AP-US-POLICE-SHOOTING-MINNEAPOLIS

No charges in shooting of man who fired at Minneapolis cops

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors say there will be no charges filed against three Minneapolis police officers who fatally shot a Somali American man after he fired at them during a sting. Dolal Idd was shot on Dec. 30. Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena reviewed the case at the request of Hennepin County and decided that while Idd’s death was tragic, the use of deadly force by Officers Paul Huyhn, Darcy Klund and Jason Schmitt was justified. Idd’s death was the city’s first police-involved death since George Floyd died while being restrained months earlier. The police chief released body camera video from Idd’s shooting the day after it happened, saying he wanted the public to see it for themselves.

LEE-PARADE

Minnesota celebrates Olympic champion Sunisa Lee with parade

ST. PAUL,, Minn. (AP) — The city of St. Paul will host a parade to celebrate Olympic champion Sunisa Lee, who took home the gold medal in the women’s gymnastics all-around, as well as a team silver and bronze in the uneven bars. The parade will be on Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. along White Bear Avenue on the city’s East Side, where Lee grew up. Lee returned to Minnesota on Thursday, and was greeted by fans at the airport. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter tweeted a selfie of him with Lee at the airport, saying he was “super excited” to welcome her back to Minnesota.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Target won’t require office workers to return before 2022

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Target says it will not require its downtown Minneapolis headquarters employees to return to the office for the rest of the year, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Target has about 8,500 workers at its headquarters offices, making it the largest downtown employer. In an update sent to employees Friday, Target said it is still planning a gradual transition back to the office starting Sept. 20. But only common areas such as cafeterias will initially be open. On Friday, Minnesota health officials reported six new deaths from COVID-19 and 1,012 new cases.

DAUNTE WRIGHT-OFFICER

Trial for ex-cop in Daunte Wright death won’t be broadcast

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The judge overseeing the trial of a former suburban Minneapolis police officer who is charged in the death of Daunte Wright has denied a request to broadcast the proceedings. Judge Regina Chu ruled Thursday that there will be no recording or livestreaming of the trial of former Brooklyn Center officer Kim Potter. Potter, who is white, fatally shot Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist, on April 11. The city’s former police chief said he believed Potter meant to use her Taser instead of her handgun. She’s charged with second-degree manslaughter. Chu also rescheduled the trial to start about a week earlier. It will now begin on Nov. 30.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank push back office returns due to virus

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp are pushing back their return-to-office plans this fall as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, spurred largely by the contagious delta variant. Wells Fargo sent a memo to employees on Thursday, saying the company is aiming for a phased return starting Oct. 4, a month later than planned. U.S. Bank also pushed back its Sept. 7 planned return to a date that’s yet to be determined. On Thursday, health officials reported five new deaths from COVID-19 and 878 new cases. So far in Minnesota, 69.2% of those 16 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

AP-US-ENBRIDGE-ENERGY-LINE-3

Line 3 pipeline opponents file suit on behalf of wild rice

OGEMA, Minn. (AP) — Opponents of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline that’s being replaced across northern Minnesota are taking a novel legal approach to try to halt construction — they are suing on behalf of wild rice. Wild rice is the lead plaintiff in a complaint filed Wednesday in White Earth Nation Tribal Court. The lawsuit, which names the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources among the defendants, is only the second “rights of nature” case to be filed in the U.S., according to Frank Bibeau, a lawyer for the White Earth tribe. The DNR said it is reviewing the lawsuit and had no further comment.

DROUGHT-MINNESOTA

Walz supports emergency relief for drought-stricken farms

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz and a top state lawmakers say they will support an emergency financial relief package for farmers in Minnesota, where most of the state is in a severe or extreme drought. Walz says he would support an aid package in a special session next month. The governor got an earful at Farmfest in Redwood County Wednesday from farmers and ranchers seeking drought relief. Agriculture officials say livestock and specialty crop farmers are hardest hit because their insurance generally covers less than corn and soybean farmers. House Speaker Melissa Hortman said a financial relief package could be modeled after previous aid that lawmakers approved after flooding.

POLITICIANS-CRASH

State auditor, senator injured in Redwood County crash

THREE LAKES TOWNSHIP, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s state auditor and a state senator are hospitalized following a collision with a semi in Redwood County. A legislative aide for Sen. Melisa Franzen says Franzen and state Auditor Julie Blaha were injured Wednesday while driving back from Farmfest in Redwood County. The Minnesota State Patrol says a Jeep Cherokee driven by Blaha collided with a semi at an intersection in Three Lakes Township about 5 p.m. Both women were taken to Redwood Hospital with injuries that are not life threatening. The semi driver was not injured. Farmfest is a three-day agricultural show in southwestern Minnesota.