Recent content from Abby Simons
Man dead, woman questioned after shooting at Minneapolis townhome
An argument preceded the shooting, police said.

BCA releases file in Amir Locke death, including more video
Newly released body camera videos by state investigators show additional angles of the chaotic seconds before 22-year-old Amir Locke was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer during a predawn raid two months ago.

Man shot and killed outside St. Paul funeral is identified
Police say the shooting involved a gang dispute.

Stillwater prison remains on lockdown following weekend attack on two correctional officers
Both were treated for their injuries and released.

Families of Black men killed by police in Minnesota demand justice for Amir Locke
Students march in solidarity, group lays out plans for change

Video: Locke, under blanket, holds gun as officers enter, fire
The 55-second video shows officers at the downtown Minneapolis apartment unit to serve a search warrant in connection with a St. Paul homicide investigation. Amir Locke was not the subject of the warrant.

Man shot, killed by Mpls. police was armed with handgun, interim chief says
The shooting reportedly happened just before 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning near a downtown Minneapolis apartment building across from Orchestra Hall.

Longtime civil rights activist Mel Reeves dies of complications from COVID
Reeves, 64, was at the forefront of community activism.

Demands against judge in Potter trial lead to protest at condo unit
The man acknowledged going inside the building, but not to intimidate.

Star Tribune reporter Libor Jany named Journalist of the Year by NABJ
Jany is the latest honoree, joining a list of journalistic luminaries.
Victim dies four days after shooting during south Minneapolis dispute
A man has died four days after he was shot during a dispute on East Lake Street in south Minneapolis, police said.The man in his…
Man shot and killed on St. Paul's East Side is identified
Officers responding to a report of a man shot at 6:40 p.m. discovered Kiefer M. Morgan, 30, inside a home.
Authorities ID men who drowned in separate weekend accidents in Fridley, Bloomington
Both deaths were ruled accidents, but the Anoka and Hennepin County sheriff's offices are investigating.

Visitation, services scheduled for Mpls. girl, 6, struck by gunfire while riding in car
Aniya Allen was among three children killed or injured by gunfire in a two-week span.

Looking back at key testimony from the Derek Chauvin trial
From eyewitnesses to use-of-force and medical experts, along with police officers, 44 witnesses took the stand over three weeks of testimony in ex-Minneapolis police officer…

A day-by-day recap of the Derek Chauvin murder trial
After nearly three weeks of testimony, the defense rested its case Thursday in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Here's a look back at each day's testimony.

What happened each day in the Derek Chauvin trial
Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in the killing of George Floyd.

Who were the witnesses in the Derek Chauvin trial?
These are the individuals who testified in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd.

Who's who in the courtroom during the Derek Chauvin trial
Here's a look at the major players in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer for the killing of George Floyd.

BCA identifies Minneapolis police officers involved in shootout
The suspect was wounded in an exchange of gunfire, authorities say.

Citing 'serious threat to public health,' prosecutors ask judge to reconsider holding two trials in George Floyd's death
Prosecutors asked that all four ex-Minneapolis officers be tried in late summer.

Minneapolis police union chief Kroll says he will retire early
He initially planned to retire in May, but "After reviewing the bigger picture, it is in my family's best interest for me to retire four months early."

Prosecutors in Floyd case deny defense claims that they delayed sharing evidence
The motion is an attempt by defense attorneys to buy more time, prosecutors allege.

In St. Paul and Minneapolis, hundreds join in second night of protests
No arrests were reported after the marches wrapped up Thursday, one night after 51 people were taken into custody, mostly in south Minneapolis.

51 arrested near Fifth Precinct HQ after protesting Chauvin release
Protesters and law enforcement faced off late Wednesday in south Minneapolis after an earlier march to protest the release from prison of Derek Chauvin.

Teen fatally shot in north Minneapolis worked for GOP congressional candidate
Officials at Patrick Henry High school ID'd the teen in a Facebook post and said that grief counselors would be available to students.
14-year-old charged with murder in shooting of St. Paul teen
Witnesses reported someone running from the area following gunfire, and police apprehended the 14-year-old nearby.
Authorities identify victims of recent Minneapolis homicides
Police have not disclosed a possible motive or arrests in any of the shootings.

Both men who died violently in downtown Minneapolis turned to Salvation Army
Police say the men and a woman were in a dispute in a parking garage down the block from Hope Harbor housing when the shooting happened.

Unrest in downtown Minneapolis: How it unfolded
The suicide of a man suspected in a murder hours earlier Wednesday sparked rioting and looting across Nicollet Mall.

Minneapolis mayor requests Guard during night of rioting, looting
Minneapolis was under an overnight curfew after crowds smashed downtown windows and looted stores Wednesday night. The crowds came after a report of a man's death on Nicollet Mall. Police responded by saying he was a homicide suspect who shot himself, releasing video from city cameras.

Judge orders release of police body cam video from night George Floyd died
News outlets and the public can now obtain copies of the video after a challenge by media.

Fired officer Lane's attorney seeks dismissal of charges in Floyd's death
Transcripts of body-worn camera footage from the night George Floyd was killed and of an interview with one of the officers at the scene were also filed in court.

What you need to know about Minneapolis chief's plans to reform police department
On Wednesday, Chief Medaria Arradondo revealed the first two steps he plans to take.

The names and faces of St. Paul's deadly year
Homicide claimed 31 people in St. Paul in 2019, the highest number since the record of 34 slayings set in the mid-1990s. The majority of the victims were young men of color who lost their lives to gun violence.

St. Paul police officer cleared in fatal shooting during drug raid
Evidence shows Eugene "Geno" Smith fired a shotgun at the task force officer.

Minnesota builders win a court battle against home sprinkler mandate
Year-old rule mandated installation in houses larger than 4,500 square feet.

