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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Disbands Conviction Review Unit Amid Budgetary Constraints

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Disbands Conviction Review Unit Amid Budgetary Constraints

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has decided to close the state's Conviction Review Unit (CRU), less than six years after its establishment. The unit, designed to identify, remedy, and prevent wrongful convictions, had 160 cases pending investigation at the time of its closure. Ellison cited 'budgetary constraints' as the reason for disbanding the CRU. Since its inception, the unit had received over 1,150 applications but completed only four investigations, leading to the exoneration of three individuals: Thomas Rhodes, Edgar Barrientos Quintana, and Brian Pippitt. The CRU was initially launched with a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in October 2020, which was renewed for $500,000 in 2022 but subsequently denied further renewal. Local foundations also provided grants, but these were insufficient to sustain the unit. Critics, including Marvina Haynes, whose brother Marvin was wrongfully imprisoned, and paralegal Michelle Gross, question the budgetary rationale, pointing out ...
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Midwest Faces Weeklong Flash Flood Threat Amidst Persistent Storms and Heat Dome

Midwest Faces Weeklong Flash Flood Threat Amidst Persistent Storms and Heat Dome

The Midwest is currently experiencing a weeklong flash flood threat, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) issuing a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat for parts of the region through Sunday. Widespread rainfall of 3–5 inches is anticipated, with some localized areas potentially receiving 5–8 inches. This deluge is fueled by a persistent heat dome over the South, which is directing deep tropical moisture from the Southwest and Gulf around its western flank. Initial rounds of storms earlier in the week have already led to flooding in Western Iowa, causing rivers and creeks in Cass County to overflow. The ground is already saturated, exacerbating the flood risk. On Thursday, heavy rain is expected to concentrate in South Dakota, with forecast totals of 2–4 inches, potentially higher locally, particularly across western and central South Dakota, extending towards the I-90 corridor and Sioux Falls area. The FOX Forecast Center predicts severe storms ...
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USDA Designates 18 South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Drought

USDA Designates 18 South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Drought

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially designated 18 counties in South Dakota as natural disaster areas. This designation is a direct response to severe drought conditions that have impacted these regions. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that these counties experienced a drought intensity of D2 (Severe Drought) for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 (Extreme Drought) or D4 (Exceptional Drought) during the growing season. This declaration allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to agricultural producers affected by the drought. These loans are intended to assist with various recovery needs, including replacing essential items like equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will evaluate loan applications based on the extent of losses, available security, and repayment capability. Additionally, several contiguous counties in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota are also eligible for assis...
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Allied Universal Seeks Surveillance Investigator for Insurance Claims in Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Allied Universal Seeks Surveillance Investigator for Insurance Claims in Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Allied Universal Seeks Surveillance Investigator for Insurance Claims in Saint Cloud, Minnesota
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Beef Packers Challenge Certification of $9 Billion Antitrust Class Action by Cattle Producers

Beef Packers Challenge Certification of $9 Billion Antitrust Class Action by Cattle Producers

Beef Packers Challenge Certification of $9 Billion Antitrust Class Action by Cattle Producers
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Minneapolis Police Chief Search Advances as Candidate Review Begins

Minneapolis Police Chief Search Advances as Candidate Review Begins

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has launched a national search for a new police chief following the resignation of former Chief Brian O'Hara in May. The search process involves several stages, including community engagement sessions held across all five precincts of the city. These sessions aim to gather feedback from residents regarding their expectations for the new police chief. A nationally recognized firm has been enlisted to assist with the search. The process will also include interviews with community members and law enforcement professionals, who will then present a group of finalists to Mayor Frey. The mayor will conduct direct interviews with these finalists before making a nomination, which will then require confirmation by the city council. More than a dozen applications have already been received from candidates both within and outside Minnesota. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is slated to conduct an extensive background check on the final candidate to ensure their suitability for...
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University of St. Thomas Launches $1 Billion Fundraising Campaign for Student Access and Academic Excellence

University of St. Thomas Launches $1 Billion Fundraising Campaign for Student Access and Academic Excellence

The University of St. Thomas has publicly launched its largest-ever fundraising initiative, 'Be Brilliant. Be Bold. The Campaign for St. Thomas,' with a goal of $1 billion. The campaign has already secured nearly $800 million in commitments from over 20,000 donors. This comprehensive campaign aims to significantly expand scholarship opportunities, invest in faculty and academic excellence, and create more transformative learning experiences for students. The university emphasizes that the campaign reflects growing confidence in its mission to educate graduates who combine professional excellence with a commitment to the common good. Volunteer co-chairs for the campaign include Andrew and Kathleen Cecere, Rory and Rhonda O’Neill, and Patrick and Ann Ryan, all of whom are members of St. Thomas’ Board of Trustees.
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Senator Tina Smith's Bipartisan Bill to Combat Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President's Desk

Senator Tina Smith's Bipartisan Bill to Combat Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President's Desk

U.S. Senator Tina Smith's (D-MN) bipartisan bill, The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, has successfully passed both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting the President's signature to become law. The bill, co-led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), aims to expand research, testing, and treatment for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Named in honor of former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away from complications of the Powassan virus, the legislation addresses a growing public health concern. Minnesota, Senator Smith's home state, has seen a significant increase in tick-borne diseases over the past two decades, with 3,551 probable cases of Lyme disease reported in 2024, alongside hundreds of cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease.
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U.S. House Passes Water Resources Development Act Including Rep. Omar's Language for Mississippi River Stability

U.S. House Passes Water Resources Development Act Including Rep. Omar's Language for Mississippi River Stability

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which incorporates language introduced by Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN). This specific language aims to safeguard the future of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and clarify the ownership and maintenance responsibilities for a critical piece of infrastructure beneath the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The legislation grants authority to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to undertake water resources development projects and studies, focusing on improvements to the nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. Representative Omar expressed her satisfaction, noting that this passage addresses long-standing concerns from the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the State of Minnesota regarding the stability of the river at the heart of the Twin Cities. The inclusion of her language is seen as a step towards protecting a his...
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Scattered Showers Expected Overnight in Minnesota

Scattered Showers Expected Overnight in Minnesota

Scattered showers are forecast to move from west to east across Minnesota overnight, according to WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak. While these lighter showers will persist through the night, steadier and more consistent rainfall is expected to begin Friday morning. This rain is anticipated to linger throughout much of the day on Friday before tapering off by late evening. The weekend, however, is expected to bring drier conditions, offering a reprieve from the wet weather. This forecast highlights a transition from scattered precipitation to steadier rain before clearing up for the weekend.
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CHS Cooperative Breaks Ground on $700 Million Soybean Crushing Facility in Evansville, Wisconsin

CHS Cooperative Breaks Ground on $700 Million Soybean Crushing Facility in Evansville, Wisconsin

CHS Cooperative Breaks Ground on $700 Million Soybean Crushing Facility in Evansville, Wisconsin
The Knoxville News-SentinelThe Knoxville News-Sentinel
Great Smoky Mountains fall foliage could be best in the US. When to see peak colors

Great Smoky Mountains fall foliage could be best in the US. When to see peak colors

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will see vibrant fall colors as leaves begin to change. Why colors could be so vivid this year and where are the best places to see foliage.