Latest Minnesota news, sports, business and entertainment at 9:20 p.m. CST

GEORGE-FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS

2 cops plan to testify about Floyd killing; prosecutors rest

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have rested their case against three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The prosecution rested Monday after nearly three weeks of testimony from bystanders, doctors, police officers and others. J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are accused of depriving Floyd of medical care while the Black man was handcuffed, facedown as Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee onto Floyd’s neck. Kueng and Thao are also accused of failing to intervene to stop the May 2020 killing that triggered protests worldwide. Thao and Kueng told the judge Monday that they plan to testify. An attorney for Lane said earlier that his client would testify, but now says they’ll discuss it further.

AP-US-TRIBAL-JAILS-DEATH-INVESTIGATIONS

US announces tribal lockup reforms after 16 deaths reviewed

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has announced a series of reforms after reviewing the deaths of 16 inmates in correctional facilities it oversees. The agency did not publicly release the details of its review, making it difficult to gauge what prompted the reforms that it says will protect the rights, dignity and safety of tribal members taken into custody. The reforms include policy changes to quicken the response to in-custody deaths and regular updates to the the bureau’s Office of Justice Services. Other reforms focus on training and working with other federal agencies to define the roles of investigators.

CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY

Senate GOP package pushes to provide curriculum to parents

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Senate Republicans introduced a “Parents Bill of Rights” legislative package on Monday they say would empower parents by giving them more access to curriculum at their children’s schools. The bills would require access to class syllabi for parents within the first two weeks of the start of classes and provide all instruction materials without cost to parents who request them for review, among others. Teachers are concerned the requirements would mandate more duties for an already exhausted workforce and create an opening for future censorship and book bans to prevent teachings on topics like race and gender.

FOOD DEMAND-NORTH DAKOTA

Food demand high at North Dakota’s only food bank

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s only food bank experienced the second-highest demand in its 39-year history in 2021 as the coronavirus pandemic surged. Great Plains Food Bank, based in Fargo, provided 12.6 million meals for those in need in 2021. The non-for-profit organization helped 121,000 people, more than in any year before the pandemic. As the pandemic gathered steam in 2020, the food bank experienced record demand, providing food for 17.7 million meals for nearly 146,000 people. The food bank is based in Fargo, with a distribution center in Bismarck. The organization distributes food to pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and other charitable feeding programs in more than 100 communities across North Dakota and into eastern Minnesota.

POLICE SHOOTING-MEEKER COUNTY

Officials: Man in Meeker County shootout took his own life

EDEN VALLEY, Minn. (AP) — The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died over the weekend after exchanging gunfire with a police officer in small community southwest of St. Cloud. The medical examiner says 34-year-old Stephen Christ Poissant, of Brainerd, died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head during an encounter in Eden Valley early Saturday. ?The officer with whom Poissant exchanged gunfire has been identified as Evan Borscheid. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Borscheid discharged his firearm, resulting in a graze injury to Poissant’s knee. Borscheid was not injured and is on standard administrative leave.

FATAL FIRE

One person dead in mobile home fire in Cass County

BENA, Minn. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say one person has died in a mobile home fire in Cass County. Sheriff Tom Burch reports that on Sunday about 12:30 a.m. dispatchers received a call about the fire on Highway 2 in rural Bena. First responders found the home engulfed in flames when they arrived. Once the fire was extinguished a search of the residence was conducted and the victim was found. An autopsy will be done by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation continues with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Data: Many COVID-19 patients in December were vaccinated

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota health officials say more than half of state residents who tested positive for COVID-19 in December were vaccinated. The Minnesota Department of Heath breakthrough case data does not indicate if people had received booster shots. Roughly a third of those who were hospitalized for COVID-19 or died during that month also were vaccinated. Health officials say the omicron variant was a big part of the growth in breakthrough infections. Nevertheless, health officials say vaccines along with a booster dose remain the best way to protect against severe illness and to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

POKEMON-BURGLARY

Thief steals 250K in Pokémon goods from Forest Lake shop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The owners of a business in Forest Lake said a thief broke into theirgame shop and stole Pokémon merchandise they estimate was worth $250,000. The thief avoided the store’s security system Thursday morning by breaking into a vacant business next door and then busting through the wall to enter the gaming store’s storage areas.The thief removed two room’s worth of inventory without entering the main store, which would have triggered an alarm. Twin brothers Eric and Mike Johnsonown Punch-Out Gaming. Eric Johnson says the thief focused on Pokémon, leaving behind other items, including a bank cash bag.