Recent content from Randy Furst
Minneapolis police to get training to speak up over peers' excessive force
The program, called ABLE, is being used by 180 police departments nationwide. Some say it can change police culture.
Laurie Schmidt, Minnesota Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2020, dies at 57
Thurston Morton recalls the talk he gave to his class on the fundamentals of public speaking at Normandale Community College nearly two years ago. His…
Two top Hennepin officials work in California under COVID-inspired work policy
County officials are defending the policy.
Minnesota judge rejects release for unvaccinated prisoner who cited COVID fear
Judge decries prisoner's vaccination refusal, BMI plan to get out early.
With thousands behind on rent, new state law sets rules for aid
Federal funds could help as many as 50,000 Minnesotans with unpaid rent. Thanks to a new state law, they can't be evicted while their application for rental assistance is pending.
Attorney Linda Gallant, who died at age 75, was committed to social justice
She helped lawyers defend American Indian leaders on trial for their role in the occupation of Wounded Knee, S.D., in 1973. She represented demonstrators, arrested for sit-ins outside the Honeywell Corp.
Misdemeanor laws unfairly target people of color, a new documentary argues
The film, shown Wednesday in the Twin Cities, says people of color are often unjustly targeted.
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Face mask mandate to come off in Minnesota state courts next week
Chief Justice Gildea said that remote hearings were popular during the pandemic and that they will be studied for the future.
Civil rights icons inspire young Minnesota activists
James Meredith and Terrence Roberts urged young activists to carry on the fight for justice.
Minnesota Supreme Court rejects reinstatement for controversial attorney Randall Tigue
The civil liberties attorney was last suspended in 2017 for mishandling his books.
Minnesota Supreme Court suspends Minneapolis attorney indefinitely
Suspended attorney William Butler has had a long, contentious relationship with the state and federal judiciary
Retired Star Tribune photographer Charles Bjorgen dies at age 85
Chuck Bjorgen took thousands of photos, but a picture of two dancing horses was his favorite.
G. Kent Gardner, longtime Star Tribune city editor, dies at 80
"He was as pure a newspaper guy for spot news as you will ever see."
St. Paul Realtor group withdraws as a partner in project to expose racist covenants
Objections to the effort to expose racial covenants remain unclear.
Albert Lea bar owner who defied COVID restrictions is arrested in Iowa
For nearly six weeks, Lisa Hanson has been in hiding after warrants were issued for her arrest.
Cedar-Riverside store owner recounts robber fatally gunning down friend, fleeing
The gunman walked into the store about 7 p.m., pulled out a gun and pointed it at Hassan Shire, the owner. "Give me money, give me money," the gunman said, according to Shire.
Wine bar owner, wanted over alleged COVID violations, says she'll turn self in if conditions met
Lisa Hanson, 56, contends Walz shutdown order and warrant were unlawful.
Chauvin guilty verdicts resonate among activists who have long fought for justice
But it's the opening round in a continuing struggle, they say.
Noor case raises questions about charge for ex-Brooklyn Center cop
Question of intent is key in debate over murder vs. manslaughter
Albert Lea wine bar owner who resisted COVID restrictions goes on the lam
Albert Lea woman misses bail hearing on violations.
How the Mpls. Fire Department, once a symbol of racism, was finally desegregated
Fifty years ago, a lawsuit forced the Minneapolis Fire Department to hire nonwhites again.
Federal Judge Michael Davis dismisses ACLU-MN suit over COVID-19 conditions in federal women's prison in Waseca
Judge Michael Davis rejected the ACLU suit on procedural grounds and did not address claims of mistreatment.
Two injured, one killed in rash of weekend shootings in Minneapolis
A single fatality occurred near George Floyd Square in Mpls.
Lois Ireland Zwettler, artist whose paintings captured Wisconsin, dies of COVID at 92
Her paintings had a sense of authenticity, art critics said, capturing the farmlands and lives of people with an empathy that comes from being one…
Minnesota courts will resume in-person criminal trials March 15
After a four-month hiatus caused by the pandemic, in-person criminal jury trials will resume in state district courts on March 15, Minnesota Supreme Court Chief…
What does it take to become a police officer in Minnesota?
In light of recent issues with police officer conduct, one reader wanted to know what kind of training law enforcement officers get in the state.
