An article by Jennifer Bjorhus in Strib says that Enbridge will pay more $7 million to repair environmental damage caused by building the Line 3 pipeline through northern Minnesota last year. It now faces a criminal case related to a breached groundwater aquifer. The new payments will be in addition to the $3,000,000 that the Canadian oil pipeline operator had to pay for similar problems , bringing the total payments to over $11 million.
According to a KSTP TV story, Kassius Benson, the Chief Public Defender of Hennepin County, has resigned. Bill Ward, Minnesota’s Chief public Defender, confirmed this on Monday. Ward stated that it was a private, personal decision by Mr. Benson and that he is sad to see him leave. This follows revelations that the IRS is investigating Benson’s private law firm for tax fraud. The warrant says that Benson’s payroll practices failed to report quarterly wages and employment taxes to IRS for all tax years 2013-2019. It also states that the investigation has established probable cause for KBL [Kassius Benson law] and Benson to violate federal criminal laws, and that evidence will be found within the subject account.
Janelle Griffith reports that Floyd’s family may sue Ye for making false claims regarding Floyd’s death. This is according to a prominent civil rights lawyer. A recent appearance by the rapper and fashion designer on the hip-hop podcast drink Champs, Floyd questioned the cause of Floyd’s death, suggesting that it was due to fentanyl abuse…. As of Monday afternoon, nearly 2 million people had viewed the interview on YouTube. Ye claimed that his claims were supported by Candace Owens, a conservative commentator.
Tommy Wiita, says that Beck will be the opening act for Arcade Fire in Minneapolis on November 13. Multiple reports confirm that Live Nation sent an email update to ticket holders, stating that Beck was unable to perform. There was no mention of refunds. Beck made no other announcements and Arcade Fire did not provide an update. Win Butler, Arcade Fire’s lead vocalist, has been accused of sexual misconduct.”
This is also from Joe Nelson at BMTN: “If The Weather Channel’s long-range winter outlook is correct, it’s going to get more colder as winter continues in Minnesota . The Weather Channel forecasts that temperatures will be slightly lower in Minnesota during December and February. The Arrowhead of Minnesota is the most likely to see below-normal readings. This is the average for three months.
Stribber Reid Forgrave reports that 150 people signed a petition asking New Ulm, Minnesota school board members if it was appropriate to teach children about’sexuality and gender identity’. The petition was echoed by a controversial Florida law and no school board members responded. When a moderator asked about busing at the recent school board candidate forum in Florida, the most outspoken among a slate conservative challengers answered. This charged moment highlighted how the school board election has become a flashpoint in the national cultural wars.
KARE-11 Gordon Severson writes : “The Minneapolis City Council wants to hire five social workers to assist Minneapolis police officers with their mental health calls. The five social workers, one in each precinct of the city, will be working directly with police officers as part of a coordinated program by the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department. Coordinators claim that the social workers will assist police in identifying members of the community who have mental health-related issues.
An MPR News story from Hannah Yang states that rows and rows of hemp-filled bags were stacked up to the ceiling at a Waseca-based Midwest Extraction Services building. All hemp is grown in Minnesota. Matthew Little, the COO and co-owner of Minnesota Hemp, said that he has seen an increase in demand for his products. They range from THC-infused water to gummies since the state legalized THC product sale three months ago. Let’s suppose you like cotton candy flavor. I could have cotton candy Gummies on the shelves in three days’ time, Little said. This is how fast we can get here We can make about a million and half gummies per month. ‘”
MinnPost: ICYMI
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Walker Orenstein reported that DFL Attorney Keith Ellison is tied with Republican challenger Jim Schultz, according to the Embold Research poll.
- Peter Callaghan reported that DFL Gov. was found in the Embold Research survey. Tim Walz is slightly ahead of Scott Jensen.
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Andy Steiner, a writer on mental health and addiction, wrote about Hazelden Betty Ford’s efforts to promote a skills-based approach for family support.
- Greta Kala has updated our Campaign Finance Dashboard.
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