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Former Somali warlord spoke at Minneapolis City Council candidate’s fundraiser
A Minneapolis City Council candidate held a June fundraiser featuring the scion of a Somali political family whose patriarch was known as a ruthless warlord whose clan-based militias intercepted food shipments and attacked U.N. peacekeepers. The late Mohamed Farrah Aidid was a key player in a 1990 coup, after which Somalia’s government collapsed in 1992 amid famine. His son, Hussein Farrah Aidid, spoke at a fundraiser for Nasri Warsame, a DFL candidate running against Council Member Aisha Chugtai.
DOJ: MPD off-duty work system undermines supervision
The Minneapolis Police Department’s off-duty work system is poorly managed and undermines supervision, the U.S. Department of Justice reported in its recent investigation into the department’s policing practices.
Prosecutors appealing no prison time for ex-cop convicted of sexual assault of two girls
Scott County prosecutors are appealing a judge’s decision to sentence a former New Ulm cop to 25 years of probation after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two girls. Eric Gramentz pleaded guilty in January to three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child from 2015 to 2022. He was sentenced by District Judge […]
Investigation into water near 3M plant led to discovery of old and new chemicals in fish
A state and federal investigation into chemical discharges from 3M’s Cottage Grove plant led to last week’s state health advisory about fish caught in the Mississippi River from St. Paul to Hastings, as well as a popular shore fishing lake near Hastings.
Court filings: Minneapolis uses coaching to discipline officers for more than minor misconduct
The Minneapolis Police Department has been using “coaching” instead of official discipline on wayward officers who are accused of more than just minor infractions, and the city has been withholding documents about it, according to recent filings in a public records lawsuit.
Man beaten by Minneapolis police launches ‘Good Apple’ nonprofit
Jaleel Stallings, who was beaten by Minneapolis police officers after he shot at them in self-defense in 2020, is launching a nonprofit called the Good Apple Initiative to encourage “good apples” in law enforcement, government, the criminal justice system and community to work together to change the culture of Minnesota policing.
MPD chief restructures, adds chiefs, acknowledges not all officers are behind him
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced a restructuring of the department Monday, putting a new leadership team in place, arriving just as MPD enters a period of enhanced state and federal oversight.
Key assistant city attorney leaving Minneapolis
Minneapolis is losing the assistant city attorney in charge of implementing an agreement with the state to overhaul the city’s beleaguered police department.
About half the people indicted in Feeding Our Future fraud had other state contracts
About half of the 60 people charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with stealing hundreds of millions from a federal program to feed children during the pandemic have been paid tens of millions more in state money for services such as providing child care and assisting seniors and people with disabilities.
Family members, activists call on State Patrol to fire officers involved in shooting of Ricky Cobb
Family members, activists call on State Patrol to fire officers involved in shooting of Ricky Cobb II.
State says children and certain women shouldn’t eat fish from Mississippi near Hastings
State health officials recommended Monday that some people avoid eating fish caught in the Mississippi River from St. Paul to Hastings and Lake Rebecca — a popular shore fishing lake near Hastings — after 16 types of toxic man made chemicals were found in fish populations.
Minnesota Senate president aide moonlights for nonprofit with state government contracts
Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion’s executive assistant moonlights for a nonprofit foundation that has been paid about $3 million by a handful of state agencies in the past three years.