>>Minnesota Wins Ruling to Protect SNAP Benefits
(St. Paul, MN) – Minnesota and nearly two dozen other states have won a ruling to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and avoid penalties from the Trump administration. A federal court in Oregon ruled that the White House cannot cut off SNAP benefits to lawful permanent residents or fine states for providing those benefits. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said, “No one should be surprised, but everyone should be outraged, that the Trump Administration tried once again to break the law to cut off food assistance to legal U.S. residents.” Around 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP benefits.
>>Deer River Man Accused of Stabbing Stranger at Duluth Nightclub
(Duluth, MN) — A Deer River man is accused of stabbing a stranger with a broken beer bottle at a downtown Duluth nightclub in what prosecutors say may have been a bias-motivated attack. Twenty-five-year-old Kyle Heisler Junior allegedly confronted the 37-year-old victim in the bathroom at Aces on First last Sunday, used homophobic slurs, and stabbed him with a broken bottle. Court documents say the victim suffered several wounds, including a punctured kidney. Heisler is charged with second-degree assault, threats of violence, and obstruction.
>>Avon Man Charged with Malicious Punishment of Infant
(Avon, MN) — An Avon man is facing a felony charge for allegedly abusing his infant daughter. A criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court charges 21-year-old Jack Tollefson with malicious punishment of a child under four. Prosecutors allege the baby suffered bruising and possible fractures while in Tollefson’s care. The complaint says home surveillance video shows Tollefson handling the infant aggressively on multiple occasions in the months before she was taken to a doctor in July. Doctors said the injuries were concerning because the infant was not yet mobile and would be unlikely to suffer those types of injuries on her own.
>>Todd County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexually Assaulting Six Children
(Todd County, MN) — A Todd County man will spend 30 years in prison for sexually assaulting six children over eight years. Twenty-nine-year-old Mervin Kauffman of Clarissa pleaded guilty in June to six counts involving six juvenile victims. Court documents say the assaults occurred at his Todd County home between 2014 and 2022, with the victims between nine and 14 years old when the abuse began. Attorney General Keith Ellison says he hopes the 30-year sentence marks a moment of healing for the victims and their families.
>>Hitterdal Man Arrested After Pursuit Through Cemetery
(Hitterdal, MN) — A Hitterdal man is facing several charges after authorities say he led officers on a chase through a cemetery before resisting arrest. Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says deputies tried to stop 44-year-old Cody Jacobson for speeding Friday morning, but he allegedly fled, at one point driving through a cemetery. The pursuit ended at Jacobson’s home, where authorities say he resisted arrest. Jacobson, a deputy, and a state trooper suffered minor injuries. Jacobson was jailed on charges including felony fleeing, assaulting a peace officer, obstruction, and DWI.
>>Minnesota Launches Three Ways to Vote Campaign
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office is launching a statewide campaign reminding voters of their options for casting a ballot. The “Three Ways to Vote” campaign highlights voting by mail, early in person, or voting at the polls on Election Day.
The voter education campaign includes television and radio ads, along with messages on digital and social media platforms. The campaign comes as early voting is now underway for Minnesota’s November 3 general election.
