Recent content from Dan Browning
Former Burnsville man sentenced to prison term for Ponzi scheme targeting elderly
Jamie Lee Smith took in his customers' coins to evaluate or hold but later sold them without permission and kept the money for personal expenses, prosecutors said.
Three Minnesota counties must rebuild old jails, with more to follow
Corrections officials say it may be time for regional lockups, cost-sharing.
Dr. John "Jack" Patrick Delaney stumbled into medicine, but it became his passion
The Minnesota medical community is mourning the loss of Dr. John Patrick "Jack" Delaney, a St. Paul native who stumbled into medicine and developed into…
Guatemalan who killed 4 in 2008 Cottonwood, Minn., bus crash arrested
Ex-felon, deported after 8 years in prison, found living in Inver Grove Heights.
Housing atop Rochester's new parking ramp is on hold
City officials are awaiting a study to see if it can be strengthened, and at what cost.
Judge dismisses malicious prosecution lawsuit in shooting of Cold Spring officer
Judge says authorities immune in case arising from Cold Spring shooting.
Rochester's Chateau Theatre celebrates reopening
Historic theater reopens with "Magical History Tour" exhibit.
Whistleblower alleges conflict of interest in Monticello, Minn., road project
In an interview, the administrator defended the decision to seek a sole-source contract with WSB, a Twin Cities firm that employs his son.
Family with North Dakota ties ambushed and slain in Mexico
Some of those shot and burned were from Williston, N.D., and visiting Mexico to attend a wedding.
Fastenal plans new office building on downtown Winona riverfront
The industrial supplies company has 1,800 staff scattered across the city.
Master muralist will transform Mankato silos with realistic, giant images
Australian artist says his work will suggest diversity, reconciliation.
Ex-postmaster of Winona sentenced for destroying mail, stealing from cards
Twenty-year employee Sherri Jo Genkinger received probation after admitting opening, destroying mail.
DMC adds to housing crunch in southeastern Minnesota
City and county officials in the region say housing shortages already are driving up prices across the region, though no one can say how much of the increase can be traced to the Destination Medical Center spillover.
Mille Lacs Band sues drug companies over prescription opioids
The federal lawsuit likely will be consolidated with many other cases in an Ohio courtroom.
Former mayor of Tower, Minn., pleads guilty to misconduct
The charge resulted from efforts to remove a newspaper publisher from a public post.
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Montana drug couriers busted in Minnesota with 900 pounds of pot go free
Judge rules the seizure of 900 pounds of pot resulted from an unconstitutional search.
Minnesota company's statuary popping up at memorials, backyards, even undersea
Minn. couple's soldier, police, EMT figures are sold nationwide
Record rainfall causes erosion problems in Minn. river towns
Runoff from the summer's soaking has eaten away riverbanks, landscape.
Babette Gross, who once met Al Capone, died at 94
Babette Joyce Gross of St. Louis Park died the way she lived, with a generally sunny disposition.Dementia began to take a toll on her nearly…
Cannery's closure sends shock waves through Sleepy Eye
The effects will travel wide and deep, with lost jobs, hurt businesses and a blow to the city budget. Still the southern Minnesota town is resolute.
Defendant in mosque bombing challenges hate-crime law
A federal magistrate judge managing the prosecution of a man suspected of firebombing a Bloomington mosque in 2017 is weighing a constitutional challenge to the laws under which the suspect was charged.
![Richard Sennott/Star Tribune. Richard.Sennott@startribune.com Robbinsdale Mn. Friday 03/11/11 ] American Independent Gold & Silver Inc. is being sued](https://stmedia.stimg.co/ows_156634088516577.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Former Minnesota coin dealer signs plea agreement in federal fraud case
Jamie Lee Smith had run two companies in Minnesota.
Children's Theatre settles six sexual abuse lawsuits
Nine other cases remain unresolved against the theater. Another pending lawsuit names former CTC teacher Jason McLean but not the theater.
