Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said he is incensed by what he's called "hate crimes" that allegedly happened Sept. 23 in Brooklyn Park. Two black men were allegedly beaten, one stripped naked, by at least two white men near Hartkopf Park. Two Minneapolis men have been arrested in connection with the attacks. A witness called police after hearing racial slurs and allegedly seeing the second attack. A public rally against racist attacks is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Hartkopf Park. For a story and photos of the rally visit mnsun.com later this week.

Use Sept. 29: raw video clips & photos called ahboard: Last night in a 5-1 vote, the Anoka-Hennepin School Board approved a resolution to close five elementary schools, one middle school and two early childhood centers at the end of this school year. Board Director Scott Wenzel dissented. Wenzel disagreed with what schools were being proposed and said that the $3.1 million in savings the district will see from closing these schools is more than what is needed to save. Unlike previous public hearings packed with people the boardroom saw a smaller crowd of citizens and no one spoke during the public comments part of the meeting. Several parents were emotional when the board made its school closing decision and during a mid-meeting break many spoke to the media and board members about the outcome. For the full story go to mnsun.com.

The St. Louis Park Board of Education meets tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Park Senior High School's Room C350. The board will hear an H1N1 update and set the district's preliminary levy.