Author: The Associated Press

Two Bodies Recovered in Lower Red Lake

The two men went missing in November.

RED LAKE, Minn. (AP) – The bodies of two fishermen missing in northern Minnesota since November have been recovered. Red Lake Police say the body of a 17-year-old boy was found in Lower Red Lake Wednesday. Searchers found the body of 29-year-old Deland Beaulieu on Thursday morning about 150 feet from where the boy’s body was recovered. Beaulieu and the…

AP-NORC Poll: Support Soars for Stricter gun Control Laws

Nearly 6 in 10 favor a nationwide ban on AR-15-style rifles.

NEW YORK (AP) — Support for tougher gun control laws is soaring in the United States, according to a new poll that found a majority of gun owners and half of Republicans favor new laws to address gun violence in the weeks after a Florida school shooting left 17 dead and sparked nationwide protests. The poll, conducted by The Associated…

UN Report: Loss of Plants, Animals Making a Lonelier Planet

They report Friday that nowhere is doing well.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Earth is losing plants, animals and clean water at a dramatic rate, according to four new United Nations scientific reports on biodiversity. Scientists meeting in Colombia issued four regional reports Friday on how well animal and plants are doing in the Americas; Europe and Central Asia; Africa; and the Asia-Pacific area. Their conclusion after three years of…

Justice Dept. Charges Nine Iranians in Massive Hacking Scheme

The Justice Department on Friday announced charges against 9 Iranians in a government-sponsored hacking scheme.

(Courtesy of CNN)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Friday announced charges against 9 Iranians in a government-sponsored hacking scheme that pilfered sensitive information from hundreds of universities, private companies and government agencies. The Iranian defendants are accused of working at the behest of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to steal large quantities of academic data from hundreds of universities…

Trump’s Plan to Remove McMaster Wasn’t True – Until it was

Bolton replacing McMaster as Trump national security adviser

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says he will replace national security adviser H.R. McMaster with the former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, a foreign policy hawk entering a White House facing key decisions on Iran and North Korea. “Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster — contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there…

House Freedom Caucus Cheers Veto Idea

It says the bill does not have enough money for the border wall, leaves intact President Barack Obama’s health care law and funds Planned Parenthood.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Trump says he is “considering” a veto of a giant $1.3 trillion spending bill, citing concerns over “Dreamers” and border wall funding. Trump says on Twitter Friday morning: “I am considering a VETO of the Omnibus Spending Bill based on the fact that the 800,000 plus DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by…

The Latest: Police Storm French Market, Suspect Killed

Police official also said the suspect was killed.

(Newsflare/Tarbouriech Roseline via AP)PARIS (AP) – A police union official says officers have stormed the French supermarket where a suspect allegedly took hostages and shot people before being killed by police himself. Yves Lefebvre, secretary general of SGP Police-FO police union, said he didn’t have immediate details on the number of victims from Friday’s incident in the town of Trebes….

Life Support to end for ‘Brain Dead’ School Shooting Victim

The teen was shot Tuesday by 17-year-old Austin Rollins at Great Mills High School in St. Mary’s County.

(Courtesy of the Willey family via AP)(AP) – A teenage girl was brain dead days after being shot when a classmate opened fire inside their Maryland high school and was to be removed from life support, her mother said Thursday. Melissa Willey told news reporters Thursday night that her daughter, 16-year-old Jaelynn Willey had “no life left in her.” She…

Toys R Us Founder Dies Days After Chain’s Announced Shutdown

Toys R Us confirmed Lazarus’ death in a statement.

(AP Photo, File)NEW YORK (AP) — Charles P. Lazarus, the World War II veteran who founded Toys R Us six decades ago and transformed it into an iconic piece of Americana, died Thursday at age 94, a week after the chain announced it was going out of business. Toys R Us confirmed Lazarus’ death in a statement. “There have been…

US to Sell $1 Billion in Arms to Saudi Arabia

Lawmakers will have 30 days to act if they want to try to stop it.

