>>Federal Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal in Ricky Cobb Shooting Lawsuit
(Minneapolis, MN) — A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a civil lawsuit against two Minnesota State Patrol troopers involved in the 2023 shooting death of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop in north Minneapolis. A three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit ruled the troopers’ actions were objectively reasonable and that they are protected by qualified immunity. Judges cited squad camera video showing Cobb drove away as troopers attempted to arrest him on an outstanding felony warrant, with one trooper partially inside the vehicle. Cobb’s mother filed the lawsuit, alleging the troopers used excessive force and violated her son’s constitutional rights.
>>Minnesota Paid Leave Program Helping Small Businesses
(St. Paul, MN) — Supporters of Minnesota’s Paid Leave program say the benefits extend beyond workers to the businesses that employ them. Greg Conley, owner of Northern Waters Smokehaus in Duluth, says one employee used the program after suffering an injury outside of work. He says the application process was simple, the business avoided the cost of extended paid sick leave, and the employee was able to return to work after recovering. State officials say Paid Leave is giving employers financial protection while allowing workers to take job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical needs.
>> Duluth Man Sentenced in Child Sex Abuse Case
(Duluth, MN) – A Duluth man will spend more than 12 years in prison for sexually abusing a child. St. Louis County Judge Leslie Beiers sentenced 41-year-old Michael Allen Hanson to 150 months behind bars, along with lifetime conditional release, after a jury found him guilty on three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors say Hanson repeatedly had sexual contact with a child under 13 between 2018 and 2020. Hanson was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct in 2005. County Attorney Kim Maki says the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the harm caused to the victim.
>>Pair Charged with Murder in Chisago County Fentanyl Overdose Death
(Lindstrom, MN) — Two people are charged with third-degree murder in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose in Chisago County. Prosecutors say 24-year-old Cole Letexier died of acute fentanyl poisoning at a home north of Center City on March 19, 2025. Authorities allege 65-year-old Michael Bunde of Chisago City and 26-year-old Morgan Johnson of Lindstrom supplied the drugs that caused his death. Investigators say Letexier died at Johnson’s family home, where she and several relatives were present. The charges come after a 15-month investigation.
>>AG Ellison Sues HUD Over Housing Funds
(Undated) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of states are suing HUD over new homelessness funding rules. The lawsuit argues the agency is unlawfully limiting money for permanent housing projects, despite a recent federal court ruling against similar restrictions. HUD’s latest funding notice would set aside one-point-three billion dollars for new programs, a move opponents say could reduce funding for proven permanent housing efforts. Ellison says the changes could put nearly 100-thousand people nationwide at risk of losing stable housing, including more than two-thousand Minnesotans.
>>FalconCam Chick Takes First Flight
(Undated) – One of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources FalconCam chicks has flown the coop. The DNR announced that one of the chicks fledged Tuesday morning, meaning the falcon took its first flight. Once a chick leaves the nest box, the DNR says it most likely will not return. The adults continue to feed their chicks after they fledge and protect them from predators until they gain more independence. The DNR says the other two chicks will likely fledge by the end of next week.
>>St. Cloud State’s ‘Husky Tomato’ Makes Outdoor Debut
(St. Cloud, MN) — A tomato inspired by St. Cloud State University’s black-and-red school colors is now being grown outdoors for the first time. After four years of greenhouse research, students and faculty have produced four generations of cross-pollinated plants in hopes of creating a stable black-and-red striped “Husky Tomato.” Six plants are now growing in the SCSU Community Garden, with another at an undisclosed location. Researchers say it could be about five years before the Husky Tomato is ready for distribution, and possibly longer if the university seeks intellectual property protection.
>> Duluth Man Gets 12 Years for Child Sex Abuse
(Duluth, MN) – A Duluth man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing a child. Chief Judge Leslie Beiers sentenced 46-year-old Shawn Mortensen to 144 months behind bars after convicting him of multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. The abuse occurred between 2012 and 2015. Judge Beiers rejected Mortensen’s request for a lighter sentence and probation, instead imposing the sentence called for under state guidelines. St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki praised the victim’s courage and said the sentence delivers accountability and a measure of justice.
>>>AAA Minnesota Releases E-bike Safety Guide
(Undated) – AAA Minnesota has released a new safety guide as e-bikes and e-scooters continue to grow in popularity. Spokesperson Brynna Knapp says safety awareness, infrastructure, and regulations haven’t kept pace with the rapid rise of the devices. AAA cites federal data showing micromobility-related injuries increased an average of 23 percent a year between 2017 and 2022, leading to an estimated 360-thousand emergency room visits. The guide covers helmet use, riding laws and safe riding habits, and is available on AAA Minnesota’s website.
>>Twin Cities Marathon Moves To Mid-October Beginning In 2027
(Minneapolis, MN) — Organizers of the Twin Cities Marathon are moving the race to a later date beginning in 2027. For 45 years, the marathon has been held on the first Sunday in October, but the 2027 race is scheduled for October 17th, pending final permits. Officials say a multi-year review found that mid-October offers a better chance of cooler, safer conditions for runners following several unusually warm race weekends, including the cancellation of the 2023 marathon due to extreme heat. This year’s marathon remains scheduled for October 4th.
>>Minnesota Twins Buxton Injured; Will Miss All-Star Game
(Minneapolis) – Bad news for the Minnesota Twins and their fans. You won’t have the chance to see outfielder Byron Buxton play in the All-Star Game next week in Philadelphia. The Twins placed Buxton on the 10-day injured list with a right hip strain. Buxton was named a starter for the American League in next week’s All-Star Game, but the injury will prevent him from making his third appearance. Pitcher Joe Ryan will still represent the Twins.
