The Roundabout

Thursday, July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Welcome Roundabout Readers!

This week, the trial of Sen. Nicole Mitchell began with attorneys offering sharply different takes on why she entered her stepmother’s home. We also offer details on more major road closures, a new Italian restaurant, and staying safe around water.

We’re thrilled that more than 3,200 people have signed up to receive the Roundabout. Please continue to share it with friends so we keep growing! And please consider a donation to help us increase our coverage!

Co-Editors: Pat Mack, Manali Shah
[email protected]

Weather

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

H: 72 L: 59

H: 74 L: 67

H: 76 L: 62

H: 80 L: 67

H: 83 L: 72

Sunny

Light Rain

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Cloudy

Top Story

Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, listens to testimony during her criminal trial. Photo: Pool via The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Prosecution Rests In Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s Burglary Trial

by Pat Mack

The defense began presenting witnesses Wednesday after the prosecution in the trial of Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, rested its case. It’s not clear if Mitchell will take the stand in her own defense to try to explain her actions to the Becker County jury. Fox 9 is streaming the trial here.

Opening Statements: Mitchell’s Intent On Trial

To the prosecutor, the case against Mitchell is simple. She broke into her stepmother’s house intent on taking back items of her late father’s - actions that add up to felony burglary. To the defense, Mitchell’s intent was to check on her stepmother, adding that the context of her actions needs to be considered.

Their opening statements began day two of Mitchell’s criminal trial in Detroit Lakes. Mitchell faces a count of felony burglary and a count of felony possession of burglary tools. She was arrested in her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes on the night of April 22, 2024.

The Roundabout thanks its advertisers | Become One

City & County

Traffic Changes For Valley Creek, Tamarack, Pioneer, Century

by Pat Mack | Monday, July 14 | Valley Creek Road west of Manning Avenue will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 3-5 days. Xcel Energy is making infrastructure repairs. Manning Avenue in the area will be reduced to a single lane. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work area.

Food & Life

Woodbury Welcomes Italian Restaurant Liliana

by Theo Franz | A new restaurant from the team behind Estelle and Mario’s in St. Paul opened this week in Woodbury, bringing a refined Italian experience to a space known for its turnover of tenants.

Weekly Word Scramble