AGP Executive Report

NBA Draft & Timberwolves/Wild Needs: The NBA’s first round is in the books, with the Wizards taking BYU’s AJ Dybantsa No. 1 and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson going No. 2 to Utah; Minnesota is also tied to day-two chatter as teams weigh fit and roster gaps. Dodgers vs. Twins: Los Angeles pounded Minnesota 12-3 Tuesday, with Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages each collecting three hits and Justin Wrobleski holding the Twins to two earned runs over seven innings. Minnesota Politics & Courts: Gov. Tim Walz is filing 16 FOIA requests tied to federal actions he says target Minnesota, after a judge blocked DOJ subpoenas aimed at state officials in an immigration dispute. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Minnesota is among states hit in a nationwide health care fraud takedown, with Ellison’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit set to prosecute seven Minnesota cases tied to alleged false claims. Weather: Wednesday looks mostly dry after early showers and patchy fog in the Twin Cities, with highs in the mid-70s and a comfortable end to the workweek. Housing: A major bipartisan federal housing bill passed the Senate, aiming to boost supply and curb investor competition in the single-family market.

NBA & Local Sports: Portland hired Minnesota Timberwolves lead assistant Micah Nori as head coach, after five seasons in Minneapolis and a reputation for sharp in-game tactics and player relationships. Draft Buzz: With the NBA draft hours away, new mock-draft intel points to Washington’s decision between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, with trade chatter expected to heat up. Housing & Civil Rights: A jury found a Twin Cities housing scheme violated Minnesota’s Human Rights Act by targeting Muslim homebuyers, with claims involving contract-for-deed tactics and price manipulation. Immigration Courts: A federal judge blocked Trump administration subpoenas aimed at Minnesota officials, calling them unconstitutional and meant to harass and retaliate. State Politics: Gov. Tim Walz’s office filed 16 FOIA requests to federal agencies seeking records on alleged “retribution” targeting Minnesota. Business & Jobs: LP Building Solutions broke ground on a $900M-plus manufacturing expansion in North Branch, aiming to create 125 jobs at full capacity. Weather: St. Cloud reported 1.06 inches of rain Tuesday, with more storm chances possible later this week. Public Safety: Seven people were charged in Minnesota Medicaid fraud schemes totaling over $700,000.

NBA Shake-Up: The Timberwolves are trading Julius Randle and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal, sending Minnesota’s No. 28 pick to Brooklyn and getting the No. 33 pick back; the move also sets up financial flexibility for Minnesota to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu, with reports saying he’s headed for a five-year, $112M deal. Dodgers vs. Twins: Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman homered as the Dodgers beat the Twins 2-1 at Target Field, though Los Angeles lost Kyle Tucker and catcher Dalton Rushing to injuries during the game. Court Fight Over Immigration: A federal judge blocked Trump-era DOJ subpoenas targeting Gov. Tim Walz and other Minnesota officials tied to an immigration enforcement probe, saying the subpoenas were meant to coerce and harass. Food Safety: Target is recalling certain Up & Up baby wipes after FDA testing flagged potential microbial contamination, with instructions to stop using and return for refunds. Weather & Storms: Tuesday brings showers and possible strong to severe storms in central and north-central Minnesota, with hail and damaging winds the main threats. PFAS Watch: A new report says stopping PFAS spread in the east metro could require hundreds of millions more dollars, including pumping and treating contaminated water.

Immigration Courts: A GOP-appointed federal judge Patrick Schiltz blocked Trump DOJ subpoenas targeting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democratic officials, calling the requests “blatantly unlawful” and meant to harass and coerce. Local Economy & Accountability: A new report warns Minnesota “news deserts” can raise municipal borrowing costs, costing taxpayers an estimated $13 million a year. Sports Labor: Target Field concession workers plan a strike Monday during the Dodgers series opener, with fans warned to expect delays and backed-up orders. Weather & Safety: NEXT Weather says showers and storms are likely Tuesday night into Wednesday, with a warming trend later in the week; MnDOT also urged extra caution in work zones after deadly crashes. Health & Community: Special Olympics USA Games kicked off in the Twin Cities, drawing nearly 3,000 athletes nationwide. Business & Tech: HistoSonics announced new financing with strategic investors as it pushes non-invasive histotripsy for liver tumors.

