>>Trial Begins Today In Case Of Indian Migrant Family Who Froze To Death
(Fergus Falls, MN) — A court case involving an Indian migrant family that froze to death began today in Fergus Falls. 29-year-old Steve Shand and 50-year-old Harshkumar Patel are accused of participating in a large human smuggling operation. The defendants are charged with conspiring to bring unauthorized immigrants to the United States and transporting them in a manner that caused serious bodily injury and jeopardized lives. Prosecutors allege that Shand and Patel brought Indian nationals to Canada on student visas and then smuggled them into the United States.
>>Foley Man Dies in Single-Vehicle Crash
(Morrison County, MN) — A Foley man is dead after a crash in Morrison County Saturday. Deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash around 6:45 p.m. on a local road just five miles south of Hillman. Investigators say 64-year-old Robert Rothfork was southbound when he hit a ditch. Rothfork was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
>> Shooter Sentenced for Killing at Light Rail Station
(Minneapolis) – The man who confessed to a deadly shooting at a Minneapolis light rail station was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Tenzin Yamgha was sentenced for the murder of Malcolm Williams at the Lake Street and Hiawatha station in Minneapolis on Christmas Eve in 2020. Yamgha pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree unintentional murder back in October.
>>Sports Gambling and Domestic Violence
(St. Paul, MN) — A new study out of the University of Oregon shows that legalized sports gambling is linked to an increase in domestic violence incidents. As Minnesota lawmakers continue to look into bringing sports gambling here, DFL Senator John Marty says the study linking domestic violence to gambling needs to be included in the discussion at the capitol. The study found roughly a ten percent increase in intimate partner violence where someone goes after a loved one. Marty says one of the other social problems is economic, and more families head into bankruptcy because of sports gambling. He calls on fellow lawmakers to consider these issues when there’s further debate on sports betting in the state.
>>Stillwater Inmate Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Insider Meth Conspiracy
(St. Paul, MN) — An inmate has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiring with a corrections officer to distribute methamphetamine inside Stillwater prison, the state’s largest high-security prison facility. 37-year-old Alex Kramer, who is currently serving a 24-year prison sentence for second-degree murder, conspired with former Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) Officer 26-year-old Faith Gratz. Kramer got the meth from sources outside the prison. He and another inmate would create meet-up times and dates when Gratz would pick up the drugs. Gratz smuggled the drugs to Kramer, who would then distribute it. Jramer pleaded guilty on January 5. On November 15th, Gratz was sentenced to 2.25 years in prison.
>>Three Shot in Downtown Minneapolis Nightclub Tantrum
(Minneapolis, MN) — Three men were shot during a “violent, chaotic scene” at Tantrum Nightclub in downtown Minneapolis this morning. Police responded to shots fired around 1:47 a.m. The officer found one man with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound who was brought to Hennepin Healthcare. After hearing additional gunfire from a surface lot near Tantrum, officers stopped a vehicle driving recklessly through the parking lot. One man was arrested, and a firearm was recovered. Hennepin Healthcare reported a man and a juvenile came separately with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Investigators say there was a physical fight inside Tantrum before initial shots were fired. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
>>Maple Lake Man Faces 12 Felony Counts of Tax Fraud
(St. Paul, MN) — A Maple Lake man allegedly owes over $172,000 in income tax, penalties, and interest after failing to file his income tax returns. Philip Swafford faces 12 felony counts of tax fraud. Swafford did not file income taxes or pay income tax from 2018 to 2023, despite making enough money at his business, Mobile 1 Auto Glass. He faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison, $120,000 in fines, or both.
>>Minneapolis 311 and Service Centers Closed November 21
(Minneapolis) – The City of Minneapolis announced that 311 service and the Minneapolis Service Centers downtown and in the East Lake Community Safety Center will close this Thursday, November 21 for one-day training. This will allow the city to enhance service delivery to support residents. 311 will resume regular business hours on Friday, November 22. A note for Minneapolis residents – you can still get city information and make reports online whenever 311 is closed.
