🌱 Light Rail Death Investigation + First Avenue Closure

Good morning, Minneapolis! In today's news:

• The discussion on Target's Pride Month products continues.
• Rocco Baldelli and his wife are expecting their own "Twins" this fall.
• Patch issues a summer safety guide.

But first, today's weather: Pleasant with plenty of sun. High: 80 Low: 53.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Minneapolis today:

1. A man was struck and killed by a light rail train near 5th Street and First Avenue over the weekend. Police believe he was in a fight with another person when he fell on the tracks. Hennepin County prosecutors told CBS Minnesota they are deferring charges against the other man “pending toxicology results, a final autopsy report, and additional investigation from law enforcement.” (CBS)

2. Target “made the right call” by putting the safety of its employees first this week, the Star Tribune Editorial Board wrote in Thursday’s paper. The Minnesota corporation pulled certain items from its Pride Month product line after workers were being threatened by anti-LGBTQ+ customers. “The situation's ongoing risk to shoppers and Target staff is both blindingly obvious and unacceptable,” the editorial reads. “Erring on the side of caution, as Target is doing, could prevent a tragedy.” (Paid source: Star Tribune)

3. Beginning this weekend, First Avenue will be closed between Fifth and Sixth streets “to accommodate Warehouse District nightlife,” BMTN reports. Weekly closures will continue through October, beginning at 9 a.m. Fridays and running through Sunday mornings. (BMTN)

4. The “Music and Movies in the Park” will return to city parks next week. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced a full lineup of more than 200 concerts and 75 movie nights throughout the summer, beginning Monday at Lake Harriet. (CBS)

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Today in Minneapolis:

• Minneapolis Central Library’s Magnet Film Club screens “Slumdog Millionaire.” (1 p.m.)
• “Kickoff to Summer at the Fair” continues at the State Fairgrounds. (4 p.m.)
• It’s music and movie trivia night at the 331 Club. (7 p.m.)
• See “Our Town” at the Open Window Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and his wife Allie are expecting twins of their own in September, they announced on social media this week. (Instagram)
• Nonprofit Avenues for Youth said more transgender teens are coming to Minnesota to seek gender-affirming care. (MPR News)
• Patch published its summer safety guide, with tips for staying safe from sun exposure, drowning and more. (Patch)
• Minneapolis pizza brand Slice will open a St. Paul location later this summer. (BMTN)

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You're all caught up on this Friday! We'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a holiday weekend edition of the newsletter.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a 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.

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