Quick Hits

• Your property taxes: Hennepin County leaders have proposed a property tax increase for next year even while planning to cut the budget — a seemingly contradictory mix KSTP digs into as levy season approaches.
• U of M to cut $225M: University of Minnesota officials say they'll cut $225 million from the budget over the next two years, citing lower enrollment, unpredictable state and federal funding, and rising costs.
• Roseville kidnapping investigation: Roseville police are asking for the public's help after a woman was kidnapped and held captive for several hours Wednesday before being released in St. Paul.
• Minneapolis levy deadlock: The Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation deadlocked Wednesday over the 2027 maximum levy as the Park Board seeks more funding; the board has until Sept. 30 to certify an amount.
• Lynx postseason begins: Top-seeded Minnesota closed the WNBA regular season Thursday with an 86-66 rout of Caitlin Clark and the Fever, and opens the playoffs Sunday at Target Center against New York.

Golden Valley & West Metro

A quiet day for Golden Valley-specific headlines, but two stories carry real weight for west-metro readers.

• Hennepin County's tax math: County leaders have proposed a property tax increase despite plans to cut next year's budget, and KSTP examines why. That question lands squarely on taxpayers in every Hennepin County city — including Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, and St. Louis Park.
• Teen pregnancy rates and disparities: MinnPost reports Minnesota has some of the country's lowest teen pregnancy rates — falling steadily since 1990 — but the worst racial disparities. Experts and advocates warn federal cuts to pregnancy prevention programs could set back years of progress and widen racial and geographic gaps.

Minneapolis

• Levy standoff continues: The Board of Estimate and Taxation failed to reach agreement Wednesday on a maximum levy, with the Park Board's push for more funding at the center of the divide. KARE11 and KSTP both report leaders remain split over property taxes and park funding ahead of the Sept. 30 certification deadline.
• Teachers push back on closures: The Minneapolis teachers' union is pushing back on proposed school closures in the district's transformation plan, with big questions still unanswered about impacts on students and teachers' jobs.
• Storefronts get creative: The Vibrant Storefronts Initiative is helping creative groups lease vacant storefront spaces across parts of the city.
• Court order for Gold Star Distribution: The Minneapolis-based distributor can't sell any FDA-regulated goods until it proves to the federal government its facility is clean and rodent-free, following a federal court order.
• A night with Mary: The Kenwood Parkway house made famous on television as the Mary Tyler Moore home is now available for events — and you can even stay the night.

St. Paul

• Kidnapping investigation: Roseville police say that around 5 p.m. Wednesday, a woman leaving a business was kidnapped and held captive for several hours before being released on the east side of St. Paul. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
• Chief-mayor fallout: One day after Police Chief Axel Henry filed a lawsuit accusing Mayor Kaohly Her of sexual harassment, KSTP lays out what happens next in the case. Separately, KARE11 reports the mayor's office has dropped the St. Paul Police Department from her security detail in favor of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
• Downtown momentum: A new grocery store, apartment complex, and park are among the additions marking the start of downtown St. Paul's transformation.
• Pollinator spotlight: A North St. Paul woman's award-winning yard, full of Minnesota native plants, is drawing monarchs, bees — and the attention of area researchers.

Local Sports

• Lynx: Kayla McBride hit 6 of 10 from three-point range and scored 22 points as top-seeded Minnesota cruised past Indiana 86-66 Thursday night even without Miles in the lineup, dropping Clark and the Fever to the sixth seed. Game 1 of the playoffs is Sunday at Target Center against the Liberty — a rematch of the 2024 Finals.
• Vikings: Kyler Murray, knocked out of the season opener with a concussion, returns under center against the struggling Buccaneers.
• Gophers women's basketball: After last season's Sweet 16 run, Dawn Plitzuweit's team enters the 2026-27 campaign with higher expectations.
• Gophers women's hockey: A new era begins as Greg May, a former assistant under longtime coach Brad Frost, takes the reins.

Minnesota Statewide

• Debate negotiations: Candidates for governor and U.S. Senate have agreed to some debates so far, despite ongoing disagreements over location and format.
• Demuth opposes Iran war: GOP gubernatorial candidate and House Speaker Lisa Demuth is calling for an end to the U.S.-Iran war, pointing to rising food and gas prices: "It's hurting Minnesotans."
• Testing review: Minnesota is reviewing its statewide school testing program as the number of students opting out of the exams continues to climb.