Leaders of Minnesota’s Muslim community are critical of Israel’s decision to bar Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from an official visit to that nation. President Trump tweeted earlier “it would show great weakness” if Israel allowed Omar and a Michigan congresswoman to visit because “They hate Israel & all Jewish people.” Jaylani Hussein with the Council on […]
Israel bars Omar from official visit
Israel has barred Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from an official visit to that nation, saying it’s in keeping with its policy to deny entry to those who advocate boycotts of Israel. Omar in a statement says “Trump’s Muslim ban is what Israel is implementing, this time against two duly elected members of Congress.” The president tweeted […]
MN Supreme Court: Forced search of drug suspect’s body cavity unconstitutional
The Minnesota Supreme Court has thrown out a Minneapolis man’s drug conviction, ruling that a forced body cavity search violated his constitutional rights. Authorities searched Guntallwon Brown, suspected of crack cocaine possession, while he was strapped down and under sedation. The State Court of Appeals ruled the search was reasonable, but a majority on the […]
Group sues MN attorney general, alleging liberal lawyer embedding in office by Michael Bloomberg
A conservative group is suing Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, alleging there’s a lawyer in his office paid for by billionaire Democrat Michael Bloomberg. Attorney Doug Seaton says Bloomberg can certainly pursue his own political and social agenda: “If he were willing to hire his own lawyers and go off and do it, who can […]
30-months in prison for federal probation officer who sexually exploited women under his supervision
A former federal probation officer has received a much-tougher-than-usual sentence of 30 months in prison, for lying to the F-B-I about sexually exploiting women on probation. Prosecutors say 56-year-old Dennis Bresnahan from Forest Lake admitted to repeated phone and e-mail discussions of a sexual nature with a person under his supervision beginning in early 2015, […]
House lawmakers resume pressure on Senate Repubs to pass emergency insulin assistance program
Minnesota House lawmakers have a roundtable at the State Capitol this morning, trying to turn up pressure on Senate Republicans to approve an emergency insulin assistance program. Senator Michelle Benson from Ham Lake objects every proposal she’s seen would build a “massive” program at the embattled state Human Services Department. “They want any new programs, […]
Man with 28 DWIs sues Minnesota Corrections Department, disputing jail time
Minnesota’s most notorious drunken driver is suing the state Corrections Department, claiming he was kept in custody longer than Minnesota law allows. Danny Bettcher of New York Mills, who has 28 D-W-I convictions, says after a parole violation he was sent back to jail for 250 days, exceeding the state’s seven-year maximum sentence. Bettcher says […]
MN Senate Republicans ask, how will state recover $25M overpayment to Native American tribes?
Top Republicans asked state Human Services Department officials at hearings Tuesday, how they plan to re-pay the federal government, after over-paying 25 million dollars to Minnesota Native American tribes for substance-abuse treatment programs. Republican Senator Michelle Benson from Ham Lake asked Acting Human Services Commissioner Pam Wheelock, “So it is your intention to request money […]
Senate Republicans probe problems in Human Services Dept. at State Capitol hearings
Why did it take possibly several months to begin an investigation into how a state Human Services Department official, Inspector General Carolyn Ham, responded to allegations of fraud in the child care assistance program? At State Capitol hearings today, Republican Senator Michelle Benson asked Acting Human Services Commissioner Pam Wheelock, “Can you tell me the […]
Gov. Walz continues pushing Senate Republicans for action on gun violence, insulin costs
What about legislation to reduce gun violence and an emergency insulin program? That’s the question Governor Tim Walz asks Republicans as they hold State Capitol hearings today on troubles in the state Human Services Department. Republicans want more information about top management resignations at D-H-S, plus fraud and possible cover-up, and overpayments to Native American […]