Stories from July 15, 2025

Feds: Vance Boelter acted alone in lawmaker attacks, also targeted senator's daughter
A grand jury formally indicted Vance Boelter on six counts of murder, stalking and firearms charges in the killing of former DFL Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark last month, as well as the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
Witnesses are on the stand after opening statements today in the burglary trial for DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell in a Becker County courtroom. And more than 200 Minnesota small businesses will get a funding boost from the state under a wave of funding that goes out soon.
Using black lights, a photographer captures her and other's journey with vitiligo
Sharolyn Hagen started taking photographs of herself when she was diagnosed with vitiligo in 2016 to track the progression of her condition. But it turned into a much larger art and advocacy project.
MPD use-of-force trainer is same officer that shot Amir Locke in 2022
The head of the police department said he understands why the choice of Sgt. Mark Hanneman to do this type of training will concern some people — but said Hanneman is the right person for the job.
What does it take to sell a downtown Minneapolis skyscraper in 2025?
Selling a downtown office building in the Twin Cities — or anywhere — is no easy feat these days. The 31-story Ameriprise building sold this year for $6.25 million, down from its prior $200 million sale in 2016.
Minnesota farmers report lowest net income in 20 years in 2024, things looking up this season
From severe weather to market prices, a lot is out of farmer’s control. A University of Minnesota annual report that looks at farm finances found that in 2024, Minnesota farmers saw their lowest net income in 20 years.
Authorities continue search for bear that seriously wounded woman in northwest Wisconsin
The Wisconsin DNR said it appears the bear was a female with a cub nearby. But the DNR said preliminary findings suggest the bear exhibited not defensive behavior — but rather “a sustained series of aggressive behaviors towards the victim.”
Family of man killed by Minneapolis police sues city, police officers
The family of Andrew Tekle Sundberg, who was killed by Minneapolis police in 2022, is suing the city and several police officers. The lawsuit alleges police failed to adequately respond to Sundberg’s mental health crisis.
'Severance' leads Emmy nominees with 27 and 'The Studio' tops comedies with 23 as AppleTV+ dominates
The Emmy nominations have been announced. The nominees for outstanding limited series are: “Adolescence”; “Black Mirror”; “Dying For Sex”; “Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin.” “Severance” is the show to beat, with a leading 27 nominations.
‘We blew that whistle, but nobody heard it’: Why was a youth coach allowed to keep abusing children after a 12-year-old reported him?
The first boy to report Aaron Hjermstad for sexual abuse stepped forward in 2015. The police investigated, but charges weren’t filed at the time. Hjermstad continued to coach and teach for years in the Twin Cities, preying on boys from predominantly Black schools.
Nicole Mitchell burglary trial plows forward with opening statements, witnesses’ testimony 
The Minnesota state senator is accused of breaking into her stepmother’s home in April 2024. Her methods and reasons for being there are central to the felony burglary case against her.
Trump tells supporters not to ‘waste time’ on Epstein files. They’re not happy
President Trump is facing backlash from his supporters and opponents alike for how his administration has handled the release of evidence surrounding the death of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A jury has been seated in the criminal trial of Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell. Immigrant rights advocates rallied Monday outside Fort Snelling Immigration Court to raise concerns about ICE arrests.
Poet Andrea Gibson, candid explorer of life, death and identity, dies at 49
Andrea Gibson, a celebrated poet and performance artist, has died at age 49. Their wife, Megan Falley, announced the news on Monday. Gibson, who explored gender identity, politics and their battle with terminal ovarian cancer through poetry, passed away at their home in Boulder, Colorado.
Minneapolis officer who fatally shot Amir Locke heads MPD’s new use-of-force training
Police chief Brian O’Hara said Sgt. Mark Hanneman, who’s been with MPD for nearly a decade,  is an “outstanding” trainer committed to bringing positive change to MPD. But Locke’s family and other community members say nothing justifies placing the officer who shot and killed a 22-year-old Black man at the helm of use-of-force training. 
Napheesa Collier scores 29 and the Lynx beat the Sky 91-78
Napheesa Collier had 29 points, five assists and three steals, Courtney Williams added 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 91-78. Minnesota avenged an 87-81 loss to the Sky on Saturday. 
Advocates denounce ICE arrests at Fort Snelling Immigration Court
Immigrant rights groups are raising concerns about plain-clothes ICE agents detaining people immediately after their court hearings at Fort Snelling. Advocates say the arrests often target individuals whose cases were just dismissed.
Wolf pups at Ely center acclimate to people while helping advance scientific research
Cedar and Rowan, the two newest wolf pups at Ely’s International Wolf Center, are stars of science in two research studies before they’re integrated into the center’s wolf pack that’s on display. 
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