>>Analyst Reacts to MN Supreme Court Trump Ballot Lawsuit Case
(St. Paul, MN) — The state Supreme Court is now considering a petition to keep former President Donald Trump off the Minnesota ballot next year. Hamline University analyst David Schultz says one key question during Thursday’s oral arguments was from Associate Justice Anne McKeig who asked, “Is there a difference between holding office and putting his (Trump’s) name on the ballot?” Professor Schultz says the 14th Amendment to the U-S Constitution states that a sworn official who engages in an insurrection or rebellion against the United States cannot “hold” office — but is silent on whether they can “run” for office. Schultz says the justices could be weighing whether this is a matter best left to voters or the political process.
>>Court of Appeals Rules Against Mille Lacs County Judge on Felon Voting
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals says Mille Lacs County District Judge Matthew Quinn overstepped his authority when he told convicted felons that they can’t vote until they finish probation and also declared the state’s new felon voting law unconstitutional. Attorney General Keith Ellison calls the ruling “against one judge’s unjustified and unprompted attack on the right to vote… a victory for our democracy.” He’s encouraging all eligible Minnesotans, particularly those formerly incarcerated, to register to vote in the upcoming elections. But there’s still a separate case challenging the constitutionality of the new felon voting law in the Anoka County District Court.
>>MN Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener Begins in Lanesboro
(Lanesboro, MN) — The Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener kicks off today(FRI) in Lanesboro in the southeastern corner of the state. D-N-R Commissioner Sarah Strommen (STROH’-men) says a few new events have been added this year including venison sampling prepared by the Hmong community this afternoon as well as some other educational things. It’s estimated between 400 and 500 thousand hunters take part in the firearms deer season.
>>2 People Seriously Hurt in Home Explosion near Duluth
(Rice Lake, MN) — Two people are hospitalized with serious injuries after a home explosion late Thursday morning near Duluth. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says neighbors rescued 32-year-old Jadin and 31-year-old Mandy Dallum from their Rice Lake home before it became engulfed in flames. Deputies say they were seriously injured and taken to a Duluth hospital. Investigators say early information indicates the furnace was being repaired in the home which is considered a total loss.
>>Eden Prairie Man Convicted of Wife’s 2021 Shooting Death
(Minneapolis, MN) — A man from Eden Prairie faces a life prison sentence for the November 2021 shooting death of his wife in a local hotel. A Hennepin County jury found 36-year-old Ryan Charles Rooney guilty of first- and second-degree murder Thursday for the shooting of 29-year-old Samantha Rose Columbus Boshey. Police she was found dead on the floor and two young children were in the hotel room at the time. Rooney will receive a mandatory sentence of life with the possibility of release after 30 years on December 9th.
>>Hawley Man Jailed on Assault Charges in Moorhead
(Hawley, MN) — A Hawley man is jailed on felony assault charges following a disturbance in Moorhead Tuesday night. Police say 39-year-old Brandon Loock tried to get into a home and showed a handgun when the occupants would not let him in. Video that was reviewed later revealed that Loock was holding a large knife while ringing the doorbell. Because of the seriousness of the crime, Red River Valley Swat was used to arrest Loock at a residence in Hawley Wednesday afternoon. Police say Loock and the victim are known to each other.
>>Coborns Getting Out Convenience Store Business in Central Minnesota
(St. Cloud, MN) — St. Cloud-based Coborn’s Inc. is getting out of the convenience store business in central Minnesota. A company spokesman says Coborn’s currently operates 14 Holiday Stationstore franchises in the region. He says they have agreed to sell those to Holiday. Coborn’s will focus its operations on its grocery stores, liquor stores, pharmacies, and on-campus fuel stations that are not franchised.
>>Celebration of Life for Fallen Hockey Player Adam Johnson in Hibbing
(Hibbing, MN) — A celebration of life is planned for former Minnesota Duluth and pro hockey player Adam Johnson from Hibbing. The public is invited to the service from 1:30 to 5pm Monday at the Memorial Building Arena in Hibbing. There’s a private funeral mass for 29-year-old Johnson on Sunday at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Johnson was hurt during a game last Saturday in England when his neck was slashed by an opponent’s skate, and he died from his injuries. There was a moment of silence for Johnson before the Minnesota Wild game Thursday night in St. Paul.
>>Minnesota Twins Exercise 2024 Options on Veterans Kepler and Polanco
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins are bringing back veterans Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco for at least one more season. The Twins exercised the 2024 club options on the team’s two longest-tenured players on Thursday. Thirty-year-old Kepler hit .260 with 24 home runs and 66 R-B-I’s in his ninth season in Minnesota. Thirty-year-old Polanco batted .255 with 14 homers and 48 R-B-I’s in 80 games in his tenth season for the Twins. Minnesota lost in the second round of the 2023 American League Playoffs to the Houston Astros.