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DAUNTE WRIGHT-OFFICER TRIAL

Potter’s ex-chief: ‘I saw no violation’ of policy by officer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kim Potter’s police chief at the time she shot and killed Daunte Wright testified at her manslaughter trial, calling Potter “a fine officer” and saying he “saw no violation” of policy in Potter’s actions at the scene. Tim Gannon resigned as chief in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center two days after the April 11 shooting. He testified Thursday that he was forced out because he wouldn’t immediately fire Potter, who resigned the same day he did. Gannon said he looked at body camera video right after the shooting and dashcam video recently and said he saw no violation of policy in Potter’s actions at the scene. Potter is planning to testify on Friday.

AP-US-SEVERE-WEATHER-MIDWEST

At least 5 dead as Midwest rocked by hurricane-force winds

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say at least five people died when a powerful storm system swept across the Great Plains and Midwest, spawning hurricane-force winds and likely tornadoes in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. Officials say a 65-year-old man was killed Wednesday night when a 40-foot tree fell on him outside his home in southeastern Minnesota. The Iowa State Patrol says a semitrailer was struck by high winds and rolled onto its side in eastern Iowa, killing the driver. The Kansas Highway Patrol says three people died in traffic accidents due to blowing dust. More than 20 unconfirmed tornadoes were reported Wednesday, mostly in eastern Nebraska and Iowa. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses remain without power Thursday.

RANDOM SHOOTINGS-MINNESOTA

Minnesota woman accused of shooting at strangers in vehicles

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota woman suspected of shooting at strangers in vehicles over the last few months is facing four charges of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Authorities have not released a potential motive. Latoya Weston declined to make a statement to police and her lawyer said she’s not guilty. The 44-year-old West St. Paul woman was arrested after police received two key tips following the release of surveillance photos. Weston is accused of shooting at a vehicle in St. Paul with a 21-year-old driver and a teenager and two young children inside on Oct. 19. No one was injured. A July 1 attack in a suburb injured a driver.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

COVID-19 death toll climbs above 10,000 in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A coronavirus pandemic wave caused by the fast-spreading delta variant has quickened the death toll in Minnesota where more than 10,000 people have died of COVID-19. The Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday reported 54 more COVID-19 deaths confirmed by testing, raising the total to 10,018. State health data showed that it took 188 days from March to September for Minnesota to go from 7,000 to 8,000 deaths, but then 58 days to reach 9,000 and 35 days to reach 10,000. More than half the COVID-19 deaths have happened in inpatient wards or emergency rooms.

BANKERS SURVEY

Bankers say the rural economy remains strong in 10 states

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states shows the economy remains strong in the region, but some bankers said they are worried about how inflation will affect farmers. The overall economic index slipped from November’s 67.7 to 66.7 in December but any score above 50 suggests growth.The report released Thursday said high inflation is a concern as land costs and the price of supplies farmers need are expected to keep growing next year. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

BC-US-GEORGE-FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL-RIGHTS-CHAUVIN

Chauvin pleads guilty to federal charge in Floyd’s death

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. In doing so, Chauvin admitted for the first time that he held his knee across Floyd’s neck and kept it there even after Floyd became unresponsive, resulting in the Black man’s death. Chauvin’s plea Wednesday means he will not face a federal trial in January, though he could end up spending more years behind bars than he was expected to on his state murder conviction. Three other former officers indicted on federal charges alongside Chauvin this year remain on course for trial early next year.

GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS-EXPLAINER-CHAUVIN PLEA

EXPLAINER: What’s next after Derek Chauvin’s guilty plea?

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has pleaded guilty to a federal count alleging he willfully deprived George Floyd of his rights during the May 25, 2020, arrest that led to the Black man’s death. It means that Chauvin admitted for the first time that he violated Floyd’s rights. For Chauvin, it was probably attractive for removing the chance that he could spend life behind bars. Prosecutors are seeking 25 years, though with good time he would do less even if the judge gives the maximum. A plea agreement also calls for him to serve time in a federal facility, which one legal expert said would be safer than a state prison.

DAUNTE WRIGHT-OFFICER TRIAL-EXPLAINER-GUN AND TASER

EXPLAINER: How does an officer use a gun instead of a Taser?

At former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter’s manslaughter trial for fatally shooting Daunte Wright, a Black motorist, the core of her defense is clear: She says she meant to use her Taser but grabbed her handgun instead. Experts say such cases are rare, but they do happen. The prosecution’s use-of-force expert, Seth Stoughton, testified that he knew of “fewer than 20” cases. Similar cases have been reported in recent years in California, Oklahoma and Missouri. Bill Lewinski studies police psychology. He says officers sometimes perform the direct opposite of their intended actions under stress.