>>DNC Night 2 in Chicago: MN delegation addresses convention, speeches by Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama
(Chicago, IL) — It’s night two (Tues) of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and the Minnesota delegation is scheduled to make remarks in the seven o’clock hour. Young Minnesotans continue to make history at this year’s D-N-C. 17-year-old Beatrice Shierer of Fergus Fall turns 18 one week before the November election. She says she ran at the 7th Congressional District convention and was elected. On the speaking agenda tonight: Vermont Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and former President Barack Obama. Governor Tim Walz, Democrats’ vice-presidential candidate, keynotes the convention tomorrow night and Vice President Kamala Harris caps the convention Thursday evening.
>>White Earth Man Sentenced 24 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography
(Minneapolis, MN) — A White Earth man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for producing child pornography. In December 2020, the 13-year-old victim used her school-issued laptop to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. She told authorities that 34-year-old Ryan Thompson, a.k.a. “Ryan Edward Wayne Townsend,” began sleeping in her room at night and sexually abusing her. Investigators say sexually-explicit photographs were later taken on the victim’s phone.
>>Mexican Man Indicted for Illegal Reentry After Committing Aggravated Felony
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Mexican man who was deported after committing an aggravated felony has been indicted for illegally re-entering the U-S. Court documents say 27-year-old Jonathan Chavez-Galarza was found in the U.S. after having been previously deported, following a second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon conviction in Hennepin County. Chaves-Galarza made his initial appearance last Wednesday.
>>Fargo man arrested for murder of woman in Moorhead
(Fargo, ND) — An 18-year-old man from Fargo has been arrested for murder in the death of a woman in Moorhead. The victim’s body was found early this morning (Tues) along the river. Her name has not been released. Police say the victim and her killer were known to one another.
>> MDE awards grants to tackle issues facing students experiencing homelessness
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Department of Education announced today (TUES) one million dollars in federal assistance grants for students experiencing homelessness across the state. The grants, part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, will fund shelter-based tutoring, plus provide school supplies and other resources across 22 districts in the state. State Education officials say nearly 1.5% of all Minnesota students experience homelessness.
>> Ellison report on social media earns national award
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has garnered a national award for his report on “Emerging Technology and its Effect on Youth Well-Being.” The award from the National Conference of State Legislatures recognizes “excellence in documents or publication that explore topics of interest to legislators and legislative staff and present substantive material in an outstanding format.” Ellison’s report was later used by the state’s Legislature to craft the “Prohibiting Social Media Manipulation Act,” which goes into effect July 2025. In October 2023, Ellison joined a bipartisan coalition of 33 Attorneys General to sue Meta, Facebook’s parent company, for allegedly designing and deploying features that harm the mental health of young people.
>>Ex-Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura to Boycott State Fair
(Minneapolis, MN) — Former Governor Jesse Ventura says he won’t attend this year’s Minnesota State Fair because organizers have banned cannabis. Ventura points out that alcohol and tobacco are allowed on the fairgrounds while legal cannabis use is not. Ventura pushed for legalization more than 25 years ago and launched his own cannabis brand this year.
>> Gophers’ Birdsell named Big Ten Freshman of Week
(Minneapolis, MN) — University of Minnesota soccer forward Caroline Birdsell was named the Big Ten Conference’s Freshman of the Week today (TUES). The Illinois native became the first player in program history to tally a brace during UMN’s 2-1 win over Creighton last week. It marks the first time a Gopher player has earned a Player of the Week nod since 2020. Minnesota visits St. Thomas Sunday (1 P-M) for their second-ever meeting as NCAA Division 1 programs.
