Author: Matt McConico

Lawyer: DoorDash driver tased has had ‘profound negative mental and emotional effect’

Image from Body Camera video of Ian Cuyper confrontation (February 28, 2024) SUPERIOR, Wis. – A federal judge has ruled when a Superior Police officer tased a DoorDash driver about two years ago it was a violation of the driver’s constitutional rights. The incident happened during a traffic stop on the evening of February 28, 2024.  Superior Police Officer Taylor…

Ukrainian skeleton athlete banned from wearing helmet honoring those killed in war

Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych starts a men’s skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych is allowed to wear a black armband at the Milan Cortina Olympics but the IOC says he cannot wear a helmet painted to honor Ukrainian athletes killed in…

Minneapolis man accused of cyberstalking, threatening ICE supporter amid crackdown in Minnesota

Kyle Wagner Arrest MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man was arrested Thursday after federal prosecutors said he made online threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and against a person who supported ICE during the federal crackdown in Minnesota. Kyle Wagner, 37, is charged in a criminal complaint with violating cyberstalking and interstate communications laws for allegedly using his Instagram account…

Judge rules Superior Police Officer violated DoorDash driver’s rights when tasing him

Body cam video still of Ian Cuyper being tased SUPERIOR, Wis. – A federal judge ruled Superior Police Officer Taylor Gaard violated the Fourth Amendment Rights of Ian Cuypers when she deploying her taser on Cuypers’ lower back and legs.  The ruling was made in what is called a “summary judgment”. The incident happened during a traffic stop on the…

Republican candidate for Minnesota Governor suspends campaign after death of daughter

Minnesota Republican Party Logo DULUTH, Min. – Jeff Johnson, who is running for Governor of Minnesota, has suspended his campaign for governor. The Minnesota Republican Party released a statement saying they are, “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Dr. Jeff Johnson’s daughter, who was killed in a violent crime Saturday night in St. Cloud.” FOX 9 is reporting Dr. Johnson’s…

Wisconsin’s new Blackout and Retro license plates selling big in first month available

Wisconsin Retro & Black Out License Plates SUPERIOR, Wis. – In the first month since their debut, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has issued more than 10,000 of new plate options – Blackout and Retro license plates. The clean design of the Blackout plate has a black background with white lettering and edge. The Retro yellow or butter license plate…

Community Action Duluth’s plan to move forward after state’s enhanced monitoring

Community Action Duluth Logo DULUTH, Minn. – Community Action Duluth(CAD) has laid out its plan to move forward after the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) identified 15 “deficiencies.”  These were laid out in a late November letter to CAD.  They were mandated to turn in a planned document of the state by the end of January.  FOX…

Two accused of $40,000+ precious metals scam

Aron Lee Melton AITKIN, Minn. –  Charging documents accuse Aron Lee Melton and Kristi Ann Fox of orchestrating a scheme to pass off counterfeit gold, silver and platinum bars as the real thing. Investigators say Melton and Fox marketed precious metals on Facebook Marketplace under the name “Collect Cadillac.”  Investigators say the alleged victim lost approximately $40,779. They said the…

Caught Again: Man accidentally released from jail is back in custody

Michael Todd Hart DULUTH, Minn. – Jail records show Michael Todd Hart is back in custody after being accidentally released. On January 21, Hart was released from the Itasca County Jail.  Hart was the subject of a large manhunt when he walked away from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) approximately four months prior.  St. Louis County and Itasca County…

Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu for scoring depth in trade-deadline deal with Bulls

Chicago Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu gets past Milwaukee Bucks’ Amir Coffey during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls, adding a proven scorer to bolster their depth for the stretch run in the stacked Western Conference playoffs race, a…

Q & A with the lead attorney suing Homeland Security for Duluth Schools

June Hoidal DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District filed a lawsuit against Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, plus other people and agencies.  The lawsuit is trying to stop immigration enforcement actions near schools.  The suit was also in partnership with the Fridley School District and the Education Minnesota teachers’ union. Just hours after the…

