OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS-VERDICT

Minnesota man found guilty in 11 opioid overdose deaths

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a Minnesota man in connection with the opioid overdose deaths of 11 people across the country. Jurors on Thursday returned guilty verdicts on the 17 counts against Aaron Broussard, including distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Federal prosecutors said Broussard’s customers thought they were buying a stimulant similar to Adderall. Instead, the 31-year-old Hopkins man sent them fatal doses of fentanyl. Broussard’s defense attorney, Aaron Morrison, focused on the medical evidence and urged jurors to question it. Morrison told jurors that many of the autopsy reports never mentioned fentanyl. He also questioned whether it was his client’s fentanyl caused the 11 deaths.

RURAL WATER PROJECTS

US taps $420M to boost water supplies hit by climate change

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials are funneling more money to rural water projects in several states as the Biden administration looks to put a dent in growing infrastructure needs amid drought and climate change. The U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday that $420 million will be spent on projects in New Mexico, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. The work includes construction of water treatment plants, pipeline connections, pump systems and reservoirs to provide drinking water to rural and tribal communities. The largest share — $160 million — will go toward an ongoing project designed to provide water for about 70,000 people in eastern New Mexico.

HEALTH CARE-REINSURANCE

Minnesota lawmakers reach deal to extend reinsurance program

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Legislative leaders have announced a bipartisan deal to extend Minnesota’s health care reinsurance program. The agreement will help hold down premiums for about 167,000 Minnesotans who get their coverage in the individual marketplace, whether it’s via the state-run MNsure exchange or directly from carriers. Negotiators say premiums would have gone up by a minimum of 20 to 25% this fall without a deal by Friday’s federal deadline. House Democrats have never liked the five-year-old program. They see it as an expensive giveaway to insurance companies that doesn’t solve bigger issues over the costs of health care and prescription drugs.

GEORGE FLOYD-CIVIL UNREST

Report criticizes response to unrest after Floyd’s killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An external review of Minnesota’s response to days of civil unrest following the May 2020 killing of George Floyd found several problems, including a lack of clear leadership early on as businesses were being destroyed and set ablaze. The report by Wilder Research was commissioned by the Department of Public Safety and made public Thursday. It says more research must be done to evaluate the role of racism in how law enforcement officers respond to civil unrest. The report listed 20 recommendations for improvement. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington says his agency has already implemented some of the changes, including improvements in communication and police accountability.

TEEN SHOT-CHARGES

Charges: Teen was playing with gun when he shot girl, 15

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — Authorities have charged a 16-year-old boy with manslaughter for allegedly fatally shooting a 15-year-old girl in Columbia Heights while he was swinging a gun around and pointing it at others. Juvenile charges in Anoka County say the Minneapolis boy shot Derryanna Davis of Columbia Heights on March 24. Court documents say authorities got a 911 call about gunfire piercing an exterior wall of an apartment. They arrived to find Davis dead with a gunshot wound to the side. Anoka County sheriff’s deputies determined the gunshot came from inside the apartment and a group of teens fled after the shot was fired.

BIRD FLU-MINNESOTA

Poultry sales, exhibits temporarily banned due to bird flu

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota animal health officials are imposing a ban on all poultry sales and exhibitions through the month of April after the presence of bird flu was found in the state. The ban, which includes poultry community sales, swaps, fairs, exhibitions and other events where birds are brought together, is effective Friday and lasts through May 1. A report from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health says avian influenza has been found in commercial flocks in Meeker, Stearns, Kandiyohi and Lac Qui Parle counties and in a backyard producer in Mower County.

COAST GUARD CUTTER

Coast Guard cutter arrives at new home port in Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Spar has arrived at its new home port in Minnesota after undergoing a year of maintenance. The arrival Wednesday in Duluth comes as members of Congress are pushing for another heavy icebreaker on the Great Lakes. Spar was built in Marinette, Wisconsin, and replaces Alder, which left the port last summer. Spar will break up ice for vessels on Lake Superior and northern Lake Michigan. On its journey to Duluth, Lt. Cmdr. Joel Wright said his crew encountered thick ice in Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior as well as ships stuck in ice.

ALS RESEARCH-EXPLAINER

EXPLAINER: Walz signs ALS bill by senator with the disease

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz has signed a $25 million bill to fund research into ALS that was authored by a veteran state senator from the Iron Range who has the disease. Sen. David Tomassoni, of Chisholm, took up the cause after disclosing last year that he had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The 69-year-old’s case has progressed rapidly, forcing him to participate in most Senate business remotely. The legislation provides $20 million for research into the prevention, treatment, causes and cures of ALS. It also includes $5 million to help families care for ALS patients. Tomassoni said during the signing ceremony that the bill means hope.