Stories from July 31, 2026

Judge denies X.AI effort to halt ban on tech that depicts people nude without permission
Elon Musk’s company X.AI sought an emergency injunction blocking the law that bans nudification technology, a tool that can use someone’s likeness to make a realistic photo or video of them that’s fake. A case challenging the law will continue in court with a hearing set for next month.
Soaking rain but not a drought-killer
Rain wraps up Friday evening. The weekend begins foggy but wraps up with lots of sunshine and cooler weather than we’ve had recently. The next best chance of rain is early next Tuesday.
Northern Minnesota July lightning fires nearly 60 percent contained, crews watch for new starts
Fire crews have reached about 60 percent containment on the wildfires burning in northeastern Minnesota and in Canada, though firefighters remain on alert for new lightning-caused ignitions.
Our road trip series concludes with 'The Last American Road Trip'
Sarah Kendzior wanted to show America to her young children. So she and her husband crisscrossed the country to visit national parks and historical sites, even as political upheaval and the pandemic remade the landscape. Her memoir, “The Last American Road Trip,” is the finale to our July road trip series.
Kody Clemens hits a walk-off grand slam with 2 outs in the 9th to send the Twins past the Royals 4-3
Kody Clemens hit a game-ending grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning as the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 after being no-hit by Noah Cameron until the seventh. Cameron threw eight shutout innings in his career-long start.
Morning Announcements for July 31
These are the Morning Announcements for Friday, July 31. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
 Pearson’s Candy Company to shut down St. Paul plant
Pearson’s Candy Company told Minnesota officials it will permanently shut down the West Seventh Street plant and lay off about 80 employees at the end of September.
Some needed moisture Friday ahead of a nice weekend
We’ll have lots of clouds and scattered showers and thunder Friday. Sunshine will break out slowly from north to south. A nice, seasonable weekend is on the way.
Several new Minnesota laws about domestic violence are taking effect soon. Meanwhile, Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti ended this week, leaving hundreds of thousands of Haitians across the country facing uncertainty — including some in Minnesota.
Mike Lindell seeks Republican nomination for Minn. governor. His ideas for the job are fuzzy
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is among the frontrunners for the GOP nomination for Minnesota governor, propelled in part by President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Lindell hasn’t spelled out in much detail what he’d do if elected.
Willmar finds a ‘new normal’ after ICE surge
Last winter, Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed up in force in the central Minnesota city of Willmar. Immigrants, regardless of their legal status, feared arrest, and many hid in their homes. Now, the community is trying to find a new normal.