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Cheers to Jerome Nunn
The Minneapolis man is now devoting himself to helping others walk the path from prison back into the outside world. Nunn was at the Board of Pardons meeting in early December, supporting the clemency petition for a currently incarcerated man. The board granted the request, just a couple of years after Nunn himself had received relief from his sentence for a 1995 killing when he was a teenager. Nunn used his time in prison to help others and became close to the mother of his victim. Pardon Board members, including Gov. Tim Walz, welcomed Nunn and acknowledged his good work. Nunn said it was an honor to receive his commutation and he’s committed to paying it forward. “Having a transformed life is a great apology,” Nunn said. Inspiring, too.
Jeers to Ken Martin
The National Democratic Party chairman refuses to release the postmortem on his party’s 2024 presidential campaign. What’s more, Martin is breaking the promise he made when he was elected national chair in February. He publicly committed to conducting the report and releasing the findings about what went wrong. Now the report is done and Martin’s keeping it sealed, as he’d apparently rather focus on the future, not the past. This doesn’t bode well for the Democratic chances in 2026 even with their midterm tailwinds. Martin would be wise to reconsider his reversal and release the autopsy ASAP.
Cheers to Stewartville
The town is responding to a shooting tragedy by publicly lifting and lighting candles together in the darkness and providing comfort for the sorrow of the families of both the shooter and his victim. Earlier this month, a 19-year-old former Stewartville High School wrestler shot and wounded a student in the school parking lot before fatally turning the gun on himself. The Stewartville Wrestling Booster Club is raising money to cover medical costs for both families. Mayor Jimmie-John King called for respect. “Let us honor the spirit of the season — not by pretending everything is okay — but by loving our neighbors more intentionally, especially those who are suffering in ways we cannot fully understand," King wrote. A beautiful response to a terribly sad moment for the town of almost 7,000 people just south of Rochester.
Jeers to fraud tourism
It’s the newest catchphrase in the ongoing saga of Minnesota’s staggering social services fraud. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson used the term as he announced charges against six people for allegedly defrauding Housing Stabilization Services and an early autism intervention program. Thompson labeled two of the defendants as fraud tourists from Philadelphia who came to Minnesota for “easy money.” Until now, it worked. The two collected more than $3.5 million through two businesses, Thompson said. Thanks to the diligence of Thompson and his staff, we’ll soon see the two former Philadelphians in court.
Cheers to bitter, subzero cold snaps
We’ve had a couple of stretches already this winter but nothing too long. In times like these, it’s wise to remember the words of the late Prince about Minnesota’s cold weather: “It keeps the bad people out.” A smackdown of cold braces us for what’s ahead. But the best part about the arrival of the chilliest weather? How those cold stretches make anything above 25 degrees feel balmy.
Jeers to reckless motorists
Specifically, drivers who don’t heed the icy, unpredictable winter road conditions and slow down. Retired Brooklyn Park police officer Clayton Connolly of Nowthen sadly lost his life when he stopped to help a stranded motorist on Main Street in Elk River at 6:30 a.m. a week ago. Police Chief Dave Kuhnly said a driver lost control on an exit ramp and struck Connolly. The former officer was taken to the hospital but didn’t survive. Winter has many unpredictable, dicey weeks ahead to throw at us, so when in doubt, be abundantly cautious and please slow way down.
