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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.
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.
Hennepin County Administrator David Hough will retire at the end of July after 40 years with the county, including 12 years as its top executive. He will transition into an advisory role overseeing special projects starting August 1. Hough expressed pride in his accomplishments, having managed a workforce of nearly 10,000 and a budget exceeding $3 billion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The John H. Stevens House in Minnehaha Park has undergone repairs after suffering from multiple arsons but requires a new vision to remain relevant. Once a significant site in Minneapolis’ early history, the house symbolizes the need for community interest and investment in preserving local heritage.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will close I-94 in both directions near the University of Minnesota from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, impacting nearly 147,000 daily motorists. The closure is part of a $7 million project to replace bridge joints and repair decks, with detours directed through I-35W and Hwy. 36.