ByAs Minnesotans observed Memorial Day, the official start of summer, the number of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care beds climbed to a record high of 248, increasing by the largest number in a single day.State Health Department officials who released the numbers Monday said they confirm earlier warnings that the numbers would inch up.Loading...“This is an expected trend,” said Jennifer DeCubellis, CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, which oversees HCMC (formerly Hennepin County Medical Center). “We anticipated that social distancing would allow health systems time to get space, staff and...…ByAs Minnesotans observed Memorial Day, the official start of summer, the number of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care beds climbed to a record high of 248, increasing by the largest number in a single day.State Health Department officials who released the numbers Monday said they confirm earlier warnings that the numbers would inch up.Loading...“This is an expected trend,” said Jennifer DeCubellis, CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, which oversees HCMC (formerly Hennepin County Medical Center). “We anticipated that social distancing would allow health systems time to get space, staff and...WW…

ByMinneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expects to announce a negotiated deal Thursday to recoup $100,000 from Target Center operator ASM Global for the cost of hosting President Donald Trump's October 2019 rally at the city-owned arena."We are recovering half of what we can get under the law," Frey said, adding: "We have a duty to protect free speech, but we don't have a duty to subsidize it."The deal is subject to City Council approval and could come up for a vote as soon as Feb. 12.Before Trump touched down in Minneapolis for the rally, there was public sparring among the Republican president's...…ByMinneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expects to announce a negotiated deal Thursday to recoup $100,000 from Target Center operator ASM Global for the cost of hosting President Donald Trump's October 2019 rally at the city-owned arena."We are recovering half of what we can get under the law," Frey said, adding: "We have a duty to protect free speech, but we don't have a duty to subsidize it."The deal is subject to City Council approval and could come up for a vote as soon as Feb. 12.Before Trump touched down in Minneapolis for the rally, there was public sparring among the Republican president's...WW…

More from the HomepageProsecutors seek to add third-degree charges, citing ruling against Noor. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Prosecutors sought Thursday to add third-degree murder charges against four former Minneapolis police officers in the death of George Floyd because of an appellate court ruling this week in the case of another ex-officer convicted in the 2017 death of an Australian woman.In the case of Derek Chauvin, prosecutors want to reinstate the third-degree murder charge that was dismissed in October by Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill. In the cases of the...…More from the HomepageProsecutors seek to add third-degree charges, citing ruling against Noor. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Prosecutors sought Thursday to add third-degree murder charges against four former Minneapolis police officers in the death of George Floyd because of an appellate court ruling this week in the case of another ex-officer convicted in the 2017 death of an Australian woman.In the case of Derek Chauvin, prosecutors want to reinstate the third-degree murder charge that was dismissed in October by Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill. In the cases of the...WW…

More from the HomepageAn identical billboard went up in New York's Times Square in October, and others are scheduled next month for Atlanta and Los Angeles. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:National advertising firm Clear Channel Outdoor canceled a billboard order for downtown Minneapolis on Thursday because it featured an artist's depiction of George Floyd's death.Brooklyn-based artist Don received an e-mail notice Thursday from Clear Channel account executive Beau Ryan saying the billboard image was rejected because it "depicts acts of violence."The image on the planned Minneapolis...…More from the HomepageAn identical billboard went up in New York's Times Square in October, and others are scheduled next month for Atlanta and Los Angeles. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:National advertising firm Clear Channel Outdoor canceled a billboard order for downtown Minneapolis on Thursday because it featured an artist's depiction of George Floyd's death.Brooklyn-based artist Don received an e-mail notice Thursday from Clear Channel account executive Beau Ryan saying the billboard image was rejected because it "depicts acts of violence."The image on the planned Minneapolis...WW…

More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The four former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's killing will be tried together in Hennepin County instead of separately in suburban or outstate Minnesota, a judge ruled Thursday.Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill rejected motions filed by each defense attorney for a change of venue, requests that activists and attorneys for Floyd's family had criticized as attempts to sidestep justice by trying the cases in rural, predominantly white counties. Floyd was Black.Cahill granted a motion filed by Attorney...…More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The four former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's killing will be tried together in Hennepin County instead of separately in suburban or outstate Minnesota, a judge ruled Thursday.Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill rejected motions filed by each defense attorney for a change of venue, requests that activists and attorneys for Floyd's family had criticized as attempts to sidestep justice by trying the cases in rural, predominantly white counties. Floyd was Black.Cahill granted a motion filed by Attorney...WW…