Sheriff: Wis. man who killed 4 may have sought to imitate Closs kidnapping
A motive for the shootings at two Chippewa Falls area residences remains unclear, but investigators believe Ritchie German Jr., may have been trying to kidnap a woman at one house.
Ex-Tower mayor, city clerk charged with criminal misconduct over feud with newspaper owner
The charges stem from an effort to remove a muckraking journalist from a public commission.
Whitewater State Park celebrates its 100th year
Commemorative programs highlight the "Paradise of Minnesota."
Spike in rent slams low-income residents in Fairmont, Minn.
Cost to double for many renters, who are mostly poor, disabled or elderly tenants.
Pilot dies after small aircraft crashes in northwestern Minnesota
The pilot of an ultralight aircraft was killed Thursday afternoon when it crashed at the airport in Hawley, Minn. Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting said…
Former Illinois attorney sentenced to five years in prison for porn troll scheme
John Steele ran a fraud and money laundering scheme with Minneapolis lawyer Paul Hansmeier.
Burnsville coin dealer gets prison time for sale of bogus coins
According to plea documents, Skog stole more than $57,000 from his customers and had planned to sell 275 more counterfeit coins for $235,000.
Hennepin County investigating illness reports at Lake Minnetonka's Big Island
Hennepin County epidemiologists are investigating reports that a number of people who were boating around the Big Island on Lake Minnetonka got sick over…
Willmar benches draw attention to the arts
Artists young and old painted hundreds of tiles for the bench tops.
Minnesotan charged with fishing while naked
Neighbors say he marred their lake view.
Minnesota Supreme Court ruling protects nonprofits helping domestic violence victims in libel cases
Domestic violence center wasn't obligated to prove award-winner's account.
Pilot, nurse killed in North Memorial helicopter crash
A third crew member is hospitalized. No patients were being transported when the helicopter crashed about 1 a.m. near the Brainerd airport. Gary Schott of Biscay, Minn., confirmed that his wife, Deb Schott, 58, was the nurse who died.
Central Minnesota massage parlor owner, boyfriend charged with sex trafficking
Police say Oriental Massage near St. Cloud was holding immigrant worker captive.
Minnesota grain elevator manager who bilked farmers gets 8 years in prison
Jerome Hennessey stole millions from Ashby Farmers Cooperative Elevator Co. to live large and pay for his hunting safaris.
Canby boy dies after being run over
Sheriff says toddler's death was an accident.
North Dakota grain trader agrees to plead guilty in $11.4 million fraud scheme
Grain salesman accused of swindling $11.4 million from farmers, brokers.
Minneapolis lawyer who ran porn trolling scheme gets 14 years in prison
Minneapolis lawyer Paul Hansmeier was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Goodhue Co. veterans services officer resigns over sexual harassment complaints
Sexual harassment allegations surface in Goodhue County.
Biting 'buffalo gnats' drive Minnesotans indoors
Flooding delays pest control access to black fly breeding grounds, leading to possible historic wave.
Where Meals on Wheels can't go, Lutheran Social Service sends frozen meals via UPS
EAGLE BEND, Minn. – Population declines and poverty cost this tiny Todd County town its grocery store and high school years ago, but those…
A heroic homecoming for Duluth WWII officer's award
Maj. Henry A. Courtney Jr.'s Medal of Honor returns to Duluth
Riess charged with murdering her husband in Minn. home
The woman nicknamed Losing Streak Lois also faces a capital murder charge in Florida after a woman she allegedly befriended was found dead.
Former employee says Honor the Earth ignored sexual harassment allegation
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights found "no probable cause."
Brooklyn Park man charged in death of Minneapolis motorist while fleeing police
The victim, Jose Madrid Salcido, is survived by a wife and four young children.
Diocese of Duluth reaches $40 million settlement with sex abuse victims
The agreement must be approved by a vote of the victims and a bankruptcy judge.
Victims invited to claim restitution from scorned lawyer's porn troll scheme
Millions could be due those caught in lawyers' copyright scheme.
