BC-US-DAUNTE-WRIGHT-OFFICER-TRIAL

Kim Potter on Daunte Wright death: ‘I’m sorry it happened’

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The suburban Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright said she’s sorry it happened. Kim Potter was the last witness Friday before the defense rested in her trial. She’s charged with manslaughter in Wright’s death during an April 11 traffic stop in Brooklyn Center. Potter has said she meant to use her Taser to subdue Wright when he pulled away from officers and got back into his car as they tried to arrest him on an outstanding warrant. She shot him with her handgun instead. Potter said the situation “just went chaotic” after Wright tried to get back into his car.

SHERIFF-DRUNKEN DRIVING

Hennepin County sheriff pleads guilty to drunken driving

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hennepin County’s sheriff has pleaded guilty to drunken driving. Dave Hutchinson entered the plea Thursday to the misdemeanor charge and said he has enrolled in an outpatient treatment program to address his issues with alcohol. Hutchinson crashed his SUV on Interstate 94 near Alexandria on Dec. 8 at 2:30 a.m. after attending a state sheriffs conference. Hutchinson’s blood alcohol was 0.13%. The legal limit to drive is 0.08%. The sheriff said in a statement that the crash was a “wakeup call” for him. He suffered three broken ribs and head and hip injuries when he rolled the SUV.

AP-US-ELECTION-2022-THREE-SIMPLE-WORDS

Republicans resist saying 3 simple words: ‘Joe Biden won’

They are just three little words, but they have become nearly impossible for many Republicans to say: “Joe Biden won.” It’s a measure of election denialism within the Republican Party. Former President Donald Trump’s lies about a stolen election have so taken hold among GOP voters that many of the party’s candidates either believe them — or fear the political repercussions of refuting them. That sets up a surreal dynamic for next year’s elections, where the toughest question posed to GOP candidates — particularly those running in primaries — may be one with a one-word answer.

SEVERE WEATHER-NEBRASKA-IOWA

At least 24 tornadoes confirmed this week in Nebraska, Iowa

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — At least two dozen tornadoes tore through parts of Nebraska and Iowa earlier this week as part of a powerful storm system that swept across the Great Plains and Midwest earlier this week. The National Weather Service on Friday confirmed tornadoes that stretched across a swath from south-central Nebraska to northeastern Iowa. The service says more tornadoes in those states are likely to be confirmed as storm teams continued to assess damage on the ground Friday. The service says nine of those tornadoes rated an EF2, with wind speeds of 111-135 mph. The others were moderate EF1 or weak EF0 tornadoes.

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.