>>Governor Walz Talks Legal Cannabis at Iowa State Fair
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Tim Walz talked about the legalization of recreational cannabis in Minnesota during a visit to the Iowa State Fair on Thursday. On the “Iowa Press” program, Walz said, “Quite honestly it goes about this freedom issue. I trust adults to make their own decisions.” The governor claimed that cannabis prohibition doesn’t work. Walz added, “Iowans are certainly welcome to come up and enjoy a baseball game or Vikings game or whatever they want to do, they can take part in this legally, just like anything else you can’t drive.” Only medical cannabis is legal there.
>>Stillwater Officers Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Armed Suspect
(Stillwater, MN) — Prosecutors will not be charging two Stillwater police officers in the March shooting death of an armed man. Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson says the use of deadly force by Sergeant Dan Young and Officer Justin Dowley was justified in the shooting of 21-year-old O’Kwan Sims. Investigators say Sims fired several rounds in an apartment building and his gunfire hit two squad cars. Sims was pointing a pistol with an extended magazine at police when Sergeant Young and Officer Dowley shot him three times. Magnuson says, “These officers really had no other option.”
>>BCA Issues Alert for Missing Southwest Minnesota Man
(Marshall, MN) — The Minnesota B-C-A issued a missing person alert for a Marshall man who was reportedly camping on the North Shore. Marshall police say 36-year-old Justin Sperl was planning a solo trip last Friday and possibly took his kayak with him. The alert says friends of Sperl received messages from him on August 4th indicating he was near the Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel on Highway 61 north of Two Harbors. Officers say Sperl has not shown up at work this week and his family hasn’t heard from him. Justin is six-foot-seven, weighs 210 pounds, and has blue eyes and brown hair. He drives a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor with Minnesota license plates B-M-K 9-6-9.
>>20,000 Speeding Drivers Cited in Minnesota’s July Crackdown
(St. Paul, MN) — Authorities report more than 20 thousand speeding tickets were issued across Minnesota during July’s law enforcement crackdown. Mike Hanson with the state Office of Traffic Safety says what is of particular concern is some of the really egregious violations that we are seeing out there. He says Eden Prairie police cited one driver for going 150 miles-an-hour. Hanson says at least 66 drivers were cited for going more than 100 miles per hour. Fines double for those speeding 20 miles per hour over the limit, and drivers can lose their license for six months for going 100 miles per hour or more.
>>U of M Study Shows Decline in Efforts to Curb Underage Drinking
(Minneapolis, MN) — A new University of Minnesota study shows a decline in law enforcement efforts to curb underage drinking and sales to minors over the last ten years. Professor Toben (TOH’-bin) Nelson says there was a six percent drop in alcohol compliance checks and a 19-percent decrease in the enforcement of underage possession or consumption. He says they’re concerned because these have been effective strategies. Olson notes many agencies don’t have the funding for these programs that they did a decade ago. The research shows an increase in impaired driving saturation patrols and open container enforcement.
>>Shutterfly Plans to Close Shakopee Plant, Lay Off 240 Workers
(Shakopee, MN) — Shutterfly plans to close its manufacturing facility in Shakopee next year. The digital printing company notified the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development about the plant’s permanent closure and the layoff of all 246 workers. Officials say the layoffs will begin in October and the warehouse will shut down in late June. Shutterfly says in a statement, “We fully recognize the impact this decision will have on our dedicated employees, their families, and the Shakopee community.” The company blames “challenging and uncertain economic conditions.”
>>Long Wait Times Frustrate Minnesotans Seeking Drivers Licenses
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota residents seeking driver’s licenses are getting fed up with the long waiting period. The Driver and Vehicle Services department says staffing shortages are to blame for the lack of appointments. Residents say there are no flexible options and the only available appointments are a two-hour drive away. D-V-S Deputy Director Tony Anderson says they’re consistently adding staff and will continue looking at how they can improve services.
>>Minnesota Joins Settlement Against Robinhood Financial
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota is joining the multistate settlement against Robinhood Financial. The state Department of Commerce e says Robinhood had more than 200 thousand customers in the state when their platform prevented users from making stock trades in March 2020. The stock-trading company will pay up to ten-point-two million dollars for operational and technical failures. The state is set to receive 200 thousand dollars under the settlement.
>>Gophers Men’s Basketball Analyst Spencer Tollackson Leaving
(Minneapolis, MN) — Gophers men’s basketball radio analyst Spencer Tollackson is stepping down. The Chaska native announced that he is leaving his position to spend more time with his family. The former Minnesota Mr. Basketball winner worked with longtime Gophers play-by-play man Mike Grimm since the 2009 season. The University of Minnesota athletic department is conducting a search for Tollackson’s replacement for the upcoming season.