(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is signing off on selling more than $1 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the United States. The State Department says the administration told Congress on Thursday that it plans to approve the sale. Lawmakers will have 30 days to act if they want to…

Minnesota Teen Driver Taking Test Crashes Into Exam Station

Teenager taking her driving test crashed into the examination station

BUFFALO, Minn. (AP) – Police say a teenage driver in Minnesota trying to get her license crashed into the examination station. Authorities say the 17-year-old girl inadvertently put the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox in drive instead of reverse at the start of the test Wednesday in Buffalo, Minnesota. When the girl stepped on the accelerator, the car lurched forward, jumped the…

Trade Worries Send Stock Market Plunging

The latest on developments in financial markets.

(AP Photo/Richard Drew)NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks plunged, sending the Dow Jones industrials down more than 700 points, as investors feared that trade tensions will spike between the U.S. and China. The Trump administration announced trade sanctions against China Thursday, and Beijing has said it will defend itself. Industrial and technology companies, which depend heavily on foreign trade, took some…

Trump: Take my Advice, Don’t run for President

He added that he used to get great publicity before he ran for president.

(AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has a little advice for entrepreneurs of the future: Don’t run for president. Trump addressed young people Thursday at a White House event called “Generation Next.” During a question and answer session with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump was asked to offer guidance to a young version of himself. “Don’t run for president,”…

Trump to `Pause’ Looming Metal Tariffs for Some Countries

The European Union, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and South Korea are among the nations that will get an initial exemption.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) – The European Union, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and South Korea are among the nations that will get an initial exemption from looming steel and aluminum tariffs from the Trump administration. That’s the word from the U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer. President Donald Trump is planning to impose tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10…

Rocori Superintendent Charged With Indecent Exposure

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators named Staska top superintendent in 2010.

(courtesy of Fox9)WAITE PARK, Minn. (AP) – A man who has been named as a top superintendent by his colleagues in Minnesota has been arrested on a charge of indecent exposure. Rocori Superintendent Scott Staska was arrested Wednesday, booked into the Stearns County Jail and released. Waite Park police say Staska was captured on store video Sunday exposing himself to…

John Dowd, Lead Trump Lawyer in Russia Probe, Leaves Team

President Donald Trump's lead lawyer in the Russia investigation has left the legal team.

(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Donald Trump’s lead lawyer in the Russia investigation has left the legal team. Attorney John Dowd is confirming his decision in an email to The Associated Press. Dowd says he “loves the president” and wishes him well. Another Trump’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, also is confirming Dowd’s departure. The move comes several days after…

AP Exclusive: Toy co. CEO leads effort to salvage Toys R Us

If as many as 400 stores can be saved, it is Larian’s hope that a third of the 130,000 jobs he sees as lost could be rescued.

(AP Photo/Christine Cotter, File)NEW YORK (AP) — Toy company executive Isaac Larian and other investors have pledged a total of $200 million and hope to raise four times that amount in crowdfunding in a bid to save potentially more than half of the 735 Toys R Us stores that will go dark in bankruptcy proceedings. The unsolicited bid faces a…

Trump Swings Behind Massive Budget; big Military Increase

Negotiators planned to unveil the massive government-wide spending bill later in the day in hopes of passing it before a Friday midnight deadline to avoid a government shutdown.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci/newsfileWASHINGTON (AP) — Despite second thoughts, President Donald Trump swung behind a $1.3 trillion government spending bill Wednesday that would give him a partial victory on funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., rushed to the White House amid worries that Trump was talking about withdrawing his support for the measure, said a person…

Ashland County Rejects Wrongful Death Claim

Ashland County Board rejects $9.5 million wringful death claim from Jason Pero's family.