Former Mpls. cop accused of drug theft is ordered freed pending trial
An attorney for fired cop Ty Jindra persuades U.S. judge magistrate that he was not threatening a potential witness.
Prosecutor says Pine County sheriff's deputy was justified in a shooting death on Interstate 35
Pine County attorney says deputy's use of deadly force warranted after chase.
3 dead in 'hellish' St. Paul shootings, including teen and child
A search was underway late Saturday for a suspect or suspects.
Minneapolis settles first suit stemming from Floyd protests
The lawsuit is one of several legal actions alleging police misconduct during the Floyd protest, including an incident captured by a New York-based photojournalist.
U.S. magistrate judge recommends rejection of suit by Waseca women inmates over handling of COVID-19
U.S. Magistrate also said the court lacked the authority to release a large number of inmates as sought by the ACLU.
Citing threats, Minnesota closes federal court facilities through next week
Even judiciary staff will be barred from entering Minnesota's federal buildings.
Minnesota will continue suspension of criminal jury trials but offer more exceptions
Courts will offer a few more exceptions to allow jury criminal trials and will allow for remotely
Study: 'Less lethal' weapons used by police during George Floyd protests 'not appropriate,' caused significant injuries
Study deplores use of less-than-lethal weapons used against protesters during the George Floyd demonstrations in Minneapolis last year.
How are courts in Minnesota coping with the pandemic?
There were only five state jury trials in December, with COVID-19 protocols in place, but plenty of court hearings are happening, mostly remotely.
ACLU accuses Bureau of Prisons of 'deliberate indifference' for outbreak among Waseca inmates
The ACLU asked a court to release inmates at prison hard hit by pandemic but a lawyer for prison said court lacked jurisdiction.
ACLU sues Waseca prison, claiming COVID spread like 'wildfire'
An inmate said it was a COVID "zombieland" inside the federal women's prison in Waseca
Minnesota farm leader Anne Kanten dies
Anne Kanten fought bank foreclosures, organized tractorcades to Washington, D.C., and mobilized support for state and federal policy reforms to protect small farmers both in…
Judge rips Minnesota Corrections Department for failing to stem the surge in COVID-19 cases
Nearly half of the state inmates have contracted COVID-19 and a Ramsey District Judge says state prison officials have failed.
Former judge seeks historic designation for fire station that opened with all-Black crew
Until recently, hardly anyone knew that an aging building on Hiawatha Avenue in south Minneapolis was once a fire station that housed an all-Black fire…
Mary S. White, longtime Minnesota peace activist, dies at 87
In the fall of 1981, 10 women gathered at Loretta's Tea Room in south Minneapolis to discuss the formation of a new antiwar organization, Women…
Citing COVID concerns, Minnesota courts suspend trials and in-person hearings for two months
Pause starts Nov. 30, also makes hearings remote.
Public Defender asks Hennepin County chief judge to halt out-of-custody hearings until pandemic eases
Risks for out-of-custody cases in Hennepin County are too great, she said.
Is it legal to panhandle in the median of Minneapolis city streets?
The legality of panhandling on a median is a bit complicated. "Whether it's legal or not depends on how you conduct yourself," says Timothy Richards of the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office.
Minnesota voter site experiencing outages just days before election
The absentee ballot tracker is back up, but an ongoing outage involving the voter registration system could lead to longer lines at early voting sites. Another short outage was planned just after 3 p.m. Saturday to work on the problems.
Red flags before 2-year-old foster child's death, her family's lawsuit says
Tot's grandparents say social worker, system and staff knew of troubles.
Federal judge in Minneapolis sentences Iranian businessman for violating U.S. sanctions
The operator of a financial services firm was sentenced to time served for violating U.S. sanctions on his country.
Unarmed Moose Lake man who was shot by deputy and paralyzed wins $6.2 million settlement
Carlton County payment may be the largest such settlement outside metro.
After a 6-month hiatus due to COVID, federal jury trials resume in Minnesota
A federal court judge suggests the new jury box in Minneapolis looks a lot like a penalty box at a hockey game.
Dean Rebuffoni, longtime environmental journalist, dies at 77
A love for the outdoors led to a career covering the major battles and controversies over Minnesota's environmental issues.
