AGP Executive Report

St. Paul Homelessness Response: The St. Paul City Council approved $1.08 million to expand shelter capacity ahead of planned Pig’s Eye Park encampment closures, aiming to add beds and connect residents to services. Federal Sentencing: Vance Boelter is set to be sentenced in federal court for the politically motivated shootings that killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and seriously injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. WNBA All-Star Buzz: Napheesa Collier returned with 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Lynx beat Seattle 86-76, while Caitlin Clark will captain Team Spoon in the All-Star Game but won’t participate in the 3-point contest. Medicaid Funding Fight: The Trump administration froze more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over suspected fraud, while the House advanced a massive Israel-tied defense bill. Local Safety & Traffic: Sgt. Jesse Grabow’s “Ask a Trooper” explains Minnesota rules on white canes and drivers yielding to blind pedestrians; a Todd County crash injured two people. Sports (Twins): Minnesota snapped a four-game skid with a 10-6 win over Cleveland, and looks to split the series with a win today.

WNBA Spotlight: Napheesa Collier returned from offseason ankle surgery and scored 24 points with 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 86-76, sending the team into the All-Star break. All-Star Weekend in Chicago: The WNBA’s Shooting Stars event will feature Minnesota’s Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier’s teammate Kayla McBride in the mix of league MVPs and legends. Public Safety & Immigration: Local activists are pressing for answers on whether ICE agents in Minnesota have body cameras, pointing to recent fatal shootings in other states where officers weren’t wearing them. Community & Local News: Columbia Heights’ food shelf SACA opened its new building, and Faribault Police are planning National Night Out block parties Aug. 4. Sports & Local Interest: Scottie Scheffler tees up at the 3M Open in Blaine with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell joining him for the Pro-Am. Lottery: Powerball’s jackpot climbed to an estimated $567 million for Wednesday’s drawing.

Medicaid Freeze: The Trump administration is pausing more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over suspected fraud, saying states must provide documentation before money is released. Immigration & Courts: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ challenge to Minnesota’s sanctuary policies, while separate reporting highlights how ICE claims about “vehicle attacks” often fall apart in court. Public Safety: Minneapolis is still reeling after a violent weekend, with reports of mass shootings leaving multiple people hurt and one dead. Wildfire Impacts: Northern Minnesota wildfire smoke has pushed air quality to hazardous levels at times, with containment improving but firefighting continuing. Local Spotlight: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers named a St. Paul District landscape architect from Hastings as its 2026 Landscape Architect of the Year. Minnesota Sports: The Guardians beat the Twins 5-2 again, and the Lynx’ Napheesa Collier is set for a season debut vs. the Storm. 3M Open: The PGA Tour’s 3M Open tees off this week at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, with Scottie Scheffler among the headline names.

Medicaid Crackdown: The Trump administration says it’s deferring more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, including about $199 million to Minnesota, citing suspected fraud and “noncompliance,” with officials saying states must provide documentation before money is released. Public Safety: Minneapolis investigators are looking into back-to-back mass shootings over the weekend that left one dead and 13 wounded, with police saying they found no connection between the incidents. Wildfire & Health: Northern Minnesota wildfire smoke is pushing air quality to hazardous, historic levels, with Ely-area businesses reporting tourism nearly stalled as evacuations and closures keep visitors away. Local Government & Courts: A federal judge rejected the Trump administration’s challenge to Minnesota’s sanctuary policies, dismissing the case brought over constitutional claims. Sports (Twin Cities): The Minnesota Lynx list Napheesa Collier as probable for Wednesday’s game vs. the Seattle Storm, aiming for her season debut before the All-Star break. Community & Economy: A north Minneapolis shopping center plan is inviting residents to invest as co-owners, aiming to build community wealth instead of just serving customers.

