>>Metro Transit Suspending Northstar Rail by 2026
(St. Paul, MN) – House Republican Transportation Chair John Koznick is applauding Metro Transit’s new timeline to suspend Northstar commuter rail operations by January 2026. Koznick calls this a long-overdue decision that will better serve both taxpayers and transit users. When arguing against Northstar during the legislative session, Koznick said the commuter rail has cost taxpayers more than 320 million dollars in capital expenses and loses $11 million annually. Metro Transit says the final trains will run either January 3rd or 4th. Bus service will begin the following day.
>>Former Sen. Eichorn in Federal Court
(Undated) — Former Republican state Senator Justin Eichorn is in federal court today, facing charges for attempting to solicit sex from a minor. Eichorn was arrested earlier this year after meeting with an undercover officer in Bloomington, whom he believed to be a seventeen-year-old girl. He is one of many men arrested in the sex sting. Eichorn tried to have the federal indictment dismissed in June, claiming he was being prosecuted due to being a senator at the time of the crime. He resigned from the Senate in March and pleaded not guilty to state charges in April.
>>FOF “Ringleader” Farah Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison
(Minneapolis, MN) — The “ringleader” of the two hundred fifty million dollar Feeding Our Future (FOF) fraud trial, thirty-six-year-old Abdiaziz Farah, was sentenced today to twenty-eight years in prison. In imposing the landmark sentence, as well as a restitution order of almost forty-eight thousand dollars, U.S. Judge Nancy Brasel called Farah’s crime “breathtakingly elaborate” and “utterly flagrant in disregard for the laws of the U.S.” Farah played a significant role in the fraud scheme that began in 2020 that took advantage of a federal nutrition program meant to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was convicted on multiple state and federal charges, including wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering. Farah is believed to have pocketed over eight million dollars during his eighteen months of involvement in the scheme. He has yet to be sentenced for attempting to bribe a juror in June 2024 when the F-O-F trial was conducted.
>>Another Teen with Type 1 Diabetes Goes Missing
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Brooklyn Park Police are searching for a missing man. Eighteen-year-old Abdirahman Abdi was last seen in Brooklyn Park on Monday, taking an Uber trip to a movie theater and turning his phone off. Abdi is a type one diabetic, and it’s unknown if he has any prescriptions on hand. He’s described as Black, five feet six inches tall, one hundred thirty pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Abdi was last seen wearing a black hoodie. This comes after a twelve-year-old girl with type one diabetes went missing in Minneapolis over the weekend and was just found yesterday (TUES). Anyone with information should call 9-1-1.
>>Fargo Police Searches for 2 Assault Suspects
(Fargo, ND) — Fargo, North Dakota, police are searching for two suspects in a violent weekend assault. Police Chief Dave Zibolski says on Sunday morning, officers responding to two separate homicide investigations were called to handle an assault report. The fifty-five-year-old victim, a man, is in critical condition. Zibolski says the assault does not appear to be connected to the murders.
>>11 Hennepin County Beaches Temporarily Closed
(Hennepin County, MN) — Eleven beaches in Hennepin County have been temporarily closed today due to a myriad of unacceptable test results. In Minneapolis, Hiawatha Beach, 32nd Street Beach, and Wirth Beach are all closed due to unsafe levels of E. coli. In Lake Minnetonka, Canary Beach, Centerview Beach, Excelsior Public Beach, and Playground Beach are all closed due to unacceptable test results. Other beaches closed include Fort Snelling Beach and Round Lake Park Beach for high or unsafe levels of bacteria, East Medicine Lake Park for water quality concerns, and Nelson Lakeside Park for unacceptable test results. Health Department officials say recent heavy rains may be the main contributor to elevated bacteria levels in lake water.
>>Today Marks 60th Anniversary of Voting Rights Act
(St. Paul, MN) – Today, Wednesday, August 6, marks the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. The landmark civil rights law created protections against racial discrimination in ballot access and provided the rights of individuals to defend themselves in the voting process. DFL Senate President Bobby Joe Champion issued a statement saying, “Six decades after the federal Voting Rights Act, our work to defend, strengthen and expand democracy continues.” He also cited the Minnesota Voting Rights Act from last year that ensures Minnesotans have the right to defend against discrimination in elections or redistricting.
>>Search for Woman, 3-Week-Old Child She Abducted
(Columbia Heights, MN) — Columbia Heights Police are searching for a three-week-old child and the woman who abducted her. Police say Dior Gooch was taken from her guardian’s home by thirty-seven-year-old Ashley Gooch after violence was threatened towards the guardian. Ashley was last seen around 9 Tuesday morning in Columbia Heights, pushing a stroller west with Dior inside. Dior is described as a Black newborn. Ashley is described as Black, five feet five inches tall, one hundred fifty-eight pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair with a pink, blue, and purple braid. She was last seen wearing an orange and white sundress with a black backpack.
>>Twins Win Finale and Series at 1st Place Detroit
(Detroit, MI) — The Twins topped the Tigers 9-4 today (Wed) to win the three-game series at first-place Detroit. Rookie Luke Keaschall drove in three runs for the second straight game and Brooks Lee had a homer. Twins reliever Thomas Hatch pitched four-and-a-third scoreless innings for the victory. Pierson Ohl got the start for Minnesota and gave up all four runs. All-Star Joe Ryan is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Royals.
