In the wake of a shooting that took the lives of two children and injured 20 others at a Catholic school in south Minneapolis on Wednesday, local and national figures have offered their sympathies and called for gun control.

President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House, military bases and other public properties in respect “for the victims of the senseless acts of violence.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has also issued a half-staff order for state buildings.

“Minnesota is heartbroken by the senseless shooting that took place this morning,” Walz said in a statement. “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence. To the officers and first responders, the clergy and teachers providing comfort, and the hospital staff saving lives – thank you. We will get through this together.”

Here’s how local and national leaders and representatives are reacting to the Minneapolis shootings:

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar

“I am heartbroken by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis this morning. My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene.”

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith

“I’m continuing to monitor the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and I’m in close touch with local officials. Incredibly grateful for the work of the police and first responders in containing the shooter and attending to victims. This is the most horrific nightmare imaginable for the parents who dropped their children off at the first week back to school. My heart is breaking for my beloved Minneapolis

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum

“My heart goes out to our neighbors in Minneapolis impacted by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School this morning. I’m grateful for the swift response by first responders. All Minnesotans join as one in supporting the children, teachers, and their families,” she said in a post on X, later adding: “It’s devastating to learn that innocent children were fired on as they sat in pews during mass. My heart breaks for the two children who were killed and for the 17 other victims injured. These children, teachers, and their families need our prayers and our full support.”

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar

“I am beyond heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis,” Omar said in an X post. I am praying for all the families impacted by this horrific tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates.

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig

“Cheryl and I are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of a shooting this morning in South Minneapolis. We are grateful to the first responders on the scene, and praying for the kids, families and teachers affected by this horrific act of violence. I am in touch with state and local officials and will be closely monitoring the situation.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer

In an X post: “We are tracking the reports about a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and first responders on the scene.”

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber

“I am heartbroken by the horrific news coming out of Minneapolis this morning,” the representative said in a post to X. ”I am praying for the kids, parents, and teachers at Annunciation Catholic School, and for the first responders on the scene.”

Minneapolis state Senate delegation

“We condemn this violence in the strongest terms. We stand with all those grieving, especially the families of the 8- and 10-year-old who lost their life on today and the over 17 people that are injured and recommit ourselves to solutions to address the epidemic of gun violence and keep our children and communities safe.”

Minnesota DFL

“This epidemic must stop. No child should have to fear being at school, and no parent should have to worry about their child’s safety in the classroom. All options must be on the table to end gun violence in our communities. Minnesotan families deserve to be safe in every aspect of life, and we will continue fighting for common-sense solutions that protect our children and prevent future tragedies.”

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks

“My heart is breaking at the news this morning, and my prayers are with everyone who is affected. There is no place for this kind of violence, and attacks on a sacred place and children are especially egregious. As a state we stand together against these violent acts and the wicked individuals who perpetrate them.”

Minnesota GOP

In a statement on X: “Our hearts are broken for the children, teachers, staff, and faith community members & 1st Responders who have been traumatized or devastatingly harmed by today’s events. There are NO words that can fully capture the depth of sorrow.”

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis

“I am so grateful for the many promises of prayers that have been coming in from the Holy Father, Pope Leo, and from so many from all around the globe, all praying for the families of Annunciation Parish and School and for all who were impacted by this morning’s senseless violence.

I beg for the continued prayers of all of the priests and faithful of this Archdiocese, as well for the prayers of all men and women of good will, that the healing that only God can bring will be poured out on all those who were present at this morning’s Mass and particularly for the affected families who are only now beginning to comprehend the trauma they sustained. We lift up the souls of those who lost their lives to our loving God through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace.

My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they witnessed in a Church, a place where we should feel safe.”

Minnesota Department of Education

“The Minnesota Department of Education is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at Annunciation Church and School. Our thoughts are with the students, families, and educators affected by this senseless violence.

Schools should be safe places for all to learn, teach, and grow. Violence of any kind has no place in our communities, much less in our schools.

We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to support Annunciation and the broader community as they respond to this tragedy.”

Jewish Community Relations Council

“Grief and sorrow have descended upon our hearts after the horrific mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. We pray for the victims and their families and send loving care to all the first responders and to our dear friends in Minnesota’s Catholic community,” read a statement from the JCRC. 

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A prayer service and a candlelight vigil are planned tonight for the victims of a shooting Wednesday morning during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

The prayer service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Academy of Holy Angels, 6600 Nicollet Ave., Richfield, according to a statement from Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

“My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they witnessed in a church, a place where we should feel safe,” Hebda said in the statement. “Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent. They are far too commonplace.”

Hebda said archdiocesan staff are helping provide support and resources to local parish and school teams.

The candlelight vigil will be held 8-9 p.m. Wednesday at Lynnhurst Park, 1345 W. Minnehaha Parkway, about a mile northwest of Annunciation school.

Vigil organizers Protect Minnesota and Moms Demand Action ask participants to bring their own candles and walk or bike if possible to save parking for those who need it.

