Minnesota
Seat belt use is at a 10-year high in Minnesota
New child car seat laws go into effect in MN
New car seat rules are going into effect in Minnesota on Aug. 1. The new rules clarify when a child should move from a rear-facing to a front-facing car seat and also lays out a five-step test to make sure a seat belt fits correctly.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that seat belt use is at a 10-year high.
This news comes ahead of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign that works to support traffic safety and seat belt use.
Seat belt data
According to DPS, an annual seat belt survey showed that more people are buckling up in Minnesota. In 2024, the seat belt use rate is at 94.7%, which is the highest rate recorded since 2013, which had a rate of 94.8%.
The seat belt rate has increased by 0.5% since 2023, which had a rate of 94.2%.
DPS says that this is the fourth consecutive increase since 2021.
Three groups have increased the seat belt use rate; drivers ages 16 to 29, male drivers and front-seat passengers and pickup truck drivers. The seat belt rate for young adults is also at a 10-year high of 93.6%. While male occupants have increased from 92.6% last year to 93.6% this year, and pickup drivers are at an all-time high seat belt use at 91.9%.
Unbelted motorists’ deaths have decreased in the last few years, with DPS saying that 84 motorists without seat belts died in 2023, compared to 87 in 2022 and 110 in 2021.
People who suffered severe injuries in a crash have decreased drastically since 1987, DPS says, with 4,176 severe injuries from crashes then, and 1,285 severe injuries in 2023.
New car seat law and guidelines in Minnesota
READ MORE: New Minnesota child car safety seats law explained
Minnesota’s law on car seats was changed this year, which specifies what ages for car, booster seat positions and seat belts, instead of relying on the child’s size.
According to DPS, these are the age guidelines for car/booster seats:
- Birth to at least 2 years old: Rear-facing in an infant or convertible car seat.
- At least 2 years old and has outgrown the rear-facing seat: Forward-facing with internal harness.
- At least 4 years old and has outgrown a forward-facing seat with an internal harness: A belt-positioned booster seat that uses a lap belt and shoulder belt.
- Nine years old and has outgrown the booster seat and can pass the five-step test that determines if a seat belt fits properly: Lap and shoulder belt that is secured correctly in the vehicle seat.
- Children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.
What they’re saying
“The increase in Minnesotans buckling up is very encouraging, but until every person wears their seat belt, the deadly risks are all too real,” said DPS Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson. “It’s so simple to take two seconds to buckle up, and you may not get a second chance in a crash. Our law enforcement partners are helping people understand the law and why it’s so important for their safety.”
Minnesota
White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: Minnesota leaders condemn political violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 9) – Shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. Saturday night. President Donald Trump and top members of his cabinet were in attendance and unharmed.
Federal officials say they are investigating the accused gunman’s grievances against the Trump administration he sent to family shortly before the incident.
Minnesota elected officials on both sides of the aisle condemned that acts of political violence, and thanked law enforcement for their swift efforts to keep attendees safe.
Close call
What we know:
Video showed the chaotic moments when guests inside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner took cover under tables, and Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump and his cabinet to safety.
Authorities released security footage, showing what led up to the panic in the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Saturday night. Law enforcement officials say an armed man rushed the checkpoint and exchanged gunfire before Secret Service agents took him into custody. The shooting suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen.
Officials say he had traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then onto Washington, D.C., and had checked into that hotel days earlier.
What we don’t know:
Investigators are looking for possible motives. Federal officials say they are investigating the accused gunman’s grievances against the Trump administration.
Authorities say they have reason to believe this was a politically-motivated attack, citing writings the accused gunman sent to family members shortly before shots were fired.
Minnesota leaders react
What they’re saying:
Minnesota officials are denouncing any form of political violence.
Gov. Tim Walz taking to social media writing, “political violence has become all too prevalent in America. I’m grateful for the swift response from law enforcement.”
Minnesota Representative and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer attended the event and was seen being helped out of the ballroom. Emmer clarifying on FOX News, he had a previous foot problem and is in a cast, so he needed assistance exiting the event.
Emmer also took to social media and thanked law enforcement for their bravery and added “political violence will never be tolerated.”
FOX 9 political analyst Blois Olson says the incident has revived conversations about political violence in Minnesota.
