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Minnesota to legalize possession of drug paraphernalia, even if it has residue
Minnesota lawmakers passed a mammoth public safety budget bill that included little-noticed provisions that will legalize possession of drug paraphernalia and any drug residue that might be in it.
Nasri Warsame campaign manager accuses Minneapolis Council Member Ellison of assault; Ellison says untrue
The campaign manager for a Minneapolis City Council candidate accused City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison of assaulting him during a melee Saturday at the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement convention. Abshir Omar, the campaign manager for Nasri Warsame, said during a Wednesday press conference that Ellison assaulted him, and that he’s pursuing the matter with authorities.
Gas tax — tied to inflation — is on the table at the Legislature
Minnesota lawmakers are considering increasing the state gasoline tax to help pay for roads and bridges.
DFL grapples with third controversy over Minneapolis endorsements
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement convention for one Minneapolis ward was canceled amid allegations of phony delegates. The convention for another dissolved into a chaotic melee on Saturday. Now, a candidate in another ward plans to challenge 126 of the delegates during the upcoming endorsing convention.
Bill would allow panel to set salaries for governor, cabinet, since Legislature won’t do it
A Minnesota bill would allow independent panel to set agency heads’ salaries since Legislature won’t do it.
MPD lieutenant gets letter of reprimand for forwarding racist email 11 years ago
A Minneapolis police lieutenant was recently disciplined with a letter of reprimand — the lowest level of discipline meted out by the department — for circulating a racist email 11 years ago.
Senate passes major public safety bill, gun safety measures; Republicans outraged
A joint Minnesota House-Senate panel on public safety issues wrapped up their work Wednesday, approving several groundbreaking proposals, including two gun control measures and new restrictions on no-knock warrants. Although gun control drew much of the focus, the bill has far-reaching provisions that seek to make the criminal justice system more rehabilitative and thereby cut recidivism.
Former cop pleads guilty to assault, apologizes for ‘historical and institutional problem’ at MPD
Former Minneapolis police officer Justin Stetson pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting Jaleel Stallings in the aftermath of George Floyd's police murder.
Lawmakers to name chemical ban ‘Amara’s Law’ to honor 20-year-old cancer victim
In late January, Amara Strande stood at the podium in the state Capitol press room and explained why — even though she was dying of a rare type of liver cancer — she was spending her precious time lobbying for legislation that would strictly regulate toxic chemicals made down the road by 3M. Within four […]
Jaleel Stallings objects to plea deal for MPD officer charged with beating him
Jaleel Stallings, who was beaten by Minneapolis police officers after he shot at them in self defense in 2020, is objecting to a plea agreement for the officer who did most of the beating.
Minnesota may make prison phone calls free to keep families connected, reduce recidivism
Minnesota lawmakers are considering making prison phone calls free, joining two other states and about a dozen states considering similar legislation. It would cost the state $3.1 million annually to stop charging prisoners for phone calls.
MPD chief signed off on hiring Virginia officer who struck, used stun gun on unarmed Black man
The Minneapolis police chief ordered a full investigation last month into his department’s hiring of a Virginia police officer who repeatedly Tasered and struck a disoriented, unarmed Black man just days after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd.