Minnesota

Researchers: Virus Linked to Polio-Like Illness

Minnesota had 10 of the 228 AFM Cases in 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say a virus appears to be the cause of a polio-like illness that caused paralyzing symptoms in some Minnesota children last fall, including one girl who remains hospitalized after losing all motor function. The researchers say they found Enterovirus-D68 in the spinal…

Summer Lift Bridge Hours Start Earlier, Last Longer

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has announced new Aerial Lift Bridge operating hours to help improve traffic flow in and around Canal Park and Park Point. The new bridge lifting hours will be to lift on the hour and half hour between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. seven days a week from March 16 through…

Partner of cop Charged in Minneapolis Shooting Takes Stand

(Courtesy: Fox 9/Cedric Hohnstadt) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The partner of a former Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an unarmed woman says he was startled by a thump on the officers’ squad car and feared a possible ambush. Officer Matthew Harrity is a key witness at the trial of Mohamed Noor. Noor killed Justine Ruszczyk Damond with a single…

University of St. Thomas Evacuated After Bomb Threat

(courtesy: Fox 9)ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Classes at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul have been canceled after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of students, staff and even babies who were rolled out of an on-campus day care center in their cribs. The university alerted students, faculty and staff to evacuate McNeely Hall and surround buildings…

Duluth Police: One in Custody After Duluth Stabbing

Police are not Looking for any Other Suspects

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Police Department, a juvenile male was brought to a local hospital Tuesday night after being stabbed by another juvenile male. Police say the incident happened in the area of 54th Avenue West and Ramsey Street around 5:56 p.m. According to authorities, the juvenile male victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and the suspect was…

Minnesota Cop’s Trial Raises Questions About Code of Silence

Prosecutors Say Many Officers Refused to Provide Statements

(Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Testimony in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman has raised questions about whether officers were trying to protect one of their own. The incident commander turned her body camera off when talking to Mohamed Noor after the July 2017 shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond….

Four Injured, Including Children, in School bus Crash

The Crash Remains Under Investigation

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) – Police say two children were among those injured when a SUV driver ran a red light and crashed into a school bus in Brooklyn Park. Deputy Chief Mark Bruley says the children and drivers of both vehicles were taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The bus was headed to Athlos Leadership…

Walz Names new IT Commissioner, Filling Last Cabinet Post

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz announced Tarek Tomes as the incoming Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services. The governor held a news conference Tuesday morning to announce the new head of Minnesota IT Services, also known as MNIT, the state agency responsible for information technology systems across all executive branch departments. “As a recognized industry leader and experienced public…

Minnesota Students Paid $620K in TCF Bank Card Fees

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — TCF Bank made more than $620,000 in card fees from University of Minnesota students on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses last school year, according to a consumer advocacy group’s report. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group released a study last week that found 44% of the university’s students have TCF bank accounts, Minnesota Daily reported. University…

Iron Range Doctor Charged With Felony Criminal Sexual Conduct

Further Investigation Determined There is Probable Cause

(courtesy: Mesabi Daily News) (courtesy: Mesabi Daily News) EVELETH, Minn. – An Iron Range doctor has been charged with fourth degree felony criminal sexual conduct and fifth degree gross misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct, according to a recent press release from the Eveleth Police Department. On January 18, the Eveleth Police Department received a report from an adult female regarding alleged…

Walz Signs Bill Requiring Drivers to use Hands-Free Phones

The Law Bars Motorists From holding and Using Cellphones While Driving

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has signed a bill that will require motorists to use hands-free devices to talk on the phone while driving on Minnesota roads starting Aug. 1. At a signing ceremony Friday, Walz paid tribute to dozens of people surrounding him who lost loved ones in crashes caused by distracted drivers, saying lives will…

Children Confirm Deaths of Minnesota Businessman, Wife

(Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP) ORONO, Minn. (AP) – The children of a one-time part owner of the Minnesota Vikings and his wife have asked for privacy while they grieve their parents’ deaths. Irwin and Alexandra Jacobs’ children confirmed their parents’ deaths in a short statement issued Wednesday through a public relations firm. Authorities haven’t publicly identified the couple but…

Woman’s Body Found in Virginia

No Foul Play is Suspected

VIRGINIA, Minn. – According to the Virginia Police Department, a male walking east of Railroad Street Tuesday around 9:52 a.m. called in a report of a dead body to St. Louis County Dispatch. When officers arrived on scene they located a deceased 38-year-old female. Authorities found no signs of foul play. The Virginia Police Department is awaiting autopsy results and…

Standards Board Revokes License of Former Chief

Klein Resigned in May

(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. JOSEPH, Minn. (AP) – The state police standards board has revoked the license of the former police chief in St. Joseph accused of misconduct. Chief Joel Klein was placed on administrative leave in April 2018 and resigned in May. The St. Cloud Times says the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training conducted an investigation…

Floodwood School Referendum Fails; Layoffs, Budget Cuts To Follow

FLOODWOOD, Minn. – The Floodwood School District ISD 698 is preparing for budget cuts and layoffs after a referendum Tuesday night was voted down by just 16 votes — 352 to 336. The referendum would have authorized a 10-year tax levy on local property worth $3,350 per pupil.  This would have meant a home valued at $150,000 would pay $437 in…