>>Waite Park Police Search for Three Robbery Suspects
(Waite Park, MN) — Police in Waite Park in central Minnesota are asking the public’s help in finding three suspects who robbed a woman of her purse Monday night. Police responding to a call around 7 p-m found a woman who had been walking into a business when three masked men pushed her to the ground and stole her purse. The suspects are described as black males wearing masks and dark clothing.
>>One year until 2024 presidential election
(Undated) — It’s one year to the next presidential election and Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier (SHEER) says, “I think it’s pretty firmly set that it’s likely to be Trump versus Biden, but of course these are older men and health reversals for either of them could completely change the competitive environment.” And Schier says polls indicate Biden is having problems attracting younger voters, not only because of his age but also his embracing Israel in the Gaza conflict. Schier says younger voters could go to third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Junior and Cornel West — who could determine the outcome in close-margin states.
>Becker School District Seeing Uptick in School Bus Violations
(Becker, MN) — Becker Public Schools in central Minnesota have been in session for 33 days and in that time, bus drivers have reported 25 vehicles passing buses when their flashing lights are on. Minnesota law requires all vehicles stop for school buses as soon as the driver activates the flashing lights and the stop arm is fully extended. Violations carry a $500 fine and possible gross misdemeanor criminal charges for passing a bus on the right side, or when a child is outside the bus.
>>Minnesota group calling for justice after attack on Somali woman and Good Samaritan
(Minneapolis, MN) — On November 2nd, Somali Muslim woman Sabrina Yahya and a “good Samaritan” were attacked by a woman with a knife-like object, who victims say explicitly expressed anti-Muslim sentiments — and today (TUES), the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) is calling for justice. Community leader Ruqai Abdi says everyone has the responsibility to make these acts reprehensible. “Our children are trying to react, our youth are angry right now, and who can make them not angry? It’s all of us. You, me, all of us here,” she says. Abdi adds that people need to recognize reaching out to the police is not a viable option for every citizen of the state, and that everybody needs to work to keep these communities safe.
>>New U-of-M study finds more women, people of color, Indigenous people in state offices but work remains
(Minneapolis, MN) — A new analysis from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs shows more women, people of color and Native people in state offices than ever. Professor Christina Ewig says the state has made some “remarkable strides” towards gender, racial, and ethnic inclusion, but there is much work to be done, like advocating for more ranked-choice voting. She says, “It eliminates this idea that, ‘Oh, well, I can’t vote for my favorite candidate because they don’t have a chance.’” Ewig says people think they only have one choice, but that’s not true. “You can put your favorite person and you can put your number two, and if the favorite person falls out, then your number two vote may really matter,” she says. Ewig expects to see this in the municipal elections across the state today (TUES).
>>Man Found with Life-Threatening Gunshot Wound in Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man is hospitalized after being found shot in a black BMW in Minneapolis early this morning (TUES). Police responded to a reported shooting around 12:40 a.m. where they found a man in his 20s with a life-threatening gunshot wound inside the BMW. Police pulled him out, treating him until an ambulance took him to Hennepin Healthcare. No arrests have been made.
>>Rochester Public Schools officials investigating, Addressing Bus Driver Incident of Using N-Word With Students
(Rochester, MN) — The Rochester School District is investigating a bus driver’s alleged use of the N-word October 27th, an incident that was captured on video. District officials say the students on board the bus from Dakota Middle School were using that racial slur and driver is said to have repeated it when asking students why it was acceptable to use the word. Officials say they also spoke with the students who used the word on the bus, explaining why it was inappropriate in school or while using school transportation.
>HUD Gives MN $3.8M to Remove Lead from Homes
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development is giving Minnesota’s health department $3.8 million to help get lead, as well as other environmental hazards, out of homes. Officials say lead poisoning can cause lifelong damage in kids and people should assume any home built before 1978 likely contains lead. Information on how to get your home tested is on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website.
>Como Zoo Welcomes New Giraffe Calf
(St. Paul, MN) — St. Paul’s Como Zoo welcomed a brand new giraffe baby Monday night. Zoo officials say the new calf was birthed by her mother, Zinnia, around 8:09 p.m. Monday — her third offspring, which brings the Como Zoo giraffe count to four: Zinnia, Clover, Skeeter, and the new baby. Plans are to introduce the new baby giraffe to the public over the next few weeks.
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