>>Warrant Issued in Rochester Underage Sex Sting
(Rochester, MN) – A Minneapolis man is wanted in connection with an undercover sex sting in Rochester. Police say 35-year-old Tre’Von Dotson sent sexually explicit messages and photos to an officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on social media. The chats began in July and continued through early September. Dotson is now charged with multiple felonies, including soliciting a child and distributing explicit material. He also has an active warrant in a separate drug case in Ramsey County.
>>Duluth Police Respond to Robbery at Taco Johns
(Duluth, MN) – Duluth Police officers responded to a report of a robbery at Taco John’s just before 8:00 p.m. Friday. A suspect, described as a white male, approximately six feet tall, wearing dark clothing, entered the business, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction with an undetermined amount of cash. No injuries were reported among employees, customers, or bystanders. No arrests have been made at this time. If you have any information about this individual or the incident, please call 911 or contact the Duluth Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit.
>>Fargo Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Minor
(Fargo, ND) – A Fargo man is pleading guilty to sexually abusing a minor. Police say 26-year-old Aaron Cofell admitted to gross sexual imposition and child endangerment during a change of plea hearing on Monday. Investigators say the victim is under 15. Cofell was arrested in May during a traffic stop in West Fargo. Three other charges were dismissed, including assault and drug-related charges. Cofell is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5th.
>>Gubernatorial Candidate Demuth Chooses Running Mate
(St. Paul, MN) – In the race to become Minnesota’s next governor, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth has chosen her running mate. Demuth announced her choice of lieutenant governor as Ryan Wilson, an attorney and small business owner. Wilson ran for the state auditor’s job in 2022 and lost a close race. His platform included fighting fraud in the state of Minnesota. The Demuth-Wilson ticket will tour the state later this week to share their vision for Minnesota. Demuth joins fellow Republicans Kristin Robbins, Dr. Scott Jensen, and Kendall Qualls, among others, in the race. On the Democratic side, Governor Tim Walz is seeking a third term.
>>Representative Erin Koegel Not Seeking Re-Election in 2026
(St. Paul, MN) – After careful consideration and conversation with family, State Representative Erin Koegel, a Democrat from Spring Lake Park, announced today she will not seek re-election in 2026. Koegel has served in the Minnesota House for a decade, representing communities including Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Columbia Heights, and Hilltop. In a statement, Koegel said she first ran for office to advocate for working families, people with disabilities, and caregivers, and is proud of the progress made during her five terms. That includes universal school meals, paid family and medical leave, and guaranteed sick time.
>>Grant Funding for Communities Negatively Impacted by Cannabis Prohibition Available
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced today that applications are now open for the next round of CanRenew community restoration grants. This program is designed to support communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, with a focus on development, safety, and long-term stability. CanRenew program funds will support economic development, social determinants of health, violence prevention, civil legal aid, and youth engagement. The application window is open now through January 12th, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
>>Ribbon Cutting Held for New 610 Construction Project
(Maple Grove, MN) – A construction project 50 years in the making is finally completed. A ribbon cutting will be held for the Highway 610 Corridor this afternoon in Maple Grove. This project, which started in phases in the 1970s, will connect north metro communities and support thousands of new and existing jobs. The Highway 610/94 interchange will improve traffic flow and access to Maple Grove Hospital and other medical facilities in the area. The road will officially open to traffic on Thursday, weather permitting.
>>Mistake-Prone Vikings Lose to Baltimore at Home
(Undated) – The Vikings committed eight false start penalties and turned the ball over three times in yesterday’s 27-19 home loss to Baltimore. Yet, they had the ball late in the game with a chance to potentially send the game to overtime. Head coach Kevin O’Connell says that having the football with a chance to tie the game at the end was encouraging, “considering the amount of things we did that we can’t do to beat a good football team like that.” O’Connell’s team is now 4-5 on the season and will host Chicago on Sunday.
