One dead after utility pole falls on car, starts fire in Hopkins

August 24, 2026 · 29 sources

Nothing Golden Valley–specific made today's batch, so we start just next door.

Quick Hits

Fatal incident in Hopkins: One person died Sunday when a utility pole fell onto a car and started a fire in nearby Hopkins — details below.
State Fair week is here: The Minnesota State Fair gets underway this week, and KARE 11 previewed brand-new vendor Minnesota's Original Apple Fries, from owners Randy and Myranda Splett, featuring an all-gluten-friendly menu.
Severe drought spreads: Nearly half of Minnesota is now in severe drought, with lake levels dropping and farmers struggling, KSTP reports.
Minneapolis vandalism spree grows: More cars with smashed windows were found Saturday morning, following a spree that damaged 87 vehicles.
Weekend sports roundup: The Twins were swept in San Diego, J.J. McCarthy struggled in the Vikings' 13-3 preseason loss to Baltimore, and Minnesota United snapped a nine-game winless streak with a 5-1 rout of San Jose.

Nothing Golden Valley–specific made today's batch, so we start just next door.

Utility pole kills one in Hopkins: One person is dead after a utility pole fell onto a car and started a fire Sunday, KSTP reports. The Hopkins police and fire departments are handling the investigation.
Whisker Whirl returns: The Animal Humane Society is inviting people and their dogs back to its annual Whisker Whirl gala, which supports programs helping pets and their owners (KSTP).
Local film on the big screen: Minnesota-made "Good Sport," with West St. Paul roots, is screening at an Edina theater, per a post on r/St. Paul.
Mark your calendar: Minneapolis musician Nick Elstad plays fresh Americana tunes at the KARE 11 Barn in Golden Valley on Friday, Aug. 29 (KARE 11).

Property tax hikes would vary widely by area under Mayor Jacob Frey's budget plan — some homeowners could see increases above the citywide proposal, KSTP reports.
Jake Lang arrested: The far-right activist was arrested Saturday after his planned rally outside Minneapolis City Hall drew clashes with counter-protesters (KSTP). MinnPost, citing the Star Tribune, notes Lang was previously chased from a short-lived anti-Islam rally in Minneapolis in January.
Car break-ins continue: More vehicles with smashed windows were found Saturday morning after the widespread spree that damaged 87 cars (KSTP).
Security guard stabbed overnight: Minneapolis police are investigating after a club's security worker was stabbed, reportedly after refusing entry to two women (KARE 11).
Empty seats at City Hall: MinnPost reports vacancies are plaguing citizen committees that make major budget decisions in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Lighter side: Chef Laura Bonicelli stopped by KARE 11 to demo a pizza made with ingredients from the Minneapolis Farmers Market.

Three fires in 90 minutes: St. Paul Fire-EMS responded to three separate structure fires in rapid succession Saturday afternoon; in one, firefighters rescued a woman and a toddler from a burning duplex (KARE 11, KSTP).
Flock camera votes loom: The St. Paul and Dayton city councils are set to take action this week as the list of cities debating the automated license-plate-reading cameras keeps growing (KSTP).
Healing through culture: A MinnPost/ThreeSixty Journalism feature highlights a St. Paul center offering Indigenous youth the healing power of community and culture.

Twins swept in San Diego: Ty France homered and drove in three as the Padres took Friday's opener 6-2 behind a two-hitter from Randy Vásquez and two relievers; a four-run seventh — Jake Cronenworth scoring the tying run on an error before France's go-ahead single — made it 7-5; and Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice with four RBIs in Sunday's 8-1 rout to complete the three-game sweep (AP/KSTP).
Vikings preseason: J.J. McCarthy had an erratic start, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards in a 13-3 exhibition loss to the Ravens (AP/KSTP).
Loons roll: Kelvin Yeboah scored twice as Minnesota United beat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-1 Saturday night, snapping a nine-game winless streak. The Loons sit at 7-7-7 (AP/KSTP).

The dominant weather story is drought: KSTP reports nearly half of Minnesota is experiencing severe drought conditions after a rain-starved summer, dropping lake levels and leaving some farmers struggling statewide.

Cattle producers push back on beef import plan: President Trump on Friday announced a plan to lower beef prices, drawing criticism from producers including Kimball cattleman Don Schiefelbein, who called it "un-American and so hurtful" (KARE 11).
First post-primary poll: KSTP's Aug. 23 "At Issue" aired the first KSTP/SurveyUSA poll since the primaries, offering an early look at where statewide races stand, plus a one-on-one interview with Michele Tafoya.
Marathon prep: With more than 30,000 runners gearing up for the Twin Cities Marathon, expert Danny Docherty shared tips with KARE 11 on endurance, fueling, and recovery.