AP-US-ELECTION-2022-MINNESOTA-ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Ellison, who led Chauvin prosecution, seeks 2nd term as AG

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says he'll seek a second term. Ellison led the prosecution team that won the conviction of ex-officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. The announcement via Zoom featured some of Ellison’s endorsers, including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a former prosecutor who touted Ellison’s handling of the Chauvin trial, calling it an “act of courage” and citing the international attention the proceedings received. Ellison is Minnesota’s first Black attorney general. He was also the first Muslim elected to Congress, a job he left in 2018. He's vowing to continue fighting for a fair economy.

EMERGENCY LANDING

Flight makes emergency landing at Twin Cities airport

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Spirit Airlines flight that took off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport made an emergency landing after a pilot reported a possible engine fire. The flight took off about 7:30 p.m. Sunday and was headed for Orlando, but within minutes returned to the Twin Cities airport. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement that said the Airbus A320 landed safely about 7:50 p.m. and taxied to the terminal. No injuries were reported. The FAA plans to investigate. Airport officials say fire crews responded, but did not find a fire. Spirit Airlines says another airplane transported passengers to Orlando.

GEORGE FLOYD-MINNEAPOLIS POLICE

Residents seek role in federal probe into Minneapolis police

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis activists are collecting accounts of police misconduct from community members for a federal civil rights investigation into the Minneapolis police to ensure they have a say in any potential changes. The Justice Department launched the probe in April to determine if there is a pattern or practice of policing in the city where George Floyd was murdered that is unlawful or unconstitutional. Federal investigators are examining the Minneapolis police force’s current systems of accountability and whether the department’s officers have engaged in discriminatory policing. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights division conducted nearly 70 formal probes of police departments across the country between 1997 and 2016, resulting in 40 reform agreements.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS-STRIKE AUTHORIZED

Minneapolis school bus drivers say they're ready to strike

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — School bus drivers and dispatchers for Minneapolis Public Schools have voted unanimously to go on strike if they can’t get what they want through mediation. About 100 Minneapolis Public Schools bus employees represented by Teamsters Local 320 say they are not being paid enough and are worried about safety and retention because of a shortage of drivers. The workers, who voted on the issue Saturday, cannot legally go on strike until 45 days after that first mediation session, which is scheduled for Dec. 1. Minneapolis Public Schools officials say they are committed to reaching an agreement through mediation and will make sure that bus service for students is not interrupted.

WOMAN-BABY KILLED IN CRASH

Patrol: Crash in northwestern Iowa kills woman, baby

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a Minnesota woman and her 1-year-old baby died in a crash in northwestern Iowa that also injured four others, including woman's two other children. The crash happened late Saturday morning at an intersection northeast of Spirit Lake. A patrol investigation found that an eastbound car driven by 29-year-old Mariah Nelson, of Jackson, Minnesota, ran a stop sign and collided with a southbound pickup truck driven by 63-year-old Allen Weinzetl, also of Jackson, Minnesota. Television station KTIV reports that Nelson and her 1-year-old son, Symere Williams, died in the crash. Nelson's daughters, ages 5 and 6, were rushed to a hospital with serious injuries. Weinzetl and his passenger, 58-year-old Teresa Chonko, also were injured and taken to hospitals.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Virus surge sends Minnesota hospitals scrambling for room

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota hospitals are scrambling to make room for patients as patients needing medical care for COVID-19 have hit a high for the year. Hospitals have delayed non-essential procedures, diverted less serious cases to outpatient clinics, and treated emergency room patients in hallways and ambulance bays that have been converted to urgent care centers, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. The crunch in hospital capacity comes as health care systems are handling a backlog of medical procedures that were delayed during the first months of the pandemic. Hospital staff are also weary from battling COVID-19.

WINTRY WEATHER

Snow hits Minnesota, officials urge travel caution

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota is readying for snow as the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory. Officials urged caution on the roads as ice and strong winds threatened to make driving conditions treacherous late Saturday and into Sunday. The Minnesota State Patrol has already cited snow and icy roads in a fatal crash on Thursday afternoon when a storm moved into the state. Forecasters expected between 2 and 4 inches of snow to accumulate over the weekend north of Interstate 94. Less was expected in the southern part of the state.

GOVERNOR-EUROPE TRADE MISSION

Minnesota Gov. Walz departs for Europe trade mission

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is leaving for a six-day trip to Europe to promote the state’s businesses. The Democratic governor said says he will travel to the United Kingdom and Finland to promote trade with a focus on health care, environmental technology, agriculture and education. Walz will spend the first three days of the tour in London, then head to Helsinki, Walz will travel with his wife, Gwen Walz, a pair of his cabinet secretaries, and officials from the state’s trade office. He will also be joined by over 40 executives from Minnesota businesses and organizations at various points of the trip.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021