VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minnesota National Guard to reinforce nursing home staffs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota National Guard will deploy 400 members to reinforce nursing staffs at long-term care facilities that have been struggling with severe personnel shortages amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, Gov. Tim Walz on Monday also proposed using $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to help these facilities hire and retain staff. The 400 Guard members will start training as certified nursing assistants and as temporary nursing aides over the next week. The reinforcements from the Guard follow the governor’s announcement last week that the Department of Defense will send medical teams to Hennepin County Medical Center and St. Cloud Hospital.

AP-US-OBIT-ROBERT-BLY

Prominent poet Robert Bly, author of 'Iron John', dies at 94

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Poet Robert Bly, who authored the men’s movement classic “Iron John,” has died. Bly spent most of his life in his native Minnesota and was an active poet for more than 50 years. “Iron John," his meditation on modern masculinity, was released in 1990, and spent more than two years on the New York Times Bestseller List. He won the National Book Award in 1968 for a book of Vietnam War protest poems. Bly also translated international poets to bring them to U.S. readers. He was 94 and had suffered from dementia. His daughter, Mary Bly, says he died at home in Minneapolis on Sunday, surrounded by family.

AMPUTATION LAWSUIT

Jurors award man nearly $25 million in amputation lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal jurrors says a Twin Cities plastic surgeon is entitled to nearly $25 million because an emergency medical provider declined to fly him back to the United States after a ziplining injury in Mexico led to a leg amputation. Attorneys for Richard Tholen, of Plymouth, argued that New Jersey-based Assist America was liable for damages after they failed to send an air ambulance to Mazatlán in April 2015, after complaining about his treatment for a dislocated knee. Carla Ferrucci, executive director of the 67-year-old Minnesota Association for Justice, a professional lawyers association, told the Star Tribune she cannot recall a larger award of its kind in Minnesota.

HISPANIC PARISH-PROTEST

Church members decry changes at state's 1st Hispanic parish

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — About 50 parishioners protested outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in St. Paul over what they say is the eradication of culture and tradition from Minnesota’s first Hispanic parish. Many or the people at Sunday's demonstration were third-generation members of the Roman Catholic church, which has a 90-year history in St. Paul. Among specific complaints, they say Aztec dancers are no longer allowed inside the church, there is no Sunday school or choir, masses previously led in Spanish are now in Latin and women are not allowed on the altar. The Rev. Michael Tix, with the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, says he and Archbishop Bernard Hebda are involved in conversations between parish leadership and parishioners.

TROUT STREAM RESTORATION

Researchers assessing restoration on Minnesota trout streams

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A team of northern Minnesota researchers is evaluating the results of millions of dollars of major restoration work on dozens of trout streams across the state in the last decade. In addition to finding out whether the trout have returned, the state needs to know if realigning creeks has upset their natural connection with groundwater or if it has unintentionally made some problems worse. The Star Tribune reports that erosion is the root problem forcing major restorations. More streams will be realigned in the coming years as they continue to wash away land near homes, roads, bridges and businesses.

DEER HUNTING OPENER-AMMUNITION

Wisconsin deer gun hunters once again face ammo shortage

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin kicked off its 170th deer gun season and for the second straight year some hunters were feeling ill-equipped. A nationwide ammunition shortage due to the supply chain issues affecting other products has left hunters searching far and wide for ammo in the first place and then shelling out more money if they do find it. Randy and Tiffani Rogness, who own Paddock Lake Sporting Goods in Salem, had empty ammunition shelves on Friday. When a new supply is delivered it lasts two to three hours, even at one box limit per customer. One of the nation’s biggest ammunition manufacturers, Vista Outdoor in Anoka, Minnesota, said it’s “ramping production ahead of schedule at its Remington facility to meet unprecedented demand.”

LANDLORD FINED

Minneapolis landlord fined for 'horrific' rental conditions

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Hennepin County district judge has fined a north Minneapolis landlord $133,500 for what he called horrific conditions in his rental properties. Judge Patrick Robben ruled Thursday that landlord Steven Meldahl operated in bad faith by telling tenants that they were not allowed to contact city inspectors, violating the rights of 267 families who rented his properties. Robben levied a fine of $500 per family. He also issued a permanent injunction preventing Meldahl from engaging in illegal and deceptive practices, and gave him until Dec. 15 to comply with all housing correction notices. David Shulman, Meldahl’s attorney, declined to comment.

PHOTO FLAP

Photo firm ordered to preserve websites; owes $25K in rent

BISMARCK,N.D. (AP) — A judge has ordered Glasser Images to preserve its websites as the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office investigates the abrupt closure of the Bismarck photography studio last month. The business also is facing a possible eviction from its downtown location for owing $25,000 in rent and late fees. Glasser Images photographed weddings throughout the Dakotas, Minnesota and Colorado. Owner Jack Glasser has said the studio could not remain financially viable, due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic. The photo studio announced it would be unable to refund clients when it closed. The attorney general’s office is investigating to determine if fraud occurred.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021