>>Lakeville Woman Sentenced in Crash that Killed Teammate
(Lakeville, MN) — A woman from Lakeville has been sentenced after admitting to causing a two-vehicle crash in western Minnesota that resulted in the death of her teammate in August 2023. Gianna Gasparini, 20 years old, received a sentence of one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine, along with restitution to the family of 19-year-old Jori Lynn Jones from Little Canada, who was killed in the crash near Willmar. Gasparini, Jones and two other teammates were returning home from a team event when Gasparini failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a minivan.
>>Ghost Gun Likely Used in Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO
(Collegeville, MN) — Police in New York City have said it was likely a ghost gun that was used in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week. College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University Political Science Professor Phil Kronebusch says the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a proposed federal ban on ghost guns in the first week of October. He says, “The Biden Administration, in oral arguments, made the argument that ghost guns were increasingly used in crime. And that’s why the ATF needed to ban them. And now we have a case that is getting very broad national attention where it looks like a ghost gun was used.” Ghost guns can be printed using a 3D printer and assembled at home or by ordering individual parts and putting them together. These firearms do not have serial numbers. Kronebusch mentions that while the Supreme Court has not yet announced its decision on the legality of ghost guns, it is highly likely that a vote has already taken place and an opinion has been drafted. However, this process is internal to the court, and the justices can change their votes if they feel the need to reconsider their decision. The suspect in Thompson’s murder, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, is currently being held on local firearm charges.
>>Walz to Announce $4.5 Million for Law Enforcement Recruitment & Training
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is set to announce four-and-a-half million dollars to support law enforcement recruitment and training for 46 agencies in the state. The governor’s office says the funding will pay for training nearly 100 candidates who want to make a career transition. Walz will announce the funding at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park this afternoon.
>>Minneapolis Mayor Frey Vetos City Council’s Resolution in Support of UMN Palestine Protesters
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (fry) has vetoed a resolution backed by the City Council that supports University of Minnesota student protestors for Palestine. This comes after students were arrested while occupying Halimy Hall on November 27. 7 out of the 8 students found guilty on all charges must pay $5,500 each in restitution and will be suspended beginning January 1st. The suspensions range anywhere from one semester to two and a half years. The Council could override the veto with a supermajority vote of 9-3. The Student Democratic Society (SDS) says the council’s support can not directly change on-campus decisions; it has power behind it.
>> MnDOT Snowplow Naming Contest is Back
(St. Paul, Minn.) – The annual MnDOT tradition is back! The Minnesota Department of Transportation is again starting the “name the snowplow” contest for a fifth year. Winners in the past have included Taylor Drift, Plowy McPlowFace, and The Big Lebowski. MnDOT says you can submit your name idea through the agency’s website if you’d like to play. Ideas can be submitted by noon on Friday, December 20. Finalists will be announced in January.
