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MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE-BUDGET

Walz, top lawmakers, reach bipartisan deal to wrap session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders have announced a breakthrough deal on a broad framework for parceling out a massive budget surplus with just a week remaining in the session. The bipartisan deal would devote $4 billion to tax relief, and another $4 billion to spending on education, public safety and health care. It would also leave $4 billion in the bank to guard against downturns. The agreement also calls for $1.5 billion for a public works package known as a bonding bill. Walz told reporters there’s a lot of hard work ahead, but the main parameters have been set.

SPRING FLOODING

Northeastern Minnesota bracing for record flooding

LUTSEN, Minn. (AP) — Communities in northeastern Minnesota are preparing to deal with more flooding and are calling for volunteers to help with sandbagging. Near Voyageurs National Park, most docks are under water at area lakes and some 200 homes and resorts are at risk. Kabetogama Township Supervisor John Stegmeir said his area is bracing for a record-breaking flood. Stegmeir said more volunteers are needed, especially since the average age of volunteers sandbagging right now is 65. A flood warning is in effect for many communities in the Rainy River Basin of far northern Minnesota as the National Weather Service expects rivers and creeks to remain high.

ALBERT LEA STABBINGS

Man suspected in 3 Albert Lea stabbings turns himself in

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected in the stabbings of three people in Albert Lea has turned himself in to police. Police say first responders were called to an unknown emergency at an apartment complex after 8:30 a.m. Monday. Two of the victims, ages 18 and 22, suffered critical wounds and were flown to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. The condition of the third victim is not known. The suspect showed up at the Albert Lea Law Enforcement Center about 11:30 a.m. Monday. The Albert Lea Tribune reports that authorities said he knew the people who were injured.

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Dr. Scott Jensen wins GOP endorsement for Minnesota governor

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Dr. Scott Jensen, a skeptic of the government’s response to COVID-19, has won the Minnesota GOP’s endorsement to challenge Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in the November election. After a wild ride, Jensen went over the top on the ninth ballot with 65% of the vote. Jensen led on the first two ballots, then regained the lead on the seventh ballot. Jensen’s comeback ended a surge by business executive Kendall Qualls, who fell to 33% on the final ballot after taking the lead on the fourth. Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann says he does not expect Jensen to face a serious challenge in the Aug. 9 primary,

BODY FOUND-SWAMP

Body found in area crews were searching for missing woman

EAGLE LAKE, Minn. (AP) — Authorities are working to determine if a body found in a Minnesota swamp is that of a woman reported missing more than two weeks ago. The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office said someone in a canoe discovered a body on Friday in the Eagle Lake area, near where search crews have been looking for 30-year-old Nyawuor James Chuol of Mankato. The cause of death has not been released. Chuol was last seen April 25.

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Review: How George Floyd became an icon for Americans

In the arc of George Floyd’s promising but troubled 46 years, it was perhaps predictable that the product of a poor Black neighborhood would come to a violent end, the way many of his peers did. But it didn’t have to be that way. As Associated Press reviewer Jeff Rowe notes, the book “His Name is George Floyd” by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa makes it clear that growing up as he did in a rough Houston neighborhood, Floyd never received the education, mentoring and life examples that could have made the outcome of his life different.

POLICE SHOOTING-MINNEAPOLIS

Amir Locke cousin pleads guilty in killing that led to raid

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A teenage cousin of Amir Locke has pleaded guilty to a murder that prompted police to conduct the no-knock warrant that led to Locke’s killing in February. Mekhi Camden Speed, who is now 18, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder while committing a felony — namely aggravated robbery. A count of intentional second-degree murder will be dismissed. During the court hearing over Zoom, Speed, who was 17 at the time, said he doesn’t remember pulling the trigger as he and others were trying to rob Otis Elder of drugs. But he admitted he aided and abetted the crime. He will be transferred to the Department of Corrections while he awaits sentencing, which is set for July.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION-MINNESOTA

Minnesota GOP seeks victory as convention opens in Rochester

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — All eyes were on the governor’s race as Minnesota Republicans convened in Rochester to endorse a candidate to challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Tim Walz in the November election. The 2,200 delegates are under the gun to get their work by a 6 p.m. Saturday deadline for vacating the Mayo Civic Center. All the gubernatorial candidates at the convention have pledged to honor the party’s endorsement and forego the right to run in the Aug. 9 GOP primary, assuming there’s no deadlock. Delegates made their first endorsements Friday when they backed Ryan Wilson to take on State Auditor Julie Blaha, and Kim Crockett to challenge Secretary of State Steve Simon.