>>Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Killing Girlfriend, Violating DANCO
(Duluth, MN) — A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Allisa Vollan. During a plea hearing on September 17th, Dale Howard admitted to second-degree murder by strangulation while committing domestic assault. Officials say Howard killed Vollan on the morning of March 22nd. Howard agreed to an upward departure of 150 months in prison to 240 months during the plea deal due to the DANCO (Domestic Abuse No Contact Order) violation after an alleged assault on Vollan earlier in March.
>>76-Year-Old Man Airlifted to Hospital After Being Pinned by Tractor
(Folden, MN) — A 76-year-old man was injured after being pinned under a tractor this morning in Otter Tail County. Deputies responded to a report of a farm accident around 11:45 a.m. in Folden, southeast of Vining. Officials say Daryl Baardsen was working on pulling a tractor with a pickup when an unknown accident caused the tractor to drive over him, pinning him underneath. Baardsen was extricated and brought to Sanford Hospital in Fargo via air ambulance. Baardsen was reported conscious and alert during transport, but his current condition is unknown.
>>Man Shot at St. Paul Post Office in Stable Condition, Suspect in Custody
(St. Paul, MN) — Police have identified the man shot and critically injured Sunday at a St. Paul branch of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Officers responded around 3:30 p.m., finding 50-year-old Roy Barghese of Eagan with several life-threatening gunshot wounds. Barghese was brought to Regions Hospital and is in stable condition. Police arrested the suspect, a 28-year-old Minneapolis man, around 5 p.m. during a traffic stop. Formal charges are pending.
>>Gov. Walz Campaigns in Western WI, Sen. Vance Campaigns in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) – Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance arrived at MSP Airport late this morning just as Democratic rival, Governor Tim Walz left for a campaign event in neighboring Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The stop at UW-Eau Claire marks the fifth time Walz has visited Wisconsin since being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Vance is scheduled to attend a private fundraiser, and the Star Tribune reports he’ll possibly make another unannounced stop. It’s the first time Vance has been in Minnesota since late July when he and former President Trump had a rally in Saint Cloud. Marissa Luna with Alliance for a Better Minnesota says Trump and Vance are “pushing an extreme agenda” of Project 2025 that includes “banning abortion, allowing states to monitor women who are pregnant, and taking away coverage for birth control.” Pro-life groups weren’t immediately available to respond.
>>Minnesotans Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day
(Undated) – Many Minnesotans are celebrating Native Americans’ perseverance on this Indigenous Peoples Day. Senator Mary Kunesh (KOO’-nish) of New Brighton says we made it a state holiday in 2023 to ensure “that we are recognizing the importance of the Indigenous people as we look at the history, the culture, and the contributions.” Kunesh says the tribal communities in Minnesota are making a positive difference for the state. Kunesh is Lakota and her mother’s family is from the Standing Rock Nation.
>>AG Elison Settles with Tax Debt Company After 12-Day Trial
(St. Paul, MN) — After a 12-day trial, Attorney General Keith Ellison has settled with a Virginia-based tax debt settlement company and its CEO, accused of deceiving hundreds of Minnesotans. Ellison claims Wall & Associates Inc. (Wall) falsely represented its average settlement and its nature of business to convince consumers to hire them. Walls’s owner E. Kenneth Wall and CEO P. Mark Yates were found to have “profited enormously” from the scheme, with Kenneth Wall taking home at least $67 million between 2010 and 2021. The court decided Wall must immediately stop their deceptive practice in Minnesota and refund fees paid by MN clients—the total amount TBD. Wall also has to pay a civil penalty and the state’s attorneys’ fees and costs in the case.
>>Two Men Charged with Burglary for Breaking Into St. Paul Buddhist Temple
(St. Paul, MN) — Two men have been charged with second-degree burglary of a religious building after breaking into a St. Paul Buddhist temple. Police say on July 17th, 37-year-old Stefan Buzoianu and 27-year-old Artur Crudu were caught on surveillance video breaking through the back door of the temple. A cabinet under the altar was damaged, temple mail had been opened, and two upstairs bedrooms were rifled through. Police say the two men are part of a “burglary crew” that attacks homes and religious buildings in Blaine and Carver counties. The men are not in custody.
>>Richfield Apartment Building Fire Displaces At Least 20 People
(Richfield, MN) — At least 20 people were displaced Sunday after a fire at a Richfield apartment building. Crews responded to the fire around 5:03 a.m., finding a fire in two apartments and creeping into the attic. The building was evacuated, and two residents were treated for minor injuries. Those displaced include 12 adults and eight children. The cause of the fire is under investigation.