ASHLAND, Wis. (AP) – The Ashland County Board has rejected a $9.5 million wrongful death claim from the family of a 14-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy. Sheriff’s deputy Brock Mrdjenovich killed Jason Pero after he was called to the Bad River Indian Reservation to deal with an individual walking down the street with a knife…

Austin Suspect ID’d as Mark Anthony Conditt

Authorities earlier described the suspect only as a 24-year-old white man.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ROUND ROCK, Tex. – A law enforcement official has told The Associated Press that the dead Austin bombing suspect was Mark Anthony Conditt. The official, who has been briefed on the investigation, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to discuss the case publicly. Pflugerville Mayor Victor Gonzales told the AP that the bombing…

Snowmobile Accident Inspires new Minnesota DWI law

Republican Rep. Anne Neu of North Branch says there's currently a loophole.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The death of an 8-year-old boy who was struck by a snowmobile has spurred Minnesota legislators to advance a bill that would make drunk driving an offense no matter the vehicle being operated. Minnesota Public Radio reports that the House transportation committee approved a bill to allow for DWI convictions whether they’re on the road,…

Armed man Holed up in Restaurant Near Princeton University

Authorities in New Jersey say an armed man is holed up in a restaurant across the street from Princeton University's campus.

(Google Maps)PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) – Authorities in New Jersey say an armed man is holed up in a restaurant across the street from Princeton University’s campus. Police say there are no known hostages in the Panera Bread, but it’s not clear what sparked the standoff that began around 10 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities had shut down Princeton’s downtown area, and two…

Minneapolis Officer who Shot Australian Woman Turns Self in

The Minneapolis officer had a warrant out for his arrest.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman in July has turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest, and a news conference was scheduled later Tuesday to announce charges in the case. Tom Plunkett, an attorney for Officer Mohamed Noor, says he turned himself in Tuesday in the death of…

UK Parliament Asks Zuckerberg to Testify in Data Misuse Case

The request comes amid reports that a U.K.-based company allegedly used Facebook data to help Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) LONDON (AP) — A British parliamentary committee on Tuesday summoned Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to answer questions on fake news as authorities step up efforts to determine whether data has been improperly used to influence elections. The request comes amid reports that a U.K.-based company allegedly used Facebook data to help Donald Trump win the 2016…

Sheriff Update: School Officer Unhurt, Shooter Dead

A teenager wounded a girl and a boy inside his Maryland high school Tuesday before an armed school resource officer was able to intervene.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon ) GREAT MILLS, Md (AP) – A sheriff says the school resource officer who shot at the suspect during a shooting at a Maryland high school is unhurt. Speaking at a news conference, St. Mary’s County Tim Cameron says the male student was armed with a handgun Tuesday morning when he wounded a female student and a…

Investigators Suspect FedEx Bomb is Tied to Austin Bombings

Police check suspicious package at Austin FedEx.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Austin police have deployed a hazardous materials squad to a FedEx shipping facility near the city’s airport to investigate reports of a suspicious package. It isn’t known yet if the suspicious package is linked to a bomb that detonated earlier Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio or the four bombs that…

World’s Last Male Northern White Rhino, Sudan, Dies

The world’s last male northern white rhino, Sudan, has died after “age-related complications."

(AP Photo)NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The world’s last male northern white rhino, Sudan, has died after “age-related complications,” researchers announced Tuesday, saying he “stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength.” A statement from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya said the 45-year-old rhino was euthanized on Monday after his condition “worsened significantly” and he was no longer…

Maryland High School Shooting Contained, People Injured

No fatalities reported at this time.

GREAT MILLS, Md. (AP) — A shooting caused injuries at a Maryland high school Tuesday morning, and authorities said the situation was “contained” as deputies and federal agents converged on the crime scene. St. Mary’s Couty Sheriff spokeswoman Cpl. Julie Yingling says there have been injuries, but she didn’t know how many or the severity. She said she had “no…

Assembly Committee to Hold Hearing on School Safety Bills

Meeting Will be Held Tomorrow

MADISON, Wis.-The Wisconsin Assembly Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Gov. Scott Walker’s $100 million school safety plan and other related proposals. The hearing Tuesday comes as the Assembly is expected to pass the bills in a special session Thursday. But the Senate may take a different approach, a move that could kill the measures. Walker, Lt. Gov….

Mille Lacs Faces Third Catch-and-Release-Only Walleye Season

Some Ice Fishing Anglers Were Able to Keep Fish This Past Winter at Mille Lacs

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Anglers and resort owners on Mille Lacs Lake face a third consecutive catch-and-release-only season for walleyes. The Department of Natural Resources said Monday that maintaining the restriction for the open-water season that opens May 12 will let it keep the popular lake open to walleye fishing all year, instead of closing it midway as it did last summer….

