🌱 Mpls Leaders Respond To July 4 'Mayhem' + Kenilworth Channel Closes

Hi all. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your fresh copy of the Minneapolis Daily, filled with all the things you need to know about what's going on locally. Without further ado...

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First, today's weather:

Humid; a stray a.m. t-storm. High: 87 Low: 68.

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Here are the top three stories today in Minneapolis:

1. The holiday weekend in Minneapolis ended in "mayhem," with fireworks being launched out of cars downtown and a Boom Island shooting that injured seven people. According to Interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman, the city received more than 1,300 911 calls between 9 p.m. on Monday and 4 a.m. on Tuesday, which is the typical number of emergency calls Minneapolis receives in an entire day. "People — whether they're doing shootings or blasting off fireworks in a residential area — they need to be held accountable," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in a press conference. More city leaders responded to these 4th of July incidents in this CBS News segment. (KSTP)
2. Yesterday, a month-long closure of the north end of Kenilworth Channel kicked off as construction begins on the METRO Green Line Extension. According to the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation department, the Channel will be closed to boats while crews demolish the old pedestrian bridge over the channel and work on the adjacent LRT bridge. The Department noted that the channel may reopen on some weekends for recreational use "when conditions are safe." In the meantime, paddlers and anglers can access the Kenilworth Lagoon from Lake of the Isles. Learn more about the Southwest light rail project (SWLRT) on the Metropolitan Council project page. (Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board via Facebook)
3. The Republican-controlled Minnesota state Senate appears to have "accidentally" passed a bill legalizing THC-laced edibles, and according to Democrats, this was by design. In a news conference on Tuesday, Rep. Ryan Winkler said Minnesota Democrats kept this bill "on the down-low" and didn't widely promote it, which they believed would make it more likely to pass. And they were, perhaps, correct: Republican Sen. Jim Abeler said he "didn't realize the bill would legalize edibles containing delta-9 THC" before it passed and wants lawmakers to consider "undoing" the law. However, it is likely here to stay. "This is a big step towards a regulated, legal, sensible THC/cannabis market in Minnesota," said former Democratic state representative Hunter Cantrell. (Minneapolis Patch)

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Today in Minneapolis:

• Farmers And Makers Market On Nicollet Between 6th And 8th (10:00 AM)
• Connect And Play At Minneapolis Central Library (10:00 AM)
• Free COVID-19 Vaccinations At Allina Commons (3:30 PM)
• Music In The Park At The Commons (5:00 PM)
• Movie Night: "Paw Patrol" At Target Field Station (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Did you notice the strange orange-yellow sky over the Twin Cities on Tuesday night? It wasn't your imagination. The National Weather Service explained that the stunning display was a combination of the sunset and clouds that were carrying lots of water. (Minneapolis Patch)
• If you're looking for your new best friend, look no further than these Minneapolis-area animal shelters! Check out the latest local pets up for adoption in this Patch and Petfinder roundup. (Minneapolis Patch)
• Don't miss the inaugural "Music & Market," a free summer concert series at Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan tonight! Every Thursday in July from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., the community can enjoy live musical performances while shopping with local vendors. Tonight's performer is Whiskey Trail, which plays a "high-energy blend of folk, pop, and country classics." (Minneapolis Patch)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.