4 Things To Know from WCCO

Friday, July 17 — Heather Brown is here filling in for Maria and Johnny with the 4 things you need to know today.

Wildfires are still raging in the northlands, and the Minnesota National Guard is helping fight them. Hear from some of the servicemembers as they talk about their duty to protect our neighbors up north.

Minneapolis' next major redevelopment got the green light by City Council on Thursday. The redesign of the century-old Lyndale Avenue South will include separated sidewalks and bikeways, along with traffic-calming measures that supporters say will keep people safe. Critics expressed worry about the impact the plan and reconstruction will have on local businesses, pointing to the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue as a warning.

Federal regulators are investigating one specific company they say may be linked to lettuce contaminated with the Cyclospora parasite. The parasite has caused thousands of people to get sick. The company supplies lettuce to Taco Bell locations across five states where people have gotten sick with cyclosporiasis.

Lastly, thousands will head to Harriet Island for the Minnesota Yacht Club Music Festival this weekend. Performers will have 45 minutes to an hour long set, except for the headliners, who get a full 90 minutes. Big names this year include The Lumineers, Mount Joy, Matchbox Twenty, and The Strokes.

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Thursday, July 16 — Heather Brown is here filling in for Maria and Johnny with the 4 things you need to know today.

Wildfire smoke has led to the worst air quality ever recorded in the Twin Cities. The smoke has been hanging heavy over the metro since Wednesday, and is expected to clear out over the next few days. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency advises everyone to avoid outdoor activity as much as possible, as the quality is deemed hazardous for anyone.

Investigators in the south metro are asking for your help to find a hit-and-run driver who killed a 13-year-old boy. Farmington Police say they're looking for a black 2008-2011 Ford Focus with front end and passenger side damage.

Acting Attorney General, and former personal lawyer to President Trump, is back on Capitol Hill today after facing hours of questions during his confirmation hearing yesterday. He was questioned on the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee that, quote, "mistakes were made..." around the release of the files, and apologized to survivors whose personal information was not redacted.

And citizens of St. Paul can start weighing in on the renaming of Cesar Chavez Street, after allegations of sexual assault have clouded the famous labor leader legacy and prompted renaming efforts across the country.

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Wednesday, July 15 — Wildfire smoke is creating dangerous air quality across Minnesota as nearly 20 fires burn across the Boundary Waters and surrounding forests. Governor Tim Walz has extended a state emergency order as crews battle multiple active fires, and officials warn some remote blazes could continue burning until snowfall.

President Trump has endorsed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in Minnesota's race for governor, calling him "one of America's greatest and most hard-working Patriots." Lindell joins a crowded Republican primary field ahead of the August 11 election.

Ramsey County officials are suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, accusing the agency of refusing to cooperate with a criminal investigation into the mistaken arrest of St. Paul resident Chongly "Scott" Thao, a U.S. citizen who was detained by federal immigration agents earlier this year.

And Farmington police are searching for the driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a 13-year-old bicyclist Tuesday night. Investigators say the suspect vehicle is believed to be a small black SUV with passenger-side damage.

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Monday, July 14 — Wildfires burning across northern Minnesota have forced the closure of the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Governor Tim Walz says the state is likely at the beginning of a long wildfire season as crews battle multiple active fires in and around the Superior National Forest.

Three Wabasha residents are being remembered after a deadly pontoon crash on Lake Pepin. Investigators say the boat collided with a barge and overturned Saturday night, killing Ashley Monson, Manuel De Angel-Sola, and Nicholas Loechler. Two of the victims were local firefighters.

A new Minnesota law is giving seniors in assisted living more freedom to socialize. Starting August 1, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and boarding care homes will be allowed to serve alcohol during organized events under the new "Grandparents Happy Hour" law.

And it’s a new era for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Newly acquired players LaMelo Ball and Josh Green met with the media for the first time and shared their excitement about joining one of the NBA’s top teams.

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Monday, July 13 — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says federal authorities have turned over evidence related to three Operation Metro Surge shootings, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, marking a major development in the ongoing investigations.

Three people are dead after a pontoon boat collided with a barge and overturned on Lake Pepin Saturday night. Two of the victims were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, and communities along the river are mourning the loss.

Wildfires burning across northern Minnesota have forced the closure of the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency as crews work to contain multiple active fires.

And Minnesota is under a Next Weather Alert through Thursday as dangerous heat and humidity move in. We'll share what experts say about protecting both your physical and mental health during the extreme temperatures.

Join Maria Lisignoli for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rM8zZzChm2M

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GhkYi3cvaXA

July 9 — 71 cats are recovering after a being rescued from a property in Sibley County. Officials say the ammonia levels in the house were dangerously high, and cats did not have access to water.
They were also living among "carpets of feces."

The city of Saint Paul is taking a stand and closing encampments.
Officials point to health and safety concerns as a primary reason they need to close.

There's a new affordable housing project in a Lake Street Neighborhood in Minneapolis. Six years after the murder of George Floyd, the community is celebrating the grand opening of a new building called Opportunity Crossing.

For State Fair fans, today is a very exciting day! The list of new fair foods came out this morning; we'll tell you some of our favorites.

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9cUjf87gKR8

Wednesday, July 8 — Community members are speaking out against what they're calling growing anti-Somali and anti-Muslim rhetoric. This is amid a recent post by President Donald Trump that they say targets Somali children.

One of the state's busiest highways is undergoing a major traffic shift starting today. Road crews are starting a huge project on I-394.

It's been three months since renovations began on the oldest Basilica in the country: the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.  Workers unearthed a treasure along the way.

It's another day of picking up the pieces after an EF2 tornado touched down in Detroit Lakes Monday night. Roofs were ripped off and debris was thrown all over yards and in the water.

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tbcvXN86vUk

Tuesday, July 7 — Our top story is about a tragic biking accident where a bicyclist was doored.
That's a term used by cyclists when a parked car door opens suddenly causing a collision.

Changes are coming to the Twin Cities Marathon Weekend beginning next year. Officials say hotter weather is guiding their decision.

One Twin Cities sheriff says gang violence in Minnesota's Somali communities is a big problem.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher says there have been more than 100 gang related Somali shootings over the past couple of years.

And officials gave an update on Minnesota's paid leave program. You might remember that it was touted as one of the most transformational bills ever passed. So, how's it really going?

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Monday, July 6 — Police say a teen was shot and killed at a north metro park late Sunday night. No arrests have been made so far.

We're also following a spike in deadly drownings across the state; three were reported over the weekend.

It has been 10 years since Philando Castile was shot and killed by a St. Anthony Police Officer during a traffic stop for a busted tail light. To this day, his community and his mother keep his memory alive.

And a group of hospice nurses are going on strike. This strike does not include hospitals, primary and urgent care clinics, and specialty clinics.

Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

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