Recent content from Rochelle Olson
Frequent Supreme Court candidate on ballot and facing probation again
Frequent candidate has a history of legal trouble; she's running against Justice Thissen.
Trucker who drove onto I-35W during Floyd protest charged
Bogdan Vechirko faces one felony and one misdemeanor count in Hennepin County.
Vikings have plans to put fans in seats, but must wait for Walz's OK
Five home games remain in the Minnesota Vikings' 2020 season, and the team is still hoping to bring fans into U.S. Bank Stadium — if they can get the go-ahead from the governor.
Judge denies prosecution request to seal filings in George Floyd case
Defense wants to admit video from his May 2019 arrest by Mpls. police.
Three Frozen Fours coming to state; wrestling, volleyball snubbed
Minneapolis sports officials made a pitch for the 2023 wrestling tournament after the 2020 event, which was expected to bring 40,000 fans to town, was canceled by the pandemic.
Prosecutors ask to keep details of 2019 Floyd arrest out of public view
Defense claims Floyd has been falsely portrayed as a "law-abiding" victim in fear for his life.
Prosecutors want stiff sentences for cops charged in Floyd killing
New motion in Floyd case provides additional basis for extended sentences for four former MPD officers.
North football coach Adams leaving Mpls. police to direct security for Twins
Charles Adams III, 40, started with the Twins on Monday, calling the job a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Matt Hoy, the Twins' senior vice president for operations, announced the hire Thursday. Adams will continue to coach.
Minnesota firefighters return from two-week tour fighting mountainous Oregon fire
Flatlander crews found terrain, altitude challenging in Western mission.
Two men arrested in Sept. 20 Bloomington home invasion, attempted robbery
Two men have been charged after police arrested them in the middle of a west Bloomington home invasion and robbery on Sept. 20. Robert Gabrio,…
Ramsey County Attorney Choi resigned from commission; now federal judge ends its work
Choi sent notice in May that he was concerned about the lack of diversity on the panel.
Omni opens Nordic-themed hotel in Vikings development
New hotel is long-planned component of the NFL team's new home campus
State panel declines reappointment of Hennepin County public defender
State Public Defender Bill Ward recommended against reappointing Mary Moriarty because of her "inability to work" with others. The full Board of Public Defense is expected to vote at a meeting beginning at noon.
Minnesota lawyer Doris Huspeni, who broke ground for female jurists, dies at 91
Doris Ohlsen Huspeni paused her college studies for marriage and children in 1949 after meeting her husband in a German language class at the University…
Longest-serving Minnesota judge departing the Hennepin County bench
Judge Kevin Burke turned 70 on Sept. 17, hitting the mandatory retirement age.
Former Minnesota Chief Justice Russell Anderson dies at 78
The court needed "the best voice we could get for rural Minnesota — and we got the best voice for all of Minnesota," former Gov. Arne Carlson said.
Absence of fans makes for eerily quiet Vikings opener
The pandemic put a big wet blanket on not only the pregame activities but the energy inside the 66,000-seat stadium where fans are banned for at least the first two home games.
Judge disqualifies Freeman for 'sloppy' work in Floyd case
Protesters gathered as attorneys argued key issues including whether the trial should be moved out of the county, whether the defendants should be tried in one trial or separately, and how jurors will be selected.
Crowd swarms former Minneapolis police officers with shouts of 'Murderer!'
It was an extraordinarily unsettling midday scene outside Hennepin County's Family Justice Center.
Vikings try new ways to connect with fans for Sunday's Border Battle
It may be one of the most spirited NFL rivalries, but the Vikings-Green Bay border battle Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium will be remarkably subdued regardless of the action
Hennepin County jury convicts 67-year-old in murder of Minneapolis landlord, friend
Defendant testified that a drug dealer he knew was the actual killer.
Matthew Sean Williams, lawyer and online gamer, dies of COVID-19 at 40
How he contracted COVID-19 is likely to remain a mystery, his mother said.
