The medical examiner has ruled that Scottish singer and actor Darius Campbell Danesh, found unresponsive in a Rochester apartment August 11th, died from inhaling chloroethane and suffocation. The Star Tribune reports authorities say they found “no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances.” The family told U-K press that Danesh had taken chloroethane for chronic pain […]
Man found guilty of bias crimes against Cold Spring family
A Stearns County jury has found a man from Richmond in central Minnesota guilty of a series of bias crimes against a bi-racial family in Cold Spring. 33-year-old Benton Beyer was charged with vandalizing the family’s property, stalking them, and then crashing a vehicle into their home because he believed his girlfriend had cheated on […]
15,000 MN nurses on strike
15,000 Minnesota nurses are on strike today (as of 7 am). Management and the union have been unable to reach an agreement on staffing levels and nurse retention. Strike organizers say it’s the largest private sector nurses’ strike in U-S history. Replacement nurses have already been brought in at the impacted hospitals, but the Minnesota Nurses […]
Wisconsin judge rules case can proceed against Twin Cities man in Apple River stabbings
A judge in western Wisconsin’s Saint Croix County ruled today (Fri) there’s probable cause to proceed with prosecution of a Twin Cities man accused of fatally stabbing a teenager from Stillwater during a confrontation involving tubers on the Apple River. 52-year-old Nicolae Miu from Prior Lake faces one count of first-degree murder and three counts […]
15,000 nurses in MNA announce intent to strike
15,000 Minnesota nurses will strike for three days at 15 hospitals in the Twin Cities and Duluth area in what the union calls the largest private sector nurses strike in U-S history. Minnesota Nurses Association President Mary Turner today said it’s about putting “patients before profits” and retaining staff. Turner says “we have done everything. […]
Audit: MN Human Services Dept didn’t adequately oversee grant to homeless, others
A legislative auditor’s report concludes the state Human Services Department did not adequately oversee distribution of tens of millions of dollars in grants to the homeless and others needing housing assistance. The audit found weaknesses in the agency’s internal controls and violations of the state’s legal requirements. Commissioner Jodi Harpstead says the Human Services Department […]
Bird flu returns to MN, outbreak in Meeker County
The state Board of Animal Health says HPAI bird flu has been confirmed in a commercial turkey operation in Meeker County in central Minnesota and the flock has been euthanized to help prevent spread of the virus. A senior veterinarian with the state’s animal health department says they’ve been preparing for a resurgence of bird […]
Red Lake man gets 20 year sentence for rape
A federal judge has sentenced a man from Red Lake to nearly 20 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault. Prosecutors say in November 2020, 30-year-old John Sayers offered a ride to the victim who was walking on the road, but instead of taking her to her destination, drove her to a camper near a […]
GOP candidate for governor Jensen unveils education plan, Walz campaign calls it “radical”
Convert very-low-performing public schools to charter schools, self-governed schools or non-public schools — a key and controversial part of a ten-point education plan Republican candidate for governor Scott Jensen unveiled Tuesday at the State Fair. Jensen also pledges to set up a transparent portal system for parents to review curriculum, and he says he’ll ensure […]
Rochester man accused of sexually assaulting teen girl, second suspect not yet charged
A Rochester man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in January, but a second suspect the victim identified to law enforcement has not yet been charged. Investigators say the girl ran away from a foster care home in Farmington, and 41-year-old Mohammed Omer picked her up from a gas station and brought her […]