>>Stalemate Continues at MN House over Power Sharing

(St. Paul, MN) – Negotiations continue at the state capitol to avoid a disruptive start to the state legislative session scheduled for tomorrow. House Democrats say they’ve offered a compromise to Republican leaders to allow them to have the majority for the first two weeks. DFL Speaker-Designate Melissa Hortman says so far, there’s no answer from the GOP side: “It’s outrageous they’re using this two-week, one-vote edge that they have to kick out newly elected members, and they try to seize control for two years. and completely ignore the will of the voters.” This compromise would allow the Republicans to elect Lisa Demuth as House Speaker and let them have the majority to run committees, but only for two weeks until the special election would return the House to a 67-67 tie. Demuth says with or without the DFL, Republicans are ready to open the session with the majority: “It’s really important to recognize that in the House of Representatives, the Republicans have 67 members, Democrats have 66 members. The seat right now in Roseville belongs to the voters who were lied to and the law was broken. We need to organize the house tomorrow and start the work for the people of Minnesota.” Demuth says it will be business as usual for the Republicans tomorrow whether Democrats show or don’t show for the opening day.

 

>>Teenager on Motorized Dirt Bike Killed in Crash with Pickup in Blaine 

(Blaine, MN) – A teenage boy is dead after a crash involving a motorized dirt bike and a pickup Sunday night in Blaine. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office says the boy was riding south when he crashed into a truck making a westbound turn. First responders tried to save the teen, but he died at the scene. The driver and passenger in the pickup weren’t hurt.

 

>>One Charged in Edina YMCA Attack That Gave Teen a TBI

(Edina, MN) — At least one teen faces assault and riot aiding and abetting charges in an Edina YMCA attack that severely injured a boy. On the December 20th attack, 13 boys in hooded sweatshirts and masks entered the gym and assaulted 16-year-old Elroi Beyene, who was playing basketball. The victim was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Five teenagers have been arrested since the assault.

 

>>Fridley Construction Company to Pay $5.9M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

(Minneapolis, MN) — A Fridley construction company must pay $5.9 million to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations. Beginning January 1st, 2016, Morcon Construction Company, Inc. allegedly failed to disclose the use of subcontractors for repairs and maintenance, falsely certifying work as self-performed, and making up subcontractor invoices for claims submissions. The fraud resulted in millions of dollars of false claims paid by the U.S. Postal Service. There has been no determination of liability.

 

>>Ex-Cook Housing & Redevelopment Authority Director Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $19K 

(Virginia, MN) – The former director of the Cook Housing and Redevelopment Authority will avoid jail time after pleading guilty to embezzling funds. St. Louis County prosecutors say 69-year-old Reed Erickson of Side Lake admitted to paying himself nearly $19,000 for 515 hours in ‘unused vacation’ time, which he was not entitled to. The judge sentenced Erickson to two years of probation and ordered him to pay $24,000 in restitution for the money taken and a forensic audit. He pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor misconduct of a public employee.

 

>>Blue Earth Man Arrested for Alleged Mail Theft in Minnesota and Iowa

(Blue Earth, MN) — A man from Blue Earth is accused in a mail theft investigation in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Police say residents in the Faribault County area and the Clear Lake, Iowa area have been reporting mail being stolen from their mailboxes. Authorities executed a search warrant Friday in Blue Earth and arrested a man who is jailed pending multiple charges. Investigators say they discovered mail stolen throughout multiple areas of Minnesota and Iowa. Residents are asked to report mail theft to their local law enforcement agency.

 

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