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AP-US-ENBRIDGE-ENERGY-LINE-3

Minnesota court deals yet another setback to pipeline foes

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has affirmed a decision by state pollution regulators to issue a water quality certification for Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline. It’s the latest setback for opponents as the project nears completion. The court ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s approval was “supported by substantial evidence in the record.” Under federal law, the MPCA was required to certify whether the project met state and federal clean water standards. The agency concluded that it did. Nearly 900 Line 3 opponents have been arrested at protests along the route across northern Minnesota and in St. Paul.

AP-US-WILDFIRES-MINNESOTA

New threat emerges as crews fight Minnesota wildfire: bears

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Officials leading the fight against wildfires in northeastern Minnesota are warning about a new threat: bears attracted by generous donations of food and other supplies. Superior National Forest officials say donations have far out-stripped their need and ability to store what they received. Donations now must be stored in the open, They’ve had two instances of bear damage already. Crews have been battling the Greenwood Lake fire since it was spotted Aug. 15, about 15 miles southwest of the town of Isabella. The area received a much-needed 1.5 to 2 inches of rain from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning.

TRAFFIC DEATHS-MINNESOTA

Speed kills: State tops 300 traffic deaths before Labor Day

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota reached 300 traffic accident deaths before Labor Day for the first time in more than a decade, due in large part to excessive speeds on the roads. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says the state reported its 300th fatality on Saturday. There were 240 traffic deaths in the state at this time last year and the state did not reach 300 until October. Officials attributed 103 of the deaths, or about 40%, to speeding, compared to 78 at this time last year. Nearly three-fourths of all victims were male, with the majority between 21 and 30 years old. Alcohol-related deaths stand at 74, which is down from 88 at this time last year and 136 in 2011.

GAS STATION SHOOTING

Man convicted in gas station shooting sentenced to 25 years

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — One of two people accused in the shooting death of a teen at a Minneapolis gas station in September 2020 has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Eighteen-year-old Jomoy Lee, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty in July to intentional second-degree murder and felon in possession for the killing of 17-year-old Andre Conley. A 19-year-old man was injured in the shooting. A second defendant, 18-year-old Kejuan Haywood, is charged with intentional second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Haywood, of Minneapolis, is scheduled to make his next court appearance Tuesday.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

High demand for hospital beds in Minnesota, ICU beds at 95%

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Health officials say the recent surge in the coronavirus delta variant has coincided with a high demand for hospital beds across Minnesota.The state Department of Health says 95 percent of intensive care unit beds are occupied and 91 percent of overall hospital beds are in use. The numbers are even tighter in metro areas as COVID-19 cases are on the rise. Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says the need extends beyond coronavirus patients. Malcolm says some patients deferred care during the most intense parts of the pandemic and are now landing in the hospital.

SOLAR PANEL SCAM

Man charged with defrauding clients who ordered solar panels

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former owner and CEO of a defunct private solar energy and thermal installation company is accused of bilking 53 clients in Minnesota out of more than $1 million. Michael Harvey, of River Falls, Wisconsin, is charged in Hennepin County with one count of theft-by-swindle for falsely promising to provide and install solar panels in 2017 and 2018. The 41-year-old Harvey was the head of Able Energy, which closed in 2018. Authorities say Harvey encouraged sales representatives to tell customers their jobs would be done more quickly if they paid upfront, which he did in order to “prop up his failing business.” Harvey is also accused of falsely offering financial incentives through electric utilities or government entities.

FATAL TUNNEL EXPLORATION

Tunnel explorer dies after storms wash him into Mississippi

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A man who was exploring tunnels under a bridge in St. Paul died after he and two others were washed into the Mississippi River. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office says five adults were exploring the tunnels when a thunderstorm hit. Two people were able to escape, but the three others were washed into the river about 1 a.m. Sunday. Ramsey County Water Patrol, St. Paul police, St. Paul and Minneapolis firefighters were called to the scene. The responders were able to rescue two of the three adults who washed into the river. The body of third person was recovered about 7 a.m. Sunday.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Opponents of COVID-19 restrictions rally at state Capitol

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered outside the Minnesota Capitol to protest COVID-19 vaccines and face covering requirements. Organizers billed Saturday’s event as a “medical freedom” rally. Many in the crowd held up signs criticizing vaccines, masks and mandates and chanting slogans such as “My body, my choice.” About a half-dozen Republican legislators and two candidates for governor addressed the group that stood together without wearing masks. The statewide mask mandate ended in May but many employers have taken matters into their own hands as case numbers surge across the state. Speakers objected to the idea of carrying vaccine passports and many signed a petition to ban them.