WNBA—Minnesota Lynx surge: Kayla McBride hit six 3-pointers and scored 33, rookie Olivia Miles added 32 (with 8 rebounds and 8 assists), and the Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 105-102 for their sixth straight win. Weather & health—heat and smoke risk: A Heat Advisory runs noon to 6 p.m. across much of central and southern Minnesota, with heat index values in the mid-90s, while wildfire smoke may ease briefly after recent rains. Road safety—fatal crash in construction zone: Two people died and one was critically injured in a three-vehicle I-94 crash in Grant County when a car crossed into oncoming traffic in a work zone. Cost of living—gas prices up: AAA says Minnesota’s average gas price is $3.87 a gallon, up 12 cents from last week. Lottery—big Minnesota jackpot: A $34.12 million Lotto America ticket was sold at a Holiday Stationstore in Coon Rapids. Local culture—world’s tallest nutcracker: Luverne unveiled “Verne the Patriot,” a nutcracker over 65 feet tall, built with donations and grants. Sports—Twins take a hit in Cleveland: The Guardians crushed Minnesota 13-4, blasting seven homers, while Joe Ryan allowed a franchise record six.

Minneapolis Gun Violence: Two mass shootings in Minneapolis over the weekend left 14 people wounded, including one death, renewing calls for stronger public safety steps. St. Paul Shooting: Police say three people died after a shooting in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood on Monday; investigators are still working to piece together what happened. Traffic Safety Tech: Minnesota officials are testing speed safety cameras in construction zones, aiming to reduce speeding without major delays. Wildfire & Smoke Health: The Minnesota DNR logged 202 fish kill reports as heat pushed lake temperatures to about 88 degrees, while officials keep warning residents about wildfire conditions and air quality. Local Courts & Fraud: A St. Paul man was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for filing 115 fake tax returns tied to COVID relief claims. Environment & Industry: The DNR is seeking public comments on the scoping documents for a Tamarack Mining Project environmental impact statement. Sports: Byron Buxton returned to the Twins lineup ahead of a key series vs. Cleveland. Community & Learning: Minnesota State College Southeast marked 10 years of training 500+ Kwik Trip drivers through a customized program.

Medicaid Access: Minnesota is extending its pause on enrolling new Medicaid providers in 12 high-risk service categories for at least six more months while the state completes a federally required revalidation of existing providers. Wind Energy Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a coalition of attorneys general asking a court to undo the U.S. Defense Department’s freeze on routine reviews for land-based wind projects, arguing it unlawfully stalls clean energy. Banking Oversight: Nessel also urged federal banking regulators to deny national charters to high-risk fintechs, warning that some firms have histories of predatory lending and risky practices. Local Law Change: Minnesota’s “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” bill lets nursing homes, assisted living and boarding care facilities serve alcohol during organized gatherings without a traditional liquor license. Public Safety: Minneapolis saw another mass shooting over the weekend, with reports of multiple victims injured outside a nightclub. Weather & Health: Monday brings thunderstorms, then a heat advisory with dangerous heat indices, while wildfire smoke remains a concern across the region. Community & Culture: The Minnesota Marine Art Museum kicks off its 20th anniversary with a Big Duck scavenger hunt, and a Pride festival drew crowds to Ellison Park in central Minnesota.

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency expanded an air quality alert to cover the Twin Cities metro and much of east central, southeast, south central and northeast Minnesota, warning smoke could push conditions into the “red” category (unhealthy for everyone) through Monday morning, with some improvement possible later Sunday but more heavy smoke expected from the south. Northern Minnesota Fires: Wildfires in the region have burned nearly 69,000 acres, with Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closures still in place and officials warning changing weather could increase fire activity. Burning Restrictions: Voyageurs National Park is tightening fire rules due to high danger, banning campfires and open-flame devices while allowing gas/propane stoves. Public Safety Incident: A weed burner sparked a house fire in Albert Lea on Briarwood Drive, causing about $30,000 in damage; everyone got out safely and five cats were unharmed. Minneapolis Violence: Nine people were shot outside the Reign Event Center in Uptown early Sunday; two victims had potentially life-threatening injuries and police said shots may have come from a vehicle. ICE Oversight: In Minnesota, the Hennepin County attorney says federal investigators have begun sharing material in the ICE shooting cases, moving the local probe toward potential criminal liability. Sports (Twins/Cubs): The Cubs beat the Twins 10-1 as Shota Imanaga threw seven shutout innings, while the Twins’ Mick Abel and David Festa are expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season.

Wildfire Smoke & Health Alerts: Minnesota officials say northern fires are still burning and could keep air quality unhealthy for everyone this weekend, with MPCA alerts covering parts of the east-central, southeast, south-central and northeast regions. Boundary Waters Update: BWCAW permit cancellations were extended to July 24 as crews work around the clock and the area stays closed under emergency orders. Public Safety & Evacuations: Authorities report more than 77,000 acres burned and expanded “GO” evacuation areas, urging residents to follow closures and avoid drones and boats where firefighting aircraft operate. Medicare Shock: A rural Minnesota couple says their Wellcare Medicare drug plan dropped coverage after missed premiums they didn’t know were due—leaving them unable to re-enroll until fall. Consumer Recall: Target is recalling more than 200,000 Cat & Jack toddler raffia sandals due to a choking hazard from decorative pearls. Sports (Local): The Minnesota Lynx keep rolling, while the Twins and Cubs meet Sunday in Chicago; elsewhere, Kiki Jefferson signed to play in Israel’s Premier League. Crime & Courts: A Rochester man received nearly eight years for a major meth case tied to a stolen vehicle stop.

Wildfire smoke & air quality: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued another air quality alert through Monday, with heavy smoke expected to linger and reach unhealthy “red” levels across eastern and central parts of the state. Local health & policy: A Minnesota Oncology pharmacy director says ctDNA MRD testing in bladder cancer is slowed by patchy payer coverage and messy administrative hurdles, with no uniform testing rules across insurers. Sports—Twins/Cubs: The Cubs beat the Twins 6-2 at Wrigley; Nico Hoerner matched a career high with four hits, and Michael Busch homered. MLB trade: Chicago acquired Aaron Civale from Oakland for minor leaguer Aiden Moffett, as the Cubs deal with pitching injuries. Minnesota politics—campaign stop: Sen. Tina Smith and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan held a Mankato event promoting Flanagan’s U.S. Senate bid. Community sports: USA Cup youth soccer wrapped up in Blaine with teams from around the world. Crash: Three people were hospitalized after a two-car crash on I-94 in Melrose Township.

Wildfire smoke + heat: Minnesota air quality stayed hazardous as Canadian and northern Minnesota fires kept pushing smoke south, with MPCA alerts running through Monday and health officials urging people to limit exposure—especially kids, older adults, and anyone with asthma or heart/respiratory issues. ICE scrutiny: A new report says ICE agents aren’t following safety protocols during traffic stops, raising alarm after deadly ICE shootings, including a Minnesota case involving Renee Good. Northern Minnesota recreation: The Roseau River Wildlife Management Area dike will open for limited drives July 18–26 (plus Aug. 1–2 and 8–9), giving rare vehicle access for wildlife viewing. Local housing: Cook County’s workforce housing project in Grand Marais is moving forward again after the HRA secured a new developer, Vision Inc., with funding tied to a 2028 deadline. Community + environment: Rice County approved a fifth straight year of Minnesota GreenCorps support for reuse, food rescue, and sustainability outreach. Sports (Twin Cities): The Twins host the Cubs at Wrigley on Saturday, and the Junior Gold bowling championships continue in Minneapolis.

Wildfire Smoke Health Crisis: Northern Minnesota and Canada wildfires are driving record hazardous air across the U.S., with Minnesota’s MPCA reporting extreme fine-particle readings (including a Virginia spike of 1,131.4 micrograms per cubic meter) and new weekend alerts—Arrowhead counties in “Hazardous” Maroon air, while officials warn everyone to avoid outdoor exertion and watch for heart and lung problems. Firefighting Update: Crews are battling multiple active blazes with about 500+ firefighters on scene and roughly 13,000 lightning strikes detected over the last two days, adding risk as burned trees fall. Local Impact: In St. Louis Park, firefighters responded to a major apartment fire at the Helix Apartments; no injuries were reported and the Salvation Army is assisting displaced residents. Community & Safety: Northfield Police plans a youth mentorship program pairing officers with local teens for consistent, non-enforcement interactions. City Services: Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha announced a redesigned Office of the State Auditor website built for ADA Title II accessibility. Sports Disruption: The Pirates-Guardians game in Cleveland was postponed due to hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke.