Lawyer says ISIL defendant had no ability to build anti-aircraft rockets
Abdirizak Warsame never had the ability to build anti-aircraft rockets, his attorney says.

Minn. Sentencing Guidelines Commission signs off on drug sentencing reform
Proponents say changes create statewide standard and promote treatment.

Plan to redo drug sentencing draws an emotional response
Sentencing Guidelines Commission hears from both sides on proposal to reduce prison time for low-level offenders.
Mpls. man accused of Twitter threats to FBI agents remains jailed
Abdulkadir's attorney argues that no one was specifically threatened.

Son of slain Somali political activist sues money-transfer business
Case alleges that big money-transfer firm helped fund the killers.

Minnesota commerce commissioner: Bitcoin buyers, beware
Six years after its introduction to the masses, Bitcoin, the decentralized currency known as “cash for the Internet,” is growing in popularity. Yet it still…

Ex-Minneapolis student 'Mujahid Miski' denies ties to Islamic State
Former Roosevelt student Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, arrested in Somalia last month, vows he won't return to the U.S.

Hy Berman, longtime U professor, political commentator, dies at 90
Teaching history at the U or speaking on issues of the day, Hy Berman was "always engaged."

A doe is taken but 'my big buck is still out there'
A novice's second deer hunting season brings on big expectations and a drive for more.
Mankato officer led Mpls. police to protest shooting suspect
The new information, detailed in a search warrant application, came as officials got an extension until Monday to file charges in the case.

Social media offering picture of men who went to protest 'locked and loaded'
Days after a YouTube video went public, four men were arrested in connection with Monday night's shooting of five protesters.

Governor: Ambulance video of shooting is inconclusive
Minneapolis NAACP chief says remarks reinforce need for public to see footage from shooting.

For those wrongly convicted, Minnesota to make good
State is the 30th to pass a law compensating freed inmates for time served, plus damages.

Timberjay bill fails to define 'government function,' creates gray area
When Gov. Mark Dayton signed what is now known as the “Timberjay bill” last year, open-government advocates cheered, lauding the legislation that in essence…

Ventura says he was 'booster rocket' propelling sales of 'American Sniper'
Ventura says he is prepared to fight the case again if retrial is ordered.

'Mr. Right' Jason Lewis hopes to take his libertarian streak to Washington
Former radio show host Jason Lewis said a slow recession recovery motivated him to run for Second Congressional District seat.

Permit-to-carry class offers real-life firearms education
Gunshots thundered around me as my instructor, Rob Doar, loaded a clip into 9-millimeter Glock 19 and handed it to me. It was lighter…

Tragedy in Oregon spurs fresh gun law debate in Minnesota
In the wake of the latest mass shooting, gun rights supporters remained steadfast that 2nd Amendment should be inviolate, while gun control supporters say they are more motivated than ever.

REAL ID worries for Minnesota driver's licenses about to get real
Come January, Minnesota driver's license might not suffice at the airport.

EPA mandates likely mean changes at Sherco coal plant
Republicans say jobs will be lost; DFLers say it's part of the state's clean-energy revolution.

Third man in Twin Cities ISIL case pleads guilty
Columbia Heights man names co-conspirators, explains ISIL's appeal to Westernized youth.

'I committed a terrorist act,' Twin Cities ISIL suspect admits
Hanad Musse, one of seven defendants charged with conspiring to leave the United States to fight alongside terrorists in Syria, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis Wednesday.

Education, mentoring key in anti-terror recruiting project
The program still received pushback from some Islamic organizations.

Defendant in Minneapolis ISIL terror case to plead guilty
Plea negotiations are also underway for at least two other defendants, and agreements could be reached within the next week to 10 days, according to multiple sources.

New chief of liquor association plans to take new course
Tony Chesak’s first phone call of the day Thursday was crucial for one of the thousands proprietors he represents: Is it legal to take…
Federal judge orders specifics in alleged Twitter death threats
An indictment filed in April against Mahamed Abukar Said, 19, of Minneapolis alleged he threatened authorities, including the U.S. Attorney in Minneapolis and the FBI, with a "massacre."

Minnesota judge again denies bail in ISIL case; trial set for Feb. 16
Defense attorneys were visibly frustrated by judge's ruling in the case of seven young Somali-American men charged with conspiring to support the terror group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

Federal appeals court upholds women's prison sentences in terror case
The appeals court said the evidence warrants the sentences for supporting al-Shabab.
Plot by 7 from Twin Cities to join ISIL was long in making
Fearing their arrests were imminent, seven Somali-American men tried to get out of the country last spring to fight alongside terrorists in Syria before FBI agents could catch up to them, according to new evidence released Friday by federal prosecutors.
Lawyers for Minnesota terror suspects argue ISIL not terrorist organization
Attorneys for 7 suspects in FBI case are also seeking lighter security at trial, saying it could influence jury.

Informant in Twin Cities terrorism case paid $41K by FBI
Defense attorneys say payments undermine the informant's credibility.

Accused ISIL recruits from Twin Cities denied release by federal judge
U.S. district judge to weigh options for "deradicalization" before release

Government: Alleged ISIL conspirator says deradicalization 'hopeless'
Both sides file documents in fight over release of three of the suspects.

Man convicted of threatening FBI agents now faces new gun charges
Charges in the October incident follow Mohamed Ali Omar's release from federal custody

Minneapolis man who threatened FBI released prior to sentencing
Convicted of threatening FBI agents, Mohamed Ali Omar must wear monitor bracelet until sentencing.

Did jeweler loot his own store?
Daniel Rohricht was accused of stealing from his bankrupt business. He admits he is not "lily-white," but he said he is no "mini-Denny' Hecker."