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By TERRY TANG, Associated Press

Organizers of a Target boycott that began in January are pointing to their tactics as a hopeful sign that actions against corporate retailers can still make a deep impact.

When Target announced its current chief executive officer will be stepping down in February 2026 and an insider was taking the helm, those organizers saw it as a move in the right direction and stress more than ever that boycotts will continue as long as previous promises made to the public go unfulfilled.

“It’s been now nearly 200 days and what all the statistics and economics are showing that since that boycott was announced on that Monday — every single week since then — Target foot traffic in nearly 2,000 stores has declined sharply and continues to decline,” said organizer Jaylani Hussein, at a news conference of the National Target Boycott movement outside Target’s Minneapolis headquarters late last week.

Boycott organizers in Minnesota were among some of the first to galvanize when Target opted in January to follow other companies like Amazon and Walmart and forego diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. High-profile civil rights activists like the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jamal Bryant also made similar calls for what they deemed a betrayal of previous DEI promises.

FILE – A Target sign is shown on a store in Upper Saint Clair, Pa., on July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

Social justice advocates say this shows boycotting is a key tactic not to be taken for granted.

Retail analysts say it’s difficult to gauge the exact impact of the boycott, since Target has faced a slump the last few years and a leadership change was in the cards. Still, groups like Washington-based DC Boycott Target Coalition insist falling foot traffic is “due in no small part” to a boycott that spans coast to coast.

“The leadership change doesn’t mean anything without a culture change,” the group said in a statement, vowing to continue pressuring Target until the corporation sees its diversity goals as “more important than bowing to an administration that is filled with racism, failure and hatred.”

Opponents began the national boycott in February, during Black History Month. Their strategy left some Black-owned brands with merchandise on Target shelves conflicted or scrambling.

By April, Sharpton actually met with Target’s CEO Brian Cornell, who had been at the helm for 11 years. But, nothing concrete came of it.

Target CEO change was long planned

Cornell’s departure from the role had been in the works for several years.

FILE – Brian Cornell, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Target, speaks at a financial community meeting, March 5, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

In September 2022, the board extended Cornell’s contract for three more years and eliminated a policy requiring its chief executives to retire at age 65. When Target’s chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke takes over, Cornell will transition to be executive chair of the board.

In a call with reporters, Fiddelke attributed the sales malaise to many issues like focusing too much on basics and not enough trendy items, particularly in home goods.

Data shows Target sales were already sliding

Stacey Widlitz, president of investment research firm SW Retail Advisors, said she believes that Target’s sales malaise has more to do with its operational issues — messy stores and poorly stocked shelves — not from its pullback from DEI initiatives.

Unraveling them did not affect Target “exponentially compared to somebody else,” she said. “The consumer has a very short memory. If you have great, compelling product at value prices, they’ll forgive you.”

The number of Americans who say they regularly shop at Target has gone down 19% since 2021, according to Consumer Edge. The number of Americans who say they do not shop at Target has risen 17%.

The same analysis also looked at trends along party lines. Since last year, the number of regular Target shoppers who identify as Democrat has declined 13%. Inversely, the number of Republican customers has risen 13%. It’s not clear if that is due to Target’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration or some other factors.

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Organizers are sticking to boycott strategy

The strategy of racial justice boycotts stretches back over 160 years, from Reconstruction era “Buy Black” campaigns stressing the Black American economic influence to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of the Civil Rights Movement. There have been more modern campaigns like the NAACP’s 15-year economic boycott of the state of South Carolina over its display of the confederate battle flag widely regarded as a symbol of hatred and slavery. The civil rights group ended its boycott in 2015 after the state removed the flag from its statehouse grounds, following the massacre of nine Black parishioners at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston.

Some Black creators on the social media platform TikTok rejoiced on the platform at the CEO leaving and credited the boycotts. Others cautioned that Cornell was essentially promoted but that the boycott is still needed.

Black Americans’ buying power has climbed over the last 25 years and is now an estimated $2.1 trillion annually, according to Nielsen research.

Part of the reason organizers say they have zeroed in on Target is because the company had heavily touted a commitment to DEI back in 2020 after protests erupted across the nation over the murder of George Floyd. That year, Target announced it would increase representation of Black staff by 20% over three years and invest $10 million in social justice organizations. In 2021, the company pledged to dedicate more than $2 billion toward Black-owned businesses before the end of 2025.

In January, however, Target said it would conclude the hiring and advancement goals it had set.

For boycott organizers, a reversal of those decisions is the only way to rectify the situation.

“We’re expecting that Target is making good on the promises that it made. Otherwise there’s no point of discussion regarding calling off this boycott,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and past president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP. “We’re asking people to join us, get involved and hold Target accountable for its actions.”

AP Retail Writer Anne D’Innocenzio in New York contributed to this report.

It’s a return to tradition this fall for St. Paul Public School football programs, as all five will make up the Skyway TC Red subdistrict, a de facto City Conference that will allow the teams to battle it out for St. Paul bragging rights — just like the old days.

