MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS

Four former top Minnesota GOP staffers seek leader's ouster

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four former top staffers from the Republican Party of Minnesota have accused embattled Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan of running a “morally bankrupt” operation that’s rife with verbal abuse, intimidation and sexual harassment. All four formerly served as executive director of the state party organization under Carnahan. They issued an open letter calling on her to resign or be removed when the state party’s Executive Committee meets Thursday night. Carnahan has been under fire over the indictment of a major donor and a college GOP chapter leader on sex-trafficking charges, which reopened old disputes and spawned new ones over Carnahan's leadership.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minnesota State Fair strongly urges masks and vaccinations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota State Fair officials are strongly urging fairgoers to mask up both inside and outside. But they've stopped short of imposing any mandates to fight the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus at the Great Minnesota Get- Together. Fair officials issued updated health guidance urging masks indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people; outdoors in crowded settings, especially for the unvaccinated; and at some booths where vendors will require everyone inside to wear a mask. They acknowledge that the new guidance could put a dent in attendance. The Minnesota State Fair opens next Thursday, Aug. 26, and runs through Labor Day.

DRINKING WATER-MINNESOTA

Minnesota issues plan to treat water marred by 3M chemicals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials have released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co. The long-term plan aims to build or improve six water treatment plants and treat 33 municipal wells. It will also connect nearly 300 homes to municipal water systems and provide home filtration systems to residents with private wells. The state of Minnesota settled with 3M in 2018 for $850 million for damages to the state’s natural resources.

WILDFIRES-MINNESOTA

Northeastern Minnesota wildfire grows to 5 square miles

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A wildfire in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota has grown to 5 square miles as hot, dry and windy conditions persist. Crews have been fighting the fire from the air and on the ground since it was spotted Sunday afternoon near Greenwood Lake. The fire covered a little over 3 square miles Tuesday morning. The fire led authorities to evacuate around 75 homes Monday near McDougal Lake. Some small portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area have been closed as a precaution. Among the evacuees are 100 sled dogs from White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures near Isabella.

BLOOD RUN-TROOPERS

Minnesota state troopers' blood run saves life of new mother

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Five Minnesota state troopers helped save the life of a hemorrhaging new mom last month. On Tuesday, Jenapher Blair got to thank them. Blair had just given birth to her third child on July 21. She started hemorrhaging and needed a blood transfusion. But the hospital didn’t have enough blood on hand and the nearest supply was 80 miles away. Five state troopers jumped in to save the day, by relaying blood from St. Paul. It all happened in just over an hour. Blair said she hopes one of her children will become a state trooper one day.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-PROTESTERS TARGETED

Movement for Black Lives: Feds targeted BLM protesters

The federal government deliberately targeted Black Lives Matter protesters via heavy-handed criminal prosecutions in an attempt to disrupt and discourage the global movement that swept the nation last summer in the wake of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. That's according to a new report released Wednesday by The Movement for Black Lives. Movement leaders and experts said the prosecution of protesters over the past year continues a century-long practice by the federal government to suppress Black social movements via the use of surveillance tactics and other mechanisms.

MISSING WOMAN-HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

Arrest made in Isanti County homicide investigation

INSANTI, Minn. (AP) — Authorities have made an arrest after the body of a missing woman was found partially buried on the suspect’s farm in Isanti County. Search warrants unsealed Tuesday say 32-year-old Amanda Jo Vangrinsven had been shot in the head. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office determined her manner of death is a homicide. Authorities say on Aug. 5, Vangrinsven had been drinking at the Isanti VFW post where she worked. Officials say she left the bar that night with the suspect and when she failed to show up for work the following day, she was reported missing.

AFGHANISTAN-HELPING REFUGEES

'Do not give up': Americans help Afghans in new homeland

DALLAS (AP) — Across the U.S., the agencies that resettle refugees and volunteers are scrambling to help Afghan citizens who are fleeing their country after helping the U.S. during the 20-year war there. Russell Smith, CEO of Refugee Services of Texas, said they would typically get a week or so notice that families are arriving in the cities where they’ll be resettled. But with the events in Afghanistan, the process is accelerating. In Minnesota, the pleas for help from Afghans have been filling up Caroline Clarin’s phone for days. She and her wife have already helped a handful of Afghans get visas, and are working on helping more.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021