>>Minnesota Democrats Rip Trump-Vance GOP Ticket on Abortion
(Milwaukee, WI) — Democrats nationally and in Minnesota are further stepping up attacks after reports that Republican vice-president candidate J-D Vance said in 2022 he “certainly would like abortion to be illegal nationally.” D-F-L Party Chairman Ken Martin says he doesn’t think Minnesotans believe Trump and Vance want the abortion decision returned to the states. He says, “there’s no doubt if a national abortion bill came to President Trump’s desk (that) he would sign it.” Seventh District Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach responds, “Democrats are trying desperately to make the Republicans look like the extremists, because truly they are the extremists.” Fischbach says Democrats have a president in Joe Biden who is “obviously having some issues” and they’re trying to distract the public with abortion.
>>Minnesota DNR to Honor Helicopter Pilot for BWCA Rescue Effort
(Brainerd, MN) — The Minnesota D-N-R plans to honor a Brainerd helicopter pilot for her efforts to rescue canoeists in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in May. Grace Zeller will be presented with the Lifesaving Award during a ceremony later this month. D-N-R officials say Zeller helped get two injured canoeists to safety after an incident in the B-W-C-A at Curtain Falls that left two others dead. The citation will credit her for placing herself in harm’s way in an attempt to save lives.
>>COVID 19 Cases Rising in Minnesota and 45 Other States
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota is one of 45 states reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. State Department of Health Epidemiologist Stephanie Meyer says the latest omicron variant allows the virus to evade pre-existing immunity, whether you had a COVID infection previously or you’ve been vaccinated. She also says a contributing factor to the increase might be wet and humid weather driving more of us to indoor activities with less circulation, poor ventilation, and more crowding. Meyer believes the numbers are probably higher, as counted cases only include hospitalizations and reported cases.
>>Officials Await Arbitrator’s Ruling in Fosston Hospital-Essentia Health Dispute
(Fosston, MN) — The First Care Taskforce in northwest Minnesota is planning for the proposed transition of the Fosston Hospital back to local governance. There was a three-day arbitration hearing last week on the dispute between the city and Essentia Health. First Care’s Bob Overmoe says, “We think it went positive. This task force was formed before we were actually in arbitration. But realistically we said we cannot wait.” Overmoe says they need to be prepared if they get a favorable ruling and elect to terminate the contract with Essentia. The push for local control of the hospital was fueled by Essentia’s decision to end labor delivery services in Fosston. The arbitrator has 60 days to issue a ruling. Essentia Health did not respond to a request for comment.
>>St. Cloud Man Accused of Pointing Loaded Gun at 2 Teens
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud man is facing felony assault charges for allegedly pointing a loaded handgun at two teenagers Sunday night. The criminal complaint says 41-year-old Corey Self initially pointed a green laser at the 14 and 17 year olds from an apartment window. The kids told police they approached the window and asked Self to stop, when he opened the blinds and pointed a black handgun at them. Officers searched the apartment and found a green laser and loaded 9-millimeter handgun. A preliminary breath test showed Self had a blood alcohol level of point-179.
>>Virginia Man Indicted for Coercing Minor Girl to Create Sexually Explicit Materials
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man from the state of Virginia is accused of coercing a 13- to 14-year-old girl in Minnesota to create sexually explicit photos and videos on social media. The U-S Attorney’s Office says an indictment charges 41-year-old Raymond Choi with production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and enticement of a minor. Court records say Choi sent the victim gifts in exchange for explicit materials on Instagram. Choi flew from Virginia to Minnesota in February to meet the victim in Anoka County, but law enforcement and family intervened.
>>Edwards, Team USA Take Down Serbia in Olympics Exhibition Game
(Abu Dhabi, AE) — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards scored 16 points off the bench in Team U-S-A’s 105-79 win over Serbia in an exhibition game Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Edwards only played 16 minutes and had three steals. Steph Curry had a game-high 24 points for the U-S. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic led Serbia with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Americans play South Sudan Saturday in their final tune-up game before the Paris Olympics.