>>Second officer injured in south Minneapolis shootings released from hospital
(Minneapolis, MN) — State officials say second police officer injured during yesterday evening’s shootings in south Minneapolis has now been released from the hospital. Meanwhile, community members are leaving flowers and notes on a squad car parked in front of the M-P-D’s 5th Precinct headquarters in honor of 36-year-old Officer Jamal Mitchell, who died when investigators say he was ambushed while responding to a call. Republican Representative Paul Novotny of Elk River, a former law enforcement officer, says it’s a “gut punch every time. Just praying for the families of those affected.” The suspected shooter and another person are also dead — and a second officer, a firefighter, a bystander, and another person were wounded in the gunfire.
>>Infant, Four Others Injured in Eden Prairie House Fire
(Eden Prairie, MN) — An infant is in critical condition and four others injured in an Eden Prairie house fire this morning (FRI). Officials say it started in the twin home south of the Flying Cloud Drive-Prairie Center Drive intersection. The infant is being treated at Children’s Minnesota, and the four other victims are in stable condition.
>>Minnesota DFL Party State Convention under way in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — Minnesota Democrats have opened their state convention in Duluth, and the highest-profile order of business — which could happen tonight — is endorsing incumbent Amy Klobuchar for U-S Senate, which could be by acclamation because of her popularity among Democrats. It comes two weeks after Republicans strongly endorsed former N-B-A player Royce White as their U-S Senate candidate, but retired Navy commander Joe Fraser is challenging him in the August primary. Minnesota D-F-L Party Chairman Ken Martin says there’s no need to focus on two Republican candidates “who most people in this state couldn’t even name. Martin says, “I’m not gonna get involved in their family food-fight and what happens in their primary. Whoever comes out of that primary, Senator Klobuchar will be ready for.” Minnesota Republican Party officials haven’t responded to a request for comment.
>>Assistant coach Darby Hendrickson fired by Minnesota Wild
(St. Paul, MN) — Longtime assistant Darby Hendrickson is no longer on the Minnesota Wild coaching staff. Wild G-M Bill Guerin (GAIR’-in) announced today (Fri) that the N-H-L club relieved Hendrickson of his coaching duties after 14 years. Fifty-one-year-old Hendrickson was Minnesota Mister Hockey at Richfield High School in 1991 and played two seasons for the Golden Gophers before joining the Maple Leafs. Hendrickson spent ten seasons in the N-H-L and scored the Wild’s first-ever goal at the Xcel Energy. Guerin said in statement, “He has done a tremendous amount of good things for our team and the State of Hockey as a player and a coach.”
>>Minnesota PWHL Championship Celebration at the Xcel Energy Center
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Professional Women’s Hockey League (P-W-H-L) team is hosting a championship celebration this evening (Fri 5-7 p.m.) at the Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota won the inaugural Walter Cup Wednesday night with a 3-0 victory at Boston in Game 5 of the P-W-H-L Finals. Tonight’s celebration features the players, staff, a live D-J, a photo station, and a proclamation from St. Paul city officials. The event was scheduled for Rice Park but was moved into the arena due to rain in the forecast. Number-one draft pick and former Golden Gopher All-American Taylor Heise was named the M-V-P of the P-W-H-L playoffs.
>>Deadly Duplex Fire Under Investigation in Columbia Heights
(Columbia Heights, MN) — Anoka County authorities are investigating a deadly early morning fire in (the Minneapolis suburb of) Columbia Heights. Crews were called to a duplex fire around 2:45 am (Fri) and rescued a man from one of the units. Deputies say life-saving measures were administered but the victim died at the hospital. No one else in the duplex was injured. Investigators are working to determine the cause. The victim’s name hasn’t been released.
>>Outing man killed in dump truck crash in northern Minnesota’s Cass County
(Outing, MN) — A northern Minnesota man is dead after crash involving a pickup and a dump truck near Outing in Cass County. The report says a pickup driven by 51-year-old Robert Dewitt of Outing rolled in the roadway Thursday night, ejecting him from the vehicle. Deputies say a dump truck driven 59-year-old Robert Fossum struck the pickup after it rolled. Dewitt was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries. Investigators say they are still looking into the crash.