Wildfire Smoke Health Crisis: Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires kept air quality dangerously bad across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, with Minnesota among the hardest hit and health warnings urging people to limit time outside and watch for breathing problems. State Parks & Trails: The Minnesota DNR launched a license plate design contest themed around the North Shore and Lake Superior agate, with submissions running Sept. 15–Oct. 31 and proceeds supporting parks and trails. Feeding Our Future Case: A key suspect in the Minnesota Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, was arrested in Somalia and booked into a Minnesota jail to face federal charges. Dairy Operations Input: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment on the social and economic impacts of large-scale dairy operations, including a proposed expansion near Morris. Local Sports & Schedules: The Twins return to action against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, while the Minnesota Wild released its 2026-27 schedule (opening Oct. 1 at Nashville) and the Lynx continue a strong WNBA stretch at home. Environment Watch: A new report highlights the emerald ash borer’s spread in Europe, underscoring the ongoing threat to ash trees.

Wildfire Smoke Health Crisis: Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires are pushing Minnesota air into record-breaking hazardous levels, with officials urging people to limit outdoor time and outdoor workers to take extra precautions as smoke lingers into Friday. State Emergency Response: Gov. Tim Walz and the Executive Council extended Minnesota’s peacetime emergency for northern wildfires, keeping National Guard support in place as 17 active fires burn. Local Transportation: Minneapolis City Council approved a major Lyndale Avenue South redesign despite business owners’ concerns about parking loss and long construction impacts. Agriculture Tech: More Minnesota farmers are adopting spray drones, using mapping and obstacle-avoidance to cover fields more precisely and reduce crop damage. Community & Safety: Catholic Charities Twin Cities distributed nearly 2,000 masks to people experiencing homelessness as smoke worsened. Sports: The Minnesota Lynx kept rolling, beating the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 at Target Center.

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: Canadian and Minnesota wildfires are pushing hazardous air into the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota, with an MPCA alert running through Friday morning and heat making it worse; CBS Minnesota reports an extreme heat warning plus dangerous air for Thursday, with only slight improvement expected Friday. Regional Health Alerts: The smoke is also triggering Code Red air quality actions beyond Minnesota, including Pennsylvania’s statewide Code Red PM2.5 alert and Wisconsin’s advisory in places like Sheboygan. Local Housing Help: Minnesota Housing will distribute $40 million to help about 11,000 households avoid homelessness or stay housed through the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program. State Policy: DHS is extending a pause on enrolling new Medicaid providers in 12 high-risk service areas for at least six more months. Invasive Species: Zebra mussels were confirmed in two more Crow Wing County lakes, prompting new reminders for boaters to clean, drain, and dry equipment. Roads & Transit: MnDOT begins stage 1C detours for Highway 197 in Bemidji starting July 17, and it opened a public comment period for the Greater Minnesota Transit Plan. Sports: The Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87, while the St. Cloud Rox fell 2-0 to the Mankato MoonDogs.

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: Canadian and Minnesota wildfires are blanketing the Midwest and Northeast, with Minnesota air alerts expanding to hazardous levels; the MPCA says monitors hit record-high readings and Duluth/Hibbing were pulled into a maroon “hazardous” category, while Boundary Waters Canoe Area evacuations and closures continue as fires could smolder into fall. Public Health: Wisconsin officials warned smoke could worsen health for kids, older adults, and people with asthma/COPD, and Reuters reported Toronto’s air hit “very high risk” as smoke pushed into the U.S. Emergency Response: Gov. Tim Walz extended Minnesota’s peacetime emergency and said the Royal Canadian Air Force helped rescue 11 Minnesota teens and four staff from wildfires in Ontario. State Politics: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison sued an e-cigarette maker over flavored vapes he says target minors, and State Auditor Julie Blaha joined a push warning Trump’s H-1B crackdown could hurt Minnesota’s economy. Local Crime: Two people were sentenced in a St. Paul meth trafficking and kidnapping conspiracy. Politics & Campaigns: Trump endorsed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor, drawing immediate backlash from critics. Community Calendar: Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park listings include Medicare counseling, farmers market, and summer kids programs.