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Minneapolis bookstore devastated by water main break

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Minneapolis bookstore devastated by water main break


A beloved local bookstore, the Paperback Exchange, is facing an unimaginable loss after a water main break flooded their South Minneapolis store early last Thursday morning

The store, which was preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary this spring, now finds itself in the midst of a crisis.

“It was so colorful and bright and just a warm place to be, and now, it’s just empty, you know,” said Rachel Pedersen, Manager of the bookstore.

Pedersen said they rushed to salvage as many books as they could, saving a majority of the ones upstairs. But downstairs, the situation was much worse.

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“The back wall is where the water main burst. There was about a four-by-five-foot hole in the wall where the main burst and just completely flooded,” Pedersen said.

Thankfully, no one was working in the basement at the time. The water submerged the entire basement from floor to ceiling, leaving books in piles of mud and debris.

“Unfortunately, the basement is where we put rare, valuable stuff that was hard to sell upstairs — overstock. One-in-a-million type of stuff, stuff you’ll never see again… 50 years worth of collecting stuff, you know, and stuff that’s irreplaceable, really,” Pedersen said.

In total, Pedersen estimates that over 100,000 books were lost in the basement alone. She said the owners, who have managed the bookstore for 30 years, are now dealing with the loss of their business, as well as personal losses. The same water main break that devastated the store also affected their home.

“They lost their car, their whole basement, and they’re struggling with insurance too,” Pedersen said.

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Despite the overwhelming challenges, the community has rallied together in support. Local schools have shown their compassion by leaving Valentine’s cards on the doors of businesses impacted by the flood.

“It was one bright spot, you know, in a really hard time for us, and we’re so happy to see that,” Pedersen said.

Though the future remains uncertain, Pedersen stays hopeful.

“It’s been hard, but, you know, just gotta keep going forward, and we’re so thankful to everyone who’s been helping us,” Pedersen said.

Paperback Exchange will be hosting a book fair at Fat Pants Brewing Company in Eden Prairie on March 2nd, from 12 PM to 5 PM. This event will serve as a way for the community to support the store during this challenging time.

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5 key matchups for Minnesota’s Week 10 clash against Michigan State

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5 key matchups for Minnesota’s Week 10 clash against Michigan State


The Gophers host Michigan State at Huntington Bank Stadium this Saturday. At 0-5 in conference play, the Spartans have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Big Ten, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still dangerous. Here are five key matchups for this week’s game.

Marsh has a strong argument for being the best player on Michigan State. Listed at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, he has 46 catches for 479 yards and five touchdowns, which are all team highs. The Gophers’ cornerbacks struggled against California, Rutgers and Ohio State, but they’ve responded against Purdue, Nebraska and Iowa over the last three weeks. With John Nestor’s status up in the air, Za’Quan Bryan and the rest of Minnesota’s corners will need to step up.

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Michigan State’s Nick Marsh smiles while warming up before the game against Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Over the last two weeks, Minnesota has faced No. 2 and No. 8 pass defenses in the country. Lindsey has completed 66.6% of his passes for 131 yards per game with two total touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a great opportunity to get back on track this week against Michigan State’s 87th-ranked unit, which has allowed 230.8 yards per game through the air. With Darius Taylor’s status up in the air, Lindsey might need to have a big game.

Michigan State’s starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles, struggled last week, completing 50% of his passes for only 130 yards and one rushing touchdown. He has been pretty up and down all season, and there haven’t been any signs that imply that the Spartans would make a change at the position, but they’re 0-5 in conference play. If they make a move, it would likely be for freshman Alessio Milivojevic, who has looked good in garbage time. This could be something that completely changes the game if Michigan State makes a surprise decision.

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Oct 18, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) fist pumps Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

After a breakthrough performance against Nebraska, Minnesota’s offensive line reverted to its old ways against the Hawkeyes. They will face a far less daunting Michigan State defensive front this week. The Spartans’ 14 sacks rank 88th-best as a team, and their 149.4 rushing yards per game rank 76th-best. The Gophers have an opportunity on Saturday to get their confidence back.

The Gophers haven’t lost back-to-back games all season, but they might face their toughest challenge to avoid that happening this week against the Spartans. It’s hard to find many things on paper where Michigan State has a huge advantage over Minnesota, which makes this game even more sneaky. The Gophers badly need to respond emotionally after last week’s beatdown in Iowa City.



