>>Emotional Debate Over Selling Moorhead Police Gun Accessories
(Moorhead, MN) — The Moorhead Police Department will sell surplus equipment, including handguns and holsters, after the City Council approved the plan following an emotional debate. Councilmember Deb White urged the city not to make any equipment available to the public, referencing last summer’s attack in which a man impersonating an officer killed former House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded Senator John Hoffman and his wife. White, whose own husband is a state senator, said the risk is too great. Police Chief Chris Helmick said selling surplus gear is standard practice and handled responsibly. Officers will have the first chance to buy the handguns; any remaining will go to a licensed dealer. Holsters and weapon lights will be sold at public auction.
The measure passed 6–2.
>>SAVE Partners with Stop Soldier Suicide/Black Box Project
(Bloomington, MN) — A Minnesota-based suicide prevention nonprofit is partnering with a national veterans organization to learn more about what leads up to a suicide—and how to stop it. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, or SAVE, has announced a new collaboration with Stop Soldier Suicide to help expand an effort known as the Black Box Project. It’s an innovative program that studies the digital footprints of people who have died by suicide. SAVE CEO Eric Mische says the project aims to uncover patterns and warning signs that traditional investigations might miss. “The goal and objective really is to have a better understanding of what was going on in that person’s life based on the data and the usage of that device that they were using before that event.” Participating families voluntarily and temporarily loan smartphones, tablets, or other personal electronic devices so analysts can examine the data for insights. More information is available at SAVE.org.
>>Fire Destroys Pole Shed Near Forada
(Forada, MN) — A storage shed is a total loss after a fire on Tuesday afternoon in Douglas County. The Sheriff’s Office says a 9-1-1 call came in around 3:40 p.m. reporting smoke coming from the roof and eaves of a pole shed near Forada. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire inside the structure and a roof beginning to collapse. Officials say the flames eventually burned through the steel roofing, destroying the building. The shed, owned by David Kent, contained personal items and recreational equipment. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, but it does not appear suspicious.
>>Senator Hoffman Rips Anoka Hennepin School Board for Cutting 75 Positions
(Anoka, MN) -– Senator John Hoffman of Champlin is criticizing the Anoka Hennepin School Board for voting to cut 75 positions next year. Minnesota’s largest school district is facing an eight-million-dollar budget deficit. Hoffman said on social media, “When school districts are forced to cut counselors, social workers, and para educators, something is broken.” Many parents showed up at Monday’s school board meeting to protest cuts to social workers and mental health counselors. Hoffman says he will continue to push for solutions that put students first and fully support our schools.
>>Wolves and Rockets at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves are back home tonight (Wed 8:30 pm) to play the Houston Rockets. Minnesota is coming off a 102-92 win at Boston on Sunday. All-Star guard Anthony Edwards is expected to miss another game with a sore knee. The 44-28 Wolves hold a half-game lead over the 43-28 Rockets in the Western Conference playoff chase. Minnesota has won three of its last four games.
