VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minneapolis, St. Paul restore mask mandates as virus spreads

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s two largest cities moved Wednesday to reimpose mask requirements in businesses and public places as the omicron variant of coronavirus spreads rapidly. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said the requirement would take effect in both cities at 5 p.m. Thursday. Frey said it’s essential to keep the city healthy and moving, and wearing a mask is an obvious thing to do. Minnesota reported 4,149 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday statewide, with 71 deaths. More than 10,600 people have died of the virus since the pandemic began. On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz announced plans to open three more COVID-19 community testing sites as the omicron variant stresses the state’s testing capacity.

MALL OF AMERICA-SHOOTING

Second man arrested in Mall of America shooting in Minnesota

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Police say a second man has been arrested in a shooting at the Mall of America in a Minneapolis suburb last week that left two people wounded. Bloomington police say the 18-year-old St. Paul man was arrested in nearby Roseville and is being held on a possible charge of first-degree assault. A firearm was recovered. Officers arrested another St. Paul man in Roseville on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of aiding and abetting, but a county prosecutor said Wednesday that the man wouldn’t be charged. Authorities say one man was shot in the leg on the third floor of the mall Friday and another man was grazed by a bullet following an altercation.

CAPITOL BREACH-CONVICTIONS

Iowa man and Minnesota son plead guilty in Capitol riot case

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man and his Minnesota son have pleaded guilty to a charge of civil disorder related to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, admitting that they entered the building through a broken window and pushed through a police line once inside. Both 51-year-old Daryl Johnson, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, and 29-year-old Daniel Johnson, of Austin, Minnesota, made social media posts noting their participation in the insurrection. They admitted guilt in a video hearing Tuesday. They’re likely to get up to six months in prison at their April 12 sentencing. They agreed to pay restitution of $2,000 each to help defray the $1.5 million in damage to the Capitol.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Walz announces more COVID-19 testing sites as omicron surges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz has announced plans to open three more COVID-19 community testing sites as the rapid spread of the omicron variant puts new strains on Minnesota’s testing capacity. According to updated figures Tuesday, Minnesota is coming off its deadliest month of the pandemic for 2021, with 874 deaths in December. The state’s seven-day test positivity rate was 12% as of Dec. 27, the highest of the year. The surge in cases has fueled demand for testing. The National Guard and Minnesota Department of Health will open new community testing sites in Anoka, Cottage Grove and North Branch.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA-TRASH COLLECTION

COVID outages delay trash pick-up across Twin Cities area

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A COVID-19 outbreak among Waste Management drivers has created a delay in trash pick-up across the Twin Cities area. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Tuesday that Waste Management officials said about 5,000 households, or about 2% of the company’s customer base, will have to wait for a Jan. 11 pick-up. The households are located in Blaine; Marine on St. Croix; May Township; Scandia; Crystal; Fridley; Maple Grove; Minneapolis; New Brighton; New Hope; Brooklyn Park; St. Paul; Maplewood; Newport; and Stillwater.

HAGEDORN-CORONAVIRUS

Minnesota US Rep. Jim Hagedorn tests positive for COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The southern Minnesota Republican said in a statement Tuesday that he has been vaccinated and is experiencing “very mild symptoms.” But he acknowledged that doctors are concerned because he’s fighting kidney cancer. He says he’ll work with professionals at Mayo until it’s safe to return home to Blue Earth or travel to work in Washington. Hagedorn announced in July that he had suffered a recurrence of his stage IV kidney cancer. He was first diagnosed in 2019.

SHOPLIFTER SHOOTING

Man charged in fatal shooting at St. Paul liquor store

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A man accused of fatally shooting a person who confronted him about shoplifting at a St. Paul liquor store has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors say 44-year-old Kenneth Davis, Jr. was shot with his own gun at Big Discount Liquor on Dec. 27. According to a criminal complaint, Davis was a regular customer at the store and saw the defendant concealing some vodka without paying for it, then confronted him with a gun. Authorities say the two men tussled, Davis dropped his gun and the man used it to shoot him. He was arrested several days later at a motel.

BLOOD DONATIONS

Minnesota’s blood bank donations are at a 10-year low

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Officials say Minnesota’s blood bank donations are at a 10-year low. Red Cross spokeswoman Tonia Teasley says many people are not donating because they are worried about their own health during the coronavirus pandemic. Teasley says across the region blood donations are down 10 percent. Sen. Amy Klobuchar hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on the issue Monday with several blood bank officials. Blood donations have been down since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and that’s exacerbated by the new year. Klobuchar says donations tend to drop following the holidays.