TOP STORIES
  • Girl killed in overnight storm that raced through Minnesota and Wisconsin: A four-year-old girl was killed early today when a tree branch fell on an occupied tent in Land of Memories Park in Mankato during a thunderstorm that moved through Minnesota and Wisconsin. More than 60,000 people in the two states have been without power. A National Weather Service Twin Cities meteorologist said much of the Twin Cities metro-area damage ran from Savage to Eagan.
  • Early Minneapolis voting begins: With the future of policing, rental price caps and power in city hall all on the ballot, early election voting began today in Minneapolis. On Thursday, the Minnesota Supreme Court cleared the way for the policing amendment to remain and be counted.
  • New detailed Minnesota metro breakdown of COVID-19 patients by vaccination status: Vaccinated people with COVID-19 might be taking up more hospital beds in the latest COVID-19 wave, but new data from the Allina Health and HealthPartners hospital systems show that they aren't as likely to require intensive care or ventilators.
  • FDA panel is first key test for Biden COVID-19 booster plan: The proposal to dispense COVID-19 booster shots to most Americans faced its first major hurdle today as a government advisory panel met to decide whether to endorse extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
  • Police in D.C. ready for protest for jailed Capitol rioters: Allies of Donald Trump are mounting a Saturday rally at the U.S. Capitol, aimed at supporting what they call the "political prisoners" of the Jan. 6 insurrection.
  • Drought offers rare chance to study phosphorus pollution from Minnesota sewers: The shallow pools and dried up tributaries of the Minnesota River will offer a rare glimpse into the phosphorus pollution that cities and towns have been releasing into the river through their sewage systems.
  • New Minnesota Poll this weekend: Starting Saturday and continuing next week, we'll release the results of the latest Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11/FRONTLINE Minnesota Poll on policing and charter amendments in Minneapolis, COVID-19 vaccine mandates, Afghanistan and more.
WATCH THIS

Gift-wrapping the Arc de Triomphe: This timelapse video shows how the famous Paris landmark was enveloped in 2,500 square meters of silvery blue, recyclable plastic wrapping conceived by late artist Christo.

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TRENDING
  • 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week: Pan con tomate at Petite León and Falafelicious hummus bowl at Mediterranean Cruise Cafe top the list of the food favorites dining out this week.
  • Twin Cities is recycling more than ever. Why hasn't landfilling declined? The short answer is that the share of the region's waste being recycled has risen dramatically in recent years to about 47%. But the amount being landfilled also increased recently because, due to the closure of an incinerator, we are now burning less garbage.
  • 'The Wonder Years' reboot might be just as wonderful as the original: Televison critic Neal Justin says the latest "The Wonder Years" maintains a similar tone but is more ambitious than the original.
SPORTS ROUNDUP

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WORTH A CLICK

Alone in death: Tens of thousands die each year in the United States and no one claims their bodies. A special report by the Washington Post.

TALKERS TRIVIA

Want to win a $15 gift card of your choice? It's Friday, so that means it's time for another trivia question. The correct answer to this question can be found in a story that appeared in Talkers this week. We can't prevent you from simply Googling the answer, so Googling is encouraged! E-mail your answer to talkers@startribune.com by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. A winner will be selected at random from the correct responses. That lucky reader will receive a $15 card of their choice from one of several retailers — Best Buy, Target, Holiday or Menards — as well as a shout-out in Monday's newsletter.

Here is this week's question: A Twin Cities runner used his feet and GPS to draw what on a map of Minneapolis?

Good luck!

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sept. 17, 1961: The Vikings celebrated a 37-13 victory over the Bears in their first regular-season game in 1961, surrounding two figures who would often clash: rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) and coach Norm Van Brocklin (shirt and tie). (Photo: John Croft/Star Tribune)