AGP Executive Report

Local Privacy Fight: Plymouth City Council voted to terminate its Flock contract, after residents raised concerns about automatic license-plate cameras and a past arrest error tied to the system; police say the cameras help track suspects and limit access to supervisors and detectives. Autonomous Vehicle Debate: Minneapolis residents are weighing a proposed “human monitor” ordinance for driverless rideshares, with city council members pushing for rules as Waymo operates elsewhere. WNBA Playoff Stakes: Caitlin Clark poured in 27 points as the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-77; Olivia Miles sat out with a left calf injury, leaving Minnesota one win away from clinching the top seed. State Politics & Fraud: Gov. Tim Walz took responsibility for not stopping fraud in Minnesota’s social services sooner, saying accountability is needed but that it shouldn’t define his legacy. Environment & Money: Minnesota DNR is offering $95 per bushel for red pine cones to help restore forests after a weak cone crop. Community & Culture: SPEAK MPLS highlighted Emmy wins and youth film spotlights, underscoring its role as a Minneapolis community media hub. Sports Business: The Minnesota Wild signed GM Bill Guerin to a multi-year contract extension, keeping the franchise’s leadership stable.

Federal Court: Vance Boelter, convicted in the 2025 attacks on Minnesota lawmakers and their families, returns to federal court today for a status conference; he’s serving two life sentences plus 40 years and faces a separate state trial starting Nov. 2. Minneapolis/ICE: A Senate hearing on Tuesday will feature testimony from Renee Good’s family and an Alex Pretti witness, focusing on deaths tied to “Operation Metro Surge.” Public Safety: Blaine police say an officer was thrown from a vehicle during a DWI-related crash; the driver is jailed and facing charges including DUI and assault. Local Government/Autonomous Vehicles: Minneapolis residents can weigh in Tuesday on a “human monitor” ordinance for driverless rideshares, with Waymo calling it a de facto ban. Agriculture & Rural Aid: Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for two livestock grants, including funding to modernize operations and protect against avian influenza. Environment & Wildlife: The DNR is inviting deer hunters to log wildlife sightings online, and the state is also accepting designs for a new parks license plate contest through Oct. 31. Business/Real Estate: Tempus Realty Partners is buying a mostly leased Hopkins office campus for $66M. Sports: The Lynx and Fever play for playoff seeding tonight/tomorrow, and Minnesota’s Vikings beat the Bears 9-3 in a Week 2 matchup.

Health & Public Safety: Minnesota health officials are urging people to seek care after a rabid bat was found downtown Minneapolis, with MDH tracking anyone who may have touched it. Wildlife & Environment: The Minnesota DNR is paying $95 per bushel for ripe red pine cones to rebuild a seed supply, and UMD students are using window coverings after tracking deadly bird strikes. Agriculture & Disease: Bird flu has hit more than 200,000 Minnesota birds across multiple counties, with quarantines and destruction underway. Politics & Voting: A federal judge dismissed an ACLU lawsuit over alleged ICE protest-rights violations in Minnesota, citing lack of standing. Sports (Twin Cities): The Vikings’ defense is again thriving under Brian Flores, and Caleb Williams is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury after the Bears game. Local Sports & Entertainment: The Minnesota Forge MVL franchise is set to begin play in St. Paul in January 2027, and the Wild opened preseason with an overtime win. Crime & Courts: Ramsey County booked seven people on property charges, while Hennepin County booked 19 on domestic charges.

Diesel Shock: Minnesota truckers say record-high diesel prices are squeezing every load, with AAA putting fuel at over $6 a gallon and drivers feeling the hit as costs rise. Road Work & Detours: MnDOT pushed back a Highway 52 closure near I-90 to Sept. 28-30, with detours and overnight shutdowns while crews finish bridge and paving work. Public Transit: MVTA is taking comments on a Shakopee service plan that would replace Routes 497/499 with a new Route 429 starting in December. Water & Health: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and the DNR kicked off PFAS Awareness Week, highlighting Minnesota’s regional push for clean drinking water; meanwhile, a new Minnesota Department of Health study finds arsenic in nearly half of newer private wells. Environment: Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Lincoln and Pipestone counties for the first time, triggering emergency quarantines. Education: Minnesota teachers have a Sept. 30 deadline to opt out of Education Minnesota union membership while keeping district pay and benefits. Sports: The Vikings beat the Bears 9-3 in Chicago, while the Twins shut out the Angels 8-0 and head to San Francisco.

