Public Safety
Hennepin Co. violent crime down
A decrease in Hennepin County violent crimes over the past five years has continued, with the rate decreasing by 38 percent from 2006 to 2011.
For the fifth consecutive year, fewer violent crimes were committed in Hennepin County – with a 6 percent decrease from 2010 to 2011. MORE »
Sex offender release could be topic on House floor Monday
The full House is expected to take up legislation Monday to address the impending provisional discharge of a convicted sex offender Clarence Opheim from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.MORE »
Enhancing domestic violence penalties definition
As part of a domestic assault in July 2011, a man in Hopkins held his wife against a wall by her chest and neck during an argument and then threw her to the floor.MORE »
From Facebook to court: U defends discipline

It started with a Facebook status update.
Now, Minnesota’s highest court and the University of Minnesota’s top lawyers are involved, and a debate has ignited about free speech and academic discipline on college campuses.MORE »
"Slavery by another name" airing on PBS
On Monday, February 13th, PBS stations will air a 90 minute documentary called “Slavery By Another Name”, based on a book by journalist Douglas Blackmon.MORE »
Notifying an abuse victim's parents
Sarah Guggisberg has lived a mother’s nightmare that she doesn’t want to happen to anyone else.
While spending weekends with her ex-husband in 2005, her 5-year-old son, Jacob, was sexually abused by a neighbor. She wasn’t informed of the incident until Jacob told her four years later.MORE »
County attorneys could pack heat
Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell is accustomed to prosecuting criminals. Six weeks ago he became a victim of one while doing his job at the county courthouse.
On Dec. 15, Scannell was shot by Daniel Schlienz after the latter was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Scannell was rushed to a Duluth hospital with three gunshot wounds, but survived.MORE »
Willie Lloyd's second chance
In 1988, Willie Lloyd was convicted of murder. There was already a history of trouble in his family. His father was a leader of the Unknown Vice Lords in Chicago. Several members of his extended family were part of the gang culture. When he was 18 years old Willie Lloyd shot a man during a fight, and he went to jail. He was there for 23 years... until he was released last June.MORE »
Reflections of New Minnesotans: Spoken word artist Tou SaiKo Lee
Julia Nekessa Opoti interviews local spoken word and hip-hop artist, activist and mentor, Tou SaiKo Lee. [Audio below]
Proposed vehicle insurance changes rejected
Minnesotans driving without insurance should be limited in the money they could receive in damages if they are involved in a driving incident.MORE »













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