>>$40K bail set for state senator accused of burglarizing stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A judge in west-central Minnesota’s Becker County today (Tues) set bail at 40 thousand dollars for state Senator Nicole Mitchell from (the Saint Paul suburb of) Woodbury, who’s charged with burglary for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. 49-year-old Mitchell, a Democrat, told police she did it to retrieve some of her late father’s belongings including his ashes, because her stepmother broke off contact with the family. Mitchell said she left her Twin Cities home about 1 a-m Monday morning and the break-in was reported at 4:45 a-m. According to charges, police found Mitchell “dressed in all black clothing and a black hat”, with a flashlight nearby covered with a black sock.
>>MN Senate Repubs call for Democrat Mitchell’s resignation amid burglary charges
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Senate Republicans are calling on Senator Nicole Mitchell to resign immediately. The Woodbury Democrat is charged with burglary for breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. Senate Republican Minority Leader Mark Johnson says he understands the difficult situation Mitchell’s family is facing, however the charges lay out “the case of a person who took extensive preparation to burglarize a family member’s home. This behavior is unbecoming of a member of the Legislature.” Senate Democratic Majority Leader Erin Murphy says the alleged behavior is “far outside” the character Mitchell has established in the Senate and in her distinguished career in the military.” Murphy says Mitchell “has the right to a full defense of her case in court” and she “must also have serious and difficult conversations with her colleagues, constituents and family.”
>>Top analyst predicts Mitchell won’t resign
(Undated) — State Senator Nicole Mitchell from Woodbury is charged with breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes, but Carleton College analyst Steven Schier predicts Mitchell’s fellow Democrats will *not* pressure her to resign. And Schier adds, “I do not think that she will be in court and convicted within a month of this. And so all that leads me to think that Nicole Mitchell is very likely to at least serve out her term through the end of the legislative session.” Schier says if Mitchell *were* to resign, the state Senate would be tied at 33-33 and Democrats’ agenda would be stalled, with under a month remaining in the legislative session.
>>One suspect arrested, charged in summer 2023 “Nudieland” shootings in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Charges in connection with last summer’s shootings at a backyard concert venue in Minneapolis known as “Nudieland” that killed one and injured six others. Now-18-year-old Dominic Burris of Hinckley faces felony charges in juvenile court of aiding and abetting first-degree assault, second-degree murder, and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says, “We have not forgotten about Nicholas Golden, who was murdered that day, and the other victims who were significantly harmed.” Moriarty says the Minneapolis Police Department is currently searching for the other suspect, who was also a minor at the time of the crime. Moriarty indicates a decision hasn’t been made whether to request Burris be tried as an adult.
>>Nine people arrested at pro-Palestine encampment on U-of-M East Bank Minneapolis campus
(Minneapolis, MN) — Nine people are in custody after setting up a pro-Palestine encampment early this morning (Tues) outside Walter Library on the U-of-M’s East Bank campus in Minneapolis. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) member Gillian Rath says seven of her group’s members were arrested, but that won’t stop them from fighting against violence. Rath says they’re demanding the University “divest, cuts all ties with Israel, stops the attacks on student protests [and] releases a statement condemning Israel for the genocide.” The group rallied this afternoon (TUES, 2 p.m.) on campus to continue their advocacy for Gaza and in support of those arrested.
>>High School Student from Eveleth Charged with 3 Felonies for Threatening to Shoot Other Students
(Virginia, MN) — A 19-year-old student at Rock Ridge High School in the Iron Range community of Virginia has been charged with three felonies after threatening to shoot other students. Court documents say on April 3rd, Elijah Khen of Eveleth made threats while eating lunch at school and continued to say he was going to buy a gun and shoot people there. Officers arrested Kehn at his home later that day after students reported his comments to school staff. He’s in Saint Louis County Jail on $750,000 bail and due back in court April 29th.
>>MN A-G suing user car dealer Midwest Car Search
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing Fridley used-car dealer Midwest Car Search and its owner, alleging they exploited Spanish speakers in the sale of over 3,000 vehicles to Minnesotans from 2017 to 2022. Ellison says all used car dealers are required by law to provide consumers with an accurate “Buyers’ Guide,” disclosing the car’s warranty is intact and whether a vehicle services contract is available for purchase. Ellison says, “If the sale is conducted in Spanish, Minnesota law requires that the customer is provided with a Buyer’s Guide in Spanish so that they know what they’re agreeing to.” But Ellison says Midwest Car Search failed to do that, despite regular sales and advertisements in Spanish.
>>Rain in forecast, but expert says “measurable events” needed to ease drought statewide
(Grand Rapids, MN) — Rain and cooler temps statewide are forecast Friday into the weekend, but Leanne Langeberg with the Interagency Fire Center says it will take some “measurable events” to pull out of dry conditions that have settled in across Minnesota. Langeberg says although drought has eased around the metro area, “from about Brainerd, and then if you head northwest through the Upper and Lower Red lakes on up to northwest Minnesota, we’re still in fairly severe drought conditions.” Southern Minnesota is dealing with dry conditions also. Just one example: Brown County has burning restrictions in place today (Tues) with temperatures expected around 60 degrees and winds steady at 25 miles per hour. Langeberg is urging all Minnesotans to keep up-to-date on burning restrictions, because fires spread very quickly before green-up. She says if you see a wildfire, get to a safe place and call 9-1-1 immediately.
>>Brown County Asks Public for Information Regarding Suspicious Wildfires
(Brown County, MN) — The Brown County Sherriff’s Office is asking the public for information regarding suspicious wildfires over the past two months. Officials say between March 1st and April 22nd they’ve received 16 fire calls on or near CRP acreage, wildlife management areas, and other naturally-vegetated land. Five of the 16 fires occurred in Mulligan between Comfrey and State Highway 4. Anyone with information should call the Brown County Sheriff’s Office at 507-233-6700.
>>School bus involved in three-vehicle crash in central MN, no students on board
(Monticello, MN) — One person was airlifted from the scene of a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus, passenger vehicle, and dump truck south of Monticello this morning (Tues), but no students were on the bus. The driver of the passenger vehicle, 44-year-old Randolph Torkkola of Becker, was hurt but the extent of his injuries is not available. The drivers of the school bus and dump truck were not injured.
>>HealthPartners Names Emily Bloomberg New President of Regions Hospital
(St. Paul, MN) — HealthPartners has named Emily Bloomberg as new president of Regions Hospital and the Regions Hospital Foundation. Bloomberg received “40 Under 40” honors from the MSP Business Journal in 2019 as Hennepin Healthcare’s C-O-O and has had several roles at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Bloomberg begins her new job June 13th.