NFL & Injuries: The Minnesota Vikings shut down the Chicago Bears 9-3 in rainy Soldier Field, but the biggest storyline was Bears QB Caleb Williams leaving with a non-contact right hamstring injury; Chicago is waiting on imaging and a recovery timeline as Week 3 approaches. WNBA: Lynx rookie Olivia Miles rewrote the record book, breaking Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring mark in Minnesota’s win over the Connecticut Sun. Local Voting: Minnesota’s Secretary of State lays out how to vote (mail, early in person, or Election Day) and key dates for early voting and absentee ballots. Education: New data from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments shows strong participation at Open World Learning Secondary School, with multiple grades hitting top participation rates in reading. Weather & Roads: Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa stay mostly cloudy with showers possible near and south of I-90; in Rochester, Highway 52 southbound has a Monday night detour tied to bridge work. Sports (Twins): The Twins beat the Angels 8-0 to split the series, with Dean Kremer striking out eight in a strong start. Safety (Farming): The Minnesota Department of Agriculture warns growers about anhydrous ammonia handling, urging protective gear and emergency water during application and transport.

Education Watch: Pratt Elementary’s fifth-graders led reading participation in the 2024-25 MCA, with 47% meeting reading proficiency. Rural Math Struggles: In Stevens County, 40.2% of students failed the math portion of the 2024-25 MCA, with performance down versus the benchmark. Fed & Inflation: Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari told Fox inflation is still too high across the economy, backing last week’s rate hike. NFL Rivalry: The Vikings and Bears renew their NFC North matchup today at Soldier Field on FOX, with Minnesota starting Carson Wentz. Housing Numbers: Zillow reports typical home values rising in multiple counties, including Blue Earth ($303,241, +1%) and Le Sueur ($356,839, +1.2%). Public Safety: Minnesota State Patrol reports a three-vehicle crash on Highway 22 near Cold Spring and a rollover on Highway 10 near Rice, both with non-life-threatening injuries. Health & Agriculture: Minnesota confirms additional H5N1 cases at three poultry operations as fall migration brings added risk. Road Work: MnDOT bridge inspections will close parts of I-35 ramps at the Twin Ports Interchange Sept. 21-24.

MLS & Local Sports: Marco Reus scored the winner in the 80th minute as LA Galaxy beat Minnesota United 3-2 at Allianz Field, handing the Loons a fourth straight loss and leaving playoff hopes in trouble. WNBA Playoff Race: The Minnesota Lynx are tied for the win column lead after Golden State’s Valkyries closed out Seattle 70-57; Minnesota now heads into the final stretch with key matchups ahead. College Football: Drake Lindsey threw for 204 yards and three TDs as the Gophers bounced back to rout Akron 41-7, setting up Big Ten play next week. Elections & Voting Access: Minnesota mail-only voting covers about 150,000 rural voters, with ballots automatically sent to eligible precincts. Immigration & Courts: A federal judge blocked Trump guidance that would restrict SNAP for some lawful residents, protecting benefits for about 440,000 Minnesotans. Weather & Flooding: Heavy rain again hit southeast Minnesota, triggering flood warnings and road closures around New Richland. Community Watch: Neighbors in St. Louis Park rallied to protect historic trees threatened by a planned road and bike-lane project.

Weather & Safety: A flood watch stays up until 1 p.m. CDT today for parts of southeast Minnesota, with 2 to 4 inches more rain possible, and reports of torrential downpours already triggering mudslides and road closures across south-central and southeast Minnesota. Elections: Minnesota’s Secretary of State is rolling out “Three Ways to Vote” as early voting and absentee voting ramp up for the Nov. 3 general election. Immigration & Courts: Minnesota’s anti-ICE relief fund was shut down amid fraud concerns, while federal court fights continue over SNAP protections and immigration enforcement tactics. Local Life & Culture: Little Falls is planning “Dreams Take Flight 100” for Charles Lindbergh’s 100th anniversary, with events tied to the Lindbergh House and Museum. Sports: The Vikings host the Bears in Week 2, with Minnesota looking to build on its Week 1 comeback win. Education: New state data highlights reading proficiency gaps at specific schools, including Johnson Senior High and Pillsbury Elementary. Housing & Jobs: Zillow reports mixed county home-value moves, while a Rochester-area jobs update shows employment largely flat as Minnesota’s unemployment rate edges to 4.4%.

