Hennepin County

Secretary of State Steve Simon defended Minnesota’s voter vouching law after undercover videos were recorded at polling locations, noting that while a voter can vouch for multiple people, the vouched person must still provide identifying information. Simon believes the conduct shown in the videos could constitute impersonation or trespassing, but stated that prosecutors must make that judgment. He also indicated that reports of suspicious activity are generally made when suspected.

Andrea Leigh Sampson was charged with 26 counts related to an alleged sex trafficking operation in the Twin Cities area. She is accused of playing a role in operating a website called “Minnesota Erotica Personals” and using shell LLCs to hide profits from transactions that occurred at properties owned by her.

A Hennepin County judge ordered a jury trial for a lawsuit arguing that Minneapolis must meet minimum police staffing levels mandated by its City Charter. The suit, filed by the Upper Midwest Law Center, seeks to enforce a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that found Minneapolis deficient in its hiring goals. The law center argues the city has not made meaningful progress toward maintaining at least 1.7 officers for every 1,000 residents.

Federal officials are threatening criminal charges against Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt and Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff Tom Dart after they reportedly declined to give immigration agents access to inmates subject to deportation. According to the New York Times, these threats assert that failing to hand over sought-after inmates could lead to federal charges of witness tampering. Legal experts reported that the threatened charges would likely be difficult to prosecute.

ICE has issued warnings to sheriffs in Cook County, Ill., and Hennepin County, Minn., through letters delivered by federal agents in early July regarding access to inmates. Sheriffs Tom Dart and Dawanna S. Witt are the recipients of these threats of prosecution.

Vance Boelter appeared in state court for the first time after being sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years in federal court for killing Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and attempting to kill others. He faces state charges including two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and animal cruelty for shooting the Hortmans’ dog.

Hennepin County is hosting a button design contest for election judges. The contest was featured on KSTP.com.

The former chief public defender in Hennepin County, Kassius Benson, was disbarred by the Minnesota Supreme Court after being convicted of tax fraud and misappropriating client funds. He was ordered to repay over $213,000 for tax fraud and had previously used client funds for personal expenses without allocating them to legal services.

A second 17-year-old suspect was arrested in Illinois for the July 5 fatal shooting of 16-year-old Immanuel Kowo in Brooklyn Park's Hartkopf Park. The first suspect, also 17, was charged with gun possession but not homicide. Five shell casings were found near a jungle gym amid a large gathering at the park.

Minnesota’s Weather Authority issued an extreme heat alert for Sunday, with heat indices exceeding 100 degrees in parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Health risks include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration, particularly for vulnerable groups. Cooling centers are available in multiple counties to provide relief.

A Brooklyn Park pastor involved in a wage dispute with Hennepin County is no longer facing criminal charges related to underpaying nonprofit workers. The charges were dropped after a years-long legal dispute.

Jordan Thomas Land, 34, was charged with criminal vehicular homicide after a 2024 crash that killed a woman. Court records indicate he was using his phone to access TikTok, Facebook, and Safari while driving at high speeds, failing to avoid a stalled vehicle on I-94 in Hennepin County. Investigators found he did not react to the hazard until moments before impact.

A Hennepin County man was charged with sexual assaults in 2012 and 2022 after DNA evidence linked him to both cases. Prosecutors identified him through DNA matches, physical descriptions, and vehicle records, leading to his arrest in 2026.

Minnesota's Weather Authority has issued heat and smoke alerts for Thursday and Friday, with high temperatures in the low to mid-90s and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. Health risks include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and worsened pre-existing conditions, prompting advisories to limit outdoor activity and use cooling centers.

Molly reports that heavy smoke from northern Minnesota wildfires is moving toward the metro area, combining with extreme heat that has issued a 5-day alert through Friday. The heat, with 'feels like' temperatures near 100°F, poses health risks including heat exhaustion and stroke, especially for vulnerable groups. Poor air quality is expected to persist, with cooling centers available in several counties.

The article argues that a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network is a more cost-effective and beneficial alternative to the proposed $3.58 billion Blue Line Extension light-rail project for the north metro. A Metropolitan Council study suggests that multiple BRT lines could serve more residents, reduce costs, and provide greater mobility than a single light-rail line, challenging the current debate between one BRT and one rail option.

A Minnesota Weather Authority Alert is in effect from Sunday through Tuesday as extreme heat, with heat index values in the high 90s to triple digits, impacts the state. Health risks include heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic conditions. Cooling centers are available in multiple counties.

Minnesota's state Conviction Review Unit (CRU) was suspended after the federal government stopped funding it, leaving Hennepin County's Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) as the only entity in the state reviewing claims of wrongful conviction. The shutdown affects about 160 incarcerated individuals seeking review, but Hennepin County can only process cases originating from its jurisdiction.

The METRO Blue Line Extension project faces a $279 million funding gap after its cost increased from $1.5 billion to $3.385 billion, with a potential 2033 start date. Local officials are frustrated as traditional funding sources are restricted, and efforts to reduce the contingency fund may only cover part of the shortfall.

An environmental advocacy group plans to sue Hennepin County over toxic ash from the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center’s trash incinerator, alleging non-compliance with state law requiring a solid waste plan to address ash toxicity and volume. The group claims the county’s 2024-2029 Solid Waste Management Plan does not address incinerator ash, despite documented pollution concerns, and the city of Minneapolis approved a 2027 closure resolution for the facility.