Here’s a look at all five public-school programs heading into the season:

Central

2024 record: 3-6 (lost in Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinals)

Returning starters: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

Impact returnees: Raheem Ruddick and Willie Harris are mainstays back on the Minutemen offensive and defensive fronts.

Shoutout to a lineman: Central coach Scott Howell said Ruddick and Harris are “both dominant” on both sides of the ball.

Schedule: vs. Kasson-Mantorville, at Cretin-Derham Hall, vs. St. Paul Johnson, at Minneapolis Southwest, at Harding/Humboldt, vs. Como Park, at Highland Park.

The skinny: Central is flush with youth this fall, but Howell hopes to see his team grow and improve with each passing week.

Central has to replace some all-important skill positions from a year ago, but look for Charlie Doerr at quarterback and Issac Leggs at running back to find some success behind their stalwarts on the offensive line.

Como Park

2024 record: 2-6 (lost in Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinals)

Returning starters: Unknown

Impact returnees: Junior safety Tate Prinsen is a ball-hawking free safety who logged three interceptions in a game last year against Richfield.

Shoutout to a lineman: Everett Lake-Higgins was a sophomore lineman for the Cougars in 2024 who could play a role again this season.

Schedule: at Concordia Academy, at North St. Paul, vs. Minneapolis Camden, at Harding/Humboldt, at Highland Park, at Central, vs. Johnson, vs. Minneapolis North.

The skinny: While rosters can fluctuate, if the Cougars do return the likes of Prinsen, running back Jeremiah Ranson and the sea of underclassmen linemen, they could make a leap in wins from a year ago.

Harding/Humboldt

2024 record: 0-9 (lost in Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinals)

Returning starters: “Several” on offense and “a handful” on defense, per coach Tim Daniels

Impact returnees: Senior standout Khapriece Venzant is expected to be a playmaker this fall. He won the St. Paul City Conference long jump title in the spring. “He always plays as fast as anyone on the field, or faster,” Daniels said.

Shoutout to a lineman: Daniels describes senior captain and two-way starter Nasir “Naz” Yeah as “a natural born leader” who “has excelled as the heartbeat of the football team. Nas is a player that every coach would dream to have on their team and is a perfect example of what a student-athlete should look like and be like.”

Schedule: vs. Breck, at Tartan, at Highland Park, vs. Como Park, vs. Central, at Johnson, at Minneapolis Roosevelt.

The skinny: Harding/Humboldt is coming off consecutive winless campaigns, but Daniels — the program’s first-year coach — said he and “a dynamic group of coaches from the community are primed to win now, on the field and off the field.”

Daniels noted players have established a bond while displaying talent and versatility.

“We hope to continue to improve as student-athletes as well as young men and look forward to stacking some wins this season with the ultimate goal of hosting a playoff game and more,” Daniels said.

Highland Park

2024 record: 5-5 (lost in Class 5A, Section 4 semifinals)

Returning starters: 6 on offense, 5 on defense

Impact returnees: Eric Reed will be a dual-threat quarterback for the Scots this fall after playing running back and defensive back last season. Junior standout Brandon Jackson will play running back and linebacker after also going both ways as a sophomore.

Shoutout to a lineman: Teddy Dickie is a three-year starter up front, while junior guard and defensive tackle Marcus Tupy is described by coach Dave Zeitchick as “the strongest player on the team.”

Schedule: at Richfield, at Mahtomedi, vs. Harding/Humboldt, at Johnson, at Como Park, vs. Minneapolis Washburn, vs. Central.

The skinny: Highland Park returns experience up front and has college-level talent with the likes of Jackson, middle linebacker Joaquin Lechuga and tight end and corner Will Walter. But Reed may be the most intriguing, having won an open quarterback competition after the presumed starter was lost to injury in the spring.

It’s a roster flush with juniors (nine will start on offense, while seven will be on defense) that have taken ownership of the program and are ready to win now.

Johnson

2024 record: 3-5 (lost in Class 4A, Section 3 quarterfinals)

Returning starters: 9 total

Impact returnees: Quarterback Ali Farfan and receiver Justice Moody serve as one of the more dangerous passing combinations in the metro. Moody had eight touchdowns in seven games last fall.

Shoutout to a lineman: Senior lineman Eli Matthews is described by Johnson coach Richard Magembe as “a physical guard that gets after opposing defensive linemen. Plays with an edge and is a great leader on the team.”

Schedule: at St. Agnes, vs. St. Croix Lutheran, at Central, vs. Highland Park, at Minneapolis North, vs. Harding/Humboldt, at Como Park.

The skinny: Johnson has the athletes to win a lot of games.

Even beyond Farfan and Moody, Magembe notes Dae’majeon Henderson-Moore is “the real deal” at cornerback. “Teams do not throw his way, and when they do he usually makes them pay. He is tall and sticks to receivers like glue,” Magembe said.

Numerous Governors players had opportunities to play elsewhere this fall but chose to stay home. The question for Johnson remains: Can their best players — who play both ways — stay healthy throughout the fall so the Governors can consistently put their best foot forward?

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