Hearing more fireworks than usual this month? You're not alone.

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - Hearing more fireworks than usual this month? You're not alone. There were 291 fireworks complaints reported to Minneapolis 311 in the first three weeks of June — a 30-fold increase over the same period last year, according to data compiled by the city of Minneapolis. [What's going on?]( - COVID-19 cluster in southern Minnesota tied to reopened bars: While young adults are less likely to suffer severe cases, they could be [the catalysts for a second wave of COVID-19]( in Minnesota. - Despite wave of violence, Minneapolis "defund police" effort continues: An influential bloc of City Council members is [pressing ahead with plans to dismantle the department]( as a monthlong eruption of gunfire sent tremors through neighborhoods. - Ohio woman who lost footing while visiting Minnehaha Falls dies: A woman who fell into the creek fed by Minnehaha Falls last week [has died six days later](, authorities said. - Justices rule for Trump administration in deportation case: The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can [deport some people seeking asylum]( without allowing them to make their case to a federal judge. - Minnesota Senate GOP announce oversight hearings into Twin Cities unrest: Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said the hearings, set to begin July 1, [will focus on the looting and fires]( that damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 structures across the Twin Cities, including Minneapolis’ Third Police Precinct. The events leading up to the June 10 toppling of a Christopher Columbus statue on the State Capitol grounds will also be subject to review. Minnesota's largest Top Workplaces become work-from-home places: Moving quickly was the challenge that Allianz and other large employers on [the Star Tribune’s Top Workplaces list]( faced in the sudden rush to relocate thousands of employees as Minnesota’s stay-at-home order took effect in March. For all that changed as work-from-home took hold, employees still got their work done, leaders of several large Top Workplaces said. They attributed that success to workplace cultures — developed long before the pandemic — that promote employee engagement. - Mayo Clinic ending COVID-19 pay cuts as business picks up: Mayo Clinic is [restoring pay to workers who took reduced wages]( this spring amid financial struggles with COVID-19. The Rochester-based clinic says it will return furloughed workers by the end of August, as well. - Trump's trip to Mt. Rushmore draws fire from Native Americans: Several groups led by Native American activists are planning protests for [President Trump's July 3 visit](, part of a "comeback" campaign for a nation reeling from sickness, unemployment and, recently, social unrest. It comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. Many Native Americans say the Rushmore memorial is as reprehensible as the many Confederate monuments being toppled around the nation. - Minneapolis delays enforcement of plastic bag fee, citing pandemic: [Minneapolis businesses will have three more months]( before they must start charging a nickel fee for one-time use bags, because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Watch this German Shepherd just can't resist taking a dip in the pool: Elliot (who is actually a Shepherd/Husky mix) [taught himself to climb the ladder]( to get into his owners' above-ground pool in Fayetteville, N.C.  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Rhymesayers drops two acts as Twin Cities music scene debates misogyny and sexual misconduct: Responding to [a wave of sexual misconduct allegations]( that hit the Twin Cities music scene this week, nationally renowned label Rhymesayers has dropped two of its best-known local artists. The Minneapolis hip-hop promoter announced Wednesday night it was cutting all ties with Prof and Dem Atlas to “proactively address sexism and the toxic masculinity that pervades our culture.” - "The Voice" contestants Kat Perkins and Nicholas David find lasting success in Minnesota: David and Perkins seem to have about as much in common as mystical rocker Father John Misty and pop powerhouse Lady Gaga. But David and Perkins are indelibly linked — Minnesotans who won the hearts of America on NBC’s “The Voice” and then [became bankable stars in their home state.]( - Did you know there was once a bathhouse on the shores of Bde Maka Ska? The original bathhouse had one interesting characteristic – [no roof.](  Sports roundup - "A few" Twins players, minor leaguers have tested positive for COVID-19 recently, Falvey says: "A few" Minnesota Twins players and minor leaguers have [tested positive for COVID-19 over the past several days](, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Thursday. None were located in Minneapolis or the team's spring headquarters in Fort Myers, Fla., but underwent testing after being in the vicinity of another person who tested positive. [will face no charges in the Dominican Republic]( after a lawyer in his hometown last week released a video accusing him of a kidnapping. - Wild players slowly return at first voluntary, small group workout: More than 100 days have passed since the Wild last gathered for a practice, but [Tria Rink in St. Paul is no longer idle](. Sessions are closed to the public, but the team posted a video on social media of goalie Devan Dubnyk, defenseman Carson Soucy and forward Ryan Hartman on the ice. - Lynx's close connection with fans apparent when "Apache" plays: It began before the Lynx started dominating the WNBA in 2011. After home wins, at center court, some players — usually rookies and reserves, but sometimes the bigger stars — gathered with a number of kids and dance to the Sugar Hill Gang's rendition of "Apache." The game horn sounds, the song starts playing. You hear the bongo drums beating and suddenly center court is filled with people dancing. This endearing act of fan engagement [will have to be put on hold](, with the pandemic moving all of this season's games to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Worth a click Why did the Washington Post get this woman fired? New York magazine takes [a deep dive into a recent Washington Post investigation]( of a blackface incident at a 2018 Halloweeen party at the home of Tom Toles, the newspaper's cartoonist – raising a number of questions about why the Post "blew up the life" of a woman who who is not a public figure.  From the archives June 25, 1986: During the Hormel P-9 strike, the centerpiece of "Solidarity City" was a 10-acre encampment two miles north of Austin, Minn. Organizers said events planned for the week included literature drops, film screenings, workshops and concerts. 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