Woman Struck and Killed by Self-Driving Uber Vehicle

A self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed a pedestrian in suburban Phoenix in the first death involving a fully autonomous test vehicle.

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg,File)FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed a pedestrian in suburban Phoenix in the first death involving a fully autonomous test vehicle, prompting the ride-hailing company Monday to suspend all road-testing of such autos in the U.S. and Canada. Depending on who is found to be at fault, the accident could have far-reaching consequences…

Senate Signs off on MNLARS Money, but no Checks go out yet

It comes more than two weeks after the state started sending out layoff notices to information technology contractors working on MNLARS.

(courtesy: Fox 9)ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s Senate has signed off on $10 million in emergency funding to fix the state’s troubled new driver’s registration system. The Senate approved a bill Monday to fund repairs to the new platform known as MNLARS on a 47-20 vote. It also includes some new oversight measures like a legislative commission that Republicans…

Four Year old Injured When Dropped From Third Floor by Relative

Police later identified the man as the girl's uncle.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) – St. Cloud police say a 4-year-old girl suffered injuries when she was dropped by a relative from a third-story balcony. WJON reports Assistant Police Chief Jeff Oxton says a witness told officers the man was holding the child by her wrists while standing on the balcony before dropping her about 5 p.m. Sunday. The girl…

Pawlenty Files Campaign Committee for Expected Governor run

It would be a return to politics for Pawlenty, who left office in 2011 and ran a short-lived 2012 presidential campaign.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has formed a campaign committee to run for his old job. The two-term governor announced Monday he created a campaign committee for the 2018 election. It’s not official yet, as Pawlenty still needs to formally file for the office. But it’s the surest sign yet that Pawlenty plans to enter…

18-year-old was Victim of Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis

No arrests have been made yet.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities have identified a St. Paul teenager as the person who was fatally shot in Minneapolis on Friday night. The Hennepin County medical examiner’s office says 18-year-old Norea Stephon Wilford was shot in the chest. Minneapolis police say Wilford was shot during a dispute and brought in a private vehicle to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he…

Enbridge Pipeline Raises Concerns in Minnesota

State regulators are expected to rule on the line's fate in June.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) – Landowners and tribal groups want Enbridge Energy to remove its old pipeline because of concerns of potential pollution if it wins regulatory approval for a replacement line across northern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio reports that Enbridge plans to remove the old Line 3 in portions where it’s exposed, but argues that safely removing the full…

White House Names Deputy Chief for Policy

Liddell is “highly qualified to oversee and coordinate our policy process.''

(Alex Brandon/Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) – White House official Christopher Liddell has been named deputy chief of staff for policy coordination. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday that Liddell will serve under Chief of Staff John Kelly and will work with Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Joe Hagin. He will be charged with managing the policy process. In…

Austin Mayor Calls Growing Fears ‘Legitimate’

Austin's mayor says growing anxieties are "legitimate and real'' following the fourth bombing in the city this month.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Austin’s mayor says growing anxieties are “legitimate and real” following the fourth bombing in the city this month. Mayor Steve Adler told The Associated Press on Monday that residents shouldn’t think twice about calling 911 if they see anything suspicious. A blast occurred Sunday night in a neighborhood far from the sites of the three package…

Rochester Stabbing Victims, Suspect Lived at Salvation Army Complex

Police say the victims and suspect all lived at the apartments.

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Police in Rochester, Minnesota, say a man was “definitely under the influence of alcohol” when he allegedly stabbed two neighbors to death at a Salvation Army apartment building. The 53-year-old man was arrested shortly after the stabbings Saturday night at Castleview Apartments as police say he tried to flee from a rear stairway. He was being…

Study: Plant Diversity Doesn’t Protect From Aquatic Invaders

The study was published in the Journal of Ecology.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – New research from the University of Minnesota has found no evidence that a diverse plant community in lakes keeps aquatic invaders from taking hold. Minnesota Public Radio reports that the university’s Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center examined 13 years of vegetation survey data that the state Department of Natural Resources collected from about 1,100 lakes….