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Jean Sumner

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Jean Sumner


Jean Marie (Bee) Sumner died Friday, October 24, 2025 at her home in Rockport, Texas. After facing chronic lymphocytic leukemia for many years, her body is finally at peace.

Jean was born December 21, 1952 in Plum City, Wisconsin to Kenny and Pat Bee. She grew up in Embarrass, Minnesota and graduated from Virginia High School in 1971. 

She married Steve Sumner on February 14, 1987 in Duluth. Jean received her B.Acc. from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1981 and worked at Wells Fargo until her retirement in 2006 when she moved to The Villages, FL.

Jean and Steve loved to travel and spent many weeks in Mexico and the Caribbean. Most recently she spent her winters in Yuma, AZ and last winter bought a home in Rockport, TX. In the summer, she would return to Embarrass. 

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She is survived by her daughters Leslie (Brad) Brunfelt, Duluth, MN; Kristen (John) Peek, Orlando, FL; Amy (Dennis) Christopherson, Arkansaw, WI; stepson Jason Sumner; bonus daughter Julie Sumner. Grandchildren Emily and Sydney Hanna, Ben and Aaron Fulford, Tabitha (Cody) Strzyzykowski, Matthew Sumner, Miranda, Robert, and Alice Christopherson. Great Grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mackenzie Strzyzykowski. Siblings Linda (Duane) Henry, Lacey, WA; Ann Lamppa, Virginia, MN; Jodi (Perry) Kronenbush, Rochester, MN; Chuck (Patty) Bee, Tower, MN. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved her dearly. Partner, Bob Schroeder and dog, Sassy. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and parents in-law, her husband of 34 years, Steve Sumner; son Travis Nevala, and brother-in-law, Lon Lamppa.

A celebration of life will be held at Timber Hall in Embarrass, MN on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Please share online condolences and photos at charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com.





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Minnesota Capitol security enhancements underway

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Minnesota Capitol security enhancements underway


Security changes at the Minnesota State Capitol are underway, but it will still be a couple of months before an advisory committee’s comprehensive recommendations are forwarded to the legislature.

The most notable change in the short term will be more uniform security personnel on the job, following the recent hiring of 20 new security officers.

RELATED: State Capitol security changes now in effect with more to come

“Mid to late November is when they will start their training and then be put into their own classification and be out there in the field, so to speak, and functioning as Capitol security officers and our eyes and ears that are out there,” says Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol.

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Geiger says more state troopers will also be assigned to the Capitol complex, along with a new captain to help oversee security, as well as an existing captain.

RELATED: State Patrol finalizing third-party Capitol security review after ‘naked man’ incident 

Additionally, a trooper will be assigned to work with the BCA investigating threats involving the Capitol complex. There have been 50 threats investigated so far in 2025 — compared to 19 in all of 2024. 13 cases this year have been referred for prosecution.

The Advisory Committee on Capitol Security also learned more about the consulting firm hired to study Capitol complex security and to make recommendations for improvements. The Axtell Group is headed by former St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell. He addressed the committee to outline the work that will be done, but says it’s too soon to report any findings.

One lawmaker was concerned that the contract with the consulting firm only calls for studying four of 14 buildings that make up the Capitol complex, including the Capitol itself, the Senate Office Building, the Centennial Office Building (where House members are temporarily officing) and the Judicial Building.

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“There are other buildings on the campus that obviously the public interacts with,” said Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia. “People who actually perhaps serve in these buildings will walk over to for a number of different reasons, and I’m wondering why have those buildings been excluded from the comprehensive, I believe it was called a comprehensive security assessment,  because without those buildings in my estimation it is not comprehensive.”

Axtell said his firm’s contract only calls for a review of those four buildings, and Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson explained why. He says they are the most heavily visited buildings, and all that could be budgeted for at this point.

“This assessment, once it’s completed, does not preclude us from coming back to the legislature and asking for more funds to complete the rest of the Capitol area completely,” he said. “I think that actually would be a wise idea.”

The committee, chaired by DFL Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, includes House and Senate members, law enforcement, and sergeant-at-arms staff from the House and Senate. They will continue meeting until they come up with recommendations for the legislature when it reconvenes in February.

RELATED: State committee discusses Capitol security in wake of attack on lawmakers

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