>>”WALZ FAILED” Graffitied on Minnesota Governor’s Mansion
(St. Paul, MN) — The State Patrol and St. Paul police are trying to determine who spray painted “WALZ FAILED” on top of Minnesota Governor’s Residence. The graffiti is on the H-VAC system on the roof of the mansion that is currently undergoing renovations. Governor Tim Walz and his family are staying at the U of M’s Eastcliff Mansion during the project. ‘Walz failed’ is a slogan is used by Republican opponents and supporters of former President Donald Trump.
>>Republicans Holding Election Integrity News Conference at Capitol
(St. Paul, MN) — Republicans at the State Capitol this morning ( Thursday 10am) spotlight what they call “ongoing concerns” about election integrity in Minnesota, after a courier vehicle full of ballots was left open and unattended last week in Edina. City officials released surveillance video showing the ballots were not tampered with. Hennepin County officials say they took corrective action to prevent a recurrence, and the courier driver was fired. They say there was no evidence of tampering with sealed ballot transfer cases. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says the incident was “totally unacceptable” and “the county has taken appropriate, swift and transparent action.” But Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann says, “Simon and the DFL Trifecta have broken voters’ trust yet again.”
>>DFL Blasts GOP Representative Hudson for ‘Overthrowing Government’ Comment
(Undated) — The Minnesota D-F-L is calling on the state G-O-P to disavow remarks from senior staffer Representative Walter Hudson of Albertville, who Democrats allege expressed support on video for overthrowing the government. A video posted Tuesday shows Hudson speaking to a crowd, beginning his speech with a “reference to the Declaration of Independence.” He told the group, “When a system of government becomes tyrannical, the people have not just the right but the duty to change their form of government. Doesn’t say anything about waiting for two years for the next election.” The Minnesota Republican Party has not responded, but Representative Hudson claims his comments were taken out of context.
>>Charges Expected Against Suspect in Kandiyohi County, Minneapolis Shootings
(Willmar, MN) — A Minneapolis man could be charged today (Thurs) in a pair of shootings in Kandiyohi County that left one victim dead and another wounded. Investigators say the 25-year-old suspect fatally shot 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek of New London during a carjacking attempt on the south side of Willmar Tuesday. Several Kandiyohi County sheriff’s deputies witnessed the deadly shooting. The suspect is also accused of shooting 25-year-old Peter Mayerchak of Lake Lillian, who is listed in stable condition and expected to survive. Police in Minneapolis said the man fired a gun from the balcony of an Uptown apartment before fleeing to the Willmar area.
>>Mounds View Woman, Minneapolis Man Plead Guilty to Federal Carjacking Charges
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Mounds View woman and a St. Paul man are pleading to guilty to federal charges for their roles in a Minneapolis carjacking last October. Court documents say 20-year-old Isis Brent and 19-year-old Carvon Saine approached an older woman who just parked her car on a street in south Minneapolis. Brent had a semiautomatic pistol and demanded the victim’s keys and another suspect grabbed her bag, causing the woman to fall on her hands and knees. Her car was later found abandoned and prosecutors say Brent and Saine are accused of an attempted carjacking, but the victim got away. They will be sentenced at a later date.
>>Ruff Start Rescue Takes in 24 Animals Displaced by Hurricane Helene
(Princeton, MN) — Twenty-four cats and dogs displaced by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee and North Carolina are now in Minnesota foster homes. Azure Davis of Ruff Start Rescue says their volunteers went to Indiana and brought the animals back to Princeton. She says one of the shelters the animals were taken from was completely underwater in Tennessee. Davis says fosters in Minnesota stepped up to care for these pets and they should be up for adoption by the end of the week. Ruff Start volunteers will be going back to rescue more displaced pets.
>>Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams Meet on Thursday Night Football
(Inglewood, CA) — The Minnesota Vikings play the L-A Rams play tonight (Thurs 7pm) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The 5-and-1 Vikes are coming off a 31-29 loss to the Lions at U-S Bank Stadium. The 2-and-4 Rams topped the Raiders 20-15 Sunday at home. Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman will miss his second straight game with turf toe and tight end T-J Hockenson is listed as questionable. Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson is predicting the offense is going to have a big game on national T-V. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell won a Super Bowl as the Rams offensive coordinator in 2022.