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University of Minnesota faculty and students urged the Board of Regents to reject proposed 7% budget cuts and 6.5% tuition increases during the first public forum on the measures. Officials cite flat state funding and inflation as reasons for the changes, which could lead to job losses and decreased enrollment. The Board plans to vote on the budget next week.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty seeks an aggravated sentence for German Adriano Llangari Inga, charged with vehicular homicide in a crash that killed Victoria Eileen Harwell. Prosecutors cited aggravating factors, including gross negligence and the presence of Harwell's child during the incident. If convicted, Llangari Inga could face a sentence exceeding state guidelines.
Property taxes in Minneapolis and St. Paul are rising as homeowners face the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and declining downtown office values. Residential properties are shouldering a greater tax burden, previously borne by commercial property owners, as assessed values shift. Experts warn that these changes may strain residential taxpayers amid rising living costs.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board plans an all-day “Red, White and Boom” celebration on July 4, culminating in fireworks over the Mississippi River at 10 p.m. The festivities will feature an outdoor market, yoga, food trucks, and dance parties. Last year, thousands attended the event after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Isabel Lopez, 27, faces four federal charges for allegedly assaulting officers during a protest on Lake Street linked to a federal operation. A judge ordered her release pending trial, despite federal prosecutors alleging she threw a softball at a deputy and kicked an FBI agent. Supporters claim Lopez acted in self-defense amid escalating tensions during the protest.
Patients in the Minneapolis area wait an average of 38 days for doctor appointments, ranking fourth-worst among 15 U.S. metro areas. Delays vary by specialty, with dermatology appointments taking up to 87 days, reflecting a growing physician shortage. Many Minnesotans express frustration over these prolonged wait times.
Protesters gathered in Minneapolis' Lake Street after misinformation spread about an ICE raid at a Mexican restaurant, which was actually a drug bust. Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the ongoing confusion and urged for better communication during federal operations, as a real ICE raid is anticipated in the future. The situation highlights the challenges of misinformation and its potential to incite unrest.
The University of Minnesota approved an $8 million sale of UMore Park land to North Wind, which plans to build an aerospace complex. In response, vandals damaged the homes of several Board of Regents members, prompting condemnation from university officials and an ongoing police investigation.
Federal prosecutors lack the resources to charge all participants in the Feeding Our Future child nutrition fraud case, which has already implicated 72 individuals. Prosecutors estimate that up to 200 more could potentially face charges, but many will likely go unprosecuted due to limitations in time and manpower. The scheme is considered one of the largest pandemic relief fraud cases in the U.S., with losses estimated at $300 million to $500 million.
Authorities have identified two deceased individuals found in Isle Royale National Park but have not released their names or cause of death. The FBI is involved in the investigation, which has confirmed no threat to the public.