Stories from July 7, 2026

City Council member Pearll Warren recently toured vacant units at the north Minneapolis Heritage Park housing development. Residents and city leaders say neglected maintenance has caused roof leaks, mold and other problems.
Elk River rejects changing rules to allow data centers
The project would be smaller than hyperscale data centers proposed in other Minnesota communities and promises benefits including jobs and property tax revenue. But many Elk River residents have expressed strong opposition.
A look at the immediate aftermath of tornado damage in Becker County
The National Weather Service is surveying storm damage in Becker County after a preliminary assessment found that at least an EF-1 tornado, with wind speeds of 110 miles per hour, touched down north of Detroit Lakes.
Several people were injured Monday night when a tornado touched down and caused significant damage north of Detroit Lakes. Nearly 75,000 people got approval to take paid family and medical leave under the state’s program in the first six months since it got off the ground.
Manhattan high-rise is still unstable after columns buckle, forcing evacuations
Officials say an under-construction high-rise in Manhattan remains unstable after columns buckled and floors sagged. Officials said Tuesday that the building, a former Pfizer headquarters being converted to luxury apartments, was still moving.
Flood watch, severe weather for central Minnesota Tuesday night
There’s a risk of severe weather and flash flooding across a band of central Minnesota Tuesday night into Wednesday. Weather threats should ease after that but a heat dome builds back in for the weekend.
Argentina rallies to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the World Cup quarterfinals
Lionel Messi did it yet again at this year’s World Cup. The Argentina great scored once while inspiring his team to an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play.
Morning Announcements for July 6-7
These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 7. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
As Minnesota paid leave program hits half-year mark, 75,000 have already tapped into it
Minnesota’s paid leave program gives workers time off with partial pay around family expansions or medical programs. So far almost 75,000 people have been approved for leave.
Two tankers hit in latest attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, British military says
The British military says two tankers have been struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest attacks targeting vessels moving through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. That's according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center.
Friendships: Making them, keeping them and letting them go
Life changes — and so do our friendships. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about why making friends gets harder as we get older, and why quality may matter more than quantity.
Twins’ Buxton relishes the most fun he’s ‘ever had in baseball’ after he’s voted an All-Star starter
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton's third career selection for the All-Star Game has given him the most satisfaction. The 32-year-old was voted in as a starter by fan balloting for the first time.
Brittney Griner scores 29 and Kennedy Burke hits 2 late 3-pointers in the Sun's 90-89 win over Lynx
Brittney Griner scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Kennedy Burke added 16 points off the bench, including two 3-pointers in the final three minutes, and the Connecticut Sun beat the Minnesota Lynx 90-89.
Two people were injured Monday when a suspected tornado touched down and caused significant damage north of Detroit Lakes. The Becker County Sheriff's Office says those injuries were not life-threatening. Meanwhile, a small wildfire that ignited on last week in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is now fully contained.
NWS says Detroit Lakes area tornado was seven-miles long, with windspeeds of 115 mph
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado with windspeeds of 115 mph touched down Monday in an area north of Detroit Lakes. A few people were injured, and the twister downed trees and power lines and damaged homes and buildings.
Unsettled and stormy 36 hours ahead
More storms are expected to develop Tuesday evening into Wednesday and again late Wednesday. Flash flooding and severe weather are possible.
Minnesota K-12 health standards’ future unclear after administrative judge objects
Officials expected to phase in the state’s first-ever statewide school benchmarks on topics from nutrition and first aid to sex abuse prevention through 2028. That timeline is in jeopardy now after an administrative law judge ripped the state’s process to implement the standards.
Documents show intense tangle over subpoenas against Minnesota officials during ICE surge
Newly released court documents show what led the Department of Justice to seek subpoenas against Minnesota political figures during the ICE surge and why those were later voided by a federal judge.
One headstone at a time: Meet the man who’s restoring orphan graves in Owatonna
Nearly 200 children are buried in the cemetery at the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children in Owatonna. A few years ago, one man stepped in to restore the graves — and the history — of children who died while living at the orphanage.
Changes coming for drivers on Interstate 394 starting Wednesday
The season-long construction project along Interstate 394 in Minneapolis moves to a new phase this week — with changes in store for drivers starting Wednesday.
Belgium beats U.S. 4-1 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, taking advantage of defensive lapses
While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and a gaffe by goalkeeper Matt Freese gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.