Minnesota News

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Spruce top thieves: How demand for a north woods cash crop is sparking an illicit trade
A lot of the raw material that’s used to make holiday decorations — from Christmas wreaths and garlands to potted evergreen arrangements — comes from Minnesota’s north woods, where there's a thriving cottage industry of harvesters and distributors. But as the market has grown, so has the opportunity for spruce thieves looking to make a quick buck. 
As some pandemic aid ends, what's next for hurting Americans
It’s been a tough year and 2021 could get off to a rough start too as multiple pandemic- related programs and protections for millions of Americans come to an end.
Deadline looms for Minnesotans to seek COVID-19 housing aid
Minnesota officials are urging residents who have fallen behind on their rent, mortgage or utility payments amid the coronavirus pandemic to apply for state aid before a looming Monday night deadline.
Eddie Benton-Banai, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, dies at 89
Eddie Benton-Banai co-founded the American Indian Movement and founded the Red School House, a St. Paul community school focused on Indigenous education. Benton-Banai was Anishanaabe Ojibwe from the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. He died in Hayward, Wis., on Monday.
Questions remain in St. Paul police shooting of Black man
A St. Paul officer who shot and wounded a Black man who was being sought by police when the man emerged naked from a dumpster was trying to protect his fellow officers and himself, according to his attorney.
In marathon public hearing, hundreds weigh in on proposed cuts to Minneapolis police
More than 400 people signed up to speak at the Wednesday evening hearing, the second of three opportunities for the public to provide input. Last week, three council members introduced a proposal to move $7.9 million from the police budget to fund a nonpolice 911 mental health crisis response function and expand the city’s Violence Prevention Program and neighborhood safety organizing programs.
Authorities: Small plane crash-lands on Minnesota interstate
A single-engine Bellanca Viking plane crash-landed and hit a vehicle on northbound Interstate 35W in Arden Hills Wednesday night, authorities said. No injuries were reported.