Duluth City Council to consider resolution on federal immigration efforts in city

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council is slated to discuss a “resolution clarifying the communication and enforcement relationship between the city and the federal government with respect to enforcement of federal civil immigration laws within the city of Duluth.” The resolution is now on the agenda for the February 9, 2026 City Council Meeting.  It is co-sponsored by city…

Mobile mammography truck catches fire

Mobile Mammography Fire. Cloquet, Minnesota February 3, 2026 CLOQUET, Minn. – A mobile mammography truck used by Essentia Health caught fire in Cloquet.  The fire broke-out on February 3, 2026. In a statement Essentia Health communications tells FOX 21, “Essentia is working closely with the truck’s vendor to understand what caused the fire and to help prevent something like this from…

Inside the lawsuit: Duluth School District sues Kristi Noem

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, center, speaks during a press conference Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District has sued Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, plus other people and agencies, in an effort to stop most immigration enforcement actions near schools. John Magas The 33-page lawsuit filed on February…

With caviar McNuggets and heart-shaped pizza, fast food chains hope to win Valentine’s diners

McNugget® Caviar (AP) – It’s a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar. McDonald’s is embracing the trend this Valentine’s Day with a limited-time McNugget Caviar kit. The free kit, which will be available on McNuggetCaviar.com on Feb. 10, pairs a one-ounce tin of Paramount’s Siberian…

Renee Good’s brothers remember their sister at Congressional hearing

Luke Ganger, left, and Brent Ganger, right, brothers of Renee Good, appear during a Bicameral Public Forum on the Disproportionate Use of Force by DHS Agents, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Two brothers of Renee Good spoke lovingly of their sister during a hearing put on by Congressional Democrats. Good, a 37-year-old mother of three,…

Caregiver in November high speed crash had history of drinking and smoking marijuana with residents

Michael Edward Rahja Jr. DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Human Services has released its investigation into a caregiver who crashed a vehicle with vulnerable adults in it while he was allegedly drunk and high. It sheds more light on the high-speed crash that sent multiple people to the hospital.  It also has revelations of drug and alcohol abuse…

Minnesota to inspect 5,800 Medicaid providers; asking for state workers from other departments to help

Minnesota Department of Human Services Logo ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced they will begin a “massive statewide push to ensure Medicaid providers in 13 high-risk services have the qualifications required by law.” The Minnesota Department of Human Services is putting out a call across all state agencies asking them to transfer 168 qualified workers…

Man dies in St. Louis County Jail

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Logo (Gordon Ramsay) DULUTH, Minn. – An inmate in the St. Louis County jail has died.  The St. Louis County Sherriff’s Office reports on January 27, 2026, at approximately 1:05 a.m., a correctional officer conducted a welfare check on 35-year-old Darrin John Tiessen. The officer found Tiessen unresponsive in a single-occupancy cell. The Sheriff’s Office says,…

Every Homeland Security officer in Minneapolis is now being issued a body-worn camera, Noem says

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, center, speaks during a press conference Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. WASHINGTON (AP) — Every officer on the ground, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, will be immediately issued body-worn cameras, Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday. Noem made the announcement on the social media platform X. She said the body-worn camera program is being expanded…

Man leads Minnesota State Patrol on high speed chase, thought he was running from ICE

Brandon Choo Atam DULUTH, Minn. — A Washington, D.C.-area man is accused of leading law enforcement on a 100+ mile per hour chase in Northern Minnesota.  He claimed he did it because he believed a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Charging documents say on January 31, 2026, at approximately 9:20 a.m. a Minnesota…

Church volunteer facing various charges for interactions with youth group member

Micah David Avery GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – A volunteer in the Youth Program at Grand Marais Free Church has been arrested and charged with various crimes. Micah Avery is charged with false imprisonment, engaging in electronic communication relating to sexual conduct with a child, and coercion. Charging documents say Avery befriended a member of the youth group. The youth group…

