>>Law enforcement looking for Willow River woman who nearly hit child getting off school bus
(Willow River, MN) — Law enforcement is looking for a woman from Willow River in east-central Minnesota who’s charged with ignoring a flashing school bus stop arm and nearly hitting a student getting off the bus. Authorities say 28-year-old Brianna Johnson’s license was already revoked for refusing a D-W-I test in late October. School bus video shows a red pickup driven by Johnson swerving on the shoulder around a stopped vehicle and continuing past the school bus, as a second student crossing the road makes a mad dash to avoid being hit. Law enforcement received tips and determined Johnson had borrowed the pickup from its owner on that day. The father of the child who was almost hit spotted the pickup abandoned at a home in the vicinity.
>>Fridley man arrested after stray bullet hits girl in north Minneapolis home
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Fridley man is charged with first-degree assault after an 11-year-old girl was struck by an errant bullet that hit her north Minneapolis home just after midnight Monday, in what appears to be a New Year’s celebration gone awry. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says James William Turner allegedly fired rounds into the air and alcohol was involved. The girl’s injuries are not considered life-threatening. Turner also faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, a 10-year-old boy suffered a serious stomach wound when an assailant fired into his home in Saint Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood. The youth is expected to survive.
>>Mental Health Patient Charged with Murdering Another Patient
(St. Peter, MN) — A patient at St. Peter Forensic Mental Health Program is charged with the second-degree murder of another patient. Police say 43-year-old David Otey admitted to hitting another patient with an electric guitar on Sunday and attacking a staff member. The victim was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead early Monday morning. The staff member suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The program hosts patients who have been civilly committed as mentally ill or dangerous.
>>Entire MN Republican congressional delegation endorses Trump re-election bid
(Various) — Minnesota’s entire Republican congressional delegation (Representatives Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad) today (Wed) formally endorsed former President Donald Trump’s re-election bid. It comes the day after Trump told Breitbart (BRIGHT-bart) News he’ll make a “heavy play” for Minnesota, a state he says “hasn’t been won in years.” Minnesota D-F-L Party Chairman Ken Martin says Minnesota Republicans are now openly admitting they’ve “become the party of, by and for Donald Trump” while Minnesota voters, he says,”have repeatedly rejected Donald Trump’s anti-democracy, anti-abortion politics and his plans to take away working families’ health insurance.” Minnesota’s Republican U-S House members in a joint statement say “Joe Biden’s failed policies have left Minnesotans to grapple with double-digit inflation, higher taxes, and a border crisis that has turned every community into a border community.” They say Minnesotans and Americans deserve a leader “who has what it takes to get our country back on track.”
>>Phillips not included, Biden will be only candidate in Democratic presidential primary in neighboring Wisconsin
(Madison, WI) — President Joe Biden will be the only candidate on the ballot in the April 2nd Democratic presidential primary in neighboring Wisconsin. Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips is an announced Democratic candidate, but Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler only proposed Biden’s name at Tuesday’s meeting of the state’s Presidential Preference Selection Committee. Wikler noted in a statement that the state party has endorsed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for reelection. Candidates have until January 30 to confirm their ballot status or indicate that they don’t intend to run. On Republican side, former President Donald Trump is among the names that are now with the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
>>E-mail bomb threat at MN State Capitol, nothing found
(St. Paul, MN) — Normal activities have resumed at the Minnesota State Capitol after an e-mail bomb threat was received around 9 this morning (Wed), even as capitol buildings in at least six other states were also targets of so-called “swatting” — when false threats are made to trigger law enforcement response. The State Patrol says the Minnesota Capitol building was locked while troopers, security officers and an explosives-detecting K-9 did multiple searches and some activities were relocated to other buildings. No suspicious or threatening items were found and the building reopened around 10:15 a-m. The Minnesota Legislature is not in session until next month. But in Kentucky, lawmakers are in session and that capitol building was evacuated — and the Mississippi State Capitol, where the legislature is also in session, was locked down for a time today.
>>Mullens Named Vikings Starting QB for Sunday’s Game in Detroit
(Eagan, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings are going with Nick Mullens as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s regular season finale at Detroit. Rookie Jaren Hall started Sunday night’s home loss to Green Bay but was replaced by Mullens in the second half. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell says Mullens has been very effective in moving the team and the offense is explosive when he’s in there. Minnesota has a 7-and-9 record and needs a win over the Lions and help from other N-F-C teams to make the playoffs.
>>Gunflint Mail Run Gets New Date
(Grand Marais, MN) — A sled dog race along the Gunflint Trail has a new date. Organizers of the Gunflint Mail Run plan to hold the event on February 10th. The 65-mile race north of Grand Marais was originally set for this Saturday, but had to be rescheduled due to warm temperatures and lack of snow. But the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon has been pushed back until January 2025 due to unpredictable weather.
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