Minnesota Today 8/5/25
Updates from Minnesota on August 5, 2025
Here are the top updates from Minnesota on August 5, 2025:
đ° Key Headlines
Air Quality Alert & Smoke Issues
A prolonged air quality alert continues as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets much of Minnesota. Health experts warn of increased risksâincluding respiratory flareâups, heart strain, and potential longâterm effectsâand advise residents to stay indoors, use air purifiers or N95 masks, and keep windows closed.
State Housing Program Shut Down
Minnesota officials announced plans to end a stable housing assistance program following federal inquiries that uncovered evidence of fraud in its administration.
Cannabis Retail Developments
Thirteen Minnesota cities are weighing options to open municipal cannabis stores, drawing comparisons to successful public liquor operationsâa potentially groundbreaking step nationally.
Public Official Recognitions
The City of Bloomington was ranked #45 among Minnesotaâs top workplaces (for organizations with over 500 employees) by Minnesota Star Tribune and Energage.
âď¸ Public Safety & Legal
Minnesota Supreme Court upheld a judgeâs decision to dismiss a juror for repeatedly sleeping through testimony in a murder trial.
Big Horn County, Wyoming leads the search for Grant Gardner, a 38âyearâold Minnesotan missing since July 29 in the Cloud Peak Wilderness; rough terrain and storms are hampering the rescue.
đ Sports Highlights
In WNBA action, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is sidelined for at least two weeks after a right ankle sprainâlikely missing four games and potentially impacting her MVP contention as well as the team's playoff positioning.
Meanwhile, Twins prospect Luke Keaschall returns from the 60âday injured list, and reliever Thomas Hatchjoins Minnesotaâs roster. Roster moves include optioning DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Noah Davis, and claiming Brooks Kriske.
đ NFL News
Anthony Barr, former Vikings linebacker and fourâtime Pro Bowler, announced his retirement after a decade in the league. He will focus on philanthropic efforts moving forward.
QB J.J. McCarthy is expected to play in the Vikingsâ preseason opener after recovering from a torn meniscus that sidelined him during the 2024 season.
đď¸ Other Items of Interest
New school football calendars set Minnesotaâs 2025 fall football camps to begin next Monday, ramping up for the state championships at U.S. Bank Stadium..
đ§ Twin Cities Quick Synopsis
Missing 12-year-old girl search in Minneapolis
Investigation into cyberattack at North St. Paul Police Department; services remain operational
North metroâs licensed cannabis shops are open, but supply remains low
Metro Transit plans to end Northstar train service in January
Public hearing scheduled on the financial future of Hennepin Healthcare trauma center
Here are the latest updates from Greater Minnesota on August 5, 2025:
đ˛ Air Quality & Health Risks
Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact Greater Minnesota, prolonging the stateâs longest-ever air quality alertâa streak of six days. The vacuuming of haze may begin soon, especially in northeast areas, but poor air quality remains a concern for rural regions.
Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to fine particles can exacerbate respiratory illness, strain the heart, and even link to long-term risks such as dementia or fertility issues. Residents in rural areas are advised to stay indoors, use purifiers or AC, and wear N95 masks outdoors if needed.
đ§ Greater Minnesota-Specific Highlights
Missing Person Case: Authorities are intensifying the search for Juanita Mae Rosa, an 85-year-old woman last seen in Hinckley. The publicâs assistance is sought as efforts continue across counties.
Stillwater labor action: HealthPartners workers in Stillwater voted to authorize strike action over alleged unfair labor practices, reflecting mounting tension in the healthcare sector outside the metro area.
đ Rural Economy & Community Trends
The 2025âŻState of Rural Minnesota report (released in January) shows that many rural counties gained population between 2020 and 2023âlargely due to in-migrationâthough demographic aging suggests continued population decline over the next few decades unless trends shift.
Local initiatives continue: rural development programs and community engagement effortsâincluding webinars by the Center for Rural Policy &âŻDevelopmentâaim to support economic and civic vitality across Greater Minnesota.