Immigration Enforcement Fallout: Hennepin County shut down a $2 million “anti–Operation Metro Surge” relief fund after finding widespread fraud in applications, including AI-written text and businesses that didn’t exist; only $500,000 was paid out before the program ended. Elections: Early voting is underway in Minnesota as absentee voting begins for the Nov. 3 general election, with guidance on how the state’s two early in-person phases work and where to vote. Student Civic Life: Minnesota State University, Mankato is hosting student-focused election involvement options, including pop-up early voting sites and a Sept. 24 candidate forum. St. Paul Workplace Probe: A sexual harassment investigation into St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is complete, but the findings haven’t been released publicly yet. Court Update (ICE): ICE agent Christian Castro pleaded not guilty in federal court tied to the Jan. 14 shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant during Operation Metro Surge. Local Business: Celiac-safe beer is back in St. Paul’s Midway as SAW Brewing reopens in the former Burning Brothers space. Sports: The New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx 93-81 as Breanna Stewart posted 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Weather & Safety: Rain is expected through the weekend, and Minnesota law requires headlights on whenever it’s raining (not just when visibility is poor). Flood Watch: Parts of the Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes face a weekend flash-flood threat, with totals possibly reaching 3–5 inches and localized higher amounts. Elections: Absentee voting is now underway for the Nov. 3 general election, with mail or in-person options through Nov. 2. Immigration Court: ICE officer Christian Castro pleaded not guilty in federal court after prosecutors say he lied to the FBI about an attack before shooting a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis. Local Justice: A father accused of killing his 16-year-old son, Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr., heads to trial Friday in Elk River-area case. Education: New MCA data shows Humboldt High seventh graders had the second-highest reading participation among grades tested, with 12% meeting proficiency. Economy: Minnesota added about 1,500 jobs in August; unemployment ticked up to 4.4%. Sports & Community: The Roy Griak cross-country meet brings area teams to Minneapolis, and a Born Learning Trail ribbon cutting drew families to the Iron Range.

Local Sports: The Vikings’ comeback opener is already making headlines, with Justin Jefferson’s big catches and Carson Wentz’s key touchdown setup driving the late surge, while Kyler Murray remains in concussion protocol with another limited practice. Public Safety: Minnesota is investing $12.56M to strengthen fire prevention, hazardous materials response gear, and firefighter training statewide. Health: Minnesota reported its 18th measles case of 2026 in Fillmore County, tied to an unvaccinated adult who traveled across multiple states. Courts & Crime: An ICE agent accused in a Minneapolis shooting appeared in court, as prosecutors press charges tied to alleged assault and false reporting. Politics & Justice: Anthony Kazmierczak, who sprayed Ilhan Omar with vinegar at a Minneapolis town hall, was sentenced to 14 months in prison. Community & Events: Thousands of riders are expected for the Fall Flood Run along the Mississippi and St. Croix valleys, with safety warnings for motorists and riders. Education & Civic Life: A vacancy is open for Minnesota’s 10th Judicial District judgeship, with applications due Oct. 8.

WNBA Playoff Picture: The Minnesota Lynx are in the strongest spot for the final stretch, locked into either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed as the league restarts its 30th season Thursday; the WNBA playoffs begin Sept. 27. Local Crime & Courts: A Walker teenager’s death in Cass Lake has been ruled a homicide by gunshot wound, and investigators say no arrests have been made. Public Safety Data: Hennepin County reported 66 violent-category bookings and 73 drug-category bookings for the week ending Sept. 13. Education Ballot: Minnesota voters will decide a constitutional amendment to boost the permanent school fund’s per-student payment, with the vote on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. School Support & Community: The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is accepting applications statewide through Oct. 1. Weather: Thursday stays mostly dry, but Friday brings widespread soaking rain, with some areas possibly seeing 2+ inches.

