Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Minnesota’s Students Cannot Wait for Adults to Finish Arguing About Education Minnesota’s students need results, not endless debates. Real recovery requires evidence-based teaching, accountability, attendance and measurable learning. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Costco Pays $5.5 Million for Former TGI Fridays Site, Advancing Coon Rapids Expansion Costco has finalized its $5.5 million purchase of the former TGI Fridays site, advancing plans to double fuel capacity and ease congestion in Coon Rapids. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Blaine Police Recorded 5,304 Calls for Service, 126 Arrests in June Blaine police handled 5,304 calls in June, including 1,402 traffic stops, 481 medical calls, 187 crashes and 126 arrests, highlighting a busy month for officers. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 VOICES FROM ACROSS AMERICA (VFAA) | Peter Mutabazi Never Expected Kindness to Save His Life Peter Mutabazi survived abuse and homelessness in Uganda to become a foster father whose compassion has transformed dozens of children's lives through love and belonging. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Faces Expanding Workplace Misconduct Investigation Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her faces an expanding workplace misconduct probe after complaints by two senior police officials. The allegations remain unproven. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Payment Transparency Law Gives Subcontractors Access to Public Project Records Minnesota's new Payment Transparency Act lets subcontractors request public-project payment records, with agencies required to respond within seven days at no cost. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Appleton Prison Will Reopen Under Five-Year Federal Immigration Detention Contract Appleton's Prairie Correctional Facility will reopen under a five-year ICE contract, adding about 1,600 detention beds and creating jobs in western Minnesota. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Wed. Aug 5 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Finds Assisted-Living Facility Neglected Resident Given 18 Liquor Shots Minnesota found a Holdingford assisted-living facility neglected a resident after staff gave him 18 liquor shots in 24 hours. The facility plans to appeal. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Tue. Aug 4 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Minnesota Cannot Build a Strong Economy on Weak Oversight Minnesota's future depends on stronger oversight and economic growth. Protecting taxpayers, restoring trust and attracting investment require competent, accountable government. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Tue. Aug 4 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Raises Legal Age for Buying and Possessing Kratom to 21 Minnesota raised the legal age to buy or possess kratom from 18 to 21. Selling it to anyone under 21 is now a gross misdemeanor under state law. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Tue. Aug 4 2026 MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Makes Prison Presumptive for Medicaid Fraud Exceeding $1 Million Minnesota now presumes prison for Medicaid fraud over $1 million, strengthening penalties and expanding investigators to protect taxpayer-funded healthcare. Tom Akaolisa Editor
Coon Rapids Tue. Aug 4 2026 BUILDERS OF MINNESOTA | The Gospel of 49 Chairs: How Nadia Wotrang-Brown Bet Her Home to Feed the Soul of Minnesota Chef Nadia Wotrang-Brown sold her home to build Nadia's Jamaican Kitchen, creating a family legacy rooted in faith, resilience, authentic food and community. Tom Akaolisa Editor