High School Football picks for Rosemount-Lakeville South, Woodbury-East Ridge and more

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Postseason seeding will be affected by several key matchups across the East Metro on the final day of the regular season Wednesday.

Our picks for some of the most consequential matchups:

Lakeville South (6-1) at Rosemount (6-1), 7 p.m.

The winner of Wednesday’s tilt will earn a No. 1 seed in the Class 6A playoffs, along with a Metro South subdistrict title, while the loser will be the No. 2 seed.

Rosemount has allowed 14 points total over its past three games, while the Cougars have scored 27-plus points in six of their seven games this season. Can the Irish slow down Lakeville South’s rushing attack? Because if the Cougars get to 24 points, there’s a strong chance they win the game.

Our pick: Lakeville South 27, Rosemount 20

Woodbury (5-2) vs. East Ridge (4-3), 7 p.m. at TCO Stadium in Eagan

This edition of the rivalry bout carries heavy stakes. With a win, Woodbury can lock up a No. 2 seed at worst in sections — opening a path that requires only two home victories to get to state — in the Class 6A playoffs, along with at least a share of a Metro East subdistrict title.

But if East Ridge, who just got starting quarterback Cedric Tomes back last week for his first start of the fall, wins, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the No. 2-4 seeds would be slotted among Woodbury, the Raptors and Mounds View.

Our pick: Woodbury 24, East Ridge 23

Minneapolis North (7-0) at Johnson (5-2), 6:30 p.m.

The rebirth of the Twin Cities Championship game. The Governors went undefeated in St. Paul play to set up a rematch with the Polars, who toppled Johnson 45-18 in late September.

Johnson has rediscovered its offensive footing since then, averaging 39 points over its last two games. The Governors will have to hit a similar number to pull the upset Wednesday.

Our pick: Minneapolis North 44, Johnson 35

Mahtomedi (7-0) at St. Thomas Academy (7-0), 6 p.m.

Ideally, these high-profile rivalry matchups would be played earlier in the season, and not the week prior to the start of the playoffs.

This bout will have no impact on section seeding, but it’s a great chance for both programs to see exactly where they are heading into the time of year that matters most.

Our pick: St. Thomas Academy 35, Mahtomedi 21

Forest Lake (6-1) at Stillwater (3-4), 7 p.m.

Forest Lake slipped up in a surprise loss to Mounds View last week, but it will cost the Rangers little if they take care of business Wednesday. That would figure to be enough to secure them a No. 1 seed in the Class 6A playoffs.

But if Stillwater can pull the upset at home, it will open the door for a potential home playoff game.

Our pick: Forest Lake 28, Stillwater 10

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Lakeville to welcome largest IMAX screen in Minnesota

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Twin Cities film fans can soon level-up their watching experience when the state’s largest IMAX screen opens in Dakota County.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” will be the first film to grace the sprawling IMAX screen at Emagine Lakeville on Dec. 19, according to a news release from the theater.

“This is our largest location in a growing community and we wanted to add the IMAX to enhance the guest experience,” said Melissa Boudreau, chief experience officer for Emagine.

At 64 feet wide and more than 36 feet tall, the IMAX screen will feature 4K laser projection, increased resolution, deeper contrast and a patented multi-channel sound system.

Located off U.S. Interstate 35 at 20653 Keokuk Ave., the theater is “a draw not only for Lakeville, but the surrounding area,” said Tina Goodroad, community development director for the city. Goodroad also noted the theater is close to local shops and restaurants like Gary’s Supper Club, Terra Garden Center and Porterhouse Steak and Seafood.

Construction of the IMAX screen is expected to start later this month, Boudreau said.

Ticket prices and showtimes for the IMAX have yet to be decided, but potential titles could include “Project Hail Mary,” “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” Boudreau said.

“We can’t wait for audiences to experience the largest IMAX screen in Minnesota and be fully immersed in stories like never before,” said Jon Goldstein, managing partner for Emagine, in the release.

Emagine Lakeville is one of 27 theater locations from Emagine Entertainment, which operates in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Michigan-based Emagine also offers bowling, Krazy Darts and axe throwing at some of its theater locations.

Emagine’s other Minnesota locations include: Eagan, White Bear, Monticello, Delano, East Bethel, Rogers, Waconia and Willow Creek.

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Trump threatens to yank World Cup games from Boston though it’s up to FIFA to choose sites

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By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to relocate World Cup matches set to be played next year in Boston, parts of which he’d suggested had been “taken over” by recent unrest.

The city is set to host seven matches as the U.S. cohosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. Trump was asked about the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu, a Democrat whom he called “intelligent” but “radical left.”

“We could take them away,” Trump said of the games. “I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.”

