Your Daily Guide

Growing expenses: Overtime costs for St. Paul mayor Kaohly Her’s security detail have spiked, due to Operation Metro Surge and safety concerns following the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman. In 2025, overtime costs for previous mayor Melvin Carter were $92,761 (already higher than average), whereas Her’s security racked up $97,922 in overtime just through July. [Pioneer Press]

Kratom concerns: MinnPost’s Maddie Robinson explores the growing popularity of the substance kratom and its cousin 7-OH. Dinkytown smoke shops have pulled back their stock. Continual use can cause dependence, but experts fear an outright ban may lead to withdrawal or drive the market underground. [MinnPost]

‘Where is my friend?’: Kindergartners and preschoolers are still processing the sudden disappearance of their classmates during Operation Metro Surge. With back-to-school in full swing, MPR News’ Kyra Miles reports how teachers and parents are trying to navigate the trauma left behind in our youngest students. [MPR News]

Rewind: It’s been a politically-charged State Fair this year, with no lack of drama. On today’s podcast, we recap the most dramatic 2026 fair headlines and talk about what we’d do differently next year. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Good boys: These dogs have jobs. Chip is a 12-year-old Weimaraner and unofficial team dog of the Vikings. He was rescued by the team’s director of sports fields and spends his days patrolling (mostly napping) at TCO Performance Center. Trapper, a two-year-old lab, is busier. His job is sniffing out invasive zebra mussels for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Both all-around good dogs. [Pioneer Press / MPR News]

Back to school

The answers to today’s crossword are the names of high schools in Minneapolis or St. Paul. If you’re not a childless former suburbanite like me, you might have better luck. You can check your answers here. [Crossword Labs]