>>Authorities ID 13-Year-Old Killed in Accidental North Minneapolis Shooting
(Minneapolis, MN) — Authorities are naming the 13-year-old boy killed in an accidental shooting in north Minneapolis last month. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says Quadri Blackwell died on November 5th of a gunshot wound to the head. Police said a 14-year-old boy was handling the gun when it went off and hit Blackwell. The boy who fired the gun was taken to juvenile detention.
>>Family of 18-Year-Old Killed in MN State Trooper Crash is Suing
(Rochester, MN) — The family of Olivia Flores, an 18-year-old Owatonna High School senior killed in a Rochester crash, is suing a former Minnesota State Trooper. On May 18th, 32-year-old Trooper Shane Roper caused a crash that injured himself and five others and killed Flores. Her family claims Roper “violated their daughter Olivia’s constitutional rights and wrongfully caused her death.” Roper pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide. He had multiple speeding incidents logged in his trooper vehicle. Roper’s trial is on March 31st.
>>Man Sentenced to 13.75 Years for Fatal 2023 Robbinsdale Crash
(Robbinsdale, MN) — A man faces over 13 years in prison after causing a fatal Robbinsdale crash in 2023. 21-year-old Quintin Hudson pleaded guilty to one count each of fleeing a peace officer resulting in death and resulting in great bodily harm in the crash that killed Emily Gerding and critically injured her husband, John. Hudson led police on a chase on July 8th after going 55 mph in a 30-mph zone. His speeds reached between 70 and 90 mph as he passed a stop sign, colliding with the Gerding’s minivan.
>>MSU-Mankato President Responds to Professor Facebook Comment on Brian Thompson’s Murder
(Mankato, MN) — After a Minnesota State University-Mankato professor made a Facebook comment about UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder, MSU-Mankato’s president is claiming no affiliation to the university. On his personal page, Political Science professor Kevin Parsneau responded to a post with, “How long do we really need to look for Brian Thompson’s killer?” Representative Brad Finstad called for MSUM to fire Parsneau on Tuesday. MSUM President Edward Inch stated Wednesday that students and staff represent the university and should uphold its values. He adds that a campus conversation would be set for early spring about speech, limits, and responsibilities.
>> Stop Campus Hazing Act Passes U.S. Senate
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced her “Stop Campus Hazing Act” has passed the Senate and is awaiting the president’s signature. The legislation would require colleges to include hazing incidents in their annual campus safety report and come up with ways to educate students about the dangers of hazing. The National Study of Student Hazing found that more than half of college students involved in extracurricular clubs, athletic teams, and organizations experience hazing. The report says since 2000, there have been more than 50 hazing-related deaths.
>> Minnesota Lawmakers Call on Disaster Relief for Farmers
(Washington, D.C.) – If Minnesota lawmakers get their way, the state’s farmers will see disaster relief funds coming their way soon. A Minnesota delegation, including U.S. Representative Angie Craig, wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calling on them to include disaster relief for Minnesota farmers in end-of-year legislation. Craig’s office says Minnesota farmers are looking at 10 percent lower crop yields because of extreme weather patterns like droughts and flooding.
