🌱 Explosion At U + COVID Hospitalizations Up + Hwy. 55 Construction

Good morning! Let's get to today's holiday weekend edition of the Minneapolis Daily.

First, today's weather: An afternoon shower in spots. High: 81 Low: 64.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Minneapolis:

1. Authorities are investigating the cause of an underground explosion and subsequent fire on the University of Minnesota campus Thursday night. The cause is "believed to be a release of gasoline into the sanitary sewer system,” according to initial reports from the Metropolitan Council. (BMTN)

2. COVID-19 hospitalizations rose to more than 400 in Minnesota this week. Health officials said only 48 percent of the state’s most vulnerable senior citizens are up to date on their vaccine doses. (Paid source: Star Tribune)

3. Low-level THC edibles are now legal in Minnesota, with a new law which took effect Friday. KARE11 has a full list of new state laws that began July 1. (KARE11)

4. ESPN reports Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert is on his way to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly sent Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Walker Kessler and multiple draft picks to Utah in the trade. (Patch)

5. Construction on Highway 55 will continue through the weekend, impacting holiday travel. Click here for a full list of current Twin Cities construction projects. (Patch)

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Today in Minneapolis:

• MN Cars & Coffee is held at the Leamington Parking Ramp. (9 a.m.)
• Take yoga at Gold Medal Park. (9 a.m.)
• Saturday Sounds at Midtown Global Market. (Noon)
• The Classical Actors Ensemble presents “Love’s Labor Lost” in Lake of the Isles. (7 p.m.)
• Hear the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. (7:30 p.m.)
• See “King Richard” as part of the Movies in the Park series. (9:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Bullpen coach Pete Maki is the new pitching coach for the Twins. (MLB)
• It’s “Free First Saturday” at Walker Art Center. (WAC)
• MNUFC is celebrating “Salute to Freedom” night at Allianz Field. (City)
• The Parkway Theater will host “Harry Potter” Week next week, screening all eight films in the franchise. (Theater)

You're all caught up, Minneapolis! I will be away until July 12, but the Daily will be in good hands. Have a great holiday weekend!

— 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 feature articles have been recognized with awards from the 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.