🌱 Still No Cause For U Of M Sewer Explosion + Minnesota Fringe Fest

Hello, Minneapolis! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'll be filling in for your usual curator Georgi for the rest of the week. Please note that your newsletters may be a bit lighter during this time. Now, here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

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First, today's weather:

Not as warm with a t-storm. High: 80 Low: 69.

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Here are the top three stories today in Minneapolis:

1. Investigators are still searching for the cause of an underground sewer explosion that occurred on Thursday at the University of Minnesota's Minneapolis campus. The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. in the 1700 block of University Avenue, causing multiple student buildings to be evacuated. State Fire Marshal's office took over the investigation on Saturday and believes the situation has "stabilized." However, officials remain vigilant in their search for local evidence of gas odors and flammable materials. "We will continue to monitor the sewer system over the next few days, along with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, to ensure public safety," said Jim Smith, Minnesota State Fire Marshal. (Minneapolis Patch)
2. Minneapolis-based Representative Ilhan Omar was booed by a crowd at a "Somali Week" concert held in her own home district on Sunday. Video clips shared on social media from the event appear to show the Congresswoman being booed as she appeared onstage with Somali singer Suldaan Seeraar. Rep. Omar, a Democrat, is the first Somali-American ever elected to Congress. Cecily Davis, Omar's likely Republican challenger in this year's election, told Fox and Friends First that Omar's "policies are very unpopular to those in her own community." (WGME)
3. The Minnesota Fringe Festival is returning to Minneapolis in full force this summer after two years of virtual and hybrid events. From Aug. 4 to 14, there will be 595 live theatre performances at 11 locations around the city. Hailed as an "experimental platform for local and national artists," the 29th annual Fringe Festival will feature storytelling, comedy, drama, dance, horror, improv, opera, and more. Right now, over 1,000 artists are slated to perform for the anticipated audience of 35,000 over the course of the festival. In a press release, Fringe Festival executive director Dawn Bentley described the event as "a beautiful tapestry of talent to inspire the creative community of Minnesota." (Mpls.St.Paul Magazine)

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Today in Minneapolis:

• Trivia Night At AxeBridge Wine Company (6:30 PM)
• Free Zumba Wednesday At The Cultural Wellness Center (7:00 PM)
• Live Music At Dakota Jazz Club (7:00 PM)
• "Ain't Too Proud — The Life And Times Of The Temptations" At Orpheum Theatre (7:30 PM)
• Movies In The Park: "Edward Scissorhands" At The Commons (9:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• En garde! Catch the world's largest fencing tournament now through Jul. 11 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Get the details here. (Meet Minneapolis via Instagram)
• Were you at any of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's 4th of July park parties on Monday? Check out the photos the Board shared from the events at Logan and Victory Parks. "Thank you to all of the performers, staff, and people who came out to celebrate Independence Day at the park!" they wrote in a Facebook post. (Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board via Facebook)
• What's happening at Minneapolis Public Schools next year? The school district shared this YouTube video of interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox speaking about her plan for the 2022-23 school year and answering questions from the media during a Jul. 1 press conference. (Minneapolis Public Schools via Facebook)
• Looking for a new home in Minneapolis? Check out the latest local properties for sale in Patch's real estate roundup. (Minneapolis Patch)

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— 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.