Crime, Law and Justice

Feds drop charges against Brooklyn Park woman after mistakenly arresting her in church protest
Heather Danae Lewis faced two federal charges as part of a group of protesters who disrupted a church service in St. Paul during an anti-ICE demonstration in January. But she never took part in the protest.
DNR bills central Minnesota woman nearly $150,000 for costs of fighting wildfire
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants a court to hold Elizabeth Young liable for its expenses to combat a grass fire that started on property owned by her husband. Young did not report the fire, which burned more than 2,000 acres last April.
Whipple building detainees, lawyers ask federal judge to order better access to legal counsel
Legal advocates and people who have been detained at the Whipple building testified in court this week that the federal government has violated detainees’ rights to talk to lawyers. They’re asking the court to extend an injunction ordering improved legal access.
Fargo crime suspect says AI face recognition software failed. Police say there was more to the arrest
The Fargo Police Department has drawn criticism for jailing a woman for more than five months after artificial intelligence facial recognition software flagged her as a suspect in a crime.
Minneapolis sued again over police staffing
The newest lawsuit on police staffing alleges that city leaders have failed to comply with a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court decision requiring Minneapolis to employ 731 officers, in line with the city's charter.