Minnesota Politics: Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s governor campaign is sitting on a major cash lead, with more than $7 million raised and about $3.8 million on hand, while her three GOP rivals combined have roughly $563,000. Fraud & Accountability: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison again snapped at a reporter pressing him on the state’s fraud scandal, telling them “give me a break” and walking off. Weather: Twin Cities Monday looks mostly dry with sun and clouds, highs in the upper 70s; storms are expected to roll back in Tuesday afternoon/evening with a risk of hail and gusty winds. Sports (WNBA): Washington beat the Minnesota Lynx 84-79, using a late 12-0 run to turn a close game into a win; Olivia Miles led Minnesota with 22. Sports (MLB): The Twins topped the Diamondbacks 4-2 on Sunday, with Ryan Kreidler and Alex Jackson key in the late rally. Local Events: Minnesota Private Colleges Week runs through Friday, offering free campus tours across the state. Consumer Watch: Gas prices in Minnesota dropped to an average of $3.70, but oil-market uncertainty remains tied to Middle East tensions.

Twins Rally: Minnesota scored late to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 in the series finale at Chase Field, with a seventh-inning push keyed by Royce Lewis, Ryan Kreidler, and Josh Bell, plus an insurance run in the ninth. NHL Trade Watch: Brady Tkachuk is reportedly headed to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster deal, reuniting him with brother Matthew after Ottawa agreed to send him for multiple draft picks. LPGA Spotlight: Miyu Yamashita won the Meijer LPGA Classic in a playoff over Lottie Woad, firing an 8-under 64 to finish at 17-under and clinch on the first extra hole. Local Sports: Vermillion Flamez won the Denny Redmond Memorial softball tournament title in Sioux Falls, then will head to Luverne for the next event. Education Data: Minnesota Department of Education updates show strong MCA participation at several schools, including high fifth-grade reading participation at Bridges Community Elementary and top math participation at Matoska International. Human Rights Debate: Human Rights Watch released takeaways from its “Operation Metro Surge” report, alleging widespread violations tied to federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Special Olympics in Minnesota: More than 4,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches from all 50 states are in the Twin Cities for the 2026 USA Games through June 26, with opening ceremonies already underway. Local hunger relief: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is joining the “Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless” Summer Challenge, aiming to boost Minnesota food shelves during peak summer need. Twins surge, Buxton stars: Byron Buxton powered a 10-run fifth with a grand slam as the Twins routed the Diamondbacks 16-8, setting up another matchup Sunday. Lynx tip-off: The Minnesota Lynx host the Washington Mystics at Target Center Sunday evening, with Olivia Miles among the players to watch. Public safety and weather: Severe storms and hail have threatened parts of Minnesota, with officials tracking impacts and outages. Health research: A new study finds cat cancers share key similarities with human cancers, pointing to possible future treatment breakthroughs. Sports note: Shohei Ohtani announced he’s a father again and is set to face the Twins next.

WNBA Spotlight: The Minnesota Lynx keep rolling and host the Washington Mystics in a Sunday matchup after Minnesota’s strong start to the season, with the Lynx leaning on late-game scoring from Courtney Williams and rookie Olivia Miles. Local Sports Milestone: Cedar Grove-Belgium’s Ira Hilbelink made WIAA D3 baseball history with a state-record three triples in a win that sent the program to the title game. State Policy Watch: A Minnesota House bill would restrict civil arrests at sensitive locations, while other proposals target guardian ad litem record rules and vehicle registration tax changes. Immigration Politics: President Trump floated renaming ICE to “NICE” in a Truth Social poll, adding to the national debate that has included Minnesota-focused criticism of immigration enforcement. Public Safety: An 80-year-old pedestrian was injured in a Walker crosswalk crash, and a separate three-car crash in Olmsted County sent multiple people to the hospital. Community & Culture: Longville’s library and local groups are hosting summer events, including an aquatic invasive species workshop and author Emily Kilgore’s regional book tour. Food Safety: Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf products shipped to Minnesota due to misbranding and undeclared allergens.

