Bryan Hooper Sr. has been released from a Minnesota correctional facility after spending nearly three decades in prison for a murder he did not commit. The conviction was vacated after key testimony from a woman, who has since confessed to the crime, was found to be false. Hooper’s conviction in 1998 was based on this now-discredited testimony, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s office supported his release and the court’s decision. The Prazniak case will now be re-investigated by the Minneapolis Police Department, and the woman who confessed is currently in prison in Georgia.
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During a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Representative Tom Emmer criticized Governor Tim Walz for a lack of school safety resources following a Minneapolis shooting. However, when questioned about his vote against the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which allocated funding for school safety and mental health services, Emmer admitted he did not recall his reasons for voting against the bill. After being pressed further on the matter, Emmer pivoted, attempting to shift blame to the shooter’s inner circle.
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A month before a fatal shooting, the Trump administration slashed funding from a Homeland Security program designed to prevent mass shootings. This downsizing significantly impacted the DHS’ Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, leading to the termination of grants for local agencies in Minnesota. These grants were crucial for establishing multidisciplinary teams aimed at identifying and managing potential threats. While DHS officials defended the decision, critics argued that the loss of these programs left communities more vulnerable, potentially impacting the ability to prevent the tragic event.
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A shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis resulted in injuries to at least five children during the first week of classes. Authorities reported the shooter had been contained, and there was no active threat. The incident prompted responses from Governor Tim Walz and former President Donald Trump. The shooting occurred amidst a series of recent violent incidents in the city, including a fatal shooting the previous day, and was further complicated by a wave of hoax calls reporting shootings at various US college campuses.
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A federal judge has ruled that religious colleges requiring faith statements cannot be excluded from Minnesota’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options program, deeming the state law unconstitutional. The ruling, a win for two Christian colleges, overturned a 2023 law that sought to protect LGBTQ+ students by banning faith statement requirements. The judge cited First Amendment protections for religious organizations, asserting that the state cannot disqualify private schools from funding solely due to their religious affiliation. This decision also struck down a related nondiscrimination requirement.
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A fisherman using sonar on the Mississippi River in Minnesota discovered a submerged car, leading to the potential resolution of a nearly 60-year-old missing person case. Upon recovery of the 1960s-era Buick, investigators found human remains inside and identified the vehicle as belonging to Roy Benn, who vanished in 1967. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office believes the remains are those of Benn, based on the car’s VIN and other evidence. The case has been handed over to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, which has notified Benn’s family.
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An 18-year-old Minnesota woman filed a discrimination charge against a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant after a server allegedly followed her into the women’s restroom and demanded she prove her gender. According to the Minnesota gender-equality organization Gender Justice, the server’s actions were based on assumptions made about the woman’s appearance, violating Minnesota’s Human Rights Act. The incident reflects a broader climate of suspicion towards those who don’t conform to traditional gender expectations, particularly in light of legislation targeting transgender people and their access to public spaces. Gender Justice argues that the restaurant failed to train its staff and ensure its anti-discrimination policies were followed, making the business liable for the harm caused.
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St. Paul, Minnesota, has been targeted in a “deliberate, coordinated, digital attack” resulting in the deployment of the National Guard, including its cyber protection component, after the city’s response capacity was exceeded. The city responded by shutting down its information systems, causing disruptions to city services, while emergency services remained operational. The city has hired cybersecurity firms and is working with the FBI to investigate the nature of the attack, which may be ransomware, and determine what data was accessed or stolen. City employees are advised to take measures to secure their digital information.
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Vance Boelter was indicted on federal charges for the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for seriously injuring Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The indictment includes six charges, some of which carry the possibility of the death penalty, as announced by Acting US Attorney Joseph Thompson. Boelter is also accused of shooting at the Hoffmans’ daughter. Authorities recovered the firearms used in the incident, and the attacks were reportedly highly planned, with Boelter gathering information and supplies for months.
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Following a politically-motivated attack in June, Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman has been moved to a rehabilitation facility to continue his recovery. The senator and his wife, Yvette, were shot in the attack, which authorities believe targeted Democrats and those connected to the abortion rights movement. Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in the spree as well. Hoffman was shot nine times, and his wife was shot eight times. Vance Boelter, the alleged shooter, was arrested and is facing multiple federal and state charges.
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John Q. Hosedrinker