AGP Executive Report

Minnesota Fraud Probe Escalates: VP JD Vance says he’s referred allegations involving Gov. Tim Walz and AG Keith Ellison to the DOJ for a potential criminal investigation tied to federally funded social services, following a House Oversight report alleging officials knew about fraud warnings for years but didn’t act. Local Events Roundup: This weekend in Minnesota includes the Midtown Arts & Music Festival at Midtown Global Market (free, two days), Lake Street Mural Day in Minneapolis, and Bloomington Pride Celebration at Bloomington Civic Plaza. Sports & Community: Minnesota-area sports notes include local golf state-tourney coverage and New Ulm coaching changes, plus a reminder of Minnesota’s busy weekend calendar. Public Safety: A fatal Hwy. 68 crash in Lyon County left one dead and one injured, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Minnesota Politics: Families of Black men killed by police are blasting Minnesota GOP leaders after a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin at the state party convention, with loved ones calling it disrespectful to George Floyd and others. Public Safety: The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office says a deadly motorcycle crash near Rochester last month is still under investigation; the victims were identified as Dennis Nelson and Kimberly Musolf, and the truck driver is Nicholas Adamson. Health: U.S. measles cases are on pace to top last year’s record, with most infections tied to unvaccinated people. Weather/Outdoors: Northern Lights forecasts say auroras could be visible in parts of the U.S. Monday night as geomagnetic storms build. Business/Local Economy: Bosselman Pump & Pantry will buy 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience stores, including one in Lakeville, Minnesota. Agriculture: Minnesota crop progress looks strong as planting nears completion, with corn and soybeans largely in good shape. Sports (Minnesota): The Royals beat the Twins 6-5, taking three of four in the series.

Health & Accountability: A House Oversight report says the Walz administration ignored fraud warnings in Minnesota social services, with hundreds of millions allegedly lost and billions more at risk. Public Safety: Police removed five researchers from a diabetes conference in New Orleans after they tried distributing a critical editorial; one Minnesota Medical School professor was among those shoved out. Local Justice: St. Paul says anti-ICE protesters who disrupted a church service won’t face state charges, saying the standard for criminal charges wasn’t met. Environment: The U.S. Forestry Service says recent Boundary Waters Canoe Area wildfires were caused by lightning. Community Watch: Neighbors near George Floyd Square report “sticker shock” from special assessments tied to a $15 million reconstruction. Weather: Ozone air quality alerts run through Sunday night, with dangerous heat expected Tuesday and Wednesday and storms possible midweek. Sports: The Twins fell to the Royals 6-5 as Starling Marte hit a three-run homer; Stacey King, who also played for the Timberwolves, died at 59.

Weather Watch: Minnesota is under an air quality alert for ozone through Sunday night, with sensitive groups urged to limit time outdoors as warm, sunny conditions linger. Storm Setup: Showers and a few storms are expected later Sunday into Monday, mainly west of Rochester and along the Mississippi River. Sports—Royals: Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. left Sunday’s game vs. the Twins with right knee soreness after going 0-for-4. College Baseball—Local Connection: Georgia punched its ticket to the College World Series after beating Minnesota State in extra innings, and the full CWS schedule is out. Minnesota Education: Bagley Secondary School reported top math MCA participation among 11th-graders statewide, with overall math proficiency still below pre-pandemic levels. Minnesota Workforce: The Minnesota Office of Higher Education launched a Workforce Pell program to expand short-term training support for eligible students. Public Safety: Camp Ripley held a garrison commander leadership transfer, with Lt. Col. Steven Hall taking over from Col. Troy Fink.

Sports & Local Pride: Minnesota’s track scene lit up at the state meet—Rochester Mayo’s Taylor Kurtz swept the 100 and 200, including a state-record 200, while Pine Island won the Class AA 4x200 and Stewartville’s Avery Nelson took the triple jump title. WNBA: The Minnesota Lynx kept rolling, beating the Seattle Storm 88-68 for a seventh straight win, led by Natasha Howard’s 27 points and Olivia Miles’ 19. MLB (Twins/Royals): The Royals edged the Twins 3-2 in a late comeback as Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the winner in the ninth. Weather & Health: An air quality alert is in effect for ozone across western and southern Minnesota through Sunday night, with guidance to limit heavy outdoor exertion in the afternoon. Environment (Regional): A report on Iowa’s water pollution highlights how farm runoff is hurting swimming and aquatic life—an issue that hits the whole Midwest. Community/Outdoors: A rural run/walk event in Sleepy Eye raised money for local healthcare support, showing summer fun with a purpose.

WNBA: The Minnesota Lynx kept rolling, beating the Seattle Storm 88-68 and extending their win streak to seven as Natasha Howard scored 27 and Olivia Miles added 19. Public Safety/Weather: The MPCA issued an air quality alert for western and southern Minnesota through Sunday night, warning of unhealthy ozone levels for sensitive groups; officials also flagged severe storm risk in parts of central/southern Minnesota. Sports (MLB): The Twins recalled Royce Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul and designated James Outman for assignment. State Outdoors: Minnesota’s DNR is pausing its fishing license system, with a new electronic licensing rollout set for June 9. Local News: A crash on I-94 near Monticello sent one person to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Crime: A boy was hospitalized after a shooting in Cass Lake; injuries were reported as non-life-threatening and the investigation is ongoing.

