Local News
Community updates, development projects, and local stories from across the Minnesota metro area — updated regularly.
Apple Valley Weekly Update: New Entertainment Venues Near Completion
Picklehall nears September opening with 18 courts and food hall. MnDOT begins major highway construction affecting local traffic.
Edina Weekly Update: New Bridge Construction Begins
Rosland Park pedestrian bridge construction now underway over Highway 62. City earns AAA bond rating reaffirmation ahead of infrastructure bond sale.
Grand Rapids Weekly Update: Fire Danger and Community Resilience
Extreme fire danger prompts Red Flag Warning for Itasca County. Library fundraising hits $30K match goal.
Hopkins Weekly Update: Raspberry Festival Returns for 92nd Year
Hopkins celebrates 92nd Raspberry Festival with grand marshal Dale Specken. Lake Daze Dispensary opens on Mainstreet.
Maple Grove Weekly Update: Maple Grove Days Kicks Off
Maple Grove Days runs July 15-19 with parade honoring Vietnam vet. Community Center Phase 2 bids due July 28.
St. Cloud Weekly Update: Air Quality Alert Hits Hazardous Levels
Wildfire smoke prompts hazardous air quality warning in St. Cloud. Stearns County reviews 2027 budget with 7% levy hike proposal.
Woodbury Weekly Update: Main Event Opening Soon
Entertainment center Main Event opens Aug. 3 near Topgolf. City Council filing period now open through July 28.
Apple Valley Weekly Update: Pickleball Complex Nears Opening
Picklehall pickleball and food hall complex targets September opening. MnDOT begins two-year Highway 77 construction project.
Edina Weekly Update: Rosland Park Bridge Removed
Construction milestone reached as old pedestrian bridge removed. City Council race heats up with new candidates.
Grand Rapids Weekly Update: Minnesota Lottery Opens New Office
Minnesota Lottery opens a new regional office in Grand Rapids. Library receives $30K matching grant to expand public hours.
Hopkins Weekly Update: School Budget Shows Surplus
Hopkins Schools projects $2M surplus after cuts. Raspberry Festival kicks off July 15 for 92nd year.
Maple Grove Weekly Update: Maple Grove Days Arrives
Maple Grove Days begins July 15 with parades, fireworks, and family events. A new retail development opens on 70th Way.
St. Cloud Weekly Update: Heat Wave Grips Central Minnesota
Heat advisory in effect through Tuesday as temperatures soar. Sartell native Kade Lewis drafted by Cleveland Guardians.
Woodbury Weekly Update: Main Event Opening Next Month
Main Event entertainment center to open Aug. 3 as Minnesota's first location. City Council filing period opens July 14 for November election.
Apple Valley Weekly Update: Picklehall Construction Advances
Picklehall nears September opening with 18 courts and food hall. MnDOT begins major Highway 77 project this month.
Edina Weekly Update: Starbucks Union Vote
Baristas at 50th and France Starbucks vote to unionize. City hosts Fourth of July celebrations and launches e-bike safety seminars.
Grand Rapids Weekly Update: Food Shelf Gets New Downtown Home
Second Harvest announces downtown food shelf relocation. Library fund surpasses $90K with new matching grant.
Hopkins Weekly Update: School District Sees Budget Turnaround
Hopkins Schools approves 2027 budget with expected $2M surplus after significant cuts. Raspberry Festival returns July 15-19.
Maple Grove Weekly Update: Maple Grove Days Approaches
Maple Grove Days festival runs July 15-19 with parades and fireworks. A house fire on Oakview Lane caused significant damage Saturday.
St. Cloud Weekly Update: City Approves Major Housing Project
Council greenlights 244 apartments on County Road 74. Mongo's Grill returns after council approval.
Woodbury Weekly Update: Main Event Entertainment Arrives
Main Event to open first Minnesota location on Aug. 3. Plus, affordable housing project breaks ground and road construction continues.
Apple Valley Weekly Update: Severe Storm Damages Home
Overnight storms downed a large oak tree onto a Glenhaven Avenue home. The Class of 2026 also celebrated graduation at St. Thomas Arena.
Edina Weekly Update: Black Bear Visits Neighborhoods
A young black bear roams Edina backyards near Minnehaha Creek. City receives $54,600 grant for organics recycling expansion.
Grand Rapids Weekly Update: Legion Park Vision Takes Shape
City unveils master plan concepts for Legion Park; Target remodel nears completion with fresh groceries coming.
