Metro briefs: Protesters surround Planned Parenthood in St. Paul

Throngs of protesters rallied in front of Planned Parenthood offices in St. Paul on Saturday morning as part of a national day of protest against the organization over its alleged handling of fetal tissue. The protest was sparked by the recent release of videos that purport to show Planned Parenthood's national medical director discussing the sale of fetal tissue to alleged medical researchers. Planned Parenthood has argued the videos were heavily edited and the conversation was taken out of context. The local Planned Parenthood affiliate has stressed repeatedly that it has no fetal-tissue donation program.

While protesters were reporting crowds of more than 4,000, St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Paul Paulos said they numbered "less than 1,000." The demonstration was peaceful, said Paulos, and did not disrupt area traffic. Another protest in Moorhead drew more than 300 participants, according to media reports.

The Minnesota protests were among those held by abortion opponents at Planned Parenthood clinics across the country Saturday morning. They urged lawmakers to end federal funding for the health care organization.

Jean Hopfensperger

Because of lightning and severe weather, football fans were asked twice to evacuate TCF Bank Stadium Saturday night during the Minnesota Vikings game against the Oakland Raiders. Officials asked tailgaters to secure tents, flags and other gear. The Williams, Mariucci and Ridder arenas were designated as storm shelter locations.

Across the metro, severe weather and the threat of tornadoes prompted delays and cancellations at other football events as well.

Several high school games ended abruptly. At least two games were called and deemed final before the end of regulation time and the teams ahead were declared winners. At Cooper High School in New Hope, the game was called in the third quarter with Cooper leading Bloomington Jefferson 40-0. At Mounds View, the Mustangs led Farmington 28-7 when the game was called with 2:39 left in the fourth quarter. Two other games were rescheduled for Monday, including one that was already underway. Heading into Saturday, storm fears had already prompted a third of Saturday's prep football games to be moved to earlier times in afternoon.

A tornado watch was in effect for much of the evening Saturday, though none was ultimately reported in the metro area.

STAFF REPORT

Social media and the Internet were abuzz Saturday after reports that Misha Collins, a lead star of the CW's "Supernatural" TV series, was mugged in Minneapolis while in town for a convention over the weekend.

Collins was appearing at MinnCon, Creation Entertainment's official "Supernatural" convention celebrating the show's 10th anniversary. Collins, who plays the angel Castiel, tweeted to his fans Saturday around 4:30 p.m.: "Hey guys! Thanks for all the well-wishes! Just want u to know I've just got some minor scrapes. I'm totally fine! Love u guys."

Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said he too had heard rumors of the attack but had not been notified of any crime report involving Collins. While the convention website lists the Minneapolis Hyatt as the official convention hotel, it was not known where the actors were staying.

Fans took to Twitter and Facebook to try to get information on what happened to Collins. Co-star Jim Beaver, who plays the father figure Bobby, wrote on Facebook that Collins was attacked while leaving a restaurant. Fans quickly started a hashtag, #WeLoveYouMisha, that was trending worldwide.

According to social media reports, the MinnCon master of ceremonies and co-star Richard Speight Jr. announced that Collins had been mugged and would skip his scheduled appearance on a Saturday panel. The website HollywoodTake.com reported that Collins was posing with fans Saturday even though he received stitches the night before.

STAFF REPORT

Police were seeking a suspect Saturday after three men were stabbed and injured during an altercation Friday night at an Eagan restaurant. The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. Friday at Casper's Cherokee of Eagan, where police responded to a report of several men fighting inside the restaurant.

Eagan police said witnesses told officers that four men had a verbal confrontation inside the restaurant, which ended outside after one of the men stabbed the three others before fleeing on foot. One man, 34, received multiple stab wounds to the chest and stomach. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where his condition is unknown. The other two men, ages 45 and 31, were treated and released.

staff report

A man has been shot and killed by an Itasca County sheriff's deputy after officials say he threatened deputies with a gun. According to the Itasca County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a disturbance call in Cohasset around 3 a.m. Saturday. When deputies arrived, they were confronted by a man with a gun. Sheriff's officials say the man threatened deputies and a deputy shot him. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.

Associated Press