Minnesota News Briefs January 25, 2024

President Biden Visiting Duluth-Superior Thursday

(Duluth, MN) — President Joe Biden flies into Duluth International Airport and speaks at noon today (Thurs) at a brewery (Earth Rider) in neighboring Superior, Wisconsin about his “Investing in America” agenda. But the Minnesota focus might end up being on the Blatnik (BLOT-nick) Bridge, with the president and Governor Tim Walz likely touting a just-approved one billion dollars in federal money to replace the aging structure. It’s become a campaign issue in the 8th District U-S House race, Democratic challenger Jen Schultz blasting incumbent Republican Pete Stauber for voting against the federal infrastructure package. Stauber responds he fought to bring federal dollars back to Minnesota instead of for “economy-crushing Green New Deal initiatives in California.”

State Capitol Hearing on Proposed End-of-Life Options Bill

(St. Paul, MN) — There’s a pre-legislative-session hearing this afternoon (Thurs 1pm) at the State Capitol on a controversial bill that backers say would allow end-of-life options for terminally-ill adults — what opponents call assisted suicide. Democratic Senator Kelly Morrison from Deephaven says, “It’s only for people who have a terminal illness and have been given a prognosis of six months or less to live, and are suffering and have decided themselves that they want to have that control.” But Paul Stark with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life says assisted suicide lacks adequate protections against coercion and abuse, and no psychiatric evaluation is required.

Congresswoman Craig Criticizes USPS Following Audit Reports

(Eagan, MN) — Second District Congresswoman Angie Craig says she’s “more determined than ever” to get to the truth after Wednesday’s publication of results from an investigation into Eagan and Apple Valley Post Offices. Published by the U-S-P-S Office of Inspector General (OIG), the results cited nearly 140,000 pieces of delayed mail, inadequate resources for postal workers from management, and mail security issues at the two facilities. From these results, officials announced an audit of the entire Minnesota-North Dakota District.

Family of Ricky Cobb to Speak About Charges Against State Trooper

(Minneapolis, MN) — The family of Ricky Cobb the Second speaks out today (11am Thurs) in support of murder charges filed against the state trooper who shot Cobb last summer when he began driving off during a traffic stop on I-94 in north Minneapolis. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says troopers had very extensive training that shooting someone was not likely to stop them from driving away, “So shooting someone was not an appropriate or necessary use of deadly force in this situation.” Cobb family attorney Harry Daniels says the second-degree murder charges put officers who act with brutality and reckless disregard on notice that “your day is done.”

Attorney for State Trooper Seeks to Dismiss Charges in Cobb Shooting

(Minneapolis, MN) — The attorney representing the Minnesota state trooper accused in the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb II following a traffic stop in Minneapolis filed several motions to have the charges dismissed. Twenty-seven -year-old Trooper Ryan Londregan (LON’-druh-gan) is charged with unintentional second-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter. Attorney Chris Madel claims that Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has, “provided sweetheart deals to murderers and kidnappers, and now, she charges a hero. This county attorney is literally out of control.”

MN DEED Launches Clean Economy Equitable Workforce Initiative

(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is investing $3 million into community organizations with a new workforce initiative. It aims to prepare workers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color for good-paying construction jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency fields. DEED says the goals are to “build pathways for BIPOC Minnesotans into union construction trades in the clean energy sector as the state transitions to a green economy.” Requests for proposals are open through 5 p.m. March 4th on the DEED website.

Moorhead Police Department Seeking Information about Fatally Injured Dog

(Moorhead, MN) — The Moorhead Police Department is investigating an incident in which a dog was left at the south Moorhead fire station with life-threatening injuries Sunday. Officers say the dog was found abandoned in a kennel with head trauma and was lethargic and in significant distress. The dog was taken to the pound and veterinary staff were called. Due to the extent of the injuries, the veterinary staff determined euthanizing the dog was the most humane option. Anyone with information should contact Red River Regional Dispatch (701-451-7660).

Longtime Eagle Ambassador Euthanized At U of M Raptor Center

(Wabasha, MN) — The National Eagle Center in Wabasha says an eagle that served as an ambassador for many years had to be euthanized earlier this month. The center says the eagle known as Columbia developed an incurable condition that made it difficult for her arteries to circulate blood. The eagle was taken to the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center on January 8th and her condition deteriorated quickly. The decision to euthanize Columbia was made on January 16th. Twenty-two-year-old Columbia was named after the crew of the 2003 Space Shuttle disaster.

Sun Country Adding Direct Flight from MSP to Cleveland

(Bloomington, MN) — Sun Country Airlines is adding nonstop service from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to a new city. The Minnesota-based airline will be flying direct to Cleveland, Ohio beginning in May four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend. The announcement comes after Frontier Airlines announced this week it was adding five new direct flights out of M-S-P including its own flights to Cleveland.

Kickoff to Summer at the Fair Returns Memorial Day Weekend

(Falcon Heights, MN) — The Minnesota State Fair is bringing back its Kickoff to Summer at the Fair event over Memorial Day weekend. Officials say there will be nearly 40 food vendors, 20 Minnesota merchants, music, entertainment, rides on the Giant Slide, and the Milk Run 5K Race. And parking is free. The event runs Thursday May 23rd through Sunday May 26th. Tickets will go on sale in early April.