>>Defendant Miu takes the stand at Apple River stabbing trial, vigorous cross-examination by prosecution
(Hudson, WI) — Vigorous cross-examination by the prosecution this afternoon (Tues) as the Minnesota man charged in a fatal stabbing on the Apple River in western Wisconsin took the stand in Saint Croix County Court. Under questioning, 54-year-old Nicolae Miu acknowledged he stabbed one young man who never punched, kicked or pushed him, saying he didn’t know who was punching him. The prosecution then asked about the Minnesotan who died from his wounds. Here’s the actual courtroom dialog:
Prosecutor: “After you stabbed Riley Madison, Isaac Schuman tries to push you, right?”
Miu: “And he lands his hands on my throat, yes.”
Prosecutor: “Yup. But his hands originally weren’t anywhere near your throat. They were on your shoulder and your chest, right?
Miu: “I didn’t take measurements or– but… yeah, from the picture, yes.”
Prosecutor: “And as soon as he touches you, you stab up into his heart with your knife, right?
Defense attorney: “Objection, no foundation….”
Judge: “Overruled.”
Miu: “He went for my throat and I defended myself, yes.”
Miu has been on the stand since this morning, after the defense rested its case.
>>Minneapolis City Council will likely reconsider Uber/Lyft ordinance Thursday, implementation date could be delayed
(Minneapolis, MN) — It’s expected the Minneapolis City Council will reconsider its controversial Uber/Lyft ordinance Thursday, and there are reports that there will be a proposal to move the implementation date farther out than May 1st. Democrats at the State Capitol are also involved in negotiations and today (Tues) allowed their bill to remain alive past legislative deadlines. Maple Grove Republican Kristin Robbins asked, what about a G-O-P bill that would cancel the Minneapolis Uber/Lyft ordinance? Robbins said it’s “much simpler [and] would provide certainty to our communities right away.” Democratic Majority Leader Jamie Long responded Republicans’ bill is “certainly overbroad.” Long says there’s “local important work” on regulating transportation network companies, but the Republican measure would “remove all regulatory ability from local government.”
>>Woman, teen, young boy fatally shot in Ramsey, authorities not looking for suspects
**MEDIA REFERENCE**
(Ramsey, MN) — A woman and a teenager were found fatally shot in the northwest metro suburb of Ramsey and a young boy was later declared dead after he was taken to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. An Anoka County Sheriff’s spokesperson says no arrests have been made and law enforcement is not looking for any suspects. Officials said earlier there was no known threat to the public. Law enforcement went to Rum River Central Park on Monday morning for a welfare check and found the victims in an S-U-V near a playground. The medical examiner has not yet released cause of death.
>>Many MN farmers ready to put 2023 behind them as spring planting begins
(Various) — As spring planting gets underway, many farmers in Minnesota are ready to put 2023 behind them. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management reports the average Minnesota farmer made just over $44,000 in 2023, a 76% drop from 2022’s record net income. The survey polled over 2,000 farmers engaged in production agriculture, many with gross income over $250,000. They found the year-to-year drop in commodity prices led to the average farmer keeping 8 cents for every dollar in gross income. Since 2022, milk prices have dropped 21%, and pork prices have fallen 16%. The only bright spot in 2023 was record-high beef prices.
>Minnesota Twins Acquire former Relief Pitcher Tonkin from Mets
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are bringing back former relief pitcher Michael Tonkin. The team acquired 34-year-old Tonkin today (Tues) from the New York Mets for cash considerations. The six-foot-seven right-hander appeared in three games for the Mets this season, allowing two earned runs on six hits over four innings. The Twins bullpen needs help, with several relievers on the injured list. The Twins drafted Tonkin out of high school in 2008 and he pitched for the organization for parts of five seasons from 2013 to 2017. He went 7-and-3 with a 4.28 E-R-A for the Braves last season.
>>Matchbox Twenty Coming to Minnesota State Fair August 30th
(Falcon Heights, MN) — The 1990s band Matchbox Twenty is playing the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand on August 30th. Matchbox Twenty released it first album in 11 years, “Where the Light Goes,” in 2023. Lead singer Rob Thomas has recorded five solo albums and won three Grammy Awards. Tickets go on sale for Matchbox Twenty this Friday morning through Etix. Prices range from 67 dollars for reserved seating to 134 dollars for the Party Deck.
