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Parade goers on edge about country’s future
A St. Paul parade drew a huge crowd despite the rain, but many are on edge about the country’s future.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Hundreds of spectators gathered on Como Avenue in Saint Paul Thursday for an Independence Day tradition that dates to the 1940s.
The Saint Anthony Park Fourth of July parade went on as scheduled, despite intermittent rainfall, complete with politicians, floats, bands, and children scrambling for candy.
“It’s got that small town old-timey feel,” Ellen Lindefelser, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, told KARE.
Linda Maschwitz, who’s been going to the parade since 1966, said the event is like a reunion for those with ties to the historic neighborhood.
“This tradition I think is Americana at its best,” Maschwitz explained.
But behind the celebration there’s a clearcut feeling of uneasiness, trepidation about the coming months. When asked how they feel about the state of the union, they expressed a worried vibe.
“Oh, that’s a question!” Holly Bell replied, “Hmmn. Umm. Nuh. Nah!”
Her daughter, Tahlia Ewing said the problems go way beyond November.
“We’re very divided and I think that’s something I’d like to see addressed, regardless of who’s president next year. It’s a big issue that needs to get fixed,” Ewing, a local native visiting from Wisconsin, remarked.
David Maschwitz said it’s clear to him much is at stake in November.
“I am concerned about the country. I really am concerned about our democratic institutions, frankly. I think they’re at risk right now.”
His wife, Linda, said she’s hoping for the best.
“We’re bearing witness to some history that is remarkable,” she said. “But I have to be optimistic that there is a bright future for our country.”
Aaron Fraze of Saint Paul was also pensive.
“This is a difficult time. I hope for the best, but it is a difficult time.”
Ellen Lindenfelser said she watched the first debate of the presidential race last week, which created anxiety in her household.
“That was a tough debate to watch. Scared. Scared. Nervous. I watched it with my children.”
She turned to her son Torsten and daughter Liesel and asked what they thought about it. They both shook their heads and said they didn’t like what they saw.
But the holiday is also day for Americans to take stock in the exceptional country they call home.
“We’ve actually been taking time this week to name some of the things we love about our country,” Connor O’Neill said as he sat with his family watching the parade.
“One thing we talked about was all the sacrifices were made by those in the military, so we can be free and have a country where we can do whatever we want for our jobs.”
We also met two international students from Luther Seminary, which is near the parade route, who said they’ve been pleasantly surprised to by what they’ve experienced in the United States.
“I think being in America I’m very happy with this country. I meet with many kind people, generous people,” Rama Yanti, a pastor from Indonesia, told KARE.
“In my country we mainly received bad news about this country, about how dangerous people are here. Since coming here, I know most people are good.”
Her fellow student Alyssa Saleem of Pakistan said she feel lucky to be studying here and hopes to become a pastor in the United States someday.
“When I came here a lot of people helped me, and they loved me, and they still love me a lot,” Saleem explained.
“And they give me space for my education, because in my country we don’t have a good education.”
The interviews along the route on one parade are hardly a scientifically conducted poll. But it’s worth noting KARE posed the same questions to spectators at the same parade in 2023, and found a more positive vibe in the air.
Police said a marked squad car was turning left on Saturday night when a motorcycle crashed into the passenger’s side.
MINNEAPOLIS — A man was seriously injured in Minneapolis’ Audubon Park neighborhood Saturday night after police said he crashed his motorcycle into the passenger side of a squad car.
According to police, an MPD officer in a marked squad car was turning left from Central Avenue Northeast onto 28th Avenue Northeast around 9:30 p.m. when the collision happened.
Police said the adult male on the motorcycle had potentially life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to Hennepin Healthcare. The officer had apparent non-life-threatening injuries, officials said and was also hospitalized.
No further details have been provided by authorities about either victim.
Preliminary information from police indicates the motorcyclist was driving fast when he hit the squad. A witness told police the motorcycle’s lights weren’t turned on.
Investigators said they suspect the motorcyclist was under the influence. A warrant for a blood draw was executed due to suspicion of a DUI, police said.
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It’s unknown if alcohol was a factor in the crash, but officials said the boys were all wearing seatbelts.
BIG LAKE, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) reported two teenagers were killed and a third was critically injured after a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Big Lake.
According to the report, a state trooper was traveling south on Highway 25 around 2:45 a.m. when they passed a speeding BMW going northbound.
Officials said the trooper then turned around to conduct a traffic stop but instead came upon a single-vehicle crash scene involving the BMW.
A preliminary investigation showed two 17-year-old boys, the driver and a passenger, were killed. Another passenger, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries, according to the report.
MSP said all three boys lived in Elk River.
It’s unknown if alcohol was a factor in the crash, but officials said the boys were all wearing seatbelts.
The victims’ names have not yet been released.
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With so many different options to choose from at the festival, we asked attendees what they liked.
MINNEAPOLIS — The first day of Taste of Minnesota kicked off Saturday in Minneapolis.
Thousands flooded into downtown, sampling from more than 50 food trucks.
But it’s not just yummy eats. Thirty bands will play this weekend on stages across five different “neighborhoods.”
Last year, organizers said there were around 120,000 people in attendance. This year, they say they’ve doubled most everything in the event to meet demand.
With so many different options to choose from at the festival, we asked attendees what they liked.
“This is not your typical tamale,” said Ken as he munched on one from the Chef Shack. “It tastes fantastic; the beans are fresh, the meat is fresh.”
Meanwhile, Emily was advocating for a fish from Ono Hawaiian Plates.
“Oh, my goodness,” she said after the first bite of poke nachos. “It’s not so heavy like some other things around here.”
Remy swears by the burgers at Parlour.
“It’s flavorful,” he said. “Doesn’t need anything else.”
Taste of Minnesota continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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