>>Tornado Watch issued for central, southern and northeastern Minnesota
(Chanhassen, MN) — A tornado watch is in effect until 8 p-m today (Tues) for most of Minnesota. The watch area runs from the southern/southwest border through central Minnesota into the northeast corner of the state. The National Weather Service says a few tornadoes, large hail, and up to 70 mile-per-hour wind gusts are possible with this storm system.
>>March in Moorhead to spotlight case of boy who died under suspicious circumstances
(Moorhead, MN) — About two dozen people made a three-mile march through Moorhead this morning (Tues) to bring awareness to the case of a three-year-old boy who died 90 days ago under suspicious circumstances. The boy’s uncle, Katterius Reams was among family members meeting with police and says, “They just told us to be patient. …We don’t blame Moorhead police for anything. We know that they[‘re] helping us and they stay in contact with us, but we wanted to make sure that they know and still hear my nephew[‘s] voice.” Eastyn Deronjic was found not breathing at an apartment and died at a Fargo hospital in late March. Police said the boy and a sibling were being cared for by an acquaintance of his parents. They say there isn’t anything new to report as they wait for autopsy results.
>>Investigators say bomb threat against Grand Marais Pride Festival likely came from Russia, may be bot-generated
Cook County officials say it’s “extremely unlikely” that whoever made a bomb threat against last weekend’s Pride Festival in Grand Marais lives anywhere close to that North Shore community. Sheriff Pat Eliasen says the F-B-I informed him the same e-mail address recently generated multiple similar threats across the U-S, it’s believed to be Russian, and may be “bot” generated. Eliasen says law enforcement took the computer server from one of the Grand Marais buildings that received a bomb threat. “My investigator did a search warrant on that server and they were able to determine that the origin of the e-mail stated it was from Moscow, Russia,” he says. The F-B-I and Department of Homeland Security issued an alert in early May on possible security threats against Pride Events that could come from foreign terrorist organizations and their supporters.
>>Retired Sartell police chief killed in bicycle crash with semi
(Sartell, MN) — The central Minnesota law enforcement community is mourning the loss of retired Sartell Police Chief Bob Ringstrom. Officers say 74-year-old Ringstrom died after being struck by a semi while on his bicycle Friday in St. Joseph. The Sartell P-D credited Chief Ringstrom with starting the school resource officer program in the Sartell-St. Stephen District and said he was a respected leader to his staff and the community. The Marine veteran was an officer with the Hutchinson Police Department before serving 14 years as chief in Sartell.
>>Corrections officials ID man who died in cell at Stillwater state prison
(Bayport, MN) — Department of Corrections officials say 22-year-old Dalmario Smith is the man who died in a cell Saturday morning at the Stillwater state prison. The preliminary autopsy does not indicate foul play, but investigators say they are looking into the possibility that Smith ingested suspected synthetic drugs. They say there was drug-related evidence in his cell.
>>10 Minneapolis Gang Members Charged with Illegal Firearms Possession, Drug Trafficking
(Minneapolis, MN) — Ten members of the south Minneapolis street gang known as the 10z have been federally charged with various crimes, including illegal firearm possession and drug trafficking. The 10z gang is known to be involved in narcotics and firearms trafficking as well as violent crime throughout the Minneapolis metro, with a focal point around Peavey Park. The 10z is affiliated with another gang, the 20z, which operates in the same territory.
>>Man Found Guilty of Attempted Murder, Assault Charges
(St. Louis County, MN) — A 56-year-old man has been found guilty of attempted murder and assault after firing shots at multiple people in Saint Louis County. Investigators say in December 2022, Gary Jensen’s ex-fiancé arrived at his house with three people to remove her items. They say after a fight with one person, Jensen pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the person’s head, then shot the rear tire of one of the trucks present. Authorities say as four people left in two trucks, Jensen continued to fire shots, striking one truck multiple times and breaking its rear window.
>>Crews pull vehicle with body inside from Minnesota River in Bloomington
(Bloomington, MN) — Crews have recovered a vehicle, with a body inside, from about 24 feet of water in the Minnesota River in Bloomington, after bystanders saw the vehicle enter the water late Sunday. And crews are now working to recover a second vehicle that sonar equipment located in that same area — although authorities “believe the incidents are unrelated.” The name of the person in the first vehicle has not been released. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt says investigators are working to determine what happened, but fast current and high water are causing a dangerous situation.
>>Missing Duluth Man Found Dead in Pokegama River
(Superior, WI) — The body of a missing Duluth man was recovered from the Pokegama River Monday. Officials say 43-year-old Ryan Lahti was last been seen running into the woods after a traffic stop around 8 p.m. June 8th. Authorities found Lahti’s body partially submerged. Cause of death is currently unknown and an autopsy is scheduled.
>Gov. Walz Announces $8M in Statewide Teacher Mentorship Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is spotlighting $8 million to support mentorship programs for new teachers in areas with shortages, including special education. Funds can be put toward seminars and workshops, on-the-ground coaching, orientation and onboarding, mentor stipends and more. The 2023 Legislature passed the Statewide Teacher Mentoring Program grants earlier this spring as part of the Education Bill.
>>Sen. Seeberger Awarded MPPOA 2024 Legislator of the Year
(St. Paul, MN) — Democratic Senator Judy Seeberger of Afton has been named one of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association’s (MMPOA) 2024 “Legislators of the Year.” Seeberger says in her other role as a paramedic, she interacts with law enforcement and first responders regularly and understands the dangers and challenges they face. The other 2024 Legislator of the Year is Republican Representative Paul Novotny of Elk River.
>>Former UMN Gophers Diver Qualifies for Olympics
(Minneapolis, MN) –Former University of Minnesota Gopher’s diver Sarah Bacon has qualified for the Summer Olympics in Paris. Partnered with Kassidy Cook, Bacon won the women’s 3M synchro event Monday at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Knoxville, Tennessee, with an 11-point lead. Bacon joins Kelci Brant as the only Gophers female divers to make the Olympics, with Bryant taking silver in the 3M synchro at the 2012 Summer Games.