An trio from Stribbers reports, “College administrators and students across Minnesota pledged Monday that they would uphold their commitments for fostering diversity on campus regardless of how the U.S. Supreme Court rules. Higher education leaders defended the ‘holistic” approach they use to admit students now. Several private colleges have signed amicus briefs urging the court to allow them the right to continue using race as a factor in evaluating students.
An AP story says that the “national reckoning on race, policing and policing” that followed George Floyd’s death — with a Minneapolis officer’s knee on the neck — triggered a torrent state laws aimed to fix the police. This torrent has slowed down more than two years after it began. After police complained about the new policies hindering their ability catch criminals, some of the original reforms were modified or even reversed. While all five states have signed laws to reform police, some of these laws also gave police greater protections.
Yahoo.com Martie bowser reports that like Kanye West’s net worth, might have less value for an apology. Revolt’s drink Champs featured West on an episode and made some vile comments about George Floyd’s death. … West launched another unhinged rant less than 48 hours after trying to make amends for the Floyd family. He aimed his anger at Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd’s daughter Gianna. Twitter user @TxxRedd captured a screenshot from the Instagram post.
A Minnesota Reformer story written by Deena Winter. “Last year, the state Department of Human Services presented Ayan Abukar an ‘outstanding refugee entrepreneurship award. While the state was applauding Abukar’s service to the community and announcing her nonprofit, Abukar claimed to be feeding 6,400 children per night, multiple times per hour, through what federal prosecutors now claim was a fraudulent federal child nutrition program. Abukar was the founder of Action for East African People. It had eight distribution sites for meals in 2020 and 2021. One site is listed at an address in Bloomington that doesn’t exist. It was also listed as the distribution center for another agency, which claimed to feed 1,500 children each day.”
KSTP-TV Kirsten Swinson states, “Newly-obtained Court Documents reveal that the former chief Public Defender for Hennepin County was taken into custody on DWI charges the weekend after his sudden resignation. Kassius Benson was stopped in Wayzata at around 2:05 a.m. Saturday, October 15. A citation from Hennepin County earlier this month states that a police officer noticed Benson’s eyes as watery and bloodshot. His blood alcohol content was.13, which is nearly twice the legal limit.
WCCO-TV Kirsten Mitchel reports that “The city Minneapolis claims that its latest crime-fighting strategy is working. Leaders praised Monday’s new figures to show that “Operation Endeavor,” despite acknowledging that there is still much work to be done. Operation Endeavor involves a partnership of about a dozen state and federal agencies. Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, United States Attorney’s Office, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota State Patrol, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives & Others. Safety leaders stated that they consider three factors when deciding where to send officers: reports of shootings, injuries from gunfire, and carjackings. According to them there are fewer people in these areas than last year with gun-related calls dropping 30%, shooting victims falling 29%, and carjackings falling 65%.
A KMSP TV story states that the massive 58.25-inch fish that Eric Bakke caught in Princeton, Minnesota over the summer was certified by the Minnesota DNR as a state catch and release record muskie. The previous record was tied for 57.25inches, which were caught in Lake Vermilion in 2021 and 2019. Bakke caught the fish while trolling with a muskie lure on Mille Lacs Lake on June 11.
MPR News’ Kirsti marohn said that the state environmental authorities have purchased “state of the art” machinery to remove PFAS concentrations. These substances can be found in many industrial products, such as firefighting foam, commercial products, and nonstick cookware, carpets, clothing, and cosmetics. They are difficult to break down in the environment and the human body, and have been linked with cancer and other diseases. 3M manufactured them in the Twin Cities East metro, where they contaminated water supplies in many communities. This affected 174,000 people.
A Chicago Tribune article by Tom Peterson states that the move was approximately two miles, just across the Red River to Minnesota. It was an extraordinary experience for North Dakota’s final abortion provider. Tammi Kromenaker (director of the Red River Women’s Clinic) said, ‘We were very sorry to leave Fargo. The state forced us to leave. … It was the right time to jump the river. Red River began looking for a Minnesota residence last fall, anticipating that North Dakota legislators would pass anti-abortion legislation before the U.S Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The clinic was officially opened June 23, the day before Dobbs’ decision. Kromenaker was approached by a supporter that day and suggested a GoFundMe campaign in order to pay for the move. … Although the Supreme Court decision has had a dramatic impact on the abortion landscape across the country, few states have been as affected by Minnesota’s accesibility in an increasingly restrictive Upper Midwest.
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