>>Duluth Man Charged with 2nd-Degree Murder
(Duluth, MN) — A Duluth man has been charged with second-degree murder and violating a domestic abuse no-contact order. Officers arrested 25-year-old Dale Howard after finding the body of a 27-year-old woman at a Duluth residence around 8 a-m Friday. The victim’s body was brought to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the identity and cause of death.
>>Teen pleads guilty to murdering young mom in Brooklyn Park in exchange for 10-year sentence
(St. Paul, MN) — The office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has secured a guilty plea from 17-year-old Foday Kamara in exchange for a ten-year prison sentence in the second-degree intentional murder of 23-year-old Zaria McKeever during a Brooklyn Park home invasion in 2022. Prosecutors say Kamara shot McKeever at the request of her jealous ex-boyfriend, Erick Haynes, who’s scheduled to go on trial for murder on April lst. As part of the plea deal, Kamara agreed to testify not only at Haynes’ trial, but also that of two other adult defendants who prosecutors say were involved in McKeever’s murder — Eriana James and Tavion James. Governor Tim Walz took the case away from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty amid public backlash over a plea deal with Kamara’s brother that some said was too lenient.
>>First spring snowstorm of year results in hundreds of crashes or spinouts, MN-DOT says stay clear of plows
(Undated) — The state’s first spring snowstorm of 2024 produced hundreds of crashes or spinouts around Minnesota — with a number of injuries and at least one fatality. MN-DOT’s Anne Meyer says crews are busy at work and she’s asking motorists to give them plenty of room to do their job safely. Meyer says if people do their part, everyone will get through this latest round of snow. Meyer encourages motorists before heading out to check the latest road conditions at 511mn.org.
>>Firearm straw-purchase penalty bill moves forward in MN Senate, Repubs say Dems hijacked the measure
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill is moving forward in the Minnesota Senate to increase penalties for those who buy firearms for people who legally can’t have them because of a criminal record or mental health issues (what’s called a “straw purchase). But Republicans accuse Democrats of commandeering their bill which had bipartisan support last year and now changing it. Grand Rapids Senator Justin Eichorn told Democrats, “Two completely different bills. Originally you had the same thing. What you presented us now, after your amendments, is not even remotely the same.” Saint Louis Park Democrat Ron Latz says it’s unfortunate that it’s turning into a partisan matter, telling Eichorn, “it seems to me that there’s been a lot of work [that] has been done in the last year between and among all the stakeholders.” Blaine Republican Michael Kreun responds Democrats could have reached out sometime over the last year and he would have been happy to work with them.
>>Omar weighs in on Uber/Lyft controversy
(Washington, DC) — After vetoes, overrides, proposal rewrites, and threats from Uber and Lyft to leave Minneapolis, the rideshare ordinance that would raise Minneapolis drivers minimum wage — making them some of the highest paid in the country — is still up in the air. Fifth District Congresswoman Ilhan Omar says, “I don’t believe our city should accept any corporation doing business that refuses to pay workers a living wage.” Omar says we’ll have to wait and see whether Uber and Lyft are bluffing, “but I also look forward to seeing what Minneapolis ultimately decides in their back-and-forth, paying attention to the state legislature’s proposal as well.” The Minneapolis City Council meets again April 11th.
>>Prairie Island Community to open recreational cannabis dispensary near Red Wing this summer
(Red Wing, MN) — The Prairie Island Indian Community plans to open a new recreational cannabis dispensary this summer near Red Wing. They are calling new cannabis company Island Peži (pronounced PAY’-zhee), which means “grass.” Prairie Island is a sovereign nation and does not have to obtain a cannabis license from the state. Officials say the dispensary will create another avenue of economic diversification and develop opportunities for the Tribe’s members. The Red Lake and White Earth Nations opened cannabis dispensaries last year. This will be the closest retailer to the Twin Cities.
>>Duluth Man Charged for Possessing Child Pornography
(Duluth, MN) — A Duluth man is charged with nine counts of possessing child pornography. Duluth police arrested 44-year-old Lucas Kramer after executing a search warrant of his home. Tipped off by members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC), police seized multiple electronic devices containing images of child sexual abuse material. The investigation remains ongoing.
