Prosecutor: Cops should have stopped Chauvin

In opening arguments, prosecutors said the three cops could have saved George Floyd's life, but chose not to 

View this email as a web page Jan. 24, 2022 Two Minnesota nonprofits are gearing up a resettlement program for Afghan refugees as hundreds of families are seeking permanent homes in the U.S. Alight, formerly the American Refugee Committee, and veteran-based nonprofit Team Rubicon say they're looking for volunteers, money and donations. Sonia Anunciacion heads up the project for Alight and says the goal is to provide refugees with fully furnished and stocked homes. "Alight and Team Rubicon are in the process of preparing homes for 250 families arriving in the Twin Cities from Afghanistan," Anunciacion said. "And we are counting on the hospitality of Minnesotans to help us make it happen." Organizers are asking for volunteers to gather and distribute the aid and money to purchase everything from bedding to appliances. They're also urging Minnesotans to be ready to welcome newly-arrived Afghans and support them over the next two or three months. Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. — Tim Nelson, MPR News Prosecutor: Cops could have stopped Chauvin, saved George Floyd Defense attorneys described Floyd's death as a tragedy, but not a crime by their clients as opening arguments began Monday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating Floyd's constitutional rights. How Hennepin's director of corrections is approaching youth and carjackings Hennepin County officials are paying special focus to concerns related to youth carjacking offenders. The director of the county department of corrections — who was a Minneapolis cop for over 20 years — weighs in on prevention and public safety efforts. Textbook La Niña winter unfolding in Minnesota Overall, it appears this winter will most likely come in near or slightly colder than average across much of Minnesota, with near to above-average snowfall. Moorhead police: Poison gas that killed 7 came from furnace Police in Moorhead have said blood samples from the victims showed a lethal level of carbon monoxide, but further testing was needed to determine whether the source was the furnace or a van parked in an attached garage.   Study: Cash aid could help boost babies' brain development Some Twin Cities mothers are part of a study of the connection between cash aid programs and babies' brain development. One year into the study, infants whose families are getting the larger cash amount showed more high-frequency brain activity. Crime debate begins in advance of legislative session Democrats in the Minnesota House said Monday they want to spend $100 million on several initiatives that they believe will help tackle crime. Republicans said the plan won't hold criminals accountable. State court reverses PolyMet water permit, but sides with company on other issues The state appeals court has reversed a key permit for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine, sending it back to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for additional analysis of its impacts to groundwater. But in a mixed ruling, the court also sided with PolyMet and the MPCA on several issues. Vintage winter ride recalls snowmobile glory days A father and son from Fargo are riding vintage snowmobiles 500 miles across Minnesota. The duo are raising money for charity and drawing attention to the International 500 — a snowmobile race from Winnipeg to St. Paul that was a big part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival decades ago. SPONSOR   Photos: World Snow Sculpting Championship in Stillwater Teams of sculptors from around the world worked for several days along the St. Croix River in Stillwater to transform giant blocks of snow into works of art. Rep. Garofalo: 'Better chance than not' of sports betting passing this session Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) said he thinks the Legislature will pass a bill legalizing sports betting this session. Lawmakers would need to decide who would be able to offer sports gambling at what facilities and what taxes and regulations would apply. Your Wordle strategy says a lot about how you see the world It did not take long for me to conclude that Wordle is a metaphor for life, meaning that you can learn a lot about different ways to see the world from different ways to play. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe today! Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio 480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101