Ramsey County

St. Paul is set to begin clearing homeless encampments starting August 5, working with Ramsey County and local service providers to address health and safety concerns.

Jeffrey Thomas Simon, 39, pleaded guilty to coercing a 13-year-old girl into sexual exploitation through threatening messages. Court documents revealed he also targeted another 14-year-old girl via Discord, demanding nude photos and threatening kidnapping. Simon faces federal and state charges, including criminal sexual conduct and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Twin Cities organizations and city agencies are addressing extreme heat impacts through cooling centers and research, as heatwaves increase demand for services and highlight health risks for vulnerable populations. The urban heat island effect exacerbates temperatures in areas with fewer trees and more impervious surfaces, prompting efforts to mitigate long-term risks.

The article discusses the ongoing issue of unsheltered encampments in U.S. cities, focusing on Minneapolis and St. Paul, where local governments have cleared encampments under public safety concerns. It highlights the lack of viable alternatives for displaced individuals and criticizes the absence of a comprehensive solution to poverty, addiction, and housing crises.

Two people were arrested after a high-speed chase in St. Paul, where a Lexus traveling over 100 mph crashed into another vehicle and came to rest in a ditch.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher met with the Somali community to address gang violence concerns, citing 300 Somali gang members and over 1000 total gang members in the metro area. Community leaders urged him to avoid singling out their community, while officials emphasized the need to address youth involvement in gangs.

Ramsey County is suing the Department of Homeland Security in federal court over the forcible removal of a U.S. citizen from his home. County investigators are seeking answers regarding the incident.

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.

Ramsey County in Minnesota sued the Department of Homeland Security for withholding evidence related to an ICE arrest of U.S. citizen ChongLy 'Scott' Thao, which the county is investigating as potential kidnapping. The county alleges federal agents illegally detained Thao in subfreezing temperatures without a warrant, and DHS has obstructed the investigation by delaying information requests for over three months.

Ramsey County officials are suing the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for refusing to share evidence related to the arrest of U.S. citizen ChongLy 'Scott' Thao, which is under investigation for potential kidnapping. The lawsuit claims ICE obstructed state investigators by withholding information for months, hindering a criminal prosecution under Minnesota law.

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.

A community meeting is scheduled between Ramsey County officials and members to address Somali gang violence. Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher highlighted the issue as needing urgent solutions, while the Somali-American partnership criticized public rhetoric as harmful to youth and called for collaboration. The meeting, set for July 21, 2026, aims to foster dialogue on prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies.

A 42-year-old Laotian national convicted of repeatedly raping a child was pardoned by Minnesota's board of pardons after the clemency commission cited 'immigration concerns.' The commission voted 4-2 in favor, with some commissioners noting the applicant's six children and potential deportation risks, while opponents highlighted the severity of the offense. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security criticized the decision as protecting 'criminal illegal aliens.'

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 organizations will expand homelessness prevention with a $40 million investment in the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHAP). The funding will assist 11,000 households by covering past-due rent, deposits, and utilities, with Catholic Charities Twin Cities in Ramsey County receiving $60,000 to help families avoid eviction and shelter entry.

A federal audit found Ramsey County failed to meet requirements for a nearly $3 million Justice Department grant intended to upgrade first responder radios and generators. The county lacked required policies and did not use a competitive process for generators, leading to $273,000 in questioned costs. The Justice Department’s grant office will determine if repayment is required, and auditors recommended improving grant administration and financial management.

St. Paul is addressing a $26 million budget deficit for 2027 by exploring options like consolidating services, expanding the tax base, and implementing a PILOT program. City leaders cited inflation and reduced state/federal aid as causes and referenced Boston's successful PILOT program as a model.

Oakdale police investigated fights between juvenile groups during the Summerfest fireworks show at Walton Park, causing panic and reports of potential gun presence. No injuries were reported, and authorities are collaborating with event organizers and neighboring agencies to assess future security measures.

Ramsey County has established cooling centers, as reported by KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. The article does not provide additional details about the centers or their operations.

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.

A Minnesota county prosecutor concluded that six murder convictions were fair despite concerns about the testimony of embattled medical examiner Dr. Michael McGee. A review by three medical experts found stylistic issues but no substantive flaws in McGee's work across seven cases.

Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is announcing audit results on cases handled by Dr. Michael McGee. The findings will be detailed in a press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m., following scrutiny of his forensic testimony in criminal cases.

A 20-year-old Ramsey County man was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for causing 60 fractures in his 3-month-old twin sons through assaults. The judge imposed consecutive terms for the injuries, and the grandmother reported hearing the man scream at the children. He is currently held in Ramsey County Jail and will transfer to St. Cloud Correctional Facility.

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.

President Trump falsely claimed he won Minnesota in the last three presidential elections, but evidence shows he lost each race. He won most counties but failed to secure the four largest metro-area counties, with margins of defeat ranging from 1.5 to seven percentage points. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon defended the state's election integrity, stating no evidence of widespread fraud exists.