Are dry Gooseberry Falls a sign of larger problems on the North Shore?

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Are dry Gooseberry Falls a sign of larger problems on the North Shore? With most of Minnesota in a state of drought, the rushing waters of many of the region's inland tributaries and rivers have slowed to a trickle, including the western side of the North Shore's Gooseberry Falls. [Its lower falls have run dry, offering a rare view of the famous waterway.]( The Gooseberry River is flowing but at a lower rate. Along with lack of rain, exhausting stores of water in soils and wetlands contribute to low water levels in rivers, an expert said. - Minneapolis City Hall tension spills into open over: Tensions building inside Minneapolis City Hall spilled into the open Wednesday as council members debated proposals asking voters to determine the fate of the police department, rent control and who should wield certain powers in city government. [The proposals have become focal points in the first municipal election since George Floyd's death]( — when the mayor's office and all 13 City Council seats are up for grabs. New political organizations are forming and fundraising in order to sway the elections, and they're making conflicting demands. - Minneapolis Park Board kills Hiawatha Golf Course redesign plan again, renames clubhouse after Solomon Hughes: The Minneapolis Park Board [rejected a $43 million redesign of the Hiawatha Golf Course]( for a second time Wednesday night following a zealous debate between ecological sustainability and historic preservation. Commissioners then unanimously passed a separate resolution to rename the Hiawatha clubhouse after trailblazing Black golfer Solomon Hughes Sr., to acknowledge Black history and the struggle for equal rights at the clubhouse, which Hughes fought to integrate. - Minnesota House Speaker says no action against Thompson until court cases are resolved: House Speaker Melissa Hortman said Wednesday that [she will wait until the end of court proceedings involving Rep. John Thompson]( before taking further action against the St. Paul Democrat who has refused her call to step down. Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, is among awide cast of DFL state party leaders— including Gov. Tim Walz — urging Thompson to resign amid reports of multiple domestic violence allegations documented by three police departments from 2003-2011. - COVID-19 case growth rate climbing in state: Minnesota health officials announced 340 new COVID-19 infections as the testing positivity rate increased to 2%, more signs that the pandemic is spreading more widely again in the state.The highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus has become the dominant strain in Minnesota, accounting for 75% of new infections. With 47% of state residents not fully vaccinated, public health officials are concerned that [the variant could fuel another surge in cases.]( - 17-year-old charged with 5 felonies in teen's fatal shooting in Fridley: A 15-year-old boy from Fridley is dead and another teenager has been charged with five felonies, including two counts of second-degree murder, after [an alleged failed robbery during a marijuana sale.]( - Spiffed-up atrium at IDS Center reopens with "more serenity" as workers trickle back: In its first overhaul in more than two decades, [the Crystal Court underwent an eight-month, $5-million makeover.]( - How are people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 still getting infected? Within the past week, positive coronavirus test results were delivered to at least three New York Yankees players, an Olympic gymnast alternate, multiple state lawmakers from Texas, a White House official and a staffer in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. They also had this in common: All were fully immunized with coronavirus vaccines, their cases known as breakthrough infections. The rash of such cases might suggest the coronavirus is regularly blasting by vaccinated people's immune barriers. But these breakthrough infections are not surprising, [nor do they suggest vaccines are widely failing](, according to infectious disease experts. - Federal judge blocks Arkansas law banning most abortions: A federal judge on Tuesday [blocked an Arkansas law banning nearly all abortions]( in the state while she hears a challenge to its constitutionality. - Despite Canadian easing, U.S. extends land border restrictions: The U.S. government on Wednesday [extended the closure of the land borders with Canada and Mexico]( to non-essential travelers until at least Aug. 21. WATCH THIS This is what happens when you get "punched" by a mantis shrimp: [This kayaker found out the hard way]( when he reeled in a bright yellow mantis shrimp, whose "punch" with a spiny claw is similar in acceleration to a .22-caliber bullet, as it proceeded to pierce his new boot and draw blood. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Rolling Stones announce rescheduled U.S. Bank Stadium concert on Oct. 24: Postponed by the pandemic in 2020, the band will hit Minneapolis again on [a newly rescheduled 13-city No Filter Tour.]( - Minneapolis exhibit remembers the children saved from the Holocaust: Thousands of blank manila tags cover the red back wall of the American Swedish Institute's Osher Gallery. They look like something one might find on items at a retail store, but in fact they represent the identification tags worn by children on the kindertransport — the trains that rescued nearly 10,000 children from Nazi Europe. Still, more than1 million Jewish childrenperished in the Holocaust. A two-part exhibit at the American Swedish Institute [brings these stories to light.]( - WCCO's Don Shelby shows why older people need a hobby —or five: Woodworking. Pottery. Beekeeping. Organic gardening. Few viewers who watched Don Shelby on the news had any idea of the hobbies that occupied him when he was away from the set. His varied skills and knowledge left many colleagues wondering where he found time to pursue so many interests while holding down a demanding job and raising a family. Since retiring 11 years ago, [he's at them full time.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - White Sox rookie at heart of Twins controversy hints at quitting baseball: Yermin Mercedes hit a home run on a 3-and-0 pitch from Willians Astudillo in a May blowout against the Twins. Since then, [he's been demoted to the minors]( and says he's now "stepping aside form baseball indefinitely." - Edina's Thompson shows she belongs on Olympic volleyball team: Jordan Thompson is one of the youngest members of the U.S. Olympic women's volleyball team, bearing a skill set that makes her a fearsome front-row opponent. A lean 6-4 with a vertical jump well over 30 inches and long, whip-like arms that generate tremendous downward power when she winds up for a kill, [Thompson is considered one of the team's most dangerous threats]( in the Tokyo Summer Games. - Knowing his purpose, QB Morgan is ready to lead Gophers after father's death: Ted Morgan was so proud of his son — and it wasn't just because Tanner Morgan overcame long odds to become a standout Big Ten quarterback, [writes Chip Scoggins.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK The 1964 Olympic Games proclaimed a new Japan. There's less to cheer this time. "The country has changed vastly from that hopeful moment nearly six decades ago, and the Olympics this time around have come to represent something different and not entirely positive," [the New York Times reports.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES July 22, 2018: Kaden Kinney, 17, took a sharp cut as he rode his horse, Daisy, during the Minnesota Mavericks Mounted Shooting exhibition at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds in Elk River. (Photo: Jerry Holt/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]([twitter]([pinterest]([instagram]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]( • [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2021 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](