HIGHWAY PILEUP

Multi-vehicle pileup reported on I-94 in western Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Patrol reported a pileup of about 50 vehicles Saturday afternoon along Interstate-94 between Alexandria and Fergus Falls, northwest of the Twin Cities. No fatalities or life-threatening injuries resulted in the multi-vehicle crash, according to Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow. But I-94 eastbound at Exit 77 near Ashby was temporarily closed as of 1 p.m. About 50 vehicles were initially reported in the pile-up amid snowy conditions, including several semi tractor-trailers.

CARJACKING-SHOOTING

Man shot during confrontation with carjackers in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities say a man was hospitalized after being shot during an apparent carjacking attempt in south Minneapolis. Officers responded to reports of gunfire Thursday night. When the officers arrived, two men at the scene said they had just emerged from a vehicle when two “young-looking suspects” approached and demanded the vehicle at gunpoint. A confrontation ensued and one of the suspects fired a gun at the two men, striking one of them. The suspects ran from the scene and have not been apprehended. Emergency crews took the injured man to a hospital for treatment, where he is expected to survive.

POLICE SHOOTING-MACHETE

Police shoot man walking in traffic with machete

AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) — Police in Austin say an officer shot and killed a man who had been walking in traffic with a machete. WCCO-TV reported Friday that the incident began Wednesday afternoon. When officers arrived he was threatening to hurt people and ducked into an apartment. Police said officers tried to use stun guns on him but they were ineffective. A standoff ensued that lasted more than 24 hours. Officers tried to subdue him using pepper spray and foam bullets. The man finally left the apartment Thursday night and went to a nearby gas station. Officers followed him and he confronted them in the parking lot with a knife. An officer fired and killed the man. He hasn’t been identified.

LOTTERY FRAUD

Gas clerk charged with cashing woman’s lottery ticket

NEW ULM, Minn. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a New Ulm man with lottery fraud after he allegedly told a woman she’d won $25 and pocketed her actual $1,000 prize. The Mankato Free Press reports that 56-year-old Dwayne Smith was charged Friday in Brown County District Court. According to court documents, Smith was working as a clerk at a gas station Saturday when the woman showed him her lottery ticket after a self-service lottery machine told her to “see state lottery office.” Smith told her she’d won $25 and gave her the money. He then allegedly pocketed the ticket and redeemed it a regional lottery office for the true $1,000 prize

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA-MAYOR’S INAUGURATION

St. Paul mayor plans outdoor inauguration events

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is planning a series of outdoor events to celebrate his inauguration as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Carter will ring in his second term with a sledding party on Monday; ice skating on Wednesday; making snow sculptures and a virtual “happy hour” gathering Thursday; and a scavenger hunt at a park beach house and a bike ride on New Year’s Eve. He’ll take the oath of office at noon on Jan. 3 in a virtual ceremony.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA-RESIDENCY

Minnesota library head can’t run facilities from Los Angeles

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hennepin County officials have adopted a new policy prohibiting the director of Minneapolis’ libraries from running the facilities from Los Angeles. Chad Helton was hired in 2020 but moved to Los Angeles this summer, saying he could run the libraries through video conferencing. His stance has rankled library staff, their unions and taxpayers. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday that county officials adopted a new policy on Dec. 17 that mandates supervisors whose workers interact with the public must live in Minnesota. Workers who live in Wisconsin are exempt. The mandate takes effect Jan. 31. Helton didn’t respond to the Star Tribune’s requests for comment.

BODIES RECOVERED

Firefighters recover 2 bodies from burning house

BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) — Firefighters have recovered two bodies from a burning house near Bemidji. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the fire broke out early Thursday morning in Liberty Township, about 13 miles northwest of Bemidji. Firefighters arrived to find the two-story home fully engulfed in flames. Initial reports indicated two children who lived in the home were unaccounted for and possibly trapped in an upstairs bedroom. Firefighters attempted a rescue but weren’t successful. Two bodies were removed from the home Thursday afternoon. Their identities haven’t been released. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

BC-US-DAUNTE-WRIGHT-OFFICER-TRIAL-EXPLAINER-SENTENCING

EXPLAINER: What will judge weigh in sentencing Kim Potter?

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser when she shot and killed Daunte Wright will be sentenced in February after a jury convicted her Thursday on two counts of manslaughter. The most serious charge against Kim Potter — first-degree manslaughter — carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. But sentencing guidelines call for around seven. Prosecutors are going to seek a sentence that’s above the guidelines, saying there are aggravating factors in the case, while the defense indicated Thursday that it would seek no prison time. Potter was taken into custody pending sentencing.