>>North Branch Police Body Cam Footage Released in Fatal Shooting of Reportedly Suicidal Woman
(North Branch MN) – Just-released body-cam video from June 27th shows North Branch police fatally shoot a woman with reported mental health problems, after authorities say 36-year-old Jamie Crabtree appeared to “point an object at the officers” and didn’t respond to multiple orders to drop what was thought to be a weapon, yelling, “I don’t want to live.” The video shows one officer shooting pepper ball rounds before another officer fires multiple rounds from his rifle. After Crabtree was shot, she did not respond to officers’ repeated commands to put her hands up or roll away from the weapon, and fourteen minutes reportedly elapsed before officers rendered aid. At one point, a voice appearing to be Crabtree’s said as she lifted her hand, “I’m here” and “I can’t breathe.”
>>MN State Trooper Charged with Manslaughter in Rochester Crash Revealed to Have Been in 4 Previous Crashes
(Rochester, MN) — A personnel file on Minnesota State Trooper Shane Roper, who was charged with manslaughter Tuesday in the Rochester crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores, shows he was involved in four previous crashes that required disciplinary action. Roper was reprimanded for crashes in February 2019, May 2021, December 2021, and April 2023, none involving fatalities. Roper is currently on leave as the Minnesota State Patrol reviews the case. A benefit for the Flores family is set for July 27th at the Owatonna Eagles Club.
>>Search in Duluth Nets Drugs, Guns, and 3 Arrests
(Duluth, MN) — Three suspects are in the St. Louis County jail after a major drug bust Thursday in Duluth. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force says a pound and a half of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, more than a pound of heroin, a half pound of cocaine, and several guns were seized during a search. A 19-year-old Duluth man, a 19-year-old from Chicago, and a 37-year-old man were arrested pending multiple charges. Officers say one of the Glock pistols had a switch that turns it into a fully automatic weapon.
>>Rochester Man Charged with Possessing, Distributing Child Pornography
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man is in custody on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography. Rochester Police began investigating 30-year-old Gavin Sullivan after getting a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Minnesota BCA. A search of his residence turned up a “significant amount of evidence.” The investigation is ongoing.
>>Minnesota Political Analyst Reacts to President Biden’s News Conference
(St. Paul, MN) — Analysts say President Joe Biden gave sometimes shaky answers during last night’s news conference in Washington, DC, but also demonstrated a command of foreign policy. Hamline University Professor David Schultz says the president, in responding to reporters’ questions, “displayed a tremendous range of knowledge, but connecting it in terms of making a clear and concise point, that he failed to do.” Schultz says there’s still about a 50-50 chance that Biden stays in the presidential race. The president says he’s in the race to complete the job he started.
>>CDC Confirms MN’s 1st Case of Dengue Fever
(Undated) – The CDC is confirming the state’s first case of dengue fever this summer. Department of Health epidemiologist Elizabeth Schiffman says it is considered a “travel-associated” disease in Minnesota, as we don’t have the right kind of mosquitoes here to transmit dengue fever. Schiffman says they see a few cases every year among Minnesotans who traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Southeast Asia. She says West Nile virus is the most common tick-borne disease in our state.
>>Disability Justice Art Exhibition to Open Next Week at Mill City Museum
(Minneapolis, MN) – In one week, “The Art of Disability Justice Now” art exhibit will debut at the Mill City Museum. Organizer Dr. Angela Carter says the exhibit focuses on the needs and body-mind experiences of disabled people. The exhibit features 13 disabled artists from across Minnesota using varied mediums. The display will be free during regular museum hours from July 19th through November 3rd.