Hopkins Weekly Update: New Superintendent Named
Hopkins School Board selects Dr. Michael Thomas as next superintendent. HHS Envirothon team wins state title.
Maple Grove Weekly Update: Chalkfest Returns This Weekend
Chalkfest returns June 13-14 under new leadership. Maple Grove Senior High celebrated its Class of 2026 at US Bank Stadium.
St. Cloud Weekly Update: Air Quality Alert Issued
Air quality alert covers central Minnesota. Great River Children's Museum celebrates one year with state redevelopment award nomination.
Woodbury Weekly Update: Public Safety Building Construction Underway
Public Safety relocates during major construction project. Resident survey shows strong quality of life ratings.
Apple Valley Weekly Update: Transit Station Reopening Celebration
MVTA celebrates upgraded 157th Street Station; major MnDOT highway project begins in July.
Edina Weekly Update: Art Fair Wraps Up
The 59th annual Edina Art Fair drew crowds to 50th and France. Plus, a black bear sighting and School Board decision on dual language program.
Grand Rapids Weekly Update: Amazon Facility Progress
Amazon delivery station construction continues in Grand Rapids. Target nears completion of major store remodel with new fresh grocery offerings.
Hopkins Weekly Update: Students Win State Envirothon
Hopkins High School wins state Envirothon championship. City to host GreenCorps member this fall for sustainability initiatives.
Maple Grove Weekly Update: Chalkfest Returns Under New Leadership
Chalkfest returns June 13-14 with a new community partnership. Maple Grove Senior High celebrates Class of 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
St. Cloud Weekly Update: Diocese Announces Historic Parish Mergers
St. Cloud Diocese consolidates 131 parishes into 48. District 742 takes cautious budget approach amid state funding uncertainty.
Woodbury Weekly Update: Public Safety Building Under Construction
Police and fire services relocate as Public Safety construction continues. City survey shows high marks for quality of life.
Apple Valley Weekly Update: Transit Station Reopens
MVTA celebrates 157th Street Station upgrades. Skyline Social & Games nears August opening.
Edina Weekly Update: Art Fair Returns This Weekend
The 59th annual Edina Art Fair takes over 50th & France June 5-7. School board votes on Spanish Dual Language expansion.
Grand Rapids Weekly Update: Amazon Facility Nears Completion
Amazon's delivery station approaches spring opening. Target store remodel adds fresh groceries.
Hopkins Weekly Update: Students Win State Envirothon
Hopkins High School wins state Envirothon competition. City announces GreenCorps member and opens Burnes Park splash pad for summer.
Maple Grove Weekly Update: Hospital Nurses Authorize Strike
Nearly 600 nurses vote to authorize strike at Maple Grove Hospital. Boston Scientific expansion plans continue to grow.
St. Cloud Weekly Update: City Council Rejects Housing Project
Council votes 4-3 to deny supportive housing complex. Diocese moves forward with historic parish restructuring plan.
Woodbury Weekly Update: Affordable Housing Breaks Ground
New $92M affordable housing project begins construction on Manning Ave. Plus, road work and retail growth continue across Woodbury.
Apple Valley Sees Busy Development Season as New Businesses Open and Infrastructure Projects Begin
New housing, entertainment venues, and road construction reshape Apple Valley this spring and summer.
Edina Art Fair Returns This Weekend as City Welcomes New Retail, Development Projects
Edina hosts its 59th Art Fair June 5-7 while Southdale welcomes new stores and major infrastructure projects advance.
Grand Rapids Advances Housing, Park Plans, and School Milestones
City secures $350K housing grant, unveils Legion Park concepts, and celebrates school achievements in busy May
Hopkins Schools Name New Superintendent as District Prepares for Leadership Transition
Dr. Michael Thomas selected to lead Hopkins Schools starting July 1 as district marks superintendent transition.
Boston Scientific Expansion, New Retail Arrivals Highlight Maple Grove's Continued Growth
Major medical tech expansions and new stores at Arbor Lakes signal Maple Grove's robust development heading into summer 2026.
St. Cloud Advances Downtown Vision, Supportive Housing as City Prepares for Growth
St. Cloud moves forward on downtown plan, supportive housing complex, and major infrastructure upgrades in spring 2026.
Woodbury Breaks Ground on $60M Public Safety Campus as City Sees Wave of Development
Woodbury celebrates public safety campus groundbreaking while welcoming new retail, housing projects, and community garden expansion.