Minneapolis Public Safety & Courts: Minneapolis released new bodycam and search-warrant details from the apartment mass shooting at Loring Towers, showing how officers confronted the shooter and two were hit during the attack. Immigration Enforcement: ICE officer Christian Castro was arrested in Minneapolis and booked into Hennepin County Jail on state assault and false-reporting charges tied to a January shooting, as extradition fights and federal false-statement charges continue. Schools & City Policy: Minneapolis Public Schools is weighing three “transformation” plans that could close up to 16 schools, while some parents say they were blindsided; separately, the City Council is considering an ordinance that would require a licensed human monitor in every driverless robotaxi. Community & Health: Minnesota food shelves saw more than 9 million visits last year, a record for the fourth straight year, and MPR is hosting a Feeding America segment on what’s driving the need. Business & Local Life: U.S. Bank increased its prime lending rate to 7.00%; and the Minnesota State Fair–style community spotlight continues with a local kitten plea from Tri-County Humane Society. Sports: Bears and Vikings kick off an early NFC North showdown as Chicago prepares for Brian Flores’ pressure-heavy defense.

Airport Watch: Detroit Metro ranked No. 2 for passenger satisfaction among North America’s biggest airports, with MSP taking the top spot in the J.D. Power study. Immigration & Speech: A federal judge blocked ICE from threatening a New York man over an email criticizing ICE’s response to Minneapolis killings, citing likely First Amendment issues. Historic Preservation: Crews hit the halfway mark on the Basilica of St. Mary restoration in St. Paul, carefully removing historic stained-glass windows. Health Care Costs: Medicare open enrollment for 2027 runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7, with analysts warning of higher Part D deductibles, possible premium jumps, and plan-network changes. Local Schools: Minneapolis Public Schools is weighing closing up to 16 schools as it redraws boundaries, with feedback due Oct. 16. Public Safety & Roads: I-35 southbound to Highway 45 in Scanlon closes Sept. 22 for paving. Cannabis Economy: Minnesota’s adult-use market has topped $250 million in sales since legalization, alongside new tax revenue figures. Community & Outdoors: Minnesota DNR is recruiting for advisory groups, and the state’s “Take a Kid Hunting Weekend” lets youth hunt small game with adults (no license for the youth under 16).

Minneapolis Schools Budget Crunch: Minneapolis Public Schools is floating options that would close more than a dozen schools to address a nearly $40 million shortfall, with families and staff bracing for major changes. School Transformation Fallout: The district’s broader “transformation plan” would consolidate programs, redraw attendance boundaries, and shift thousands of students, potentially affecting 12% to 14% of enrollment. Flock Camera Fight Spreads: The University of Minnesota removed one Flock camera, but concerns about what the cameras capture and who can access the data are still sparking pushback. Heritage Park Housing Crisis: Minneapolis officials and advocates say deteriorating conditions at Heritage Park are “extremely uninhabitable,” raising questions about relocation, accountability, and how promises from the rebuilding era will be honored. Public Safety Update: Minnesota reported a nearly 13% drop in violent crime in 2025, including fewer murders and carjackings. Cannabis Milestone: Minnesota’s adult-use market hit $250 million in retail sales in its first year, with $45.6 million collected in taxes. Deer Hunting Data Call: The DNR is asking deer hunters to log sightings online as archery season opens, using the data to improve wildlife population estimates. Weekend Travel Alert: Eastbound I-394 in Minneapolis closes Sept. 18–21 for bridge and ramp repairs, with detours via Highway 169 and I-94. Sports (Local Flavor): The Yankees routed the Twins 8-1 at Target Field, while the Minnesota Wild extended coach John Hynes on a multiyear deal.

Cannabis Market Update: Minnesota has topped $250 million in combined adult-use and medical cannabis sales since legal launch a year ago, generating $45.6 million in tax revenue, with growth in both licensed businesses and cultivation. Election Rules in Focus: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked last-minute federal changes to mail voting, meaning Minnesota’s process stays the same for the upcoming midterms. Public Safety & Courts: A Todd County judge sentenced Mervin Kauffman to 30 years for sexually assaulting six juveniles over seven years. Health Care Costs: Minnesota nursing home workers’ minimum wage standards kicked in Sept. 10, with a $19 baseline and higher pay for licensed and certified roles. State Politics & Fraud: Minnesota governor candidates Lisa Demuth and Amy Klobuchar both called for firings tied to a Star Tribune investigation into missed fraud warning signs. Local Tech & Privacy: The University of Minnesota is removing one automated license plate reader camera after community concerns. Sports: The Minnesota Wild extended coach John Hynes with a multi-year deal, while the Yankees clinched a playoff berth with an 8-3 win over the Twins.