>>Appeals Court tosses murder conviction of man accused of gunning down Mpls North High School quarterback
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has thrown out the second-degree murder conviction of a man accused of fatally shooting Minneapolis North High School quarterback Deshaun Hill Junior in February 2022. 30-year-old Cody Fohrenkam made incriminating statements just before he was to be released from custody on an unrelated matter in Carlton County. Prosecutors argued he was still detained because of an administrative delay. But the appeals panel agreed with Fohrenkam’s assertion that he was being “unconstitutionally detained” and his statements “must be suppressed as the product of an unlawful seizure.” The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office tells the Star Tribune they are deeply disappointed with the appeals court’s decision and “are reviewing our options to ensure justice and accountability.” Investigators say Fohrenkam was scouting a North Minneapolis neighborhood for a thief who stole his cell phone when he randomly crossed paths with 15-year-old Hill. Investigators say Fohrenkam shot Hill when the victim’s back was turned and he was walking away.
>>Walz ceremonially signs bill setting minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz did a ceremonial signing today (Tues) at the State Capitol of a bill setting minimum pay for Uber and Lyft drivers at $1.28 per mile and 31 cents per minute. The rates are less than what drivers’ advocates wanted, but Democratic leaders say rideshare drivers’ pay will increase about 20 percent when the new law takes effect January 1st. House bill sponsor, Minneapolis Democrat Hodan Hassan says it was a hard fight for average Minnesotans against corporate America, “but we won and the drivers won.” The new law overrides an ordinance the Minneapolis City Council passed in March, which prompted threats from Uber and Lyft to leave the market.
>>Timberwolves’ last chance tonight to stay alive in Western Conference Finals
(Dallas, TX) — It’s do-or-die tonight (Tues 730pm) when the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Mavericks in game four of the Western Conference Finals in Dallas. The Wolves’ goal is to become the first team ever to win an N-B-A postseason series after losing the first three games. Minnesota point guard Mike Conley says they remain confident: “They’ll tell you the numbers and they don’t give you a great chance,” he says, “but it’s a unique situation since we feel like our team is built uniquely in a way that we can find a way to win four in a row.” If the Wolves win game four tonight, the series returns to Minnesota for game five on Thursday night.
>>Walz sends disaster assistance team to Greenfield, Iowa
(St. Paul, MN) — Eight members of the state’s Incident Management Team are in Greenfield, Iowa for 14 days to assist local first responders after devastating tornadoes ripped through that area one week ago, killing five people. Governor Tim Walz sent personnel at the request of Iowa officials. He says “In Minnesota we’re no strangers to the devastation of tornadoes” and “we are stepping up to support our neighbors.” Officials say members of the Minnesota team will assist with volunteer management, debris management and the disaster declaration process.
>>SEIU union members informational picket at Mayo St. Mary’s Hospital
(Rochester, MN) — Members of the SEIU Healthcare union — including patient care assistants, technicians and custodians — are informational picketing at Mayo Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester today (Tues), demanding better working conditions. Hallie Wallace says wages are lagging behind other large systems, plus they want a cap on mandatory overtime. She says, “That’s become a big problem in some areas. People are being forced on overtime all the time. It’s really affecting their families, their quality of life.” Wallace adds there’s been high turnover and they also want better processes for training. She says some progress on core issues has been made in eight bargaining sessions over the past few months, but wide differences remain between the two sides. Mayo officials say they “remain committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement and will continue to negotiate in good faith.”
>>Vietnam Veterans Sought For 50th Anniversary Event At Mall Of America
(Bloomington, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Vietnam veterans who are willing to be interviewed for an upcoming event. The agency is organizing the event next month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Veterans and their family members will have the opportunity to share their stories on video for preservation and archiving. The three-day anniversary event will be at the Mall of America starting June 13th.
>>Lakeville man charged in stabbing and dismemberment of pregnant sister
(Hastings, MN) — A Lakeville man is jailed on two million dollars bond for the alleged killing of his sister and her unborn child last Thursday. Dakota County prosecutors say 23-year-old Jack Joseph Ball is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 30-year-old Bethany Israel of Bloomington, who was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant. The criminal complaint says Israel’s family became concerned when she didn’t return home from dinner with her brother that night. Police were called to the scene and found bloody knives and dismembered body parts they believed were those of Israel. Ball was later arrested in Rosemount.
>>Three People Injured in Morrison County ATV Crash
(Buckman, MN) — Three people were hurt Monday evening in an ATV crash in Morrison County about six miles east of Buckman. Deputies learned that 53-year-old Dawn Monson of Pierz was driving the machine in a field, entered a mud puddle, lost control and rolled it. Monson was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital with unknown injuries. Two passengers, 44-year-old Genoveva Hernandez of Long Prairie and 19-year-old Kayla Barthel of Foley, were both taken to the hospital in Little Falls for treatment. None of the riders were wearing helmets.
>>Grant County Animal Shelter Asks For Donations To Stay Open
(Elbow Lake, MN) — Officials at the Grant County Humane Society, a no-kill animal shelter in west-central Minnesota, say they’re facing financial difficulties and urgently need support to remain operational. They say the shelter’s medical and operating costs have risen due to the growing number of animals it has taken in at the Elbow Lake shelter. Although a fundraising campaign in 2022 helped to keep the shelter open, the funds from the Humane Society’s reserve are depleting rapidly.
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