>>Minnesota State Budget Listening Tour Stops at Colleges in Hibbing and Pine City
(Hibbing, MN) — Minnesota State leaders continue their tour of college and university campuses to gather input for the next two-year budget. Chancellor Scott Olson says they will be at Minnesota North College in Hibbing this morning (Thurs 9am) and Pine Technical and Community College in Pine City this afternoon (1:30pm). Olson says they hope the budget request represents all the schools and communities they serve. Officials plan to visit Minnesota State Moorhead and St. Cloud Technical and Community College next Thursday.
>>Minnesota US Attorney Luger Honored by ATF in Washington ‘
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota U-S Attorney Andrew Luger is being honored by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Officials presented Luger with the Honorary Award of Appreciation at a ceremony Wednesday night in Washington, D-C for his exceptional support of the A-T-F’s mission. Luger was praised for being a “steadfast ally in the fight against violent crime” and was commended for his strategy of targeting criminals supplying firearms and committing firearm violence. The award recognizes senior officials who provide an exceptional level of assistance to an A-T-F field.
>>MNA “Very Concerned” About Nurse Layoffs at Owatonna Hospital
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) say it is “very concerned” after hearing that Allina Health will be laying off nurses at the Owatonna Hospital in the operating room and ambulatory surgery units. In a statement, the M-N-A says the group is particularly worried about the role Mayo Clinic plays in this decision as they have stopped supplying surgeons to the Allina side of the Owatonna Hospital. They claim Mayo has stopped referring patients to Allina, resulting in a dramatic decrease in work.
>>Man Found Dead in Cell at Minnesota Correctional Facility in Moose Lake
(Moose Lake, MN) — Officials are investigating the death of a man at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Moose Lake. The Department of Corrections say the man was found unresponsive in his cell late Tuesday morning and prison staff were unable to save him. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the manner and cause of death. The D-O-C is waiting to identify the man until his family is notified.
>>Minneapolis Police Arrest Man Suspected in 2 Deadly Shootings Wednesday
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police in Minneapolis say a man is under arrest in connection with two homicides Wednesday near homeless encampments and a non-fatal shooting last night. Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a statement that he is, “so proud and grateful for the dedicated work of our officers who worked with urgency and captured a suspected violent criminal who went on a shooting rampage.” Investigators say the suspect fatally shot a man in the head in south Minneapolis alley around 4:20 Wednesday afternoon. He’s also accused in a shooting at 4:40 am that left one man dead and another with life-threatening wounds. Authorities are trying to determine the suspect’s motive in the shootings.
>>Albert Lea Man Pleads Guilty in 2023 Death of 2-Year-Old Boy
(Albert Lea, MN) — An Albert Lea man is pleading guilty in the July 2023 death of a two-year-old boy in his care. Freeborn County prosecutors say 26-year-old Austin Navarro admitted to the second-degree murder and third-degree assault of the toddler Wednesday and agreed to a 25-year prison sentence. Police were called to Navarro’s apartment on a report of an unresponsive child who had fallen down the stairs. The boy died in the hospital and his death was later ruled a homicide. Navarro was watching the victim while his mother was at work. His sentencing hearing is December 11th.
>>West St. Paul Man Convicted of 2nd-Degree Murder in 2020 Stabbing
(Hastings, MN) — Dakota County prosecutors say a West St. Paul man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a man in a group home. The jury deliberated less than an hour Wednesday before convicting 43-three-year-old John Adams the Second in the February 2020 killing of 68-year-old David Rahn. Police found Rahm in his room with multiple stab wounds, and he died at the scene. Investigators say Adams claimed that Rahm broke into his room and attacked him, and he grabbed a kitchen knife to defend himself. He will be sentenced in December.
>>Woman Arrested After Stabbing at a Rochester Apartment
(Rochester, MN) — A woman is charged with felony second-degree assault and misdemeanor domestic assault after stabbing a woman at a Rochester apartment. Police responded to a 9-1-1 call early Monday and the victim came out of the residence with wounds to her abdomen and leg. Officers entered the apartment and arrested 35-year-old Lashenda Dillard, who was covered in the victim’s blood. Dillard told police she had been drinking, and the two got into a verbal argument. The victim was taken into surgery for her wounds.
