DAUNTE WRIGHT-OFFICER

Judge changes course, allows video coverage of Potter trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Live video coverage will be allowed in the trial of a former suburban Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of Daunte Wright. The judge overseeing the case reversed herself Tuesday, citing the state of the pandemic. Judge Regina Chu had ruled in August against recording or livestreaming Kim Potter’s trial, which starts Nov. 30. Under Minnesota court rules, audio and video coverage of a criminal trial is usually barred unless all parties consent, and Potter has not agreed. A coalition of media organizations including The Associated Press made a fresh plea last week for reconsideration, citing the right to media and public access.

AP-US-TWIN-METALS-MINE

Minnesota lets public weigh in on adequacy of mining rules

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota regulators are accepting public comments on whether the state’s regulation of nonferrous mining would provide sufficient protection against environmental damage to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The comment period runs through Dec. 8. The Department of Natural Resources has established a dedicated webpage for its court-ordered review, which stems from a lawsuit that seeks to block the proposed Twin Metals mine near Ely. At issue is whether the state’s existing rule that governs siting for copper-nickel and other nonferrous metal mines would adequately protect the Boundary Waters “from pollution, impairment, or destruction” from mining upstream.

REAL ESTATE AGENT KILLED

Woman receives life for role in killing of real estate agent

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A former probation officer has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the kidnapping and killing of a Minneapolis real estate agent. A Hennepin County jury in September found 29-year-old Elsa Segura, of Fridley, guilty of aiding and abetting premeditated first-degree murder in the New Year’s Eve 2019 killing of Monique Baugh. The sentence does not allow for the possibility of release. Prosecutors say Segura lured Baugh to a phony home showing in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove. Two other co-defendants in the case, Cedric Berry and Berry Davis, were previously sentenced to life in prison for Baugh's death. Investigators say the luring scheme was aimed at getting to Baugh's boyfriend, who was shot and wounded after Baugh was kidnapped.

MISSING PERSON-REWARD

Reward offered for missing Bismarck High School senior

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The father of a missing Bismarck High School senior is offering a reward for information that helps authorities find his son. Darius Hurdle, of Minneapolis, says the reward of $5,000 to $10,000 would be distributed after 18-year-old Chase Hurdle is found. Chase Hurdle has had amnesia issues and also went missing in July. He couldn’t remember his name, and police took him to a local hospital. The Bismarck Tribune reports that Chase was last seen the morning of Nov. 2 on foot near Memorial Bridge. Authorities issued a Silver Alert for him Nov. 4, alerting the public to his disappearance.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-HOSPITAL SUED

Hospital sued by employees fired for refusing vaccine

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (AP) — Some medical professionals are suing a city-owned hospital in southeastern Minnesota after they were terminated for refusing to receive the coronavirus vaccine. The 20 plaintiffs, which include a doctor, registered nurses and other medical staff, filed their lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday alleging they were fired without just cause. They claim Northfield Hospital and Clinics in Northfield failed to accommodate their religious beliefs and serious health conditions as reasons for rejecting the vaccine. Northfield says it stands by its vaccination policy and that full vaccination of its employees is the best way to protect patients, staff, and the community.

DAUNTE WRIGHT-OFFICER

Man sought out judge's condo for video about Potter trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man who filmed himself outside the door of a Minneapolis condominium unit he believed belonged to the judge presiding over the trial of a former Twin Cities police officer charged with manslaughter says his actions were about transparency _ and not intimidation. Cortez Rice livestreamed himself standing outside the door of the unit he said belonged to Judge Regina Chu. at the same time protesters gathered outside. The demonstrators were there to demand that the trial of ex-Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter be broadcast. Potter, who is white, is accused of shooting and killing Daunte Wright, who was Black. Rice said in an interview with the Star Tribune that he just wanted to be heard.

IMPAIRED WATERS-MINNESOTA

Minnesota pollution officials update impaired waters list

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota pollution officials have released the state’s proposed impaired waters list for 2022. Fifteen water bodies in northeast and central Minnesota were added where fish have been contaminated with a family of chemicals known as "forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down. It’s the first time water bodies outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have made the list due to PFAS contamination. The new additions bring the total of Minnesota water bodies with PFAS contamination to 26. In total, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is proposing to add 305 water bodies to the impaired list for various reasons, bringing the total to nearly 3,000.

AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VAX-THANKSGIVING

Are you vaxxed? Some families face fraught divide over jabs

NEW YORK (AP) — Thanksgiving is Jonatan Mitchell’s favorite holiday. He and his wife usually host up to 20 loved ones. He’d been looking forward to the day this year after calling off the gathering in 2020 due to the pandemic. But one of the most pressing issues of the times got in the way: Who’s vaccinated and who’s not? The Mitchells called off Thanksgiving and will host a Friendsgiving instead. Mitchell says the situation is upsetting and frustrating. It resonates with other families navigating the vaccination divide for the holidays. Thanksgiving is a bellwether for how the rest of the season will go among those facing family conflict over the shot.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021