Severe Storms Slam Minnesota Tonight—Live Updates, Road Closures & Safety Tips

Minnesota braces for a momentous Memorial Day weekend marked by legislative suspense, weather whiplash, and reflection on the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. From State Capitol negotiations to storm clouds rolling across the North Star State, here’s what residents and visitors need to know right now. H2: Lawmakers Race the Clock in a Rare Holiday Session Minnesota’s budget remains unsettled, and legislative leaders have signaled that the House and Senate will stay in St. Paul through the holiday in hopes of hammering out a deal. Key sticking points include public-safety funding, a transportation package, and the final shape of a tax rebate aimed at middle-income families. The unusual Memorial Day work schedule could decide whether local governments receive infrastructure dollars before summer construction season kicks off. H2: Five Years After George Floyd: Progress, Pain, and Policing Reforms Sunday marks half a decade since George Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis officer—a moment that sparked worldwide protests and a sweeping consent decree requiring the city to overhaul policing practices. The U.S. Department of Justice is now weighing whether to modify or terminate parts of that agreement after noting “substantial compliance” with early benchmarks. Community organizers will hold vigils at George Floyd Square in south Minneapolis and a larger remembrance event at North Commons Park. Fast facts: • New de-escalation training and a statewide use-of-force database have gone live. • Minneapolis Police Department must still meet 2025 deadlines on body-camera auditing and civilian oversight. • A bipartisan bill proposes extending mental-health support for officers and families. H2: What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2025 If you’re planning errands between barbecues, keep these hours in mind: • Big-box retailers and most malls: OPEN (varied hours) • State liquor stores: CLOSED • USPS offices and state motor-vehicle services: CLOSED • Metro Transit bus/light-rail: Holiday schedule • Mall of America: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. special holiday promotion Pro tip: Many Minnesota museums, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Walker Art Center, are offering discounted admission for veterans and active-duty military with ID. H2: Extended Rainfall Could Dampen Outdoor Plans—but Help Farmers The National Weather Service predicts a “long stretch of rain” beginning late Saturday and lingering through Tuesday, with totals topping two inches in parts of central Minnesota. Highs will hover in the upper 50s in the Twin Cities, while northern regions could see temps dip into the mid-40s. Agronomists welcome the moisture after an abnormally dry spring, but campers should prepare for slick trails and possible flood advisories along the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. H2: Top 5 Indoor Alternatives During a Rainy Memorial Day Weekend 1. Tour the newly reopened Minnesota History Center’s “Voices of 2020” exhibit 2. Catch a Twins vs. Brewers matchup under Target Field’s overhang seating 3. Sample craft brews on the self-guided Northeast Minneapolis taproom crawl 4. Explore the Duluth Lakewalk’s shops and cafés between showers 5. Reserve a spot at Paisley Park’s limited-edition Prince studio tour H2: Travel Outlook and Gas Prices AAA reports the average price for regular unleaded in Minnesota at $3.52, roughly 12 cents below the national average. Expect heavier traffic on I-35 toward the North Shore by noon Friday; MnDOT advises leaving before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. to avoid peak congestion. H2: The Bottom Line This Memorial Day weekend encapsulates Minnesota’s complexity: civic debates at the Capitol, solemn remembrance in Minneapolis, and the perennial battle between sunshine and spring showers. Whether you’re lobbying lawmakers, honoring fallen heroes, or simply firing up the grill, stay weather-aware—and keep an umbrella close.