Minnesota This Week 8/8/25

Aug 08, 2025

Here’s a roundup of the most significant Minnesota news from August 1 through August 8, 2025:

New state laws took effect on August 1, including enhanced DWI requirements (longer ignition interlock mandates for repeat offenders), expanded housing protections for service-dog trainers, and a modest speed limit increase for farm equipment to 35 mph. These measures followed a deadly drunk-driving incident and aim to improve safety and accessibility.
Anniversary remembrance: August 1 marked the 18th anniversary of the tragic I-35W bridge collapse, honoring the 13 lives lost in 2007 and remembering the 145 injured.
Air quality alert: On August 1, Minneapolis had the second-worst air quality among major cities worldwide, due to wildfire smoke, prompting a health advisory through the weekend.
Cyberattack fallout: On August 8, House Republicans demanded answers from St. Paul officials regarding an ongoing cyberattack first detected on July 25, which continues to disrupt city services.
Ghost guns ruling, on August 8, drew criticism from the non-profit Protect Minnesota for a Supreme Court ruling that legalized serial-number-less firearm possession—calling it a "gap" in law enforcement efficacy.

On August 7, Senator Amy Klobuchar toured the USDA Cereal Disease Lab at the U of M—where a $1 million grant was allocated equally between industrial hemp research and combating crop-destroying mycotoxins.
A new cannabis dispensary in Duluth, Legacy Cannabis, is poised to become the state’s first non-Native adult-use location pending final approval.
Indigenous leadership: Guadalupe Lopez, a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, began her tenure on July 30 as director of Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office.
Political spotlight: An Axios Twin Cities newsletter on August 8 highlighted a visit by Trump administration officials—including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy—to Duluth and Minneapolis, promoting a new tax-and-spending bill despite criticism from Governor Walz. The newsletter also noted a Real ID processing backlog affecting over 62,000 Minnesotans and Shakopee's emergence as Minnesota’s second "social district."

On August 8, alerts were issued for severe thunderstorms in northwest Minnesota, with threats of damaging winds and hail.
KARE 11 reported two urgent missing-person cases on August 8:
- Paul Lommen, an 86-year-old man from Carlos, MN, went missing—described wearing a camouflage shirt and tan pants.
- Hanna Don, a 32-year-old American Indian/Alaskan Native woman from Brooklyn Park, was last seen in the morning and may be traveling through Faribault or Owatonna.

Minnesota Vikings:
- Anthony Barr, a four-time Pro Bowler, announced his retirement on August 5, concluding a standout 10-season NFL career.
- Jordan Addison received a three-game suspension for a DUI-related offense committed last year—though he remains eligible for training camp and preseason.
- As the Vikings prepare to host the Houston Texans in their August 9 preseason opener, attention is on rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and battles for roster spots.
WNBA – Minnesota Lynx:
- On August 3, Minnesota acquired DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings in a three-player trade, boosting depth and defensive capability ahead of a postseason push.
- However, analysts remain divided on her offensive impact, noting persistent shooting inefficiencies and concerns about her contributions in tight playoff scenarios.
Light-hearted moment: During a Lynx–Storm game on August 5, retired WNBA stars Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe recreated a viral "kiss cam" moment—Bird whimsically danced with the Storm’s mascot instead, delighting fans.

Photographer Ellen Schmidt captured vivid scenes from 2025 Farmfest—a celebration of rural community—on August 8, showcasing blue jeans, machinery, and everyday charm.
In Rochester, Diane Renee Roth, age 80, passed away peacefully at home with her family on August 5.
In the religious sphere, representatives from over 40 apostolates met for a historic missionary discipleship gathering—the first in the 175-year history of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Here’s a recap of key Greater Minnesota stories from August 1–8, 2025:

Policy & Community Governance

Municipal Cannabis Stores Being Explored
Thirteen Greater Minnesota cities—including Elk River—are considering the establishment of municipal cannabis stores, becoming potential national pioneers in government-run pot shops. The move follows Minnesota’s model for municipal liquor stores, intended to generate local revenue, though initial investments may exceed short-term returns. Not all cities are on board—some, like Albert Lea, oppose retail cannabis altogether.
International Falls Residents Push for Budget Control
In International Falls, a special election scheduled for August 12 aims to give residents more oversight of municipal spending. Sharon Ball, a concerned citizen and former fraud investigator, has sifted through some 5,000 pages of budget documentation in preparation.

High-Profile Murder Case: Plea Entered
Vance Boelter of Green Isle pleaded not guilty to six federal charges—including murder and firearms violations—in the politically charged slaying of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. Prosecutors frame the case as a “political assassination,” though his motives remain unclear. No trial date has been set yet.

Fatal Tree-Cutting Incident in Hillman
On August 8, Daniel Dickman, 57, of Hillman tragically died while cutting a tree approximately 37 feet high. A falling section struck the trunk, causing it to break and fatally injure him.

Curling on the Rise in Chaska
The 2025 U.S. Pan Continental Curling Qualifier is underway in Chaska (Greater Minnesota). From August 8–10, teams compete in a double round-robin for the chance to represent the U.S. in the Pan Continental Championships held in Virginia, MN.

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