Special Olympics USA Games: Minnesota’s Twin Cities are gearing up for the 2026 Special Olympics, running June 20–26, with about 3,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, and an estimated 75,000 fans—plus 16 sports and thousands of free health screenings. Local Sports: The Minnesota Lynx beat the Golden State Valkyries 81-75, with Olivia Miles bouncing back after a tough shooting night; the team stays in the spotlight as the WNBA schedule heats up. Twins Update: Arizona’s Diamondbacks took a 9-5 win over Minnesota, with the Twins’ infield miscues and a balk helping swing a big fifth inning; the teams meet again Saturday night. DNR & Outdoors: The DNR says it has certified nine new Minnesota state record fish this spring, including multiple catch-and-release records. Community & Learning: Minnesota Private Colleges Week starts Monday, offering free campus visits for 2,000+ high school students across 18 private colleges. Public Safety: A reader asks Mankato officials what more can be done about repeat reckless driving after near-misses at intersections.

Crime & Courts: Two Texas brothers pleaded guilty in federal court to a gunpoint kidnapping and robbery of a Minnesota family, admitting they held the victims for hours and stole more than $8 million in cryptocurrency; both face up to 20 years and restitution. Public Safety: An officer was shot in St. Peter, triggering a shelter-in-place that was lifted just after 10:30 p.m.; the BCA is investigating. Transit Costs: The Twin Cities Blue Line light rail extension is now estimated at $3.58 billion, sparking fresh debate as the project design nears completion but construction hasn’t started. Weather Watch: Tornado warnings were issued in parts of northern Minnesota, while a severe thunderstorm watch covered the Twin Cities metro and nearby areas, with hail and damaging winds possible. Local Events: The Stone Arch Bridge Festival returns June 20–21 with 200+ artists, plus live music and food markets along the riverfront. Health Alert: Minnesota health officials report rising tick-bite-related ER visits in lakes areas, including concern about Powassan virus. Community & Culture: Smitten Kitten, an adult store turned mutual-aid hub during Operation Metro Surge, is asking for help to keep supporting immigrant families. Sports & Pride: Special Olympics USA Games kick off Saturday in Minneapolis, with teams arriving from across the country.

Immigration & Protests: Federal prosecutors charged 15 anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota, and dozens of progressive groups condemned the case as political intimidation, while Human Rights Watch says abuses marked Operation Metro Surge. Civil Liberties & Surveillance: A newly revealed DHS document describes plans to let local police use an ICE facial-recognition app that scans faces against huge federal databases and stores photos for years. Public Opinion: A new Minnesota poll finds the state’s 2024 flag is deeply unpopular, with only about a third of likely voters approving. Local Government: Minneapolis City Council heard arguments on legalizing adult bathhouses for the LGBTQ community, as the city also weighs a “substantial” $30M budget gap. Business & Tech: Minnesota ADAS Solutions expanded ADAS calibration verification and documentation support for collision shops and vehicle owners. Sports (Twins): Byron Buxton pushed back on trade speculation, reiterating “I’m a Twin,” as Minnesota remains in the AL Central hunt. Weather/Travel: A crash on I-94 in Albany sent one driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Feeding Our Future Fallout: Aimee Bock, convicted leader of the massive child-meals fraud, is appealing her 41+ year sentence, arguing sentencing errors and constitutional issues. Housing & Rent: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison announced a $7M settlement with LivCor over alleged rent-coordination using RealPage software, with an order to stop sharing competitors’ pricing data. Healthcare Costs: Federal officials warned 18 Minnesota hospitals for not meeting price-transparency rules, adding pressure on systems accused of hiding real costs. Immigration Surge Response: Obama praised Twin Cities residents who “braved frigid temperatures” during the earlier immigration enforcement surge, while Human Rights Watch renewed criticism of “Operation Metro Surge.” Public Safety & Courts: Former Sen. Nicole Mitchell is reportedly exploring a Woodbury City Council run after her burglary conviction. Weather & Environment: Drought persists across much of Minnesota despite some rain, and mayfly hatches are expected along the Mississippi River. Education Snapshot: New MCA participation/proficiency updates highlight wide variation by school, with some eighth-grade science participation leading locally. Sports: The Twins completed a 3-game sweep of Texas with a 9-3 win; Vikings rookie LB Jake Golday is expected to start on special teams.

