>>Minnesota Man Charged in Alleged Mall of America Terror Plot
(Bloomington, MN) — An 18-year-old Minnesota man is facing a federal terrorism charge over an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at the Mall of America. Federal prosecutors say Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud of Richfield planned to attack the mall on October 24th during a Hmong Arts Celebration. The criminal complaint alleges he wanted to kill 30 to 60 people and had pledged allegiance to ISIS. The FBI arrested Mohamud on Tuesday after an undercover agent sold him an AK-47, four magazines and about 200 rounds of ammunition. The FBI had rendered the rifle inoperable before the transaction. He appeared in federal court Wednesday and remains in custody. The allegations have not been proven in court.
>>Former Waseca Federal Correctional Officer Indicted on Sexual Abuse Charges
(Waseca, MN) — A former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca is facing three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 30-year-old Albert Freeman is accused of knowingly engaging or attempting to engage in sexual acts with three inmates he was responsible for guarding in or around June. Freeman made his initial court appearance Wednesday in federal court in St. Paul. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a personal recognizance bond with conditions. The case was investigated by the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General.
>>Judge Lifts Temporary Gag Order in Vance Boelter Murder Case
(St. Paul, MN) — A judge has lifted a temporary gag order in the state murder case against Vance Boelter, saying continued restrictions on public statements are no longer necessary. He is urging everyone involved in the case to exercise restraint and judgment when speaking publicly. The temporary order was issued after statements by state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as well as public writings attributed to Boelter. Boelter’s state trial has been delayed until May 10th, 2027. His attorneys requested more time to review the large volume of evidence in the case.
>>Woman Dies Following Eagle Lake Paddle Boat Capsizing
(Frazee, MN) — A 70-year-old Bertha woman has died following a boat capsizing on Eagle Lake near Frazee last Friday. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says Ruth Matteson was one of four people aboard a paddle boat that overturned while returning to shore. Matteson was airlifted to Fargo hospital. The other three people were rescued, with two suffering from what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
>>Texas Man Sentenced in Child Sexual Abuse Case in Northern Minnesota
(St. Louis County, MN) – A Texas man who moved to Minnesota has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for sexually abusing a young girl and distributing child sexual abuse material. St. Louis County prosecutors say 29-year-old Luis Antonio Villafana received a 153-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under 14 and three counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material. A judge also ordered Villafana to serve 15 years of conditional release after his prison term. Authorities say multiple local, state, and federal agencies assisted in the investigation.
>>Duluth Man Arrested after Fentanyl, Meth Seized
(Duluth, MN) — A 42-year-old Duluth man is facing drug charges after the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force executed a search warrant Wednesday. Investigators say they seized about 19 grams of fentanyl, nearly four grams of methamphetamine, cash and other evidence from Raymond Bowser, his vehicle and his home. Bowser was booked into the St. Louis County Jail on a pending charge of first-degree sale of fentanyl and other charges. Authorities say he was on federal parole following a previous conviction for distributing fentanyl.
>>Ellison Dissolves Vehicle Donation Nonprofit
(Undated) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has moved to dissolve a nonprofit vehicle donation organization after finding multiple violations of state nonprofit laws. Under a court filing, Auto Tech Donations Incorporated will be dissolved, and its president, Prince Singh, is permanently barred from operating or serving as an officer of a nonprofit in the future. The Attorney General’s Office says Singh resold donated vehicles for personal gain and failed to maintain proper nonprofit governance, including a functioning board of directors and adequate records. Donors affected by the scheme will receive restitution.
>>CenterPoint Highlights $2.6 Billion in Energy Savings for Minnesota Customers
(Undated) – CenterPoint Energy says its Minnesota customers have saved nearly $2.6 billion dollars through energy efficiency programs over the past three decades. The utility marked National Energy Efficiency Day by highlighting programs that have helped residents and businesses lower energy use and reduce emissions. Since 2023, CenterPoint says it has completed about 14,000 home energy assessments, 500 business assessments, and nearly 10,000 weatherization projects. Company officials say the programs have also helped cut nearly 18. 8 million metric tons of emissions across Minnesota.
>>Iron Range Small Business Grant Programs Top 1,000 Awards
(Virginia, MN) – A milestone has been reached for two economic development programs on Minnesota’s Iron Range. Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation and the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency announced they have now awarded more than 1,000 grants through their Business Energy Retrofit and Downtown Building Rehabilitation programs. Since launching, the programs have distributed nearly $18.8 million to help businesses improve energy efficiency, renovate buildings, and support growth across northeastern Minnesota. Officials say the grants, funded through mining tax revenue, have helped strengthen local businesses and downtown communities throughout the region.
