>>Five defendants guilty of most charges, two acquitted in Feeding our Future federal fraud trial
(Minneapolis, MN) — The jury in the Feeding Our Future fraud trial in federal court has found five of the seven defendants guilty of a majority of the charges against them and acquitted the other two defendants. Assistant U-S Attorney Joseph Thompson says defendants falsified documents, lied, and fraudulently claimed to be feeding millions of meals to children in Minnesota. He says, “The defendants took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud the State of Minnesota and to steal tens of millions of dollars. This conduct was not just criminal: It was depraved and brazen.” The verdict comes after several days of deliberations. The jury had been sequestered for most of the week after the attempted bribe of one juror. That juror was dismissed, as was another who heard about the attempted bribe. The seven defendants are the first of 70 to stand trial in one of the nation’s largest COVID-related fraud cases — 250 million dollars allegedly stolen.
>>MN DFL Party leader blasts state GOP for pending letter supporting January 6th riot defendants
(St. Paul, MN) — State Democratic Party leaders are blasting the Minnesota GOP for preparing a letter in support of those charged in connection with the January 6th riots at the U-S Capitol. It’s the result of a successful motion at the Republican State Convention by those that analysts dub anti-establishment activists. Minnesota D-F-L Chairman Ken Martin says while his party believes no one is above the law, “the Minnesota GOP believes that political violence is okay as long as it’s done in the name of Donald Trump and the Republican Party.” Minnesota G-O-P Deputy Chair Donna Bergstrom told the Star Tribune the resolution will be presented to top U-S House Republican leaders, “asking when the investigation will begin and to include a way to inform the families of the incarcerated that they are not forgotten.”
>>Darwitz out as PWHL Minnesota GM after winning first Walter Cup
(St. Paul, MN) — Natalie Darwitz is no longer general manager of the Minnesota Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team that just won the inaugural championship. The Star Tribune and several sources are reporting Darwitz was let go by the league which owns all six teams. A Minnesota team spokesman wouldn’t confirm the move but said in a statement, “personnel decisions at the G-M level are made by P-W-H-L League Executives.” Darwitz and the team were celebrating with the Walter Cup one week ago today (Fri) at the Xcel Energy Center. Coach Ken Klee will reportedly be acting G-M.
>>2 Rochester Men Arrested, Fentanyl Pills, Cocaine Seized
(Rochester, MN) — Rochester police have recovered nearly seven-thousand M30 fentanyl pills and 300 grams of cocaine during a traffic stop. Around midnight Thursday, officers pulled over 24-year-old Seila Ibrahim and 23-year-old Omar Mohamed on Highway 52. The drugs were found after search warrants were executed. Ibrahim and Mohamed were arrested and face multiple felony drug charges. Police believe the two were supplying drugs to distributors. Bail is 200-thousand dollars for Ibrahim and 500-thousand dollars for Mohamed.
>>2 People Killed in 2-Vehicle Crash near Kandiyohi Identified
(Kandiyohi County, MN) — The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of two people killed in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night. Officials say 33-year-old Ashley Olson of Willmar went through a stop sign on County Road 26 north of Kandiyohi, colliding with a pickup. Olson and her passenger, 33-year-old Joshua Velez of Pennock, were both killed. The pickup driver, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to a Willmar hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
>>MPD Arrests 5 People Following Former Israeli Prime Minister’s Visit
(Minneapolis, MN) — Three adults and two juveniles were arrested Thursday night, protesting a visit by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who spoke in Minneapolis at the annual dinner of conservative think tank, the Center of the American Experiment. Officers say they arrested one man, two women, and two girls after seeing people spray-painting public property. The Free Palestine Coalition calls former Prime Minister Bennett a “perpetrator and enabler” of genocide against the Palestinian people.
>>Rep. Craig Announces $1M for Prior Lake Connection Project
(Prior Lake, MN) — Representative Angie Craig has announced a one million dollar grant to expand the walk and bike trail system on the west side of MnDOT Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake. The funding will help fill the gap in the trail system by adding more walking and biking paths, increasing foot traffic, and creating more access to the outdoors.
>>MN Gophers Unveil New Uniforms
(Minneapolis, MN) — The U-of-M Gophers have unveiled their first new uniforms since February 2018. This comes one day after the Vikings announced their “Winter Warrior” alternate uniforms. The U’s football team will debut their new maroon and gold outfits this fall, featuring shoulder stripes on the jerseys and stripes on the pants. Helmet colors will be maroon, gold, and white.
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