>>Lawsuit Claims Chauvin, Partner Used Excessive Force In 2020 Arrest
(Minneapolis, MN) — A new lawsuit claims former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and his partner used excessive force during a woman’s arrest in 2020. The woman claims Chauvin and his partner pulled her from a car and pushed her to the ground during an encounter more than four years ago. She also claims Chauvin knelt on her back while she was handcuffed and that her tooth was broken during the arrest. Her attorneys compared the action to Chauvin’s kneeling on the back and neck of George Floyd, leading to Floyd’s death in 2020. The lawsuit seeks at least nine-million dollars in damages from the city of Minneapolis.
>>Tornado Reported In SE Minnesota
(Rollingstone, MN) — The National Weather Service has reported a tornado sighting in southeastern Minnesota for the second consecutive day. The weather service office in La Crosse, Wisconsin, confirmed the tornado sighting in Rollingstone, about nine miles west of Winona. On Monday, a tornado was spotted near Hayfield, a community about 25 miles southwest of Rochester. Severe storms affected the state’s electric grid south of the Twin Cities, with utilities reporting thousands of customers without power last night.
>>Acting President Announces Departure From St. Cloud State
(St. Cloud, MN) — The individual currently in charge of operations at St. Cloud State University is departing the institution to pursue another job. Acting President Larry Lee revealed yesterday that he has agreed to serve as president at Blackburn College in Illinois. Lee said he will stay with St. Cloud State until mid-July to assist with the upcoming leadership transition. Larry Dietz will assume the role of interim president at the university starting on July 1st.
>>Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan, WFMN Invite Youth to Apply for Young Women’s Initiative of MN
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota invite all young women and gender-expansive individuals in Minnesota to apply for the 24 open positions with the Young Women’s Cabinet. In partnership with Walz’s office, the Cabinet includes youth aged 16-24 to promote equitable systems that benefit all, grounded in the belief that when young Black, Indigenous, women of color, and people with disabilities in Minnesota thrive, families and communities thrive. Applications are available through the YWCA St. Paul website and will be accepted through Friday, June 14th.
>>Sen. Smith Proposes Bill to Combat Loneliness Among Seniors
(Washington, D.C.) — Senator Tina Smith has introduced a bipartisan bill to address the issue of loneliness among senior citizens in the United States. In 2023, one in three adults aged 50-80 reported feeling isolated from others. This feeling of loneliness has been linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and anxiety among seniors. The proposed legislation, known as the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act, seeks to enable states to allocate OAA grants to programs that address loneliness, such as the foster grandparent program or Meals on Wheels. The bill also requires the Administration for Community Living to offer technical assistance in implementing these initiatives and mandates a report on the impact of loneliness on seniors, along with proposed solutions to address the identified impacts.
>>Two Minneapolis-Based Business Consultants Charged in $1M Pandemic Aid Fraud Scheme
(Minneapolis, MN) –Two Minneapolis-based business consultants, Tezzaree Champion and Marcus Hamilton, both 27 years old, have been charged in connection with a COVID-19 pandemic aid fraud scheme totaling over $1 million. According to court documents, from 2020 to the present, they submitted fraudulent applications for pandemic relief loans and other funds on behalf of their small business clients through their consulting firm, Futuristic Management Group LLC. Champion, the founder and CEO, and Hamilton, the COO, entered their firm into contracts with Hennepin County under a COVID-19 relief program known as “Elevate Business” or “Elevate Hennepin.” The men billed Hennepin County for work that was not actually performed and for work for which they were being paid by their clients, even though the contracts required the work to be done at no cost. Additionally, Champion and Hamilton transferred and misappropriated a portion of PPP and EIDL grant funds for themselves. Champion also intimidated clients by showing them a firearm. In total, the men’s fraudulent activities involved over 100 fraudulent invoices and grant and loan applications.
>>Wolves vs. Mavericks in Western Conference Finals Game 1 at Target Center
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks play Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals tonight (Wed 7:30pm) at Target Center. The Wolves knocked off the defending N-B-A champion Nuggets in Game 7 of the semifinals Sunday in Denver. The Mavericks beat the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. Dallas is led by scorers Luka Doncic (don-chitch) and Kyrie Irving. Anthony Edwards has become the face of the Wolves, but Karl-Anthony Towns is an All-Star, Rudy Gobert is the N-B-A Defensive Player of the Year, and Naz Reid is the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