Isanti County is considering increasing the wheelage tax from $10 to $20 annually to fund a new highway department building, aiming to avoid raising property taxes. The tax, dedicated to road and bridge maintenance, is already applied in other Minnesota counties with varying rates. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Wednesday.

Storms during the Fourth of July caused thousands of power outages in Minnesota, with nearly 10,000 customers losing electricity, primarily in Hennepin and Carver Counties. Xcel Energy is working to restore power but has not provided a timeline.

Minneapolis leaders announced a new plan to target open-air drug markets following 25 charges in a fentanyl and cocaine trafficking case involving two gangs. The initiative involves partnerships with Hennepin County, transit agencies, and Indigenous organizations.

Best Buy's Richfield headquarters assessed value dropped to $32 million in 2027, down from a 25-year minimum taxable value of $118.5 million, raising concerns about reduced city tax revenue. The city estimates a $600,000 loss in 2027 tax revenue due to the lower assessment.

A Hennepin County judge sentenced Marisa Simonetti to 90 days in jail and probation for harassment and domestic assault after she threw a tarantula at her housemate in 2024.

Residents of Heritage Park apartments in Minneapolis are demanding answers after over $11 million in public funds failed to improve living conditions, with hundreds of units remaining vacant or unsafe. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) and city invested $11.3 million and $875,000 respectively, but ownership changes and financial disputes have left transparency unclear. Residents accuse MPHA of not ensuring proper use of funds, while former owners cited operational challenges.

A Hennepin County detention deputy named Dillon Field pleaded guilty after a domestic incident at Maple Grove Hospital, where he allegedly yelled at his wife during labor and attempted to lock her in the bathroom, triggering a lockdown. Field had previously been allowed at the hospital only if he behaved, but police say he returned aggressively after being removed, prompting the security response.

Hennepin County has invested $53 million since 2003 through its Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) grants, funding over 180 projects that created 18,000 housing units and 3,600 jobs. Recent grants include $200,000 for KMOJ radio station and support for community projects like grocery stores and cultural centers.

The assessed value of Best Buy's headquarters in Richfield dropped from $63 million to $32 million, causing a 5% decline in the city's commercial tax base. City officials warn this shift could increase the tax burden on other property owners, while the Hennepin County Assessor attributed the drop to market conditions like higher office vacancy rates and reduced demand for large campuses.

Hennepin County has established cooling centers to address high temperatures. The information was posted on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.

Minneapolis officials warn residents to prepare for extreme heat and potential severe storms next week, emphasizing the need for emergency plans, hydration, and awareness of weather alerts. The city is promoting cooling centers, an emergency alert system, and public communication strategies to ensure safety during the weather event.

Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County officials held the first community meeting since the Blue Line Light Rail Extension project's budget increase was announced. The meeting addressed community reactions to the growing budget and timeline for the project.

West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes across Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota counties, with one location each in Hennepin and Dakota and two in Ramsey testing positive. The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District notes this is consistent with historical patterns, though last year saw over 120 human cases in Minnesota, including 50 in the Twin Cities. Residents are advised to use insect repellent, cover skin, and remove standing water.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is understaffed at the detention center despite adding deputies, leading to the transfer of 45 inmates to other jails at a daily cost of $2,700. A staffing report recommends increasing detention deputies from 265 to 318 to address safety and operational issues. Sheriff Dawanna Witt and Commissioner Jeff Lunde emphasize the need for funding and action to resolve the staffing crisis.

Isabel Lopez pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting, resisting, and impeding officers after a federal search warrant execution in Minneapolis was mistaken for an immigration raid. The incident occurred during an investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering, with Lopez facing reduced charges from initial felony counts.

Hennepin County and Minneapolis approved a $250,000 joint agreement to fund a new position in the county attorney’s office to assist survivors of felony-level 'Gone On Arrival' (GOA) domestic violence cases. Advocates criticize the decision to exclude a longtime partner, Cornerstone, and question why felony and non-felony GOA cases were treated differently in response protocols.

A federal judge blocked subpoenas from the Trump administration targeting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials over immigration enforcement, ruling the subpoenas were an attempt to harass and retaliate. The judge found no credible link between the requested information and potential criminal violations, emphasizing Minnesota's right to refuse federal immigration enforcement assistance.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's subpoenas of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials, ruling the effort aimed to 'harass and retaliate' against them for refusing to assist federal immigration enforcement. The judge found no credible link between the requested records and potential criminal violations, emphasizing Minnesota's right to decline aiding federal immigration law enforcement.

A Minneapolis man was charged with burglary after being linked to a business break-in and admitting to multiple other burglaries. Court documents reveal he has prior felony convictions and faces a higher sentence due to a pattern of criminal conduct.

A 49-year-old man, Pao Her Lee, faces felony threats and harassment charges for sending threatening emails to St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her when she was a state representative. The emails included graphic attachments depicting Her and recently murdered Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman with bullet holes, and Lee’s case was transferred to Hennepin County due to Her’s current role as mayor. He is scheduled for a court appearance on July 10.