>>Two Arrested in Washington County Home Invasion
(Grant, MN) – Two men are facing charges after a violent home invasion and kidnapping in Washington County. Deputies responded to the incident on Friday at a home in Grant. Over the weekend, investigators recovered weapons and other evidence. On Monday, with help from the Waller County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, detectives arrested 24-year-old Isiah Garcia and 23-year-old Raymond Garcia. Both are charged with three counts of kidnapping, three counts of first-degree burglary, and aggravated robbery. Sheriff Dan Starry praised what he called the “tireless efforts” of local, state, and federal partners, saying their work has brought resolution to a deeply traumatizing crime and some peace to the family involved.
>>Inmate Escapes in Saginaw
(Saginaw, MN) — Authorities in St. Louis County are searching for an inmate who escaped from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center on Tuesday night. Staff report that a 40-year-old man, identified as Michael Hart, walked away from the facility in Saginaw. He’s described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 169 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Hart was last seen wearing a yellow sweatshirt, a gray T-shirt, and blue pants. Deputies believe he’s heading north on foot toward the Independence area. A search is underway. If you see Hart or know where he might be, call 911 immediately.
>>Poll: Most Minnesotans Support Special Legislative Session on Gun Violence
(Undated) — A majority of Minnesota voters support calling a special session of the state Legislature to address gun violence. According to a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, 58% of respondents are in favor of lawmakers reconvening in St. Paul, while 28% oppose the idea. Support varies sharply by political affiliation: 86% of Democrats back the special session, compared to 43% of Republicans. The poll also shows strong public support for an assault weapons ban, with most voters in favor of such legislation.
>>Man Arrested for Striking Two Pedestrians in Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — A man is in custody on suspicion of criminal operation for striking two pedestrians with his vehicle in Duluth. Police received a report Tuesday afternoon about a 58-year-old woman and a 74-year-old man being hit on West Skyline Parkway. They were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers say the suspect vehicle fled the scene, and the 68-year-old driver was later located. He remains on hold at a local hospital and will be taken to the St. Louis County jail. Investigators say he did not show signs of impairment.
>>U.S. Senator Tina Smith Calls on Republicans to Bring Down the Cost of Health Care
(St. Paul, MN) – Ahead of the September 30th federal budget deadline, Senator Tina Smith is joining about 100 Minnesota faith leaders at the state Capitol tomorrow(Thurs, 10 AM), urging Congress to protect healthcare for Minnesotans. Earlier this year, Republicans passed a bill that made significant cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and SNAP, while also boosting tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. Critics say the measure would add more than $3 trillion to the deficit and set aside $ 75 billion for immigration enforcement with few restrictions. If the bill becomes law, an estimated 140,000 Minnesotans could lose their healthcare, and premiums on the ACA marketplace could increase by 50 percent for approximately 90,000 people. Smith and the clergy leaders say Congress still has time to pass a budget that prioritizes families, not tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.
>>Woman Dies After Late-Night Stabbing in East St. Cloud
(St. Cloud, MN) — Officers responded to a stabbing incident late Tuesday night in East St. Cloud, where they found a woman suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to St. Cloud Hospital, where she later died from her injuries. A 26-year-old man from St. Cloud was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Authorities confirmed that the suspect and victim knew each other. Their identities have not yet been released. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with processing the scene. Investigators say more information will be shared as the case develops.
>>Resolution Introduced for National Hazing Awareness Week
(Washington, D.C.) – A resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar recognizes this as “National Hazing Awareness Week.” It will recognize the hundreds of students who have died or suffered severe injuries as a result of college hazing, and promote efforts to prevent hazing. Last December, Klobuchar joined forces with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana to pass the “Stop Campus Hazing Act” into law to improve the reporting and prevention of hazing on college campuses.
>> Unity Inpatient Chemical Dependency Unit Closure Threatens Patient Safety, Say Nurses
(Fridley, MN) — Allina Health plans to shut down the inpatient chemical dependency unit at Mercy Hospital’s Unity Campus in February, a move nurses and advocates say will devastate addiction care in the north metro. “This unit provides structure and safety for patients in recovery,” said RN Laurie Brodersen. “Closing it puts them at risk.”
Mercy Hospital treats more cases of chemical dependency than nearly any other hospital in Minnesota. Nurses warn that relocating patients to general hospital floors will increase relapse and reduce the quality of care. A public hearing is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 p.m. at Unity Campus, hosted by the Minnesota Department of Health.
