9/9/2024 -- Vikings Start Season With Impressive Win Over Giants

Vikings

Sam Darnold Shines In Vikings Season Opener 🏈

The Summary: After a lot of uncertainty surrounded the quarterback position for the Vikings in the offseason, Sam Darnold seemingly put some of those worries to bed. Darnold threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 28-6 Vikings victory over the NY Giants.

Key Injury: Star receiver Jordan Addison left the game early with an ankle injury. Early reports have revealed that the injury is not severe, but Addison will be undergoing more tests this week.

New Guy On The Block: Former Green Bay Packer Aaron Jones had a solid first game in the purple and yellow after rushing for 94 yards and one touchdown.

Up Next: The Vikings iwll play their home opener next Sunday at noon against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Sam Darnold, for a guy in a new system to start 12 for 12 and be incredibly poised throughout the day, it was a huge performance for us to be able to build off.” -Kevin O’Connell

Politics

Police Shoot Man Armed With AK-47 in Minneapolis Apartment Standoff 

The Summary: A man is in critical but stable condition after being shot by police in south Minneapolis early Saturday. The suspect fired multiple rounds inside an apartment building on Minnehaha Avenue. Police arrived on the scene and shot the man after a tense standoff in which he repeatedly fired at officers.

The Suspect: The suspect, a 40-year-old resident, had an AK-47, a shotgun, a .45-caliber handgun, and a backpack with extra ammunition. No motive is known at the moment.

Investigation: The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident. The officer who fired the shot and others involved have been placed on administrative leave, following standard procedure.

Politics

Governor Walz Subpoenaed By US House Over Feeding Our Future Fraud Case

The Summary: Governor Tim Walz, who is also the Democratic vice presidential nominee, has been subpoenaed by the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. This subpoena is part of an investigation into the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which has been called the largest COVID-related fraud case in the U.S.

Case Background: The fraud involved a Twin Cities based nonprofit, Feeding Our Future, that falsely claimed to provide millions of meals to children, receiving $250 million in federal reimbursements.

House Investigation: U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Committee, issued subpoenas to Walz, Education Commissioner Willie Jett, and other officials. Foxx expressed concerns that the Walz administration's actions were insufficient in preventing the massive fraud, calling for more transparency.

Governor’s Response: Governor Walz has defended his administration, stating that no state employees were found to have committed illegal acts, though they may have failed in due diligence.

What Else We’re Reading…

Minnesota Polution Agency Directs 3M To Limit Forever Chemicals Piped Into Mississippi River

Minnesota is requiring 3M’s Cottage Grove factory to limit PFAS chemicals discharged into the Mississippi River for the first time, as part of efforts to address contamination linked to health risks. 3M is challenging the new permit, arguing the restrictions are neither legal nor scientifically justified, while environmentalists welcome the move as overdue. This regulation could set a precedent for how other facilities manage PFAS, chemicals that persist in the environment and have been linked to cancer and other health issues.

Read the full article on the Star Tribune (potential paywall)

GAME — Mini Crossword

The better the Vikings are playing the more you’ll hear this chant. Think you know the answer to 4 Down? Solve the entire crossword puzzle here.

Sports

⚾ The Minnesota Twins continue to struggle after getting swept against the Kansas City Royals. The Twins sit just 3.5 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers for the last wild card spot.

🏀 The Minnesota Lynx beat the Mystics on Sunday and are now 10-1 since the Olympic break.

🏈 The Minnesota Gophers football team beat Rhode Island 48-0 on Saturday and were led by QB Max Brosmer who threw for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Minnesota received a ‘D’ rating from anti-union think tank (Minnesota Reformer)

❯ A Minnesota affordable housing nonprofit hopes to raise $65 million amid ‘general distress’ (Star Tribune)

❯ Minnesota nurse numbers have improved while physician numbers declined (WCCO)

❯ HUGE Improv Theater in Minneapolis will close in October (Bring Me The News)

❯ Minneapolis City Council members have proposed a $1.5M grant to avoid a downtown shelter closure (MPR)

The Final Word: A shoutout to block parties

I had the chance to attend a family member’s Minneapolis block party this weekend and it was their 50th anniversary. Having lived in the Twin Cities for six years now, it’s safe to say that these moments of shared community are why I love living here.

-Patrick