Tina Smith endorses Peggy Flanagan to replace her in Senate

Tina Smith and Peggy Flanagan endorsement on YouTube MINNESOTA – Senator Tina Smith has endorsed Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan to replace her in the United States Senate. Lt. Gov. Flanagan is in a battle for the Democratic nomination for the seat against Congresswoman Angie Craig. The primary election will be on August 11, 2026. They made the announcement in a…

St. Louis County officials give their side of the release of recent escapee

Michael Todd Hart DULUTH, Minn. – Sheriff Gordon Ramsay and County Attorney Kim Maki released a joint statement about the jail release of Michael Todd Hart. On January 21, Hart was released from the Itasca County Jail.  Hart was the subject of a large manhunt when he walked away from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) approximately four months prior….

One dead in Douglas County snowmobile crash

Gordon Snowmobile Crash Scene. Thursday Jan 29, 2026 GORDON, Wis. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says one person is dead following a single snowmobile crash in the Town Of Gordon. The crash was called into Douglas County 911 at 9:08pm on Thursday January 29, 2026. This victim is identified as Marvin Sloper, 68, of Centuria, WI. The initial reports are Sloper…

Itasca County Sheriff explains why prison escapee was released

Joe Dasovich GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The Itasca County Sheriff Joe Dasovich has released a statement explaining the release of Michael Hart. On January 21, Hart was released from the Itasca County Jail.  Hart was the subject of a large manhunt when he walked away from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) approximately four months prior. The statement from Dasovich…

Within hours Vikings and Twins both part ways with key leaders

FILE – Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey speaks to fans and media during the baseball team’s annual fan fest at Target Field, Jan. 28, 2023, in Minneapolis. MINNESOTA – The morning of Friday January 30, 2026 was the chopping block for both the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. First came the announcement from the Minnesota Twins saying,…

Twins executive Derek Falvey departs organization

FILE – Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey speaks to fans and media during the baseball team’s annual fan fest at Target Field, Jan. 28, 2023, in Minneapolis. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey have mutually decided to part ways, the club announced on Friday. The 42-year-old Falvey spent nine seasons…

Vikings fire General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

FILE – Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches his team prepare before the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday, after mixed results over four seasons and giving him a contract extension last year. The…

Pipe fractured in Pine County explosion was ‘susceptible to integrity issues’

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – The United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is overseeing the investigation into the natural gas pipeline explosion that happened in Pine County.  Following the January 16, 2026 pipeline failure near Willow River, Minnesota, the federal agency issued a “Corrective Action Order”.  The order was sent on the day following the explosion. Willow River…

Trump endorses Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s open governor’s race, leading GOP rival to drop out

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s endorsement of U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s open race for governor led the congressman’s top Republican rival to drop out of the race less than a day later. Tom Tiffany Tiffany now faces only nominal opposition for the Republican nomination in the battleground state after Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann announced his decision to drop out Wednesday. Schoemann…

Propane truck bursts into flames after crash in Burnett County; Roads closed

BURNETT COUNTY, Wis. – The Burnett County Sheriff’s Office says a propane truck caught fire following a crash with a pickup truck. It happened on State Road 70 and County Road H in Dewey Township on January 28, 2026 around 1pm. That is about 28-miles Southeast of Hayward. The road is closed.  For safety reasons the area will remain closed until…

Lawsuit claim: Duluth illegally charging millions in building permit-related fees

DULUTH, Min. – A lawsuit is claiming Duluth has illegally high building permit-related fees.  The Duluth lawsuits is similar to others filled against Minneapolis and St. Paul. The man suing is in Duluth is Joe Kovich.  His lawyer Shawn M. Raiter tells FOX 21,. “Certain cities in Minnesota—including Duluth—have unlawfully overcharged property owners well over $100 million for building permit…

