Local News
Small Plane Crash in Brooklyn Park, Ignites House Fire
BROOKLYN PARK, MN – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that a small aircraft crashed in Brooklyn Park on Saturday afternoon, causing a fire at a residential home.
According to witnesses, the impact of the crash sparked flames that engulfed part of the house.
While the fire has since been extinguished, officials reported significant structural damage, including the roof being torn off.
Despite the devastation, the home remains standing.
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of passengers on board the aircraft or the severity of any injuries sustained in the crash.
Preliminary reports indicate that the plane had departed from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa and was en route to Anoka County–Blaine Airport in Minneapolis when it went down.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the incident, stating that his team is in communication with local officials and closely monitoring developments.
“My team is in touch with local officials on the scene in Brooklyn Park, and we are monitoring the situation closely,” Walz wrote on X. “Grateful to the first responders answering the call.”
Dramatic video footage from the scene captured flames consuming a portion of the house as emergency crews arrived to battle the blaze and assist potential victims.
Officials are expected to release further details as the investigation unfolds.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.