>>Feeding Our Future Trial Rocked By Witness-Tampering Allegations
(Minneapolis, MN) — Allegations of witness tampering are emerging in the federal trial of Feeding Our Future in Minneapolis. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel has agreed to investigate whether one of the defendants, Salim Said, improperly invited certain co-defendants to attend specific portions of the trial, potentially compromising the proceedings. Prosecutor Joe Thompson informed the judge that co-defendant Abdinasir Abshir entered the courtroom and sat beside the jury, making noise while a witness testified. Thompson believes that Said may have called Abshir during a lunch break to encourage him to attend court to hear testimony about his meal site in Mankato. Last year, the first Feeding Our Future trial concluded with an attempted bribe of a juror.
>>Future of Charitable Gaming
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota charities stand to lose millions of dollars in revenue this year without the help of e-gaming devices like electronic pull tabs and bingo games. Those games were discontinued last month due to a bill that passed in 2023. Rachel Jenner with Allied Charities of Minnesota says even if a sports gambling bill were to pass, it would not make up for the losses of electronic gaming. Jenner says the revenue in the state last year from charitable gaming was 386 million dollars, but that number is expected to drop by $70 million this year. A bill to bring back this electronic gaming cleared one hurdle today in the House and is heading to the Commerce Committee.
>>Authorities ID Missing Washington County Man Found Dead in Hastings
(Hastings, MN) — Authorities are confirming that a man found dead in a road ditch in Hastings earlier this month had been reported missing in Washington County. The medical examiner identified the man as 74-year-old William Eickholt (IKE’-holt) of Denmark Township. Eickholt’s cause and manner of death are still under investigation. Sheriff’s deputies were investigating a fire on his property on February 1st, the night before he was located. Investigators are asking residents in the area to check security cameras for anything that could be suspicious.
>>Wadena Fire Victim I’D
(Wadena, MN) — The name of a man who died in a Sunday night apartment fire in Wadena in west-central Minnesota has been released. He was 68-year-old David Henrichs of Wadena. The blaze remains under investigation, and it’s not considered suspicious. A dozen apartment building residents were displaced and temporarily placed in hotels. The National Guard Armory was later opened as a shelter. Governor Tim Walz authorized
the use of the armory following a request from Wadena County Sheriff Michael Carr. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are working to find permanent housing for those who need assistance.
>>Paynesville Man Charged with Shooting at Police Officers
(Paynesville, MN) — A Paynesville man, 58-year-old Nicholas Kaufenberg, has been charged with eight counts related to a standoff with police, including six counts of felony 1st-degree assault against an officer and two misdemeanor domestic assault charges. The situation began when a woman in the home was confronted by Kaufenberg, who yelled at her and pushed her against a wall. After she called the police and left the house, a standoff ensued. Kaufenberg allegedly threatened officers, claiming he had guns and stating that their arrival would result in trouble. Authorities cut power to the house and deployed tear gas. During the standoff, Kaufenberg reportedly fired two or three shotgun rounds at officers, hitting one’s safety glasses.
>>Minneapolis Mom Charged After Twin Babies Become Critically Ill After Drinking Fentanyl-Tainted Formula
(Minneapolis, MN) — A mother from Minneapolis is facing accusations of allowing her infant twins to become seriously ill after they consumed formula contaminated with fentanyl. Twenty-five-year-old Anghel Brown has been charged with three counts of child endangerment. Additionally, a third child was found to have a dangerous opioid in his system. Authorities have issued a warrant for Brown’s arrest. She reported to the police that she was feeding her twins when one of them began to have difficulty breathing. Brown acknowledged having used fentanyl in the past but claimed she had not used it since the twins were born.
