>>Suspect Arrested in the Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO
(New York, NY) — New York City Police announced today (MON) that the suspect in last Wednesday’s murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on local firearm charges. Commissioner Jessica Tisch says 26-year-old Luigi Mangione (man-GEE-oh-knee) was recognized by an employee who called authorities at a McDonald’s. She says, “Officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder. They also recovered clothing, including a mask, consistent with those worn by our wanted individual.”
Police also recovered multiple fraudulent IDs, including the New Jersey ID used by the suspect when checking into the NYC hostel before the shooting and a handwritten manifesto against the insurance industry.
>>Minneapolis UCare Offices Closed This Week for Safety
(Minneapolis, MN) — Ucare offices in Minneapolis will be closed all week after receiving a “concerning comment in a phone call.” The nonprofit health plan got the call Friday and shut their office doors this week out of caution. This comes days after MN-based UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in downtown Manhattan. Thompson’s killer has yet to be caught.
>>Two People Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges
(HInes, MN) — Two people face felony animal mistreatment charges in Beltrami County in northern Minnesota. Deputies first responded to a home near the town of Hines in late October after the sheriff’s office received reports of possible animal mistreatment and neglect. They found many cats and dogs with inadequate food and water in poorly ventilated areas, with animal feces and urine, and some needing veterinary care. During a follow-up visit with a search warrant to seize all cats and dogs and deceased animal remains. That’s when a woodstove and ash pile and bones and bone fragments were located. 30 cats and 34 dogs were recovered, leaving more than 170 unaccounted for. Debra Marshall and Douglas Erickson were arrested.
>>Family of Red Lake Nation Tribal Officer Killed On Duty Seeks Community Support
(Red Lake, MN) — The family of a Red Lake Nation Tribal Officer who was killed in a crash while responding to a call last month is seeking assistance from the community. Jesse Branch tragically lost his life, along with Red Lake Band member Allan Lussier Jr., when their vehicles collided on November 27th. A GoFundMe account has been set up to support Branch’s relatives, including his girlfriend, daughter, and niece. Since the couple was unmarried, no survivor benefits will be awarded.
>>MN BCA Searches for Missing Rochester Man
(Rochester, MN) — The Minnesota BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) is now involved in the search for a missing elderly man in Rochester. 76-year-old Uong Ong was last seen around 3:00 p.m. on December 3rd, leaving a Rochester home in his 2004 blue Toyota Camry. Ong is described as a quiet Asian man, 5 feet 1 inch tall,120 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket.
>>Person Dead, Man in Custody After Fatal St. Paul Crash
(St. Paul, MN) — A Minneapolis man is in custody after causing and fleeing a fatal crash in St. Paul Sunday. State Patrol says a trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding around 11:15 p.m. near I-94. The vehicle briefly stopped, then fled, a pursuit beginning. The 28-year-old suspect crashed into a parked car, killing the lone occupant inside. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested after a Taser was used.
>>MN DOC Investigates Stillwater Inmate Death
(Stillwater, MN) — The Department of Corrections is investigating the death of an inmate at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater. On December 1, around 2:43 a.m., prison staff found 43-year-old David Ojeda unresponsive. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead. Ojeda was serving a 25-year sentence for criminal sexual conduct with a child under 16. No other information has been released.
>>Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Bombing, Damaging Minneapolis Hair Salon
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man faces five years in prison for bombing and damaging a Minneapolis hair salon twice. In 2022, Michael Francisco placed a bomb at a Minneapolis hair salon’s window, heavily damaging the building. Nearly a year later, he threw a rock through the same salon’s window. Francisco was caught on surveillance video in both events. He was identified in the 2023 property damage, and evidence tied him to the 2022 bombing. Francisco pleaded guilty to one count of malicious use of explosive materials in July.
>> Gas Prices in Minnesota Keep Falling
(Minneapolis) – The statewide average for gas prices in Minnesota continues to fall. AAA (Triple A) says the average price for a gallon of unleaded is $2.81. That is 14 cents cheaper than a month ago. It’s also 20 cents cheaper than the current national average. As for local averages, St. Cloud is around $2.70 a gallon, while it’s a little higher in Duluth-Superior at $2.80 a gallon. The Twin Cities metro is even higher, averaging 2.86 a gallon. AAA says the price decrease comes as demand increases, but so is the nation’s gasoline supply.
