>>Biden facing more scrutiny at tonight’s post-NATO summit news conference

(Washington, DC) — President Joe Biden faces another high-scrutiny test tonight (530pm CT) when he closes out the NATO summit in Washington D-C with a rare solo press conference. A small number of U-S House Democrats, including Minnesota 2nd District Congresswoman Angie Craig, are calling for Biden to exit the race, but a Democratic governors’ group chaired by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has stood behind the president. Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier says, “A bunch of the governors want to run for president in 2028, and the way you do that is to keep everybody happy between now and 2028, which means not creating a big fight with an incumbent Democratic president.” One Democrat frequently mentioned as a replacement for Biden to head the ticket — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer — ruled out running this year even if the president steps aside.

>>Boyfriend of missing Dakota County woman considered a person of interest

(Randolph, MN) — The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office says the boyfriend of a missing woman from Randolph in southeast Minnesota is a person of interest in the case and jailed on an unrelated warrant. Authorities say 56-year-old Nicole “Nikki “Anderson left home Saturday morning without her glasses, cell phone or wallet and hasn’t been heard from since. Deputies say Anderson’s 42-year-old boyfriend was questioned Wednesday about her disappearance and remains in custody on a probation violation warrant out of Le Sueur County. Law enforcement continues to search for Anderson.

>>Authorities ID Brooklyn Park teen who drowned in Waite Park quarry

(Waite Park, MN) — Authorities are identifying the teen who died after jumping from a ten-foot cliff into the water at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says 17-year-old Emmanuel Seward, Junior of Brooklyn Park died of accidental drowning Tuesday. Witnesses told law enforcement that Seward jumped into the water and went under but never resurfaced. First responders using search boats later found Seward’s body in about 31 feet of water.

>>U-S Transportation Secretary Buttigieg to campaign for Biden in MN

(North St. Paul, MN) — U-S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg  will be in North Saint Paul tomorrow (Fri 1pm) along with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to kick off Minnesota Veterans for Biden-Harris. Organizers say the group will mobilize and engage the community, spotlighting that President Joe Biden “is fighting for our nation’s service members and their families” while former President Donald Trump “has a long history of disrespecting Americans in uniform.” The two clashed at the recent debate, Biden accusing Trump of six years ago calling veterans who died in combat “suckers and losers,” while Trump accused Biden of falsely quoting him and demanded an apology. Biden refused.

>>Members of MN National Guard 148th Fighter Wing Deployed to Japan

(Duluth, MN) — Airmen and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth have just arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan on temporary deployment. The Falcons will join the F-22 Raptors to ensure a steady presence in the Indo-Pacific Command. Their last deployment in the area was to Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea in 2016. The 148th Fighter Wing has deployed about 30 percent of assigned personnel, or 300 Airmen, for roughly three months.

>>Iron Range Woman Charged After Stealing Vehicle, Running Over Man

(Duluth, MN) — An Iron Range woman in court today (THURS), charged with several felonies after allegedly stealing a car and running a man over. An employee of Domino’s Pizza in Duluth told police he was serving the victim when the suspect, 32-year-old Kristy Johnson of Virginia, left her bike at the building and entered the victim’s car. Trying to stop Johnson from driving off, the victim was dragged by the vehicle until he fell off and is currently hospitalized with severe injuries. Johnson was later arrested, and a search of her belongings turned up three needles and a small plastic bag with .48 grams of meth inside.

>>As Mississippi floodwaters recede, La Crosse mayor outlines challenges for future

Floodwaters on the Mississippi River are moving downstream and receding in Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin, and La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds says this time, low-lying areas were affected most but nothing devastating for neighborhoods. Reynolds says the city’s usual spring flood season has extended into the summer, and the challenge for the future will be “working to identify natural infrastructure so that when we do have these high flood events we are better able to store water, move water if there are very significant floods.” The Mississippi River at La Crosse is currently in minor flood stage. Reynolds and other river city mayors gave reporters an update during a Thursday conference call.

 

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