GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS-ACCESS

Media groups protest restrictions for 3 ex-officers' trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A coalition of media groups says restrictions on access to the federal civil rights trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death amount to an unconstitutional closing of the courtroom. Citing the risks of the pandemic, Judge Paul Magnuson has restricted the number of people who may be in his courtroom for the proceedings against Tou Thao, J. Kueng and Thomas Lane. They're charged with depriving Floyd of his rights while acting under government authority. Jury selection begins Thursday. Magnuson has also restricted how much can be seen on a closed-circuit feed of the proceedings, which will be relayed to overflow rooms where only a limited number of journalists and members of the public can watch.

BOOGALOO SENTENCE-MINNESOTA

'Boogaloo' member sentenced to 2 years on machine gun charge

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man who authorities say is a self-proclaimed member of the anti-government “boogaloo” movement and had discussed a willingness to kill police has been sentenced to two years in prison. Michael Dahlager, of St. Cloud, pleaded guilty last summer to illegally possessing a machine gun. He admitted during his plea hearing he possessed two devices that convert a semi-automatic firearm into an unlawful fully automatic firearm. The 27-year-old Dahlager was a self-proclaimed follower of the “boogaloo,” a concept embraced by a loose network of gun enthusiasts and militia-style extremists. The FBI began investigating Dahlager in November 2020, after an informant said he had the devices, known as “auto sears.”

MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE-BONDING BILL

Walz asks lawmakers to back record $2.7 billion bonding bill

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz is asking the Legislature to back a $2.7 billion “local jobs and projects” plan that’s considerably larger than the record package that lawmakers passed two years ago. The Democratic governor unveiled his wish list at a news conference outside the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, which is getting a major rebuild thanks to money from the $1.9 billion bonding bill approved by the 2020 Legislature. Walz used the construction site as a backdrop to highlight how 38% of his proposal, or more than $1 billion, is for asset preservation to maintain and upgrade properties that taxpayers already own.

GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS-CONVICTING COPS

Do Minnesota cases show it's getting easier to convict cops?

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Data show it's rare for police officers to be convicted of on-duty killings. But three recent convictions of police officers in Minnesota have some people wondering whether that's changing. Legal experts say maybe. But it's complicated. It depends largely on the strength of evidence. But experts also say that robust protests against police brutality may be raising awareness. And as jurors have seen officers convicted, they may be more open to doing so. The most notable conviction in Minnesota was former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin last year in George Floyd's death. Three other former officers go on trial this week in St. Paul on federal civil rights charges in Floyd's death.

FATAL ALTERCATION

Victim of fatal altercation in Duluth identified by police

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Police have identified the man who was killed in an altercation in Duluth last weekend. Officers were dispatched to a medical call shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday where they found 42-year-old Ryan Roessler unconscious on the floor. Roessler was later pronounced dead at the scene. Police learned the victim had been involved in a physical fight with the suspect, who was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Officials say the suspect was later transferred to the Public Safety Building where he damaged an interrogation room. The 46-year-old man is being held in the St. Louis County Jail on a possible charge of first-degree manslaughter.

ELECTION 2022-MINNESOTA-CONGRESS

Republican Stauber announces bid for reelection to Congress

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Republican congressman and staunch Donald Trump ally who has been representing Minnesota’s Iron Range for the last four years says he’s running for reelection. Rep. Pete Stauber announced his campaign in a video released Monday labeled “Enough is Enough.” Stauber was first elected in 2018 in the 8th Congressional District, once considered a lock for Democrats. That came after then-President Trump gave Stauber an enthusiastic endorsement at a rally in Duluth. Stauber was reelected in 2020 with a comfortable victory over Democrat Quinn Nystrom. The 8th Congressional District currently covers parts of northern and central Minnesota. That is expected to change as part of the redistricting this year.

FATHER KILLED- SON CHARGED

Minneapolis man charged with killing father

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man is due in court Tuesday on charges of killing his father by hitting him in the head with a hammer and stabbing him. Thirty-three-year-old Anthony Jolson is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 58-year-old father Thursday. His bail has been set at $1 million. It’s not yet clear if Jolson has an attorney who could comment on his behalf. According to criminal complaint, Jolson’s brother had gone ice skating and returned home to find his father slumped over on the couch and unresponsive. The complaint said Jolson had specks of blood on his forehead and allegedly told his brother that he “did something really bad” and that the devil made him do it.

MINNESOTA ICE HIGHWAY

Ice road on large northern Minnesota lake opens for 2nd year

WARROAD, Minn. (AP) — A 37-mile ice highway in Minnesota that takes motorists across the mammoth Lake of the Woods to the northernmost point in the contiguous United States is open for the second straight year. The toll is $250 per vehicle. The road costs an estimated $1,500 per mile for plowing and other upkeep. It begins in Warroad and ends at the Northwest Angle resort community, which is known for its ice fishing. The highway allows people to bypass a drive into Canada or get there in a vehicle rather than a plane or snowmobile. Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the ice road was first created last winter when the Canadian border was closed to nonessential travel from the U.S. amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

News from © The Associated Press, 2022