>>Vice President Harris Selects Minnesota Governor Tim Walz As Running Mate
(Undated) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. The 60-year-old Democrat was selected this morning by Harris to join her on the presidential ticket. The two are scheduled to appear together late this afternoon (4:30 PM) in Philadelphia. Walz served in the House for 12 years before he was elected governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Minnesota has produced two vice presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.
>>Mixed Reaction to Walz’s VP Nomination
(Undated) — Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Governor Tim Walz as her running mate in the 2024 presidential election, and all sides are heated about certain topics.
Regarding abortion rights, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) Co-executive director Cathy Blaeser (BLAY-zer) says Walz is “the biggest threat to the vulnerable populations in our nation that we’ve seen.” Adding “He doesn’t care about the unborn, he doesn’t care about babies who survive abortion or babies who may be born with disabilities or congenital conditions. He’s willing to let them die instead of treat them.” Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood North Central States says Walz has proved to be a staunch champion of reproductive freedom—executive director Tim Stanley citing the 2023 signing of the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act into law. Planned Parenthood has endorsed Harris for president and says they will extend the invitation to Walz, continuing their long-held support for him. MCCL has made no endorsements of any presidential candidates.
>>Moorhead Woman Charged With Stabbing Former Boyfriend
(Moorhead, MN) — Charges of 2nd-degree murder have been filed against a woman in the stabbing death of her former boyfriend in Moorhead early Sunday morning. Connie Frank is accused of stabbing 47-year-old Willard DeGroat Jr. in the chest. He later died at a Fargo hospital. After hiding in a neighbor’s backyard, Frank returned to her son’s home where the stabbing took place and she was arrested. Court documents say while on her way to jail, she told police that she would kill him again. A neighbor says the stabbing followed an argument Saturday night. A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is helping with the investigation.
>>Isanti Police Officer Charged with Sending Sexual Content to a Minor
(Isanti, MN) — An Isanti police officer has been arrested and charged after sending inappropriate images to a minor. 30-year-old Nicholas Martell is charged with one count of electronically sending sexual content to a child. On August 3rd, officials were contacted by the father of 14-year-old Child A, saying Child A received a picture from Martell of his genitalia via Snapchat. Child A told officials Martell asked if she wanted to “see it,” sent the photo, asked if she “liked it,” then apologized the next day and asked her not to tell anyone. Martell was aware Child A was 13 years old when the photo was sent. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. No other information is being released at this time.
>>Eden Prairie Man Convicted of COVID Relief Fraud, Aggravated ID Theft, Money Laundering
(Minneapolis, MN) — An Eden Prairie man has been found guilty by a federal jury of applying for over $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds for personal use. Between March and May 2020, 75-year-old Harold Kaeding, using the name of close family members, applied for six corporate entity loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. Kaeding made up tax documents, bank statements, and other records to make the applications seem legitimate, despite none of the entities filing taxes or paying employees from 2019 to 2020. He initially received nearly $1.6 million in fraud proceeds before banks caught on and took some money back. Kaeding transferred the remaining $660,000 to bank accounts, opened in the names of the family members that he controlled, and used the money for himself. In early 2021, Kaeding fled to Columbia to evade arrest but was eventually deported back to the U.S. A sentencing hearing will take place later.
>>Metro Transit Reports 17.5% Decrease in Crime in 2024
(Undated) — Metro Transit is reporting a 17.5% decrease in crime and a 9% increase in ridership during the first half of 2024. This comes two years after the Safety and Security Action Plan was initiated to improve conditions, expand training and support for employees, and engage riders. Police documented a 50% increase (compared to 2023) from April through June in smoking-, drug-, and alcohol-related offenses, due to a targeted push to combat onboard smoking.