He suggested “they’re taking over parts of Boston” without offering details, but added “we could get them back in about two seconds.”

Wu’s office did not respond to a message seeking comment.

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Trump’s comments came during his meeting with Argentina’s president and it wasn’t immediately clear what he was referring to. Earlier this month, however, there were multiple arrests in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest that turned violent on the Boston Common in which four police officers were injured.

Trump has previously suggested he could declare cities “not safe” for the 104-game soccer tournament and alter a detailed hosting plan that FIFA confirmed in 2022. It includes NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

World Cup host sites aren’t up to Trump. The 11 U.S. cities — plus three in Mexico and two in Canada — are contracted with FIFA, which would face significant logistical and legal issues to make changes in the eight months before the June 11 kickoff.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” the soccer body’s vice president Victor Montagliani said earlier this month at a sports business conference in London.

Trump nonetheless said, “If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni – the head of FIFA who’s phenomenal — and I would say, “Let’s move into another location” and they would do that.”

The president meant FIFA head Gianni Infantino, a close ally. Trump said Infantino “wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily.”

The Trump administration has already deployed National Guard troops to Washington and Memphis, and efforts to do so in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have sparked legal fights.

Associated Press writer Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.

Prescription drug coverage options are shrinking for Medicare shoppers

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By TOM MURPHY, Associated Press

Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall.

The number of available, stand-alone drug plans has fallen for a few years, and that trend will continue for 2026. Most markets will still have several choices, but some options are becoming particularly sparse for shoppers with low-income subsidies. And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.

Shoppers have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to find new coverage that starts in January.

Some things to consider:

Here’s who needs a Medicare Part D plan

Regular Medicare, which most people qualify for after turning 65, does not come with prescription coverage, known as Part D. People must choose that separately.

About 23 million people with regular Medicare have this standalone coverage, according to the non-profit KFF, which studies health care.

Another roughly 34 million people have Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of Medicare that often come with prescription coverage.

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How Medicare Part D plans are changing

A typical shopper will be able to choose a standalone drug plan from among eight to 12 options for 2026, according to KFF Medicare expert Juliette Cubanski. That’s down from 12 to 16 options in 2025.

Shoppers had nearly 30 choices as recently as 2021, according to the Commonwealth Fund’s Gretchen Jacobson.

Depending on the state, a range of one to four plans will be available at no premium to people who qualify for low-income subsidies, according to KFF. Eight were available in 2021.

Some insurers are reducing their presence in standalone Part D plans, while the Blue Cross-Blue Shield carrier Elevance is leaving the market entirely. Insurers and analysts who follow the industry note that the Inflation Reduction Act, which will cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 in 2026, puts more financial pressure on insurers. The same law now allows patients to spread the cost of prescriptions over the year.

There are still many Medicare Part D options

Most markets will have several choices. But experts say Medicare Part D customers don’t like to shop, especially if they already have a plan that covers their medications. Finding affordable coverage for multiple prescriptions can be tricky.

“I think there’s a lot of inertia and, frankly, people may be concerned that if they switch, they’re going to end up worse off,” Cubanski said.

More people are being pushed to shop. Nearly 11% of those with standalone prescription drug coverage lost their plan in 2024, according to research published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Before 2023, that figure was often under 1%, said Dr. Christopher Cai, one of the researchers involved in the study.

Here’s how Medicare Part D prices are changing

Monthly premiums, or coverage prices, will fall nearly 10% on average to $34.50, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced last month.

At least one option with a premium of under $20 exists in almost every region of the country, according to the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

Individual prices will range widely, with premiums for the same plan varying by state, Cubanski noted.

But while plans may provide lower coverage prices, they could also raise deductibles or offer more limited lists of covered drugs, which are called formularies. Shoppers should check these details.

Insurers will be allowed to raise premiums by as much as $50 a month for 2026, up from a $35 increase allowed this year. But Cubanski said only some plans will hit that higher limit and not necessarily in all states.

Where to get help shopping for Medicare Part D plans

Shoppers can use a federal government website to compare plan prices and coverage.

States also have a State Health Insurance Program created specifically to help people on Medicare find coverage.

Consumers can help themselves by checking their coverage for changes and comparing it with other plans.

Shoppers also should consider whether their pharmacy is in the network covered by any plan they are considering, said Jacobson, Commonwealth’s vice president of Medicare.

Some might also consider switching to Medicare Advantage plans with prescription coverage. But those plans can have more limited networks of covered doctors, which can pose a problem for people with fewer care choices in rural areas.

Why delaying may not be wise

The enrollment window spans several weeks, but brokers say many people wait until that first week in December to make decisions, often after talking with family during holiday dinners.

That can create a deadline crunch that makes it harder to find help in early December.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.