also in the local spotlight. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed they had 20 federal observers actively monitoring polling places across Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to ensure smooth and fair voting processes. Meanwhile, Hennepin County leaders are sharing new budget details regarding a controversial plan to shorten public library hours next year, though community reaction remains mixed as residents weigh in on the potential impacts on neighborhood access.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis property owners could be looking at higher tax bills, as Mayor Jacob Frey proposed an 11.3% property tax levy increase alongside cuts to help close the city's budget gap. The Minneapolis City Council is now reviewing the proposal and can make adjustments before officially approving the 2027 budget.

Public safety remains a complex challenge for the city. A new report shows mixed violent crime trends in 2026, with homicides and robberies declining even as reported aggravated assaults and rapes increase. The city is also still facing a severe police officer shortage. A Hennepin County judge has ordered a jury trial for a lawsuit attempting to force Minneapolis to meet its charter-mandated minimum police staffing levels. Separately, federal investigators are actively tracking a dangerous trend of auto sears—or "switches"—being purchased and shipped from overseas, transforming standard firearms into fully automatic weapons on Twin Cities streets.

Minnesota Statewide

Tuesday’s primary saw historic civic engagement, with Secretary of State Steve Simon noting that voter turnout records were completely shattered. Progressives scored major victories across DFL primaries, with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan easily winning her race and Matt Little securing their respective nominations. Flanagan could make history for Native American women in November.

In the statewide race for the governor's mansion, Amy Klobuchar secured the Democratic nomination. Having served as Hennepin County Attorney before her time in the U.S. Senate, Klobuchar will now face a general election where Minnesota is guaranteed to elect its first female governor. On the Republican side, Scott Jensen secured the GOP nomination for state auditor over the party-endorsed candidate, while national Republicans are eyeing a recent state government fraud scandal as an opportunity to go on offense in the reliably blue state.

St. Paul

In St. Paul, police are asking the public for help locating 14-year-old Zyaire Comer, who has been missing since July 26. He was last seen near Maryland Avenue East and Prosperity Avenue, and his family is seeking any information on his whereabouts.

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office has charged a 21-year-old St. Paul man with domestic assault following an officer-involved shooting. The man admitted to investigators that he aimed a replica gun at a St. Paul Police officer. Separately, a divided Minnesota parole board has tabled its decision until next month regarding the potential release of a convicted cop killer, who has been imprisoned since the 1970 ambush and killing of 28-year-old St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett.

Local Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have made their highly anticipated quarterback decision, naming veteran Kyler Murray as the team's starter over rookie J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and Murray spoke to the media this week to discuss the decision and the team's offensive outlook.

Over at Target Field, the Twins had a mixed series against the Baltimore Orioles. Minnesota rallied from an early deficit on Wednesday, with Alan Roden hitting a go-ahead double to secure a 7-5 win after seven different players drove in a run. However, they couldn't carry that momentum from Tuesday's 5-2 loss, where the Orioles' bats stayed hot with home runs from Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

In other local sports news, the state now has two professional volleyball teams to cheer for. Major League Volleyball's Minnesota team has officially been rebranded as the Minnesota Forge. Tragically, the sports world is also mourning the death of a wildfire crew member who passed away after a medical emergency while fighting a lightning-sparked fire in northern Minnesota.