More from the HomepageBogdan Vechirko faces one felony and one misdemeanor count in Hennepin County. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The trucker who was attacked after driving into a massive protest on the Interstate 35W bridge after the killing of George Floyd was charged Thursday with two criminal counts from the May 31 incident.Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office charged 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko of Otsego with threats of violence, a felony, and criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor, saying the driver admitted to investigators that he was “kind of in a...…More from the HomepageBogdan Vechirko faces one felony and one misdemeanor count in Hennepin County. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The trucker who was attacked after driving into a massive protest on the Interstate 35W bridge after the killing of George Floyd was charged Thursday with two criminal counts from the May 31 incident.Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office charged 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko of Otsego with threats of violence, a felony, and criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor, saying the driver admitted to investigators that he was “kind of in a...WW…

More from the HomepageBogdan Vechirko faces one felony and one misdemeanor count in Hennepin County. By Star TribunemoreThe trucker who was attacked after driving into a massive protest on the Interstate 35W bridge following the killing of George Floyd was charged Thursday with two criminal counts from the May 31 incident.Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office charged 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko of Otsego with threats of violence, a felony, and criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor, saying the driver admitted to investigators that he was “kind of in a hurry” and the...…More from the HomepageBogdan Vechirko faces one felony and one misdemeanor count in Hennepin County. By Star TribunemoreThe trucker who was attacked after driving into a massive protest on the Interstate 35W bridge following the killing of George Floyd was charged Thursday with two criminal counts from the May 31 incident.Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office charged 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko of Otsego with threats of violence, a felony, and criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor, saying the driver admitted to investigators that he was “kind of in a hurry” and the...WW…

More from the HomepageDefense claims Floyd has been falsely portrayed as a "law-abiding" victim in fear for his life. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Prosecutors in the death of George Floyd have asked the court to take the extraordinary step of withholding all case filings from public view for at least two days, including the most recent defense filing that detailed his 2019 arrest.Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill scheduled a hearing at 12:30 p.m. Thursday to hear arguments about the prosecution’s request. A media coalition, including the Star Tribune, opposes the motion....…More from the HomepageDefense claims Floyd has been falsely portrayed as a "law-abiding" victim in fear for his life. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Prosecutors in the death of George Floyd have asked the court to take the extraordinary step of withholding all case filings from public view for at least two days, including the most recent defense filing that detailed his 2019 arrest.Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill scheduled a hearing at 12:30 p.m. Thursday to hear arguments about the prosecution’s request. A media coalition, including the Star Tribune, opposes the motion....WW…

More from the HomepageIn his fatal encounter with Minneapolis police, George Floyd used the word "please" nearly five dozen times, according to newly released transcripts of police body camera footage. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:In his fatal encounter with the Minneapolis Police over a counterfeit $20 bill, George Floyd used the word “please” nearly five dozen times as he pleaded for his life. At least two dozen times he told the officers he could not breathe, both before and during the time he was restrained.As officer Thomas Lane ordered Floyd to get out of his car and to put...…More from the HomepageIn his fatal encounter with Minneapolis police, George Floyd used the word "please" nearly five dozen times, according to newly released transcripts of police body camera footage. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:In his fatal encounter with the Minneapolis Police over a counterfeit $20 bill, George Floyd used the word “please” nearly five dozen times as he pleaded for his life. At least two dozen times he told the officers he could not breathe, both before and during the time he was restrained.As officer Thomas Lane ordered Floyd to get out of his car and to put...WW…

More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Several Minneapolis police officers issued a public letter Thursday condemning the killing of George Floyd, embracing Chief Medaria Arradondo and vowing to work toward regaining public trust.The letter, obtained by the Star Tribune, begins, “Dear Everyone — but especially Minneapolis citizens,” and says it represents how the “vast majority” of Minneapolis police officers feel.“We want to work with you and for you to regain your trust,” it read, while also making clear that the letter is not representative of the Police Officers’...…More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Several Minneapolis police officers issued a public letter Thursday condemning the killing of George Floyd, embracing Chief Medaria Arradondo and vowing to work toward regaining public trust.The letter, obtained by the Star Tribune, begins, “Dear Everyone — but especially Minneapolis citizens,” and says it represents how the “vast majority” of Minneapolis police officers feel.“We want to work with you and for you to regain your trust,” it read, while also making clear that the letter is not representative of the Police Officers’...WW…