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2010 HOMICIDE-INDICTMENT

Twin Cities man indicted for allegedly killing wife in 2010

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Ramsey County grand jury has indicted a man accused of killing his wife in St. Paul more than a decade ago. Nicholas Firkus, of Mounds View, was arrested in May on suspicion of killing 25-year-old Heidi Firkus on April 25, 2010. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the 38-year-old Firkus was indicted Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. A grand jury is typically used if the offense is punishable by life in prison. Nicholas Firkus told police that someone broke into their home that day and grabbed his shotgun, after which the two struggled over the weapon. Firkus said the gun fired, killing his wife, and he was injured in the leg when it went off a second time.

POLICE PURSUIT-FATAL CRASH

1 dead, 1 injured after police pursue alleged street racers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead and another is hospitalized after an apparent single-vehicle crash that followed a police pursuit in a Twin Cities suburb. Eden Prairie police responded to a report about 1:40 a.m. Sunday of vehicles racing, after which several vehicles fled the scene. Officers lost sight of one vehicle they were chasing as it passed under Interstate 494. The vehicle was later found crashed in Minnetonka. One man was declared dead at the scene and a woman in the vehicle was taken to a hospital. The extent of her injuries are not known. A neighbor who heard the crash told WCCO-TV that street racing is common in the area on the weekends.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Parents of Minnesota students file suit seeking mask mandate

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Some parents of students at Minnesota K-12 schools that have not required face coverings have filed a lawsuit asking the governor to enact a statewide mask mandate because of the spike in COVID-19 cases. The complaint filed in Ramsey County Friday by a group calling itself “Parents Advocating for Safe Schools” cites a provision in the Minnesota Constitution regarding rights of students to receive an “adequate” education. Minnesota Public Radio news reports that the suit seeks a court order requiring Walz to declare a new peacetime emergency to address the pandemic and issue an executive order that all school districts and schools in the state “impose and enforce a mask mandate.” A spokesman for Walz says the governor is reviewing the complaint.

AP-US-WESTERN-WILDFIRES-ABANDONED-ADVENTURES

Wildfires, smoke snuff out outdoor adventures across US

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wildfires burning in the U.S. this summer have upended plans for countless outdoor adventures. Campers, hikers, rafters and other outdoor enthusiasts have had to scrap or change trips or endure thick smoke. One retired attorney and teacher from the Philadelphia area has twice canceled plans because of wildfires. He had planned to hike a section of the Pacific Crest Trail in California that closed because of the second-largest fire in state history. His backup plan to canoe a massive network of lakes on the Minnesota-Canada border also was sunk by fire. All national forests in California are closed to prioritize fighting fires.

PLANT CLOSING

Coleman plant in Sauk Rapids closing, eliminating 175 jobs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Coleman Co. will close its plant in Sauk Rapids, resulting in 175 people losing their jobs. Coleman, owned by Newell Brands, notified the state that the plant would close by the end of the year. In the filing, Coleman said it is ceasing production at Sauk Rapids and that layoffs will be permanent. Layoffs will be on or around Dec. 31.Coleman acquired the plant in 2008 when it bought Stearns Inc., a maker of life jackets for industrial, government and recreational markets. According to Stearns website, Coleman has invested millions in the Sauk Rapids facility since the acquisition.

GEORGE FLOYD-PROTESTS-ACQUITTAL

Man who shot at cops in unrest over Floyd death is acquitted

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged with attempted murder after firing at Minneapolis police officers in the chaotic protests that followed George Floyd’s death has been acquitted of all charges against him. Jaleel Stallings argued self-defense during his July trial, testifying that he fired at the unmarked white van after he was struck in the chest with what turned out to be a nonlethal rubber bullet fired by police. Stallings’ case drew new attention this week when an online digital news outlet, Minnesota Reformer, reported on his acquittal and published body camera footage that shows Minneapolis SWAT officers punching and kicking him as he lay on the ground. The news comes months before Minneapolis residents will be asked to weigh in on the future of the police department.

SENATE-MINORITY LEADER

Kent steps down as Minnesota Senate minority leader

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent says she plans to retire at the end of her term and won’t seek reelection in 2022. Because of that, she is stepping down as minority leader. Kent, a Woodbury Democrat, has served in the Senate for 10 years and says she decided to retire so she could focus more on her family, especially her mother, who she hasn’t seen for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kent said serving in the Senate has been the greatest honor of her life. The Senate Democratic caucus will select a new minority leader on Sept. 13.

AP-US-ENBRIDGE-ENERGY-LINE-3

Congresswomen urge Biden to stop pipeline in Minnesota visit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and her progressive congressional allies have urged President Joe Biden to stop construction on Enbridge Energy’s much-contested Line 3 project. Omar and three other congresswomen said the pipeline project would worsen climate change and violate Native American treaty rights. But Enbridge spokeswoman Juli Kellner says six years of reviews, court decisions and permit approvals disprove claims that Line 3 would violate treaty rights or damage the region’s environment. Pipeline supporters, including Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, state lawmakers and pipeline workers spoke Friday ahead of Omar’s visit to praise the jobs the pipeline has brought to the region.