Democrats in the Minnesota House are dropping their push for a fifth income tax bracket, which would have increased state taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans and large corporations. House Democratic Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said this afternoon about a top-bracket income tax increase, “I don’t think we need to do that. I think we could […]
Judge rules there were aggravating factors in George Floyd death
Judge Peter Cahill has ruled that prosecutors in the Derek Chauvin trial have proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” some aggravating sentencing factors. The ruling could mean a longer sentence for Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the murder of George Floyd. Cahill says prosecutors have proven that Chauvin abused a position of authority, […]
4 former Mpls officers indicted by grand jury in George Floyd’s death
A federal grand jury has indicted the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd’s arrest and death. The indictments unsealed today name Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao. They’re accused of violating Floyd’s constitutional rights as he was restrained on May 25th, 2020. Specifically, Chauvin, Thao and Kueng are charged […]
Gov Walz announces 3-step plan to lift COVID restrictions
Governor Tim Walz today is announcing his three-step plan for ending COVID-related restrictions in the state. Walz says limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings will be eased starting on May 7th, with a goal of outdoor limits ending and indoor limits being curbed on May 28th. And Walz is aiming to end the mask mandate […]
Sun Country Airlines Adding New Routes
Sun Country Airlines announced Tuesday 18 new nonstop routes. The expansion includes six new routes from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Also, the airline is adding Duluth International Airport and Rochester International Airport to its network. Flights from MSP beginning in November and December include Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, […]
Student arrested after firing gun inside Plymouth Middle School
A student was arrested after firing shots this morning in a hall outside a bathroom at Plymouth Middle School in the Twin Cities. Police said they weren’t aware of any injuries at a time when over 700 students were in the school. The Star Tribune reports the school was in lockdown until about noon for […]
Garland: DOJ opens investigation into MPD policies and practices
The U-S Department of Justice is conducting an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a “pattern and practice” of illegal conduct. U-S Attorney General Merrick Garland made the announcement this morning–just one day after ex-officer Derek Chauvin’s murder and manslaughter conviction. Garland said, “yesterday’s verdict in the state criminal trial does not […]
Chauvin guilty on all 3 counts
Guilty on all three counts is the verdict from the jury this afternoon in the Derek Chauvin case. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Most analysts agree an appeal is likely, and some say it could go as far as the U-S Supreme Court. Chauvin, who was masked, appeared […]
Jury deliberating the Derek Chauvin case
The world is waiting as the jury is sequestered deliberating the Derek Chauvin case. On Monday, defense attorney Eric Nelson again reiterated that he thought the jury should’ve been sequestered sooner because of widespread media coverage of the trial and said “I mean it is so pervasive that I just don’t know how this jury […]
Derek Chauvin case now in the jury’s hands
State prosecutor Steve Schleicher began closing arguments today by noting that “On May 25th, 2020 George Floyd died face down on the pavement, right on 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis, 9:29, 9:29.” Schleicher said Floyd did not exhibit “superhuman” strength as a result of excited delirium due to drug use and added “there’s no such […]