Two more lawsuits filed against Minneapolis over injuries caused by police after George Floyd killing
One said he was cleaning Lake St. in afternoon when he was hurt; other was at a protest.
College student sues city of Minneapolis over eye injury from projectile during Floyd protests
A student claims a cop shot a projectile into her face after a protest over George Floyd's killing, then left without helping her.
Richfield man charged with arson in fire at Target HQ during Nicollet Mall unrest
He allegedly broke into Target headquarters and lit a fire in the mailroom before fleeing.
Minn. woman who aided al-Shabab gets early release
Hawo Mohamed Hassan was scheduled to be released in January 2021.
Georgie Herman, a beloved University of Minnesota librarian, dies of COVID-19 at 88
For nearly three decades, reference librarian Georgianna Herman was a prime resource for graduate students in industrial relations at the University of Minnesota. Herman oversaw…
U.S. attorney, other Minn. law enforcement officials assess work of task force now winding down
A command center will close and daily meetings will end, but U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said law enforcement representatives will continue to communicate virtually.
Man pleads guilty to false claim that his wife planned to bomb Mall of America
The Richfield man, using a false name, sent the letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service in retaliation against his wife, who was in the naturalization process at the time, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Minneapolis, St. Paul men get long federal prison terms in separate child pornography cases
One man used his employment and volunteer work at schools to victimize at least 10 boys. The other collected porn while on probation for similar conduct.
Woman gets 6 months in prison for helping to falsify robberies for visa status
Woman tried to help four people get special visas by falsely claiming they were victims of robbery by two Somali men.
Savage, Minn., man pleads guilty to firebombing Dakota County building
The fire bombing occurred May 29, four days after George Floyd died while being restrained by police in south Minneapolis
Mpls. chief talked about duty to halt police misconduct years before Floyd death
In 2017, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo met with a small group of community activists who urged him to adopt a training program that…
Minnesota joins suit to protect election mail
Suits allege new Postal Service policies could slow down delivery of ballots in November.
Minnesota man sentenced to 35 years for child porn, 'sextortion'
A 21-year old man threatened rape and murder if underage girls did not send him explicit video and photos of themselves
In battle over mail-in voting, the mail in Minnesota is running late
With plenty of examples of slow mail delivery in the Twin Cities, some customers feel as if they have become collateral damage.
3 Nigerians indicted in cyber-fraud case involving stolen Ceridian W-2s
Three Nigerian nationals stole W-2 and other personal information from Bloomington firm as part of a tax fraud scheme.
Lois Riess pleads guilty to murder and is sentenced to life without parole
Already convicted of a Florida murder, she pleaded guilty to killing her husband in Blooming Prairie.
Minneapolis man gets 33 years for sex trafficking
Man operated a sauna in northeast Minneapolis and trafficked in young women and girls, prosecutors said.
Man sues Minneapolis police officer for allegedly shoving him to the ground near Floyd memorial
The officer was initially not identified in the suit but was named in an amended complaint.
Man charged with committing four armed robberies in Twin Cities last Friday
Derrick Lee Spillman is accused of robbing two Holiday gas stations, a Speedway and a Subway over a 9-hour period.
Fired Mpls. officer Tou Thao seeks dismissal of charges in Floyd's killing
His lawyers argue that county prosecutors have failed to show Thao knew that Derek Chauvin and the other officers were going to commit a crime.
Floyd family seeks 'financially prohibitive' precedent in suit vs. Minneapolis, officers
The lawsuit contends that the officers used deadly force in non-deadly circumstances and that a lack of proper training and departmental culture led to George Floyd's death.
Long fight over NFL team's name hits home in Minnesota
American Indian leaders and longtime allies hailed a victory many felt was long overdue after more than 30 years of protests over the nicknames of sports teams that have been condemned as racist.
Family of Somali-American man sues over his shooting death by police in Eagan in 2019
Dakota County attorney concluded the shooting of Isak Aden was justified.
Arson charges dropped against woman arrested in burning of St. Paul store after George Floyd's killing
The 19-year-old's attorney says video showed that she was not involved in the arson at St. Paul health supplement store.
Judge lets suit go forward against Rochester cop, citing potentially 'racist' remarks
U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank mentions George Floyd and Philando Castile in declining to dismiss the case.
