>>Charges Filed in the Death of Allison Lussier
(Minneapolis) – The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Charles Foss Thursday in the death of Allison Lussier (LOO-sure) in February 2024. Based on legal analysis of the collected evidence and statutory requirements to reach proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the HCAO says Foss was charged with one count of second-degree unintentional murder and one count of stalking. Lussier was killed on Feb. 22, 2024, and the case was submitted to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in June 2024. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said at a news conference that at the time of submission, the case file was deficient and did not support filing charges. The Minneapolis Police response and investigation into Allison’s death was the subject of an audit ordered by the Minneapolis City Council. Moriarty says following that decision, more investigative work led to the charges filed today.
>>Twin Lakes Seeks Criminal Charges After Dead Rat Incident
(Twin Lakes, MN) — Twin Lakes city officials are considering criminal charges against a resident who threw a dead rat onto the council table during a recent meeting. Former Mayor Pat Neilon brought the carcass to the October 5th meeting while protesting the city’s response to a rodent problem he linked to a neighbor’s property and chickens. The city called an emergency meeting to consider authorizing a criminal investigation and complaint.
>>Omar Still Plans to Appear at Event with Hasan Piker
(Minneapolis, MN) – Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is standing by plans to appear at a Minneapolis event featuring controversial political commentator Hasan Piker. Omar’s spokesperson says the Democrat is committed to attending the October 26th event hosted by state Senator Omar Fateh, saying the goal is to mobilize young voters ahead of the election. The appearance is drawing criticism from fellow Democrats and Jewish organizations over Piker’s past remarks, which critics have described as antisemitic, racist and misogynistic.
>>Minnesota Tour Bus Driver Dies Before Wyoming Crash
(Deer River, MN) — A Deer River man driving singer Sawyer Hill’s tour bus died before the vehicle crashed in Wyoming. An autopsy found David Rollingcloud Jackson had already died behind the wheel before the bus crossed the highway median on October 14th. Four passengers were injured, while five others were unharmed. Hill canceled the remainder of his North American tour following the crash. He had performed in Minneapolis three days earlier.
>>Rochester Library Board Sets Six-Million-Dollar Goal for Satellite Libraries
(Rochester, MN) — The Rochester Library Board is setting a six-million-dollar fundraising goal to open two satellite libraries in 2028. The one-year pilot would place four-thousand-square-foot locations in northwest and southeast Rochester, offering books, computer stations and space for programs and pickups. The projected cost is five-point-eight-million dollars in 2028. The Rochester Public Library Foundation plans to launch a fundraising campaign next year and explore donated space and private partnerships to reduce costs.
>>Amazon Hiring Thousands of Workers for the Holidays
(Undated) – Amazon just announced its hiring more than 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time workers across the U.S. for the holiday season. And thousands of those jobs will be right here in Minnesota. The announcement includes the anticipated hiring of more than 3,500 seasonal workers in Minnesota with an additional goal of hiring more than 150 employees in both Duluth and Brainerd. Amazon has 18 fulfillment centers and delivery stations across Minnesota, and these jobs will be spread out across Minnesota.
>>Minnesota Canoe Maker Northstar Canoes Up for Sale
(Princeton, MN) — Northstar Canoes is up for sale as founder Ted Bell looks to spend more time outdoors. Bell has listed the Minnesota company for two-point-seven-million dollars after 45 years in the canoe business. He co-founded Northstar in 2013 and hopes a new owner will keep its workforce and production in Minnesota. Bell says he wants more time for cycling, paddling and climbing.
