Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Police are asking for the public's help finding a missing 82-year-old man who hasn't been seen since Monday morning. The Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department says Louis Jerome Mason, Sr. was last seen leaving Grand Casino Mille Lacs in a 2017 Ford Expedition, Minnesota license plate GSS136. He was driving southbound on Highway 169, according to an alert issued by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Officials say Mason is medication dependent and that there is concern for his well-being. Officials say Mason is 5-foot-8, 218 pounds with gray hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mille Lacs Tribal PD at 320-532-3430 or 911
Rice man is facing several tax-related charges. The Minnesota Department of Revenue says the Dakota County Attorney's Office recently charged Dillon Blocker of Rice. According to the criminal complaint, Blocker operated multiple tree service businesses providing taxable services to customers, with the income from the businesses being required to be reported on his individual income tax returns each year. Bank records allegedly showed that Blocker had earned taxable income from his tree service businesses as well as from gambling winnings from casinos. The complaint says Blocker failed to file income tax returns and pay income tax for the years 2020 through 2024. Blocker also allegedly failed to file Sales and Use Tax returns and remit sales tax on the services conducted by his business for multiple periods between 2020 and 2026. The Revenue Department says Blocker previously filed income tax returns before 2016 and allegedly told investigators that he was aware of his filing obligations but did not file because he was not good at paperwork. Blocker allegedly owes over $221,000 in income and sales taxes.
Two suspects are in custody after an assault Monday afternoon. The St. Cloud Police Department says officers responded to a call of an assault at about 1:00 p.m. in the 700 block of Lincoln Avenue Southeast in St. Cloud. Upon arrival, officers learned that a 17-year-old St. Cloud teenager had a handgun pulled on him in a threatening manner. Police say the victim and the suspects were acquaintances, and the suspects were in a vehicle at the time of the incident. Authorities say they later located the vehicle in the area and arrested the suspects without incident. A 17-year-old male of St. Cloud and 20-year-old Quinton McNeal of St. Cloud were both taken into custody. The 17-year-old suspect is being held in a secure detention facility, and McNeal is being held in Sherburne County Jail pending formal charges. Officers also recovered a handgun from the suspect's vehicle. The 17-year-old victim did not suffer any injuries, and the incident is still under investigation. McNeal was already awaiting sentencing in a separate case. He pleaded guilty in June to aiding and abetting aggravated robbery for his role in a robbery that turned deadly on February 2nd, 2025. A second count of aiding and abetting theft of a firearm is being dismissed under the plea agreement. The shooting killed 17-year-old Layson Davis and seriously wounded a 19-year-old Cold Spring man inside a St. Cloud apartment building. Investigators say the robbery grew out of a gun sale that turned into a struggle over a handgun. The man accused of firing the fatal shots, Bernard Bowens, was charged with murder, and McNeal was among several people who fled the scene. Under the agreed terms, McNeal faces a downward dispositional departure with a stayed sentence, placing him on probation rather than sending him to prison, along with credit for 193 days already served.
Mike Lindell, announced Tuesday, that because of his run for governor in Minnesota, he is stepping down as chief executive officer of Shakopee-based MyPillow. “Today, I’ve made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I’m stepping down as CEO of MyPillow so I can devote 100% of my time and energy to my campaign for Governor of Minnesota,” Lindell said. “Minnesota deserves my full attention, and that’s exactly what I’m giving it. I’m all in, and I can’t wait to earn your vote.” Lindell has also reduced his ownership stake in the company to a minority share. He’ll stay on as a member of the board, but the CEO title goes to James Furlong, who served as a MyPillow director from 2004 to 2019.
The smoky air has long left the Twin Cities metro, but the wildfires are still burning in northern Minnesota with no end in sight. Wildfire Response Public Information Officer Paul Meznarich says nearly 65,000 acres of land have burned so far compared to around 1.1 million total acres in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) including one new fire reported on Tuesday. Fire officials say two of the biggest wildfires are now more than 90% contained. However, looking at the situation as a whole, Meznarich says the wildfires are about 50% contained. Around 400 firefighters received special training on how to travel by canoe so they can access remote areas of the BWCA where fires may be burning deep underneath layers of brush. Some areas are safe, which is why on Wednesday they're moving into phase five of their plan for reopening the Boundary Waters to nearly 70% of the entry points of the BWCA will be back open.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Javiana tied to jalapeños served at Mexican restaurants in the state. MDH has identified 110 cases of Salmonella Javiana in the outbreak. Health officials have spoken with 84 affected people, 75% of whom reported eating at a Chipotle restaurant between June 14 and July 14. The remaining respondents reported eating at other Mexican-style restaurants. In response to the outbreak, Chipotle said it has removed jalapeños from multiple restaurants in Minnesota. "As part of our established health and safety protocols, upon learning of a potential outbreak, we immediately initiated our ingredient traceability system and were able to identify jalapeños as a potential common ingredient from a common lot, and the restaurants where it was distributed," a Chipotle spokesperson said in a statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapeños from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers." "Chipotle has fully collaborated on every aspect of this investigation; ranging from providing records and information about the foods they receive at their restaurants, as well as implementing mitigation steps right away to prevent further transmission, including removing the suspected jalapeños from all the restaurants that received that product," Carlota Medus, Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor in the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne Diseases Unit, said in a statement. MDH said it is "too soon to know if the outbreak is ongoing," but officials said they are not concerned about Chipotle, given the steps the company has taken. However, MDH officials said it is possible the outbreak may continue if contaminated food is still being served at other restaurants. MDH said it expects to learn of more cases in the coming days. Officials also said they appreciate the cooperation of those who have been sick.
The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls invite the public to the 2026 Green Fair Folk Festival on Wednesday, August 5, from 4-8 p.m., on the west lawn of St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. Browse the exhibits and find earth-friendly products, “green” education, fair trade items, seasonal produce; observe the work of local artisans, all while listening to some amazing music. Bring your blankets or folding chairs, water bottles and enjoy a variety of entertainment featuring students and faculty from St. Francis Music Center and other local talent. This is a free, family-friendly event with activities for kids, including free face painting. Sign up for a tour of Sacred Heart Chapel; take a horse-drawn wagon ride through St. Francis campus grounds. Check out food vendors and enjoy a Franciscan peanut butter and jelly sandwich for $1. The Green Fair Folk Festival is a community celebration where everyone is welcome.
Weather: mostly sunny today, lighter winds, high near 80, cloudy early then clearing tonight low 57. Sunny and warmer Thursday, high 86 more humid, thunderstorms Thursday night low around 60. Sunny and less humid Friday, high 82, cool Friday night few showers possible, low 54. Sunny skies Saturday high 82, slight chance of storms Saturday night low 62. Sunny Sunday high 83, storms Sunday night low around 60. Monday party sunny, isolated T-storms late in the day, high 83, low around 62.
Sports: former Twins Randy Dobnak shuts down his former team and Bobby Witt Jr. had 3 hits as Kansas City wins 8-2 last night over Minnesota. The Twins continue series with Kansas City tonight at 6:40pm. Vikings continue training camp, first preseason game is August 15th against New York Giants. Former Minnesota Gopher wrestler, NCAA Champion, 10x Pro Wrestling Champion and former UFC fighting champion Brock Lesnar has announced he is officially retiring from all in ring competition following his final match Saturday in Minneapolis at WWE Summerslam. Lesnar was a NCAA Champion in 2000, won his first pro wrestling championship in 2002 and was a main stay for pro wrestling 2002-2004, then again 2012- 2026 for WWE. Lesnar announced his retirement on the Pat McAfee Show this week and was also awarded a legacy title that night by WWE management.