🌱 Beaches Closed For E. Coli + Air Quality Dangers Continue

Hello, Minneapolis! Today's guide to the latest local headlines includes stories on:

• Minneapolis Muslims celebrating Eid al-Adha.
• Federal funding to expand state internet access.
• Woes continue for the Southwest light rail project.

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 86 Low: 67.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Minneapolis Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Minneapolis Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Minneapolis:

1. Minneapolis officials closed two local beaches this week “due to high E. coli readings,” Patch reports. Thomas Beach at Bde Maka Ska and Hiawatha Beach at Lake Hiawatha remain closed for maintenance. An announcement is expected today on whether the beaches will reopen ahead of July 4 weekend. (Patch)

2. The Park Board canceled outdoor sporting events Wednesday to dangerously poor air quality in the Twin Cities, Bring Me the News reports. “Activities considered less strenuous, such as Music and Movies in the Parks, swimming and golf are planned to continue,” according to BMTN. (BMTN)

3. Minnesota Muslims celebrated Eid al-Adha yesterday. The day of prayer was especially poignant for Twin Cities worshipers after several mosque attacks were reported this year. “People are not scared and afraid to stay home or come to this big crowd. That shows that people are committed,” Islamic Association of North America Director Yusuf Abdulle said. (CBS)

4. The state of Minnesota is expected to receive more than $650 million in federal funding to expand internet access, the Reformer reports. Officials are aiming for universal high-speed internet by 2026. (Reformer)

5. The long-delayed and beleaguered Southwest light rail project is “raising concerns about the Metropolitan Council’s oversight of its contractors,” according to a new report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The work is “years behind schedule and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget.” (MPR)

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Minneapolis? Partner with the Minneapolis Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Minneapolis. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson implied “he did not believe an independent probe was needed or would be undertaken” in the case of the Minneapolis car crash which killed five women earlier this month. (MPR)
• Minneapolis City Council members this week declared drag performance “a form of free speech.” (CBS)
• Several new laws go into effect July 1 across the state. (KARE11)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• The Kenwood — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

That's all for today!

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her writing has been recognized with awards from the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Minneapolis Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.