370 Arrested for Drunken Driving Over St. Paddy’s Weekend

The number of arrests is up from last year.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Patrol says it made hundreds of arrests for drunken driving over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The patrol says that from Friday evening through early Monday, 370 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. That’s despite options for getting home, including free bus rides, Metro Transit and Uber. Last year, the patrol says…

More Dogs Found in Home of Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty

More than 200 animals have been removed from the home.

ROME TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) – A woman accused of animal cruelty after more than 200 animals were removed from her southern Michigan property has been arrested after authorities say they found additional neglected animals. Sharon Kay Evans of Lenawee County’s Rome Township was arrested Friday for violating an order not to possess animals. Sheriff’s officials say they acted on tips…

Fading Wolf Population to be Restored at Lake Superior Park

Isle Royal Wolves

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) – Federal officials have tentatively decided to transport 20-30 gray wolves to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan over the next three years to replenish a population that has nearly died out because of inbreeding and disease. The National Park Service said Friday it will make a final decision in 30 days, after the public has…

Pawlenty: Florida Fundraising was ‘Warming up Engine’

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he'll have an announcement soon on whether he'll make a run for his old office.

EDINA, Minn. (AP) – Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he’ll have an announcement soon on whether he’ll make a run for his old office. After speaking Friday at a Chamber of Commerce event in Edina, Pawlenty declined to say whether he’s definitely in. He called it “an answer for another day.” Pawlenty says recent fundraising in Florida was just “warming…

Study: High Rate of Wisconsin Fatal Crashes Involve Elderly

26 percent of fatal crashes in Wisconsin in 2016 involved someone 65 years or older.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A study shows Wisconsin has the highest rate for fatal crashes involving elderly drivers in the country. The study conducted by TRIP, a national transportation research group, says 26 percent of fatal crashes in Wisconsin in 2016 involved someone 65 years or older. That’s despite the state having a lower percentage of older drivers compared to…

Dayton’s Budget Cues up tax Fight With GOP

Gov. Mark Dayton wants to give some money back to Minnesota families.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton wants to undo some GOP-backed tax breaks passed last year and give some money back to Minnesota families. Removing tax cuts for some tobacco products, commercial properties and wealthy estates passed and signed into law last year was just a small part of the Democratic governor’s budget proposal released Friday. Those measures…

A Media Giant in the Balance: AT&T Antitrust Trial Kicks off

On Monday, AT&T squares off against the federal government in a trial that could shape how you get - and how much you pay for - streaming TV and movies

(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)NEW YORK (AP) — On Monday, AT&T squares off against the federal government in a trial that could shape how you get — and how much you pay for — streaming TV and movies. AT&T says it needs to gobble up Time Warner if it’s to have a chance against the likes of Amazon, Netflix and Google…

Designer of Fallen Florida Bridge Also did new I-35W Span

The company that designed the Florida bridge is the same company that designed the new I35W bridge in Minnesota.

(Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The company that designed a pedestrian bridge that collapsed in Florida is the same company that designed the new Interstate 35W bridge in Minnesota, after the old span collapsed more than 10 years ago. The engineering company is FIGG Bridge Group. Its new pedestrian bridge in Miami was hailed as a technological innovation…

Audit Suggests Report to ID Ineligible Voters

The Latest on a legislative audit of Minnesota's voter registration system.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s legislative auditor says the state should develop a report that helps county election officials identify people who aren’t eligible to vote. The legislative auditor’s office reported Friday after months of analyzing the state’s voter registration system. County attorneys carried out dozens of investigations that found registering or voting by ineligible people. But those county attorneys…

FDA Begins Push to cut Addictive Nicotine in Cigarettes

Federal health officials took the first step Thursday to slash levels of addictive nicotine in cigarettes.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials took the first step Thursday to slash levels of addictive nicotine in cigarettes, an unprecedented move designed to help smokers quit and prevent future generations from getting hooked. The Food and Drug Administration floated the proposal last summer, but provided new details in a government filing on the potential impact of drastically cutting nicotine…