Traffic Safety: Minnesota is seeing a sharp rise in motorcycle deaths, with 30 fatalities so far this year versus 13 at the same point last year, prompting renewed calls for driver attention. WNBA: Olivia Miles poured in 24 first-half points and finished with 31 as the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 99-83, setting a rookie mark and keeping Minnesota rolling. Weather: Twin Cities residents get a cooler Thursday with breezy northwest winds and temps near 70, then a warmer weekend with mostly dry conditions. Road Work: MnDOT starts bridge work on Hwy 18 west of Malmo July 6 (detour begins) and begins Hwy 194 (Mesaba Ave) bridge repairs June 22 with westbound closures and detours. Local Government & Housing: A Met Council report says Blue Line extension costs have ballooned to $3.6 billion, and some officials are questioning whether to proceed. Health & Policy: Medicaid funding for addiction treatment is in limbo, putting women, kids, and a Minnesota town’s recovery services at risk. Sports/Community: The Twin Cities Jazz Festival expands across 18 venues, with many shows free.

EV Policy Watch: A new state policy scorecard looks at how Minnesota is preparing for electric vehicles as federal support for EVs has become patchy and uncertain. College Sports: Dawn Plitzuweit is set to keep building the Gophers after a contract extension following their Sweet 16 run. Special Olympics: Lucy Haugland is in final training for the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, competing in the 400, 800 and 1,500. PWHL Draft: The PWHL draft in Detroit made a splash for Minnesota, with Abbey Murphy and other top prospects selected as 12 teams picked from a record 236 eligible players. Minneapolis Public Safety: Police are investigating a fatal shooting on Chicago Avenue, and separate reporting highlights ongoing community anger and calls for accountability after George Floyd’s death. Local Deals: The Minnesota Twins launched a “Home-Field Advantage” program that credits season ticket holders for attending home games. Lottery Reminder: Minnesota lottery officials say several big prizes, including $50,000 tickets, are still unclaimed—winners have one year to claim. Road Work: Duluth’s Highway 194 bridge repairs start Monday, with westbound closures and detours.

Immigration Crackdown in Minneapolis: Federal prosecutors unsealed charges against 15 people accused of violently impeding ICE during this year’s “Operation Metro Surge,” with arrests tied to groups described as Minneapolis-based “antifa” networks. Protests and Pressure: The indictments sparked demonstrations outside a St. Paul federal courthouse, with marshals using pepper spray and aerosol grenades after protesters tried to hold a door. Local Education Snapshot: Minnesota’s MCA results spotlight small-school participation swings, including Mabel-Canton Secondary’s 10th-graders posting the top reading participation rate statewide among 10th graders, while overall reading proficiency remains below pre-pandemic levels. Weather Watch: Thunderstorms and steady rain are expected across parts of southern and central Minnesota, with St. Cloud facing a high chance of rain and drought conditions still lingering statewide. Sports & Community: The Minnesota Lynx are in action today, and Minnesota’s DNR certified nine new state record fish this spring, including lake trout and rainbow trout.

Federal Immigration Crackdown: U.S. prosecutors charged 15 Minnesota activists, alleging they conspired to “impede or injure” federal officers during ICE operations tied to “Operation Metro Surge,” with 12 arrested and two still at large. Public Safety & Courts: A Washington County woman faces negligent storage charges after her 10-year-old allegedly took her handgun and threatened a neighbor. Missing Persons: Bloomington police are searching for Jazaylia Donnerson, 14, missing since May 1, and Joseline Tapia, 17, last seen in St. Paul in late April. Local Governance: Blackduck will shut down its police department after more than a century, citing staffing and cost pressures. Education: New MCA participation/proficiency updates highlight mixed results statewide, including strong sixth-grade reading participation at Kasson-Mantorville. Sports: The Vikings reportedly hired former Bears GM Ryan Pace as a football adviser. Community & Culture: Monticello’s first Heritage Day brought back its logging-and-river past, while Park Rapids received a Legacy grant for a school powwow. Recreation & Environment: The DNR is seeking public input on proposed special fishing rules for 2027.