Owner of Lutsen Lodge suing insurance company for non-payment

DULUTH, Minn – North Shore Resort Company, the company that owns Lutsen Lodge, is suing Owners Insurance Company for not paying insurance claims from the fire that destroyed the historic resort. Lutsen Lodge Fire The suit, filed in federal court on January 23, 2026 says, “Plaintiff timely made a claim to Defendant for coverage under the Policy’s Building, Personal Property,…

Two federal officers fired shots during encounter that killed Alex Pretti

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two federal officers fired shots during an encounter that killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, a Customs and Border Protection official told Congress in a notice sent Tuesday. A photo of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer over the weekend, is displayed at the shooting scene Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in…

Walz and Frey both talk to President Trump today; Say positive conversations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he spoke to President Donald Trump about the immigration crackdown in his city and some federal officers will begin leaving. A photo of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer over the weekend, is displayed at the shooting scene Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Minneapolis. Frey…

Publishers Clearing House scams making rounds in Northern Minnesota

Publishers Clearing House Logo DULUTH, Minn. –  The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says there have been numerous reports of scammers calling people claiming they had won a Publishers Clearing House prize. The calls have been made within the past week. Scammers are claiming the person won a cash sum and often a brand-new vehicle.  The caller then requests that they…

Case dismissed for man arrested in Virginia ICE operation

Jose Espinoza-Espinoza DULUTH, Minn. – The criminal case against Jose Espinoza-Espinoza, accusing him of “assaulting, resisting, or impeding a Federal Officer,” has been dismissed. Espinoza-Espinoza was arrested on January 16, 2026, by federal agents near the Cazadores Mexican restaurant in Virginia. Agents said Espinoza-Espinoza was in a car they suspected was “transporting illegal aliens”. On the morning of January 26,…

Federal immigration enforcement focusing on Iron Range Mexican restaurant again

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant Logo VIRGINIA, Minn. –  Federal court records show Homeland Security were “conducting surveillance near the Cazadores Mexican restaurant” in Virginia. In October 2025, agents from Border Patrol and Enforcement Removal Operations raided El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill and La Tequila Taco Shop.  Both of those restaurants are in Hibbing. The new revelation comes from federal court…

The man killed by a US Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse, family says

Alex Jeffrey Pretti MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Family members say the man killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday was an intensive care nurse at a VA hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city. Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed getting in adventures with Joule, his…

READ IT: Gov. Walz statement following Border Patrol killing Minnesota man

Gov. Tim Walz news conference following January 24, 2026 deadly shooting by federal officials ST. PAUL, Min – Governor Tim Walz today issued the following statement in response to a third shooting involving federal law enforcement agents in Minnesota. “The federal occupation of Minnesota long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. It is a campaign of organized brutality…

Saturday developments in deadly fed shooting

A person holds a Minnesota state flag as federal immigration officers deploy tear gas Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP) – Federal officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, according to a hospital record obtained by the Associated Press. Minneapolis Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said in a social media post that…

READ IT: Initial statement from the Department of Homeland Security following deadly shooting

Picture released from Department of Homeland Security follow January 26, 2026 deadly shooting Below is the initial statement from the Department of Homeland Security following a deadly shooting on January 24, 2026: At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US…

Man shot during Minneapolis immigration crackdown has died

Man shot by federal agents has died, say Minneapolis police chief (January 24, 2026) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Federal officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, according to a hospital record obtained by the Associated Press. Minneapolis Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said in a social media post that he had been in contact with the…

Duluth man charged with 9 counts of ‘porch piracy’

Gerald August Mattson DULUTH, Min. –  A Duluth man has been charged with nine counts of felony mail theft. Duluth Police say Gerald August Mattson stole nine packages over the time span from December 31, 2025 to January 21, 2026. The packages were intended for various apartments in the Grandview Manor on East 2nd Street in Duluth.  That is where…