DAUNTE WRIGHT-OFFICER

State wants leeway on sentencing rules in Daunte Wright case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors are seeking approval for a more severe penalty than what is outlined in state guidelines if a former suburban Minneapolis police officer is convicted in the shooting death of Daunte Wright. Former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter is facing charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the April death of Wright. The sentencing guidelines for first-degree manslaughter range from 6 to 81/2 years in prison. The move is similar to one made by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer convicted in George Floyd’s death. Potter has pleaded not guilty. She is scheduled to stand trial in December.

CABIN SHOOTING

Woman found fatally shot in Crow Wing County cabin

BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say a woman was found fatally shot in a cabin in Crow Wing County after deputies responded to a call about gunfire and arrested an armed man. Dispatchers received a shooting complaint about 11 p.m. Thursday. The caller said several gunshots were heard in Lake Edward Township. Law enforcement officers responded and encountered a man armed with a rifle and a handgun. After nearly two hours of negotiations, the man agreed to put his weapons down and he was taken into custody. While searching the property near where the complaint originated, deputies found an adult female dead in a cabin from a gunshot wound. 

SENIOR CARE STAFFING

Minnesota care homes struggle with record staff shortages

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s senior care homes are struggling with record staff shortages as people leave the industry faster than they can replaced. The Long-Term Care Imperative says there are 23,000 unfilled senior caregiver positions across Minnesota. That compares with 8,000 last March. And the industry lost 2,000 more workers in August. KARE-TV reports that burnout from the pandemic is often cited. Patti Cullen, CEO of Care Providers of Minnesota, says workers are exhausted from 100-hour weeks and double shifts, in full protective gear during a hot summer. Many nursing homes have capped admissions until they can hire more people.

MANSLAUGHTER-SENTENCE

Man given probation in fatal St. Paul shooting

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The second of two brothers charged in the fatal shooting of an off-duty firefighter in St. Paul has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to manslaughter. A 67 month prison sentence for Dontay Caraway was stayed Thursday and he was given credit for 686 days spent in jail. Earlier this year, Caraway’s brother, Blake Caraway, was acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of Thomas Harrigan. The victim tried to intervene in a fight over a cellphone and was shot by Blake Caraway after the brothers went to Harrigan’s house in St. Paul. 

GEORGE FLOYD-PROTESTS-POLICE

Minneapolis mayor: Police conduct in ’20 unrest is ‘galling’

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Newly released video that shows Minneapolis police officers talking about “hunting people” during unrest following the death of George Floyd has become an issue in the upcoming citywide election. Mayor Jacob Frey says body camera footage that also shows officers kicking and beating a man who had surrendered is “galling.” But some of Frey’s challengers and some City Council members were quick to criticize, saying Frey should have done more to control the department. The footage was released less than a month before the election, in which residents will vote on whether to replace the police department with a new agency.

RED LAKE-OFFICER SLAIN

Man indicted for murder in death of Minnesota tribal officer

RED LAKE, Minn. (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a Minnesota man on charges of murder and other counts in the July killing of a Red Lake tribal officer. David Donnell Jr. was indicted on 11 counts, including first-degree murder. He had previously been charged with a lesser murder count in connection with the July 27 killing of Officer Ryan Bialke. Court documents say Bialke was killed after the Red Lake Tribal Police Department responded to a welfare check for Donnell, who was armed. When officers breached the door of his Redby home, Donnell opened fire. Court documents say Bialke was shot through the front door and died at the scene. Donnell’s attorneys had no comment on the indictment.

OIL WELL PURCHASE

Minnesota company expands oil well ownership in North Dakota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota company says it will expand its ownership in a fleet of oil wells in North Dakota. Minnetonka-based Northern Oil and Gas said Thursday it will pay Texas-based Comstock Resources $154 million on the new properties, which are expected to produce 4,500 barrels of oil per day. Comstock Resources is controlled by Jerry Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys football team. Northern Oil, which invests in leases and drilling projects, has traditionally operated in North Dakota. However, it recently announced other deals in the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas for shale oil, and in the Marcellus natural gas formation in Appalachia.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minnesota health leaders warn of strain on caregivers, kids

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health leaders are warning that the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is putting heavy strain on hospitals and health care workers statewide as the coronavirus burns through the unvaccinated population. They also told reporters Thursday that transmission in schools and among children is a particular concern, with pediatric ICU beds in short supply. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says Minnesota is now seeing more than 3,000 cases per week in children under 12, who aren’t approved for vaccinations. She says that’s “a new and troubling high mark for the entire pandemic,” underscoring that COVID-19 is not just a threat to older people.

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