>> Seven-Year-Old Child Dies, Death Investigation Underway
(Rothsay, MN) — An investigation is underway into the death of a seven-year-old boy from Rothsay in west-central Minnesota When Wilkin County first responders arrived Wednesday afternoon, CPR was already being performed on the child. He was transported to a Fergus Falls hospital and pronounced dead. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy.
>>Upper Sioux Agency State Park returned to the Dakota people
(Granite Falls, MN) — It’s an emotional day for the Upper Sioux Community in and around Granite Falls, as the state officially returned the Upper Sioux Agency State Park to the Dakota (dah-COH-tuh) people. Upper Sioux Community Chairman Kevin Jensvold says, “All the effort that we put forth, all of the prayers that we put into this [is] going to come today to reality. The transferred land is the sacred homeland of the Dakota people, where many in 1862 were left starving after promised payments from the U.S. government had failed to arrive, and traders refused to sell food on credit. Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan told community members, “We know that the history of this land has often been told from a single perspective. And we know that it hasn’t been from the difficult, dark and often painful history from the perspective of your community.”
>>> Minnesota dubbed ‘Best Roads in America’ by Consumer Affairs
(Undated) — Although some might dispute it, Consumer Affairs has crowned Minnesota as the state with the best roads in the US, saying they are “the smoothest and safest.” The study uses data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), such as fatalities or spending on road work, as well as surveying each state’s residents, who graded the roads on a scale of 1-to-10. According to the F-H-A, Minnesota has the nation’s second-lowest fatality rate per mile driven and the third-largest span of rural roads in the U-S. In response, Governor Tim Walz posted on social media, “we take pride in maintaining the infrastructure that builds strong communities, creates jobs and drives economic growth.”
>>Man arrested after police chase in Redwood County
(Redwood County, MN) — One man is jailed after a police pursuit earlier this morning in Redwood County. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies tried to make a traffic stop when the car sped away. The driver led deputies, as well as state troopers, on a 10-mile chase before being stopped and taken into custody. The driver’s name has not been released. No other information is currently available.
>>> Sauk Centre man pleads guilty to child pornography production
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Sauk Centre man has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. Court documents say 32-year-old Shawn Kulzer used Snapchat to begin connecting with minors in January 2023. Authorities say despite being informed the victims were under 18, Kulzer still pressured them to send nude photographs. As part of his plea agreement, Kulzer also admitted to using Snapchat to coerce a second victim to send sexually explicit pictures. A sentencing date has not been set.
>>> St. Paul man sentenced to 70 months for felon firearm possession
(Minneapolis, MN) — A St. Paul man has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for possession of a firearm as a felon. After finishing his sentence, 23-year-old Ember Shawndale White will be on three years of supervised release. According to court documents, St. Paul police responded to a report of shots fired on July 15, 2021. White was seen on surveillance video in possession of a firearm before fleeing the scene in a Volkswagen. He was arrested 8 days later, when police found him in possession of a Baretta 9mm pistol. Because of past felony convictions in Ramsey, Dakota and Hennepin Counties, White is legally barred from owning firearms.
>>Duluth Police Ask for Public Assistance Identifying Robbery Suspect
(Duluth, MN) — Duluth police are asking for the public’s help identifying a robbery suspect. Around 8:40 p.m. March 10th, a man entered a business and demanded money while brandishing a firearm. The suspect was wearing dark clothing, a dark winter coat with black fur around the hood, a mask, and sunglasses. No injuries were reported and it’s unknown how much cash was taken. Anyone with information should call the Duluth Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (218-730-5050).