Former Mpls. officer Chauvin appears in court on tax evasion charges
Charges came after he was charged in the killing of George Floyd
Defendant in 2019 Minneapolis murder testifies about chaotic fight with drug dealer
Larry Foster claims he was a victim, too, as trial enters its third week.
6-year-old boy missing after wading in Mississippi River with friends
Five children, two adults were on a bike ride when they stopped on Boom Island
Descended from cops, he saw his Mpls. police career last 4 days
Thomas Lane's life, viewed through the lens of those who knew him, shows a quiet man challenged at times with personal struggles, yet driven by his desire to wear a badge.
Chauvin lawyer: Restraint didn't kill Floyd, ill health and drug abuse did
Motion says former officer acted professionally and showed care in his actions.
University of Minnesota paid $500,000 to woman who accused Gophers football players of rape
Settlement related to 2016 case was reached in early March.
No fans at first two Vikings home games; most ticket holders opt out
About 60% of Vikings season-ticket holders took up the team's offer of skipping the season, according to the team, which announced its decision for September games vs. Green Bay and Tennessee.
Vikings trying to get fans into stadium, but unlikely for opener
Vikings officials are hoping to get thousands of their fans into U.S. Bank Stadium, although that's not likely for the home opener Sept. 13 against the Green Bay Packers.
Review of Minneapolis off-duty police work being put on hold again
City leaders want to rein in the loosely regulated system, saying some officers work exceptionally long hours, raising concerns about liability and health.
Large blaze breaks out at metal plant in St. Paul
Firefighters weren't able to say what caused the fire. There were no reports of injury.
Apartment renters can join the Minnesota Vikings' Eagan neighborhood next summer
The team owners expect to have 261 units on the market.
Hennepin County won't file charges against Brooklyn Center officers in fatal shooting
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the two officers who fired reasonably believed they and Kobe Dimock-Heisler's grandmother were in "danger of death or great bodily harm" when they fired six shots.
Eerie quiet surrounds Target Field, downtown Minneapolis for Twins home opener
For a few fans, just being close to the home opener was worth the trip.
Hennepin County's first chief judge of color takes helm at unprecedented time
Barnette takes the helm at an unprecedented moment for Hennepin County
Judge agrees to release names of jurors in Mohamed Noor trial
Juror information is typically released soon after a verdict; judge worries about privacy.
Former Kimball coach hopes for second chance after nightmare accusations
Johnny Benson wasn't charged with any crimes. But he's still out of a job. "I didn't do anything wrong. I'm embarrassed and humiliated," said the grandson of legendary former St. John's football coach John Gagliardi.
Body-cam transcripts: George Floyd repeatedly begged police not to kill him
In his fatal encounter with Minneapolis police, George Floyd used the word "please" nearly five dozen times, according to newly released transcripts of police body camera footage.
Face coverings will be required at all Minnesota courthouses beginning Monday
Visitors should bring their own masks to wear while in any of the state's 105 court facilities.
Champlin man who crashed into north Minneapolis bus shelter found incompetent for sentencing
Court will review George Jensen's mental status in six months
What you need to know about plans to defund Minneapolis Police
In the weeks since George Floyd died after being pinned by since-fired Minneapolis police officers, activists and some City Council members have called for defunding,…
Virus closes U.S. Bank Stadium for '20 except for maybe Vikings
As of today, the four-year-old stadium has nothing but football on the schedule. Even if the NFL season goes ahead, it's unlikely to include stadiums full of fans.
Star administrator off to challenging start leading massive Hennepin Healthcare
Jennifer DeCubellis had been CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, the sprawling system that operates the county's flagship trauma hospital and clinics, for two weeks when COVID-19…
Judge assigned to oversee cases of 4 fired officers charged in Floyd killing
Peter Cahill has experience in high-profile trials. and was the top adviser to Sen. Amy Klobuchar when she was county attorney.
