>>Board of Regents Picks Cunningham as Next U of M President
(Minneapolis, MN) — Doctor Rebecca Cunningham will be the next president of the University of Minnesota. The Board of Regents voted unanimously Monday afternoon for the emergency room physician who’s currently a vice president at the University of Michigan. Regents Chair Janie Mayeron (JANE-ee MAY-ron) says Cunningham as a doctor, educator and administrator in the medical field “brings unique expertise to our current medical enterprise.” She told members that Cunningham, “can assist us in the acquisition of our hospital facilities from Fairview and our re-imagining of the delivery of our clinical mission.” Cunningham says she plans on being an ardent supporter of student athletes and the University’s athletics programs.
>>GOP Presidential Candidate Haley Rallies Minnesota Supporters
(Bloomington, MN) — Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is asking Minnesotans to join her in the fight for her party’s nomination. Haley rallied supporters in Bloomington Monday night and said, “We can do better than two 80-year-old candidates for president.” The former South Carolina governor lost the primary in her home state Saturday to Ex-President Donald Trump. Haley says tsays the national debt is too high and promised to get spending under control. She also vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, push for stronger national security, and promised better care for veterans.
>>St. Paul School Superintendent Gothard Leaving for Madison, Wisconsin
(St. Paul, MN) — Superintendent Joe Gothard (GOTH-erd) is leaving the Saint Paul School District to take a top job in his home town in neighboring Wisconsin. Gothard has been named the new superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin, beating out two other applicants for the job. Gothard is a Madison native, graduate of Edgewood College in Madison and former M-M-S-D employee, having served as a middle and high school principal and assistant superintendent before taking the St. Paul job in 2017. Gothard, recently named National Superintendent of the Year, will lead Wisconsin’s second largest public school district, serving 26-thousand K-12 students at 52 schools.
>>Deadly Fire near Ely Ruled Accidental, Started by Fireplace
(Morse Township, MN) — Investigators say the fire that left a man dead near Ely Sunday was accidental and started near a fireplace inside the home. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters searched the thick smoke for the homeowner but were unsuccessful. The victim was later found dead after the fire was brought under control. Deputies say the medical examiner is working to gather dental records to positively identify the man.
>>Authorities ID Pedestrian Found Dead in Burnsville
(Burnsville, MN) — Authorities are identifying a man who was reportedly struck and killed by a vehicle in Burnsville. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office says 43-year-old Eric Hanssen of Bloomington died Saturday night at an intersection on County Road 42. The M-E’s report says Hanssen’s cause and manner of death are “pending” investigation. Police said the driver cooperated with the investigation and was not believed to be impaired.
>>Rochester Man Sentenced for Impregnating 12-Year-Old Victim
(Rochester, MN) — The sentence is 13 years in prison for a Rochester man who got a 12-year-old girl pregnant. Prosecutors say 20-year-old Troyonta Lee was sentenced after pleading guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Police say the girl’s mother reported her daughter was pregnant last June and doctors confirmed the pregnancy. The criminal complaint says she identified Lee as the father and told investigators he had been sexually assaulting her since she was in first grade. Lee was given credit for 235 days spent in jail.
>>Search for Suspects Continues After Minneapolis Robbery Spree
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police are still looking for two more teen suspects after 14 armed robberies on Sunday in Minneapolis. They’ve already arrested three suspects. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says the group of juveniles would surround female victims, pull a gun, and steal everything of value, including their cars. O’Hara says of the 46 violent crimes reported last weekend in Minneapolis, 70 percent were armed robberies.
>>Record-High Temperatures Across Minnesota on Monday
(Chanhassen, MN) — February 26th, 2024 will go down in the state weather records for warmth. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jacob Beitlich (BITE’-lick) says we set record-high temperatures across Minnesota. He says, “It was 69 degrees in Rochester which completely shattered the old record of 58 degrees. In the Twin Cities we reached 65 degrees which was the warmest temperature ever recorded in the month of February. St. Cloud set a record. Fargo set a record.” Austin was the warm spot in the state at 72 degrees on Monday. The mercury reached 59 up in Moorhead. Temps are expected to drop into the single digits by Wednesday morning.
>>Fish House Removal Deadline Next Week in Southern 2/3 of Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) — Anglers who have set up fish houses on Minnesota lakes need to remove them soon. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has set a deadline of 11:59 pm on March 4th for the southern two-thirds of the state, and March 18th for the northern third of the state. Failure to remove the fish houses by the deadlines could result in the houses being confiscated, removed, or destroyed.
>>Minnesota Wild Forward Kaprizov Named NHL First Star of the Week
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov (kuh-PREES’-off) is being honored as the N-H-L’s First Star of the Week. Kaprizov led the league with six goals and six assists last week as Minnesota went 3-and-1. “Kirill the Thrill” had a hat trick and the game-winning goal in a 10-7 victory over Vancouver. The Wild and Carolina Hurricanes meet tonight (Tues) at the Xcel Energy Center.
