Thousands gathered to honor 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, who was killed in the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, at his funeral Sunday. Merkel was one of two children killed in the Aug. 27 tragedy. WCCO TV reports “his family says they want him remembered as a boy with sparkling blue eyes and an infectious smile. … Organizers said over 1,400 people attended the gathering, many in bright-colored clothing to honor a boy who found joy in giving to others.”

In northern Minnesota, the new school year is an economic driver for businesses near colleges in the Twin Ports. WDIO says “according to the businesses, the timing of the busy season has changed each year since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, it was two weeks before Labor Day weekend, while last year it was during Labor Day.”

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