Minneapolis officers' letter, rallies add to voices for change
Several Minneapolis police officers issued a public letter condemning the killing of George Floyd, embracing Chief Medaria Arradondo and seeking to work toward regaining public trust. The letter begins, "Dear Everyone — but especially Minneapolis citizens," and claims to represent how the "vast majority" of Minneapolis police officers feel at this moment.
First Hennepin County jury trial since pandemic results in quarantine for judge and her staff
The trial was part of a rolling restart for district court trials following the pandemic pause.
Former Hennepin County Attorney Tom Johnson dies
Johnson endured stage IV cancer for six years, kept working.
What you need to know about plans to defund Minneapolis police
Agreement by 9 of 12 current council members is a tiny step in what could be a long process.
Floyd's family applauds charges against four fired Minneapolis officers
And at the area where Floyd was pinned under an officer's knee, flowers and a mural now memorialize him.
Minnesota Supreme Court upholds 'severe or pervasive' standard for sexual harassment
Homeward Bound employee's case reinstated, returns to district court.
Hennepin County tallies up damage to libraries, service centers in last week's riots
The county is working with insurance adjusters but doesn't yet have a damage estimate for the buildings or a timeline for reopening.
Lawyer for George Floyd's survivors calls for congressional action
Civil rights lawyers say uniform national response needed for victims of racial violence
Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton urge immediate jailing, charges for police in Floyd's death
Civil rights leaders held separate south Minneapolis events near crime scene.
ICU beds in use hit record daily high in Minn.
As Minnesotans marked the official start of summer, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care climbed to a record high of 248 with the largest increase in a single day.
745 new COVID cases in Minnesota, 12 more deaths
The number of ICU cases rose 20 percent to 248, the Minnesota Department of Health said. Of the 12 who died, 10 were in long-term care facilities, and all were at older than 60.
'Safety comes first': COVID-19 causes State Fair to be called off
Although the COVID-19 infection peak in Minnesota is expected in July, the threat of contagion killed this year's event, which draws hundreds of thousands from around the state.
Decision looms on whether to hold State Fair as board meets today
Fair officials declined to comment, while vendors remain nervous about their chances.
Minnesota judge: Electronic pulltabs don't violate tribal gambling monopoly
The state's tribes argued that the single button on e-pulltabs made them similar to slot machines.
Legislature OKs Vikings selling alcohol outside stadium on game days
Bill also would allow sales in the front lawn park and at Walker Sculpture Garden, Boom Island on occasion.
St. Paul ministers disappointed by lack of black high school principals
St. Paul ministers say superintendent has failed.
Minnesota court: Police can't see hotel registries without reasonable suspicion
In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled that a guest's presence at a hotel is potentially sensitive and shouldn't be wide open for law enforcement.
Dad lost to COVID-19, family now must decide how to care for mom
Carole Kenny, 87, tested positive for the virus just before her husband died. She has been without her family in the hospital and a care facility ever since, riding out the viral-driven delirium and her grief alone.
University of Minnesota weighs multiple scenarios for fall semester
Current, most optimistic plan has students returning to campus.
$2.2B in federal aid sets up local clashes in Minnesota
An-end-of-year deadline set by Congress to spend all the money is setting up clashes not just between parties but among state, county and city leaders scrambling to meet the ballooning costs of the pandemic at the same time that their tax revenues are plunging.
Hennepin County Board works to help long-term care facilities, renters, small businesses
Commissioners said at Thursday briefing that they need to use federal funds to help while the state waits.
Minneapolis epidemiologists take over food-borne investigations but leave the rest to Hennepin County for now
The state will review the arrangement with Hennepin County at the end of the year.
Walz calls Minnesota State Fair a 'tough lift' this year given crowds
If the State Fair is held as usual, General Manager Jerry Hammer said, it won't be done with restrictions.
Hennepin, Ramsey counties move to help homeowners, businesses deal with pandemic
Hennