RACIST VIDEO-INVESTIGATION

Police investigating racist video targeting Prior Lake frosh

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. (AP) — Police say they have been investigating a racist video targeting a Black freshman at a suburban Twin Cities high school. The announcement came after hundreds of students and community members showed up to Prior Lake High School to support the 14-year-old girl. School leaders had cancelled classes early, citing safety concerns with the protest. The video, which had been shared widely on social media early this week, appears to include two girls making racist remarks mixed in with obscenities. Nya Sigin, the target of the video, says another classmate shared it with her on Monday night. She says it was the “most disgusting thing” she has ever witnessed. Savage Police Chief Rodney Seurer calls it a “horrific, hateful, racist” video.

VETERANS-MINNESOTA

Leaders stress need for more veterans centers in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four Minnesota political leaders have toured a veterans center in St. Paul, while calling for better access to mental health care and readjustment services for those who have served in the military. Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Reps. Angie Craig and Dean Phillips made the visit on Veterans Day. They wanted to highlight the value of centers like the three in Minnesota for helping veterans get the support they need, such as counseling, employment assistance and referrals for other services. They're backing legislation aimed at establishing more veterans centers across the country.

INFANT DEATH-MOTHER ARRESTED

Minneapolis police arrest mother of infant found dead

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police say they have arrested the mother of a 2-month-old baby found dead at a residence in Minneapolis. Authorities say officers went to the residence about 3 a.m. Wednesday to check on the welfare of the mother and child. According to police, the infant had signs of trauma and had died. The 23-year-old mother was arrested and booked into the Hennepin County Jail on possible murder charges. Crime scene investigators processed the scene and collected evidence while homicide detectives began their work. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office has not identified the victim or the nature of death.

CHILD'S DEATH-LAWSUIT REINSTATED

Supreme Court reinstates wrongful death suit in 2013 killing

MINNNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the heirs of a boy whose 2013 killing sparked major child protection reforms in Minnesota. The lawsuit accuses Pope County and three child protection workers of negligence in Eric Dean’s murder. The 4-year-old boy, who lived in Starbuck, died at the hands of his father’s girlfriend after at least seven reports of suspected child abuse from different sources. The state Supreme Court reinstated the lawsuit, The high court says the district court should determine whether the county and the social workers are liable in the boy’s death for failing to notify law enforcement about reports of abuse as required by state law.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS-SELLING INFRASTRUCTURE

Democrats sell infrastructure bill, push for Biden backup

STILWELL, Kan. (AP) — Congressional Democrats who are facing potentially tough reelection fights next year are crowing about long-neglected public works projects set to spring to life thanks to the new infrastructure package. It’s part of an attempt by President Joe Biden’s party to leave behind months of infighting between more progressive lawmakers and moderates from swing districts. The party also wants to see lawmakers unite around a shovel-ready approach to kicking the post-coronavirus pandemic economy into high gear. And some want to see Biden do more to sell Americans on the legislative achievement. Biden traveled to the Port of Baltimore on Wednesday to tout the more than $1 trillion plan.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Malcolm decries 'alarming spike' in Minnesota COVID-19 cases

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their highest level of the year. She also said Wednesday that hospital capacity continues to tighten across the state amid a “truly alarming spike in cases.” The Minnesota Department of Health reported 5,277 new COVID-19 cases and 43 new deaths from the disease. The state's hospitals, meanwhile, were caring for 1,159 COVID-19 patients, including 257 in intensive care units. Malcolm says dozens of Minnesotans are dying every day from an illness that they didn’t have to get. She urges Minnesotans to use prevention tools including vaccinations, masking in public and staying home when sick.

CAPITOL BREACH-SENTENCE

Probation, house arrest for MN man in US Capitol riot

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) — A Moorhead, Minnesota, man has been sentenced to probation, house arrest and community service for participating in the U.S. Capitol riot Jan. 6. A federal judge in Washington, D.C. Tuesday gave 32-year-old Kenneth Stotts 60 days of home confinement and two years of probation for his role in the insurrection as Congress was finalizing the 2020 presidential election results. He must also perform 60 hours of community service. Stotts previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Three other charges were dismissed as part of a plea bargain. Stotts was arrested by the FBI in northern Minnesota in March after he turning himself in.

COLD CASE-TEEN IDENTIFIED

Remains found in Texas in 1980 finally identified as teen

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) — A body found along an interstate in Texas 41 years ago has finally been identified as a 14-year-old girl missing from Minnesota. Sheriff’s officials in Walker County, Texas say new DNA technology and forensic genealogy helped them track the unidentified remains to a handful of possible relatives. Investigators eventually determined the remains are those of Sherri Ann Jarvis whose nude body was spotted along the interstate near Huntsville by a trucker in November 1980. Walker County Sheriff Clint McRae said at a news conference Tuesday that the cause of death was asphyxia by strangulation.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021