State trooper pleads not guilty in fatal crash case

A former state trooper has pleaded not guilty to charges of killing someone in a car crash while on the job. Prosecutors say 33-year-old Shane Roper was driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit in Rochester last May when he allegedly crashed into two other cars. Eighteen-year-old Olivia Flores of Owatonna was killed; five others were injured.

Friday marks one year since Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell was killed while responding to a shooting in the Whittier neighborhood.

Attorneys presented their opening statements Thursday in the trial of a Brooklyn Park man accused of killing five women in a high speed crash in 2023.

An agreement reached on an environment and natural resources bill at the state Legislature will open up bass fishing to be continuous and increase boat registration surcharges to help fight invasive species. The bill also includes a provision to cut the cost of a fishing license for disabled veterans and makes exceptions for the sales of some items containing PFAS.

Lawmakers are still at loggerheads over a few key budget bills. Since the Legislature blew past a May 19 adjournment deadline, committees have been working mostly behind closed doors. Without an overall budget deal, layoff notices begin going out to state workers Friday.

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Crash that killed 5 ‘was an explosion’ says prosecutor as Thompson trial begins

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