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OBIT-BELLECOURT

American Indian Movement leader Clyde Bellecourt dies at 85

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Clyde Bellecourt, a leader in the Native American struggle for civil rights and a founder of the American Indian Movement, has died. He was 85. Bellecourt died Tuesday morning from cancer at his home in Minneapolis. Bellecourt was a co-founder in 1968 of AIM, which began as a local organization in Minneapolis that sought to grapple with issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans. The group would lead a string of major national protests in the 1970s, including a 71-day occupation in 1973 of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, to highlight corruption on the reservation and federal injustices against Indians.

GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS

Judge in federal trial in Floyd death urges quick proceeding

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The judge handling the federal trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights is urging attorneys to “move the case along” to reduce chances that the proceeding will be disrupted by COVID-19. Jury selection starts Jan. 20 for Tou Thao, J. Kueng and Thomas Lane on allegations that they deprived Floyd of his rights while acting under government authority. At a pretrial hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson told attorneys he’s worried about COVID-19 disrupting the proceedings. He also issued rulings that set some restrictions on testimony by some witnesses, and urged attorneys to help him get the case tried as quickly as practical.

NICKEL MINE-TESLA

Nickel mine developer has major commitment from Tesla

TAMARACK, Minn. (AP) — The company that plans to develop a nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota has made a major supply deal with Tesla, the electric vehicle maker. Tesla has committed to purchasing 75,000 metric tons of nickel concentrate over six years from Talon Metals’ planned mine in Tamarack, which is about 50 miles west of Duluth. Talon hopes to open the mine by January 2026, but has not yet started the permitting process. Nickel is a key ingredient of electric vehicle batteries. Tesla would claim more than half of the mine’s production of nickel concentrate, which would be further refined before it could be used to make batteries.

ILLICIT VAPING CARTRIDGES

Man convicted for possessing 77,000 THC vaping cartridges

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — A jury has convicted a Minnesota man accused of illegally possessing nearly 77,000 vaping cartridges that contained dangerous levels of THC. Valentin Andonii was found guilty of two counts of first-degree controlled substance crime and one count of marijuana and controlled substance taxation. The latter charge stated that the 25-year-old Andonii owes more than $3 million in state taxes. Authorities say the cartridges are believed to have come from out of state for distribution in Minnesota. The Star Tribune reports the cartridges came in packages that sported famous cartoon characters or themes of sweet flavors, indicating that the operation had younger uses in mind. THC is the component of marijuana that gives a high.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

State sees declining COVID-19 intensive care rate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials looking for a silver lining in the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant say they hope it can be found in declining intensive care hospitalizations for COVID-19. That number fell from 374 in mid-December to 255 on Friday. The decline temporarily eases pressure on hospitals as they brace for the wave of omicron infections. Despite its rapid spread, health officials are hoping the variant will continue to produce a lower rate of severe COVID-19 cases. Minnesota’s decline in ICU patients is an optimistic sign even though total coronavirus hospitalizations have increased from 1,314 on Jan. 1 to 1,435 on Friday.

CONDEMNED HOTEL FIRE

Fire crews battle blaze at condemned hotel in Duluth

Fire crews are fighting a large fire at a condemned hotel in Duluth in subzero conditions. Fire officials say the roof of the old Seaway Hotel in the Lincoln Park Craft District has collapsed and all firefighters have been pulled out of the building Monday. Some residents and workers in adjacent buildings, including tenants in apartments above Curly’s Bar, have been evacuated. The Esmond Building is owned by the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority, was condemned and slated for demolition after another building was constructed to house the hotel’s former residents. Firefighters from Superior, Wisconsin are providing mutual aid.

AP-US-SEXUAL-ASSAULT-ATTEMPT-CHARGES

Man arrested in Alabama accused of using app to arrange rape

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A man arrested in Alabama is accused of using a phone app in an attempt to hire someone to kidnap and rape a woman in Wisconsin. Federal court documents show 22-year-old Matthias Jacob Edward Mann was arrested last week in the north Alabama town of Hartselle. He’s charged with attempted kidnapping and attempted coercion after a person who he believed was willing to assault a woman turned out to be a police officer working undercover. The woman told police she had met Mann online and chatted with him on Twitter but they hadn’t met in person.

ELECTION 2022-MINNESOTA GOVERNOR

Qualls joins packed GOP field in race for Minnesota governor

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A U.S. Army veteran and former healthcare executive says he’s running for governor in Minnesota, joining a handful of other Republicans who have announced for the job. Kendall Qualls lives in Medina with his wife and five children. He says he is the first and only member of his family to go to college and has earned two masters degrees. Qualls says he is running for governor because “the radical left has morphed the culture of the country where it is not recognizable.” Qualls made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2020. DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin says Qualls has endorsed failed policies by former President Donald Trump and is trying to divide Minnesota residents.