Minnesota
Danielle Hunter and Andrew DePaola will represent Vikings at Pro Bowl Games
Unless the Vikings are somehow competing in Super Bowl LVIII next month, pass rusher Danielle Hunter and long snapper Andrew DePaola will serve as starters at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando. Both players were selected by a consensus vote of players, coaches and fans.
This will be the fourth career Pro Bowl appearance for Hunter and the second for DePaola.
This is the first time Hunter has been named a starter for the annual event. He’s more than deserving of that honor considering he’s been the straw that stirs the drink for the Vikings this season on defense. Hunter started every single game, he is fifth in the league with 15 1/2 sacks, which is a career-high for him, and he’s tied with Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby for the league lead with 21 tackles for loss.
As for DePaola, he’s been a pillar of consistency for the Vikings this season on special teams. He’s extremely reliable with his ball placement on field goals and punts and, more importantly, has emerged as a respected leader within the locker room who gets along with everybody. He is the first long snapper since Los Angeles Rams long snapper Jake McQuaide in 2016 and 2017 to be selected to the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons.
The Vikings also had a handful of alternates selected for Pro Bowl Games, including fullback C.J. Ham, tight end T.J. Hockenson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, center Garrett Bradbury, safety Josh Metellus and safety Harrison Smith.
The recent implementation of the Pro Bowl Games is a shift from the traditional tackle football game that defined the Pro Bowl for decades. Instead, the selected players participate in various skills competitions, culminating with the NFC and AFC competing in a flag football game.
Briefly
The injury report continues to be lengthy as the Vikings head into the regular-season finale. The players who did not participate in practice on Wednesday afternoon at TCO Performance Center included cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (knee), right tackle Brian O’Neill (ankle), receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) and defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (ankle). The limited participants included Smith (shoulder), cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder), right guard Ed Ingram (shoulder), safety Theo Jackson (toe), and tight end Nick Muse (knee).
Minnesota
So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities
So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities
One museum in the Maplewood Mall brings a part of Hollywood glamour to the Twin Cities.
William Swift is the owner and curator of Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum.
“I own the largest display of film costumes in North America, which is crazy,” Swift said.
There are more than 350 costumes and props on display from over 90 films and TV shows.
“I have stuff from Narnia, the Power Rangers, and have quite an extensive collection from Game of Thrones,” Swift said. “It’s just so cool and so fun to share with people such a grand collection. We never get anything like this in Minnesota or even really in the Midwest.”
Years ago, Swift, a longtime film buff, started collecting screen-used movie memorabilia in auctions. In 2024, he opened the museum with his massive collection.
“Eventually I ran out of room in my house, and I thought maybe it was time to take that leap of faith,” Swift said.
Minnesota
MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican
MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell has announced he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz.
Lindell, 64, last week filed the paperwork to potentially run, but at the time said he hadn’t yet 100% decided on a gubernatorial run. On Thursday, he made it official.
“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell posted on social media Thursday. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”
Lindell will run as a Republican and a noted ally of President Trump, and enters a crowded field of names who have already tossed their hats into the ring, as Walz, a Democrat, attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term as Minnesota’s governor.
“We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America,” Walz said Thursday, responding to Lindell’s announcement. “We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”
In addition to Lindell, state House Republican speaker Lisa Demuth has already announced a run for governor, as well as Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate who lost to Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican hopefuls include Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls and defense lawyer Chris Madel.
Lindell launched a campaign website, listing his main campaign priorities as including stopping fraud, fixing “failing school systems,” stopping “exploding property taxes” and “send(ing) illegal immigrants back.”
Lindell’s MyPillow has been at the center of a number of legal issues through the years, and earlier this year was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to shipping company DHL.
Also, a judge this year ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic after he alleged their voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Joe Biden. Lindell made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.
Minnesota has a history of political outsiders overperforming in statewide races, most notably former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s surprising win in 1998, but also it’s been two decades since a Republican won a statewide race in the increasingly blue-tilting state.
Minnesota
Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight | Fox News Video
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