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RED LAKE-OFFICER SLAIN

Redby man pleads guilty to killing Red Lake Nation officer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting a Red Lake Nation police officer has pleaded guilty to one count of murder. Authorities say that David Donnell Jr., of Redby, shot and killed Ryan Bialke, who was among several officers who responded to a call at Donnell’s residence in July. The 29-year-old Donnell had an active tribal warrant at the time. Officers eventually broke down the door and Donnell immediately open fire. Balke died at the scene. Police say Donnell continued shooting at the other officers as they fled for cover. Donnell was eventually arrested at a nearby residence. Donnell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Dozens of county employees face discipline over COVID shots

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — More than 100 Hennepin County employees could be suspended or fired if they don’t meet next week’s deadline for receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. County officials say all unvaccinated employees have until Thursday to prove to human resources that they are vaccinated, after which those who fail to comply will face disciplinary action. The county board voted in November to require its nearly 9,000 employees to get vaccinated unless they received religious or medical exemptions. Officials from several unions representing county workers say the majority of the staffers facing suspension or termination are low-wage workers, often of color and many are women.

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.

AP-US-ELECTION-2022-DEMOCRATS-CRIME

NY bail law fight emblematic of Democrats’ debate on crime

NEW YORK (AP) — A spike in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic has Democrats eager to show they’re tough on crime ahead of this year’s midterm elections. But the party is struggling to find a common message with progressives pushing for police reform and moderates focusing on rising crime rates. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to toughen the state’s bail laws is being met with criticism from all sides. Reform advocates say the system should be left alone while police leaders and even fellow Democrats say the proposal doesn’t go far enough to roll back what they consider soft treatment of criminals.

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.