John Borman, self-described country lawyer who dreamed big, dies at 73
No one knew everything about John Borman, a self-described “country lawyer” from Winona whose life encompassed so many facets that not even his family and…
Storm doesn't change river flood forecasts, but Mississippi edges up
Meteorologists say major rivers will be able to absorb the extra flow.
Jayme Closs' kidnapper refuses to cooperate in presentence investigation
The presentence report helps the judge set an appropriate sentence.
Big Lake father suspected of setting fire that killed 2 children dies
Two other children are hospitalized with injuries from the blaze.
Minnesota's 'Century Farms' total nearly 11,000
Goodhue County has the most sesquicentennial farms in Minnesota at 47.
Big Lake father suspected of setting fire that killed two children and injured two others
The father remains under guard in critical condition.
Duluth job coach charged with threatening violence, possessing machine-gun conversion kit
Searches of the defendant's car and home found a ready arsenal of firearms and machine gun conversion parts.
Record flood concerns gradually giving way in Minnesota
A slow melt has kept floodwaters at bay, and the forecast appears encouraging.
'Perfect snowmelt' to start spring eases Minn. flood threat
Warm days, cool nights have led to a gradual snowmelt across much of Minnesota, keeping streams and rivers from a rapid rise.
Midwest forecast for further flooding, 'cannot be complacent'
With epic floods swamping much of the Great Plains and warmer weather likely to start melting the snowpack across Minnesota and North Dakota, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney declared a state of emergency for his city in anticipation of spring flooding and is seeking 200 volunteers to begin stuffing 1 million sandbags.
After decades of spending, Minn. river cities feel ready for rising spring waters
For years, officials have invested millions of dollars, which should make this spring less daunting than the 1997 and 2009 flooding.
Spring floods certain in Minn., but historic levels unlikely
The National Weather Service says there's a one in seven chance that the Mississippi River will in St. Paul will hit its historic high-water mark.
Rain, snowmelt get Minnesota scrambling to fight flooding
A steady, two-day rain expected to drench the knee-deep snowpack across much of Minnesota is raising flood concerns and sending crews to work to find a place for all that water.
Minn. officials warn state to prepare for 'flood season'
The National Weather Service is predicting an increased risk of floods due to heavy snowfall.
Army vet from Minnesota honored with military's second-highest honor
Citing extraordinary leadership and bravery under fire in Afghanistan in 2009, the Army paid tribute to a native Iron Ranger with the Distinguished Service Cross.
900 pounds of pot seized in camper during traffic stop near Alexandria
Troopers estimate the seizure had a street value of $4.25 million.
Veterans groups push for a 'Bridge of Valor' in Red Wing
The Legislature would need to change state law to approve the name.
Longtime Red Wing family grocers say it's checkout time
Buchanan Grocery needs a new owner or it will close by the end of July.
Burnsville coin dealer pleads guilty to fraud, counterfeiting charges
Barry Ron Skog stole more than $57,000 from customers, according to plea documents.
Marshall City Council tweaks street plowing rules
The city has received complaints about unplowed private roads, but until the ordinance was modified, it lacked clear authority over those streets.
Former Ashby grain elevator manager pleads guilty in $5.3 million swindle
Jerry Hennessey's sentencing is set for June 13.
Columbia Heights restaurateur sentenced for visa fraud, alien harboring
Federal prosecutors say he promised young men an education but demanded sex, work at his restaurant.
'Bemidji First' candidates, organizer fined over campaign violations
Judge handed out $3,000 in penalties to candidates for mayor, City Council.
A former St. Paul dancer who rose to national acclaim is dancing her way back from tragedy
A former St. Paul ballroom star who rose to national acclaim is dancing her way back from tragedy.
Lawyers board files complaint against porn troll attorney Paul Hansmeier
Lawyers board seeks discipline, up to disbarment, for alleged bankruptcy fraud.
Family of Twin Cities dancer killed by light rail seeks to change law
After ballroom dancer Nic Westlake was killed by a light rail train, his family launched a website, nicwestlakememorial.com to gain support for safety improvements…
