Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day.
WEATHER
🌦️ Scattered showers will taper off Friday morning, but more isolated, pop-up showers or thunder are possible again in the afternoon. Temperatures will be mostly in the 70s for highs.
😷 Air quality is once again an issue for northern Minnesota due to Canadian wildfire smoke. An air quality alert is posted for northern Minnesota through Friday evening.
🌧️ More rain chances come this weekend with several quick moving disturbances. The best chances of showers will be Saturday night into early Sunday, but spotty showers are possible both Saturday and Sunday afternoons with a lingering chance Monday.
Aspiring cultivators, manufacturers and retailers in Minnesota’s budding recreational cannabis industry reacted with joy and disappointment after the state held a lottery to determine their future.
In 2023, Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation authorizing religious institutions to provide permanent housing to chronically homeless or extremely low-income people. Two area churches have built nine tiny home.
💨 New air quality alert issued for northern Minnesota through Friday. This latest air quality alert covers northern Minnesota until 7 p.m. Friday. Air quality in southern Minnesota is expected to be in the moderate range through Friday and Saturday.
🏐 ‘SIXPACK’ is a raw family drama, steeped in Hmong American culture. A layered coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of Hmong women’s volleyball, “SIXPACK” offers a sharp, moving portrait of ambition, family and forgiveness — and stands as a vivid reflection of Minnesota’s evolving cultural landscape.
🚨 Minneapolis man charged with obstructing police at Lake Street protest. Hours after the federal agents left, prosecutors allege the man “sprayed an unknown substance” at an officer and tore something from his vest before running away.
🧑🏻⚖️ Minneapolis will pay $900,000 to settle suit involving a teen sexually assaulted by an officer in 2017. The former officer was charged with seven counts of criminal sexual conduct and was later convicted and sentenced to serve 57 months in prison. The girl he assaulted was dating his son at the time and was living with the family.
🚓 Minneapolis leaders call for review of police role in federal search on Lake Street. The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to request the Office of City Auditor to look into whether the police department violated the city’s separation ordinance — which forbids local police from enforcing federal immigration laws.
📞 Emmer praises, defends federal tax cut and spending bill in telephone town hall. The 6th District Republican, who serves as House majority whip, promoted President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” saying it will make tax cuts permanent, reduce spending and improve border security.
💔 From bromance to breakup: How Elon Musk and Donald Trump blew up. On Thursday, their disagreements over the Republican mega-bill advancing most of Trump's biggest domestic policy priorities erupted into personal attacks, with the two men using their respective social media platforms to hurl insults.
🎧 Parting Thoughts: Local publisher remembered for his humor and heart. Burton Cohen's legacy as a publisher and columnist in the Twin Cities is dwarfed by his impact on his friends and local culture. Cohen served on several boards including the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota Opera, the Children’s Theatre Company, Minnesota Zoo and a number of others.