“It reminds us of the heightened sense of the country, of our state. We’ve experienced political violence here in Minnesota,” said Olson. “I think it’s a reminder as we approach June 14 in Minnesota that it was less than a year ago that violence against elected officials in Minnesota happened. We have to turn down the temperature, find a more civil way forward.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office also confirming he attended the dinner and is okay, and is grateful for law enforcement’s quick response.
What’s next:
Prosecutors say the suspect is preliminarily facing two charges related to using a firearm and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but more charges could be filed later.
Minnesota
T-Wolves star Anthony Edwards expected to miss multiple weeks | Report
NBA Playoffs biggest surprises
For the Win’s Prince Grimes and USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes break down the biggest surprises from the first week of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have dodged a serious blow to star guard Anthony Edwards, but his status for the rest of the NBA playoffs remains in question.
Medical imaging tests revealed that Edwards, the NBA’s third-leading scorer this season, suffered a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee on Saturday, April 25, in Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series against the Nuggets.
The results were first reported by ESPN.
Although sources tell the network Edwards is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks, he did avoid a more serious ligament injury that would’ve ended his postseason.
The news comes as the No. 6-seeded Timberwolves have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead in the first round over the No. 3 Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves are also dealing with depth concerns in the backcourt, after guard Donte DiVincenzo suffered a torn right Achilles tendon one quarter before Edwards sustained his injury.
The Timberwolves have ramped up their defense and are playing their best basketball of the season. After making consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota is looking to break through this season with its first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Although the Western Conference is stacked with talented teams, the Timberwolves have been very impressive to open the 2026 playoffs. To pose a legitimate threat, however, they will need Edwards to be healthy, especially now that DiVincenzo will be out indefinitely.
Anthony Edwards’ injury in Game 4
The injury ocurred with 2:45 left in the first half, when Edwards jumped vertically to defend a Cameron Johnson layup during a fastbreak drive. When Edwards landed, his left knee appeared to hyperextend as his weight came down, and he immediately grabbed at the area, writhing in apparent discomfort. Edwards slapped the court a few times in obvious frustration.
Athletic trainers rushed over as Edwards popped up to his feet. The trainers helped Edwards hobble off the floor, as he did not put any weight on the injured leg.
The trainers helped him toward the tunnel, though they didn’t immediately usher Edwards to the locker room, momentarily examining him in the tunnel.
After Minnesota’s 112-96 victory in Game 4, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch didn’t have any updates on the severity of Edwards’ injury, noting that he was being evaluated.
“I saw Ant (at halftime) and kind of dapped him up,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said after Saturday’s game. “There’s not much to say in those moments. I’ll give him a call tonight, or a text and just check up on him.”
In 61 games this season, Edwards averaged a career-high 28.8 points (which ranked third in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage (48.9%) and 3-point percentage (39.9%) were also career bests.
In February, he was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star team.
Contributing: Steve Gardner
Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves lose key contributor for rest of playoffs due to major injury
Minnesota Timberwolves lose key contributor for rest of playoffs due to major injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The good news for the Minnesota Timberwolves is that they were able to pull out a 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round series between the teams.
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The bad news for the Wolves is that they lost a key contributor in the process.
Donte DiVincenzo out for rest of playoffs after suffering torn Achilles
Starting guard Donte DiVincenzo suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4, and he’ll miss the rest of the postseason as a result. He’ll also miss a huge chunk, if not all, of the 2026-27 NBA season as a result of the injury.
It’s an extremely unfortunate break for a guy who was extremely durable for Minnesota during the regular season. DiVincenzo was so durable, in fact, that he started in all 82 games for the Wolves over the course of the campaign.
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In addition to DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves also lost star guard Anthony Edwards during their Game 4 victory. Edwards exited the game with an apparent knee injury and never returned. He’s set to undergo testing on the knee, and his status moving forward is in question at this point. An update on Edwards should be provided in short order.
With DiVincenzo, and possibly Edwards, sidelined for the foreseeable future, guys like Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland will likely see their roles increase exponentially.
The Wolves need just one more win to eliminate Denver and advance to the Western Conference semifinals where they would meet the winner of the series between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.
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