Minnesota
Minnesota narrowly avoids a meltdown against Nebraska winning 62-58
Minnesota defeated Nebraska 62-58 at Williams Arena. The Gophers improve to 13-3 on the season and 3-2 in conference play. Mallory Heyer led all scorers with 16 points.
The Gophers jumped out to an early lead and had the game well in hand during the first half. Janay Sanders and Amaya Battle led the offense early, combining for 9 of the Minnesota’s first 19 points. In the second quarter, the Gophers were mostly cold from the field, with only Sophie Hart managing to score more than two points. Fortunately, good defense and some luck held the Cornhuskers to just 19 total points in the half, allowing Minnesota to take a 32-19 lead into the third quarter. Nebraska was just 2-12 from distance in the first half, which contributed to the issues.
With their previous coach in attendance, the Gophers decided to honor the least fun part of her tenure as a coach by having a putrid third quarter. Nebraska went on multiple runs, including a 14-2 run to erase the Gophers lead with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter. On defense, Minnesota looked confused, frequently giving Nebraska wide open looks which for most of the third quarter the Cornhuskers made. I struggled to understand what Minnesota was trying to do on offense, especially during the stretches where Sophie Hart was off the floor. The Gophers were stagnant in the half court, often resorting to poor isolation sets with minimal time remaining on the shot clock.
The fourth quarter provided a similar story, as the Gophers clung on to a small lead. Mara Braun finally made her first (and second) field goals in the game in the fourth quarter, and a late Amaya Battle three pointer with eight seconds to go proved to be just enough to escape a chilly Sunday with a win.
Notes
Braun was absolutely brutal from the floor. She finished 2-17 from the field and 1-6 from distance. Generally speaking, when Braun plays badly the Gophers lose, so credit them for finding other scorers, but that stat line is one to forget.
Conversely, Mallory Heyer had another excellent game. In addition to being Minnesota’s leading scorer with 16, Heyer added six rebounds. My kingdom for the day that Heyer, Braun, and Grocholski all have a good day shooting.
The Gophers travel to Bloomington to play Indiana on January 17th. The game will be streaming on Peacock.
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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