Mankato

Brandon Michael Hall, 43, led law enforcement on a high-speed chase exceeding 100 mph in Blue Earth County, resulting in a fiery crash near Mankato. The pursuit, linked to a 2021 methamphetamine case, involved collisions with a drug task force vehicle and a civilian car before Hall was subdued with less-lethal rounds and arrested. A civilian sustained minor injuries.

Rolls-Royce is expanding its Mankato facility with a $24 million investment to double production of backup power systems for data centers, creating over 100 jobs. The new 250,000-square-foot facility will also supply generators for hospitals and airports.

A police pursuit in Mankato led to a fiery crash on Highway 14 and Riverfront Drive, causing a highway closure until 7 p.m. The crash involved at least two vehicles, with one car catching fire. Details about injuries or the pursuit's cause remain unclear.

The City of St. Peter released body camera footage of a June 18 shooting during a police pursuit that resulted in an officer being injured and a suspect, Jordan Donahue, being killed. Officers Austin Buss and Dustin Struckman engaged in a firefight with Donahue after he barricaded himself in a home, leading to Buss being shot in the arm. The incident is under investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The Attorney General filed a lawsuit against two Mankato residents who placed rat poison in their yard to deter dogs, resulting in at least one dog ingesting the poison. A restraining order now prohibits the residents from keeping the poison in their yard, and the lawsuit seeks daily fines of $7,500.

Thunderstorms with severe risks (damaging winds, hail, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes) will develop south of the Minnesota River around 6 p.m., affecting areas like Scott, Dakota, and Pierce County. Muggy conditions with highs in the mid-80s persist in the Twin Cities, while thunderstorms subside north of the river. Additional severe storms are expected Thursday evening and Friday morning, followed by a return of heat and humidity next week.

Over 100 Minnesota National Guard members are voluntarily deployed to Washington, D.C., to assist with Freedom 250 celebrations. They are part of a larger group of 5,000 National Guard members supporting the event, with most Minnesotans from the 2-135 Infantry regiment. The mission includes public assistance and event support until July 23.