Suni Lee's warm welcome home

Plus: Did Tim Walz ‘let rioters burn down Minneapolis’? [Plus: Did Tim Walz ‘let rioters burn down Minneapolis’?] View this email as a [web page]( [Star Tribune]( [Essential Minnesota logo] ESSENTIAL MINNESOTA [Essential Minnesota logo] ESSENTIAL MINNESOTA Good morning, Minnesota! This early riser is jealous of your northern lights photos 🌌. On to the news 📢 [David Taintor] By David Taintor TODAY’S TOP STORIES - [Derek Chauvin, fired Minneapolis officer who killed George Floyd, moved to a new prison]( - [MSP airport officials question Riverview streetcar plan]( - [Vikings’ 53-man roster projection: Who’s in, who’s out after first preseason game?]( - [After years of litigation, Lake Minnetonka mansion with ‘Garage Mahal’ gets to stay]( - [Bike trails along Green Line LRT extension reopen with celebratory ride](   Did Tim Walz ‘let rioters burn down Minneapolis’? David Joles/Star Tribune As Republicans look to exploit Tim Walz's potential political vulnerabilities, new focus has turned to the governor’s response to the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Public safety reporters Andy Mannix and Liz Sawyer published a detailed tick-tock of the chaotic events that followed Floyd’s killing. [image] Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune Walz’s first news conference came about 48 hours after Floyd’s death, on May 27, promising a full investigation amid growing unrest. Later that night, as looters descended on a Target store, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked Walz to send in the National Guard. According to Frey, the governor said he would consider it. Walz activated the National Guard the next day, at 2:30 p.m. on May 28. And after the Minneapolis police’s Third Precinct was torched, the Guard’s mission expanded on May 29. Donald Trump has recently attempted to take credit for tamping down the situation in Minneapolis. In the days after Floyd’s death, Trump called Walz to express his support. A state Senate Republican report blamed Walz and Frey for being too pro-protester, while city and state assessments noted a communication breakdown without pointing the blame solely at Walz or Frey. Related coverage - [Formed by Nebraska small towns, Tim Walz brings unconventional background to race]( - [Walz 'misspoke' in 2018 reference to 'weapons of war, that I carried in war,' Harris campaign says](     GOING OUT - [How to avoid costly concerts with these tips for affordable live music]( - [New artistic director Justin Lucero brings ambition and Broadway lights to Theater Latté Da]( - [Feeling lonely? This app is bringing strangers together for dinner in Minneapolis]( The Minnesota medal count 🏅 And there we have it. Minnesotans brought home 12 medals for Team USA over the course of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Sarah Bacon kicked things off early with a silver in the 3-meter springboard and the women's basketball team, led by Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve with an assist from Napheesa Collier, finished things off yesterday with a win in a nail-biter of a gold medal game against France. [Here are the highlights](: 🥇 6: Suni Lee won gold in the women's gymnastics team competition. Regan Smith claimed two golds — one as a member of the mixed medley relay and another as a member of the women's medley relay. The men's and women's basketball teams each won their gold medal games against France, adding three to the total. (Yes, we're counting Reeve's and Collier's as separate gold medals because they deserve it!) 🥈 4: Smith won silver in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter backstroke, adding to Bacon's 3-meter springboard medal. 🥉 2: Lee won bronze in the gymnastics all-around and the uneven bars. Now we just have one question: Do we have one big parade for everyone or hold individual celebrations for each athlete? Suni Lee's warm welcome home Decorated gymnast and St. Paul native Suni Lee received an enthusiastic reception at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sunday upon arriving home from the Olympic Games, where she claimed two individual bronze medals and a team gold. Elected officials and excited fans alike greeted Lee, including fellow gymnasts from Midwest Gymnastics, a facility in Little Canada where Lee still occasionally trains. “The girls know her pretty well, and they’re super happy she was able to go and have her goal accomplished,” said Jillian Doherty, director of operations at Midwest Gymnastics. [Read more from Josie Albertson-Grove](, who was at MSP for Lee's arrival. Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune [Share this newsletter with friends]( Do you enjoy Essential Minnesota? Encourage your friends and family to [sign up](. You also can share it using the links below. MORE FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE - [Sourdough with a sense of humor is art and therapy for this Minneapolis home baker]( Four paw service Leila Navidi/Star Tribune Man's best friend is welcome at one of the fanciest hotels in town. Food & Culture reporter Richard Chin and his rescue pup Jenny had a swanky staycation at the Four Seasons Hotel, where dogs up to 35 pounds can stay for no extra charge. The hotel even provided dog treats upon checking in, as well as food and water dish. The Four Seasons isn't the only pooch-friendly perch in the Twin Cities. [Richard rounded up]( a handful of other hotels where pets are welcome, though most carry a fee. IN OTHER NEWS - [U of M to open new Safety Center in Dinkytown at former Kitty Cat Club site]( - Kare 11 - [Wife of political candidate named in warrant that saw police find 240 stolen signs]( - Bring Me The News     THE MINNESOTA GOODBYE David Taintor To paraphrase Taylor Swift, August is slipping away. So on Friday, I decided to make the most of this moment in time. My wife and I biked from northeast Minneapolis down to Lake Harriet, where the Star Tribune sponsored an evening of live music and the spine-tingling summer blockbuster "Jaws." Never mind that the weather felt more like October than August. What are you still hoping to check off your list before summer ends? Send recommendations and seasonal recipes to essential@startribune.com. Thanks for reading David Taintor, reporter Ashley Miller, editor [Email]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]([Unsubscribe from this newsletter]( [Unsubscribe from this newsletter]( [Manage]( your preferences | [Opt Out]( using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? [Sign up]( to receive our future emails. View this email [online](. 650 3rd Ave. S. Suite 1300 | Minneapolis, MN 55488 US This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.