GEORGE FLOYD-PROTESTS-POLICE

Minneapolis mayor: Police conduct in '20 unrest is 'galling'

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Newly released video that shows Minneapolis police officers talking about “hunting people” during unrest following the death of George Floyd has become an issue in the upcoming citywide election. Mayor Jacob Frey says body camera footage that also shows officers kicking and beating a man who had surrendered is “galling." But some of Frey’s challengers and some City Council members were quick to criticize, saying Frey should have done more to control the department. The footage was released less than a month before the election, in which residents will vote on whether to replace the police department with a new agency.

RED LAKE-OFFICER SLAIN

Man indicted for murder in death of Minnesota tribal officer

RED LAKE, Minn. (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a Minnesota man on charges of murder and other counts in the July killing of a Red Lake tribal officer. David Donnell Jr. was indicted on 11 counts, including first-degree murder. He had previously been charged with a lesser murder count in connection with the July 27 killing of Officer Ryan Bialke. Court documents say Bialke was killed after the Red Lake Tribal Police Department responded to a welfare check for Donnell, who was armed. When officers breached the door of his Redby home, Donnell opened fire. Court documents say Bialke was shot through the front door and died at the scene. Donnell's attorneys had no comment on the indictment.

OIL WELL PURCHASE

Minnesota company expands oil well ownership in North Dakota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota company says it will expand its ownership in a fleet of oil wells in North Dakota. Minnetonka-based Northern Oil and Gas said Thursday it will pay Texas-based Comstock Resources $154 million on the new properties, which are expected to produce 4,500 barrels of oil per day. Comstock Resources is controlled by Jerry Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys football team. Northern Oil, which invests in leases and drilling projects, has traditionally operated in North Dakota. However, it recently announced other deals in the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas for shale oil, and in the Marcellus natural gas formation in Appalachia.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minnesota health leaders warn of strain on caregivers, kids

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health leaders are warning that the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is putting heavy strain on hospitals and health care workers statewide as the coronavirus burns through the unvaccinated population. They also told reporters Thursday that transmission in schools and among children is a particular concern, with pediatric ICU beds in short supply. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says Minnesota is now seeing more than 3,000 cases per week in children under 12, who aren’t approved for vaccinations. She says that's “a new and troubling high mark for the entire pandemic,” underscoring that COVID-19 is not just a threat to older people.

BYSTANDER KILLED

Bystander killed in rolling gun battle in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police say a woman riding a scooter on a sidewalk was struck and killed by one of two vehicles involved in an exchange of gunfire in downtown Minneapolis. Dispatchers took several calls about the gunfire Wednesday about 11 p.m. The rolling gun battle ended when both vehicles crashed. One of the vehicles left the street and struck the woman on the scooter. Minneapolis police spokesman Garrett Parten says the woman was an innocent bystander of the gun violence. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Four occupants of the vehicles were taken to a hospital with injuries.

GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICER TRIAL

Minnesota court denies Chauvin's request for public defender

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has denied former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request to have a public defender represent him as he appeals his murder conviction and sentence in the death of George Floyd. The court said Chauvin has not established that he's entitled to a public defender. The decision was made after reviewing information about Chauvin’s debts and assets. Chauvin filed documents last month saying he intends to appeal his conviction and sentence on 14 grounds. He said at the time that he has no income aside from nominal prison wages. He is serving 22 1/2 years after his April conviction.

AP-US-POLICE-SHOOTING-MINNEAPOLIS-NOOR

Minneapolis cop who killed 911 caller resentenced Oct. 21

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a woman who called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home is being resentenced this month, after the Minnesota Supreme Court threw out his murder conviction. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a dual U.S.-Australian citizen. He was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison on the murder count. But the Supreme Court ruled last month that the third-degree murder statute wouldn't apply in Noor's case, so that conviction was tossed out. Noor is still convicted of manslaughter and will be sentenced on Oct. 21. If sentenced to the presumptive four years for manslaughter, he could be eligible for supervised release around the end of this year.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Most state workers get COVID shots, but some face discipline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Some Minnesota government employees say that a month into the COVID-19 vaccine policy for state workers, their agencies are ramping up discipline for employees who either won’t get the vaccine or submit to weekly testing. State officials say more than 500 employees have declined both options, Employees who decline to be vaccinated or tested can be sent home, put on unpaid leave or otherwise disciplined up to termination. The news comes as 40 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Minnesota on Wednesday, raising the state’s overall death toll to 8,243 since the pandemic began. The majority of deaths reported Wednesday occurred in September and October, including two people between the ages of 25 and 29.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021