Immigration Funding Fight: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith used the Senate floor to oppose a new push for ICE and Border Patrol funding, arguing Minnesota paid a “cost” after Operation Metro Surge and warning the enforcement approach still harms communities. Higher Ed Costs: Minnesota’s tuition picture is getting pricier too—Minnesota State trustees approved systemwide tuition increases for 2027, with Southwest Minnesota State University’s hike set at 6.14%. Retirement Gap: New research says the racial wealth gap is widening, driven largely by unequal retirement savings; Minnesota’s auto-IRA program is cited as one effort to help close it. Local Sports & Health: The Twins reassessed Byron Buxton’s shoulder after a wall collision, while the Lynx host the Storm at Target Center. Community Life: New Ulm’s Flandrau swim pond reopened for the weekend, and the Concord Singers kicked off Music in the Park.

WNBA: Olivia Miles lit it up for the Minnesota Lynx, setting a rookie record with eight 3-pointers in an 87-84 win over the Golden State Valkyries, finishing with 28 points and helping Minnesota keep its strong start rolling. Weather & Safety: The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Minnesota through 11 p.m., with storms that could bring large hail and damaging winds. Health & Policy: Minnesota DHS completed a review of high-risk Medicaid providers, with more than half failing the check and facing disenrollment—raising concerns about access to care. Public Works: Gov. Tim Walz signed a $1.2 billion infrastructure bill in St. Paul, including bridge work and funding for major projects at the University of Minnesota. Local Crime: Authorities identified two Rochester residents killed in a motorcycle crash, and separate reporting details charges tied to a fatal St. Paul barbershop stabbing. Business: Hy-Vee is selling 21 Fast & Fresh convenience stores to Bosselman Pump & Pantry, including a Lakeville location, with rebranding planned for July. Sports (Other): Minnesota’s gas prices fell about 17 cents over the past week, to around $4.03 statewide.

Boundary Waters Fire Safety: The Superior National Forest issued an emergency campfire ban in the BWCA starting Saturday (6/6), restricting campfires, charcoal grills, and wood stoves through June 30. State Sports Spotlight: Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno won the NHL King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and service, with the NHL donating $25,000 to the Janis Foligno Foundation. Medicaid Oversight: Minnesota DHS finished a federally required review of nearly 5,600 high-risk Medicaid providers; over 2,000 cleared the screening, while more than 3,400 were set to be disenrolled, mostly for paperwork or verification issues. Elections & Tech: A Twin Cities PAC ad is drawing complaints over Minnesota’s election “deepfake” ban, with U.S. Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan saying the ad uses an AI-altered image. Local Economy/Environment: Phoenix Tailings won a $66 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to expand rare-earth separation work with partners including MIT and the University of Minnesota. Road Safety: Minnesota State Patrol warns the Memorial Day-to-Labor Day stretch is the deadliest on state roads, driven by preventable choices like speed, distraction, impairment, and not wearing seat belts.

Drinking Water Update: Minnesota’s MDH says more than 99% of public water systems met all federal drinking-water standards in 2025, with violations handled through consumer notification and corrective action. Food Safety: Two Minnesotans fell ill with Salmonella after using tnvitamins moringa leaf powder capsules sold on Amazon; health officials warn people not to consume that brand and note the broader multistate outbreak is still ongoing. Pain Care Access: MDH and Hennepin Healthcare launched NOPAIN MN, a searchable map of 17,000 non-opioid pain-management providers statewide, aimed at helping patients find alternatives like physical therapy, counseling, acupuncture, and massage. Outdoor Recreation: The DNR’s Great Outdoors Month kicks off with Free Park Day on June 13 (no vehicle permit fees at 73 sites) and No Registration Weekend for ATV riders June 13-14, plus new state water-trail maps with recommended paddling routes. Invasive Species Watch: Zebra mussels were confirmed in Little Boy Lake in Cass County, prompting reminders to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and gear before moving between waters. Medicaid Funding Shakeup: Minnesota DHS cut off funding to thousands of “high-risk” Medicaid providers after revalidation reviews, raising concerns about access to services for vulnerable residents.

Minnesota Politics: Elk River DFLer Leah Temple says she’ll run for Minnesota Senate District 30, challenging incumbent GOP Sen. Eric Lucero. Minnesota Health & Care: Minnesota’s Medicaid revalidation effort is still roiling provider access, with reports of medical services in limbo for thousands amid the state’s fraud crackdown. Local Public Safety: A Roseau County case charges a driver in a fatal Highway 11 head-on crash, with court documents saying she claimed a dog grabbed the steering wheel before the crash. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data highlights mixed conditions across Minnesota facilities, including Long Prairie Health Care Center ranking highly in Todd County while other homes in Wadena and Beltrami counties face lower ratings and penalties. Community & Courts: Lynd school board chair Suzie Rauch was convicted of third-degree DWI and placed on supervised probation. Sports (Minnesota-linked): The Minnesota Blizzard FC played Duluth FC to a 1-1 draw in NPSL North.

Sports Injury Update: Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons says he won’t be cleared for football activity until the nine-month mark after an ACL and meniscus procedure, putting his earliest return to practice in late September and likely keeping him on the PUP list to start the season. Local Sports: The White Sox beat the Twins 8-0 behind Erick Fedde’s first win in 10 months, staving off a sweep. Protest/Justice: St. Paul won’t file state charges against protesters who interrupted an anti-ICE church demonstration, saying prosecutors lack enough to meet the standard for conviction. Public Safety: Minnesota DNR urges adults to take swimming lessons and consider a buddy after recent drownings, noting cold water conditions. Roads/Travel: MnDOT begins I-94 concrete resurfacing near Evansville, shifting to one-lane head-to-head traffic through October. Wildfire Watch: A northern Minnesota wildfire near Ely is about 10% contained. Community/Health: Minnesota’s new electronic hunting and fishing licensing system is rolling out June 9, with anglers able to fish without a license during the transition.

NBA Finals buzz in Minnesota: The Knicks and Spurs open the series Wednesday in San Antonio, with Jalen Brunson sizing up Spurs defense led by Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama. Local safety: A school bus crashed into Hamline University’s science building in St. Paul Tuesday; three children and the driver were taken to hospitals, injuries reported as minor. Health care crackdown: Minnesota DHS revalidated thousands of Medicaid providers tied to fraud risk; the latest numbers show 1,009 approved, 1,151 disenrolled, and 3,000+ still pending, leaving some services in limbo. Housing & local government: In Marshall, a proposed affordable housing project was scaled down from 60 to 42 units as financing gaps grow; in Lyon County, commissioners rejected requests for more deputies. Sports (Twins): Minnesota beat the White Sox 6-4 Tuesday, using a bottom-of-the-order surge while managing an injury-riddled pitching staff.

Minneapolis Police Leadership: Mayor Jacob Frey named Bill Peterson as interim police chief after Brian O’Hara resigned following an internal probe tied to interference in an investigation. Immigration & Local Economy: A new analysis says Operation Metro Surge drained about $71 million in wages from Minnesota’s hospitality and leisure sector, with major job and hour losses tied to the crackdown. State Politics: House Speaker Lisa Demuth says she’ll still run for Minnesota governor in the GOP primary, setting up a three-way Aug. 11 contest with Kendall Qualls and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Public Safety & Infrastructure: MnDOT scheduled lane closures and brief delays June 3-4 for a Highway 60 bridge inspection in Wabasha, plus overhead utility work causing periodic stops near Alexandria and on Hwy 29/I-94. Health Access: Community Hospital-Fairfax expanded mental health care with a new telehealth psychiatrist starting June 10. Outdoor & Community: The Minnesota DNR’s Take a Kid Fishing Weekend runs June 5-7, with a brief pause in fishing license sales during the switch to a new electronic system. Sports: The NBA Finals begin Wednesday with the Knicks vs. Spurs, and Minnesota’s Lynx kept rolling while the Phoenix Mercury stumbled.

NBA & Local Sports: Minnesota’s Justin Lawrence is headed to the Twins—Pittsburgh’s righty was acquired for cash as the team makes room on the roster. WNBA: Courtney Williams poured in 30 and the Lynx routed the Mercury 111-77, with Olivia Miles adding 19 as Minnesota kept rolling. Wildfire Watch (Northeast MN): First responders are battling the “Birch Bay Fire,” a 30-acre blaze about 8 miles northwest of Ely near Burntside Lake; evacuations are done for the night and aircraft are helping. Public Safety: A Pine Island woman was injured in a Highway 14 crash near Byron, while an 88-year-old man survived a 30-foot fall near the Caribou River in Lake County. Community & Events: New Ulm’s River Valley BMX track reopened after safety-focused upgrades, and the New Ulm Farmers Market returns June 11 with free transportation and SNAP/EBT accepted. Business/Recovery: The SBA reminded Minnesota counties hit by July 2025 storms and flooding that disaster loan applications are due June 30.

Hopkins School Safety: Hopkins district released students early Monday after a phone call was “interpreted as a potential threat,” triggering a secure hold at Hopkins High School plus North Middle and Tanglen Elementary, with staggered dismissal and locked exterior doors. Local Justice Reform: The sister of exonerated Minnesota man Marvin Haynes urged lawmakers to pass the “Marvina Haynes Act,” calling for support for families affected by wrongful convictions, including trauma repair, mental health, and housing help. Public Safety in Plymouth: A man shot by a Plymouth police officer during a domestic disturbance last November pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, with court records describing the officer’s dash-cam account and the victim’s alleged fear. State Funding for Waste: Sen. Jordan Rasmusson secured nearly $8.5 million for west-central Minnesota solid waste infrastructure, including an ash recovery and recycling center project in Otter Tail County. Education Policy Fight: Minnesota is among states suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new policy limiting federal student loan amounts for “professional” degrees. Community Notes: Rochester’s Mezza9 Cafe announced it will close June 30, citing rising costs, rent, and low downtown foot traffic.