Minneapolis, MN
Major Minnesota lawyer, lobbyist William McGrann has died
For decades as an influential lawyer and lobbyist, William McGrann was the go-to guy on big projects, shaping the Minneapolis entertainment scene with his advocacy for projects from the Metrodome to the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Convention Center and Target Field.
McGrann, 86, died Jan. 19 from complications of dementia at the family’s cabin on the shore of Lake Superior in Schroeder, just south of Tofte. He had been ill, but still enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings and Gophers in his final two years when he lived at the cabin with his corgi Ava and younger son, Patrick, as his caregiver, family members said.
McGrann and his wife Judith, who met at the University of Minnesota and were married nearly 60 years, lived and raised their three children in Minneapolis. Judith McGrann was the proprietor of Judith McGrann and Friends, a colorful clothing store in Minneapolis and St. Louis Park, until she sold it in 2017.
As a founding partner of McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn & Lamb law firm, McGrann was a long-time presence at Minneapolis City Hall and the state Capitol. Although a power-broker by any standard, the mustachioed McGrann was unfailingly friendly and slightly mischievous.
“Everybody wanted to follow Bill because he just had this magnetic personality that was so endearing to people,” said Doug Carnival, his law partner of 50 years. “He was just a fabulous teacher and an incredible advocate and one of those guys who knew everybody in town.”
Minnesota Vikings vice president Lester Bagley knew and worked with McGrann for decades. “He was smart, connected and highly regarded,” Bagley said. “We will miss the twinkle in his eye and wry smile that made him a joy to work with.”
McGrann was born Oct. 23, 1937, in St. Cloud to Josephine and William McGrann. He grew up in Owatonna before attending St. John’s University in Collegeville. He served in the military, completing infantry and Army Ranger training at Fort Benning, Ga., followed by counterintelligence instruction.
He served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S Army Research Group and as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. He went to law school at the University of Minnesota where he met his wife. Upon graduation, the couple moved to Washington D.C. where McGrann worked as a special agent with the National Security Agency and as a special representative of the Secretary of Defense in Vietnam.
He returned from the war to work at the U.S. Capitol while earning another graduate degree from George Washington University. McGrann served as a special assistant to the late DFL Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey.
While at the U, he and Judith McGrann also met lifelong friends Tom and Margit Berg. Tom served in the Legislature and as a U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. The couple own a cabin next to the McGranns’ house on Lake Superior. Berg recalled numerous trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area that began when their kids were young.
“We all went up there year after year after year and we talked about it for the rest of our lives,” Berg said. “We caught fish and played jokes on each other.”
They called themselves the “Toilet Troupe” and had a long-standing joke about a black bear they named Mildred who appeared at one campsite and wouldn’t leave. “Bill came up and started saying, ‘Mildred, get your (expletive) out of here,’” Berg said.
When they’d break camp, McGrann played taps and the kids would line up and salute a piece of toilet paper that served as a flag. Berg called McGrann a “good progressive Democrat.”
“Bill was just a truly fun guy to hang out with. I loved every minute of it,” Berg said.
In addition to his wife and son Patrick, both of Minneapolis, McGrann is survived by his son Chris (Sharon) of Orono, daughter Meghan McGrann (Chris Lawrence) of Minneapolis and five grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held May 22 where Chris McGrann said the family will insist on levity. “It is an absolute celebration,” he said.
Friends and family said it was important to include McGrann’s highest compliment for a job well done: Good show.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai taking mental health leave for a month
Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai said Monday she will be taking a monthlong leave to seek outpatient care for her mental health.
Chughtai said her “office will remain open to continue serving the people of Ward 10,” but she will miss the council meeting on July 16. She plans to return before the July 30 meeting.
“I love representing the people of this Ward. It’s the greatest honor of my life. And that’s why I feel obligated to do so to the best of my abilities,” Chughtai said in a statement. “Because of the current state of my mental health, I fear falling short of that obligation. That’s why I’m briefly stepping back. I fully expect to return energized and ready to give more than ever for the people of Ward 10 and everyone in the city.”
In her statement, Chughtai cited “a high-stakes election … several mass shootings, and a federal occupation” as recent stressors on her mental health.
Chughtai said she has notified the council and Mayor Jacob Frey, and encouraged Ward 10 residents to contact her office via email with any questions or concerns.
“I know that when I return, I’ll be back stronger, ready to form deeper partnerships, and ready to fight even harder for our neighbors,” she said.
Chughtai was first elected in 2021 to represent Ward 10, which includes the south Minneapolis neighborhoods of East Bde Maka Ska, East Isles, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown and Whittier.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.
In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
Extreme Heat Warning
from MON 9:00 AM CDT until TUE 12:00 AM CDT, Stearns County, Waseca County, Goodhue County, Isanti County, Mille Lacs County, Hennepin County, Sherburne County, Meeker County, Dakota County, Le Sueur County, Renville County, Ramsey County, McLeod County, Washington County, Brown County, Rice County, Redwood County, Chisago County, Morrison County, Watonwan County, Nicollet County, Kanabec County, Benton County, Anoka County, Sibley County, Blue Earth County, Martin County, Faribault County, Scott County, Freeborn County, Kandiyohi County, Steele County, Wright County, Pine County, Pepin County, Dunn County, Polk County, Barron County, Chippewa County, Pierce County, Eau Claire County, Burnett County, Washburn County
One person is dead and eight others are hurt in a string of weekend shootings across Minneapolis.
Police say the first shooting occurred Friday around 5 p.m. near North Humboldt and 26th avenues. A man was outside of his home when shots rang out, leaving him with multiple gunshot wounds.
Around 9:35 p.m. Friday, two men were shot outside in the area of north Lowry and Logan avenues.
Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a man was found shot in an alley near Mortimer’s Bar and Restaurant off South Lyndale and Franklin avenues. He told police he was outside walking when he was hit.
Just before 12:50 a.m. Saturday, police say a man outside was shot near North Penn Avenue, just north of Highway 55, by someone driving by.
Around 1:50 a.m. Saturday, a man suffering from gunshot wounds showed up at Hennepin Healthcare, with police later determining he was shot in the area of North Lyndale and 45th avenues.
Just after 3:30 a.m. Saturday, a man showed up to Children’s Minneapolis hospital with a gunshot wound he said occurred when he was asleep inside his vehicle.
On Sunday around 1 a.m., a man was found laying on the ground near Bloomington Avenue and East 24th Street. He was brought to Hennepin Healthcare where he later died. Police say investigators “located evidence of gunfire, including a firearm recovered next to the man who died.”
On Sunday just before 1:30 a.m., a 15-year-old girl was shot in the area of Hennepin and Laurel avenues in downtown. Two boys, ages 14 and 15, were soon arrested in connection to the shooting.
And just before 1:50 a.m. Sunday, a man was found shot inside a business off Northeast Lowry Avenue and Fourth Street Northeast. Investigators believe the shooting began as an altercation in the business’s parking lot.
With the exception of the shooting of the 15-year-old girl, police say no arrests have been made in any of the cases. All surviving victims have injuries described by police as non-life threatening.
Anyone with information on any of these shootings can submit an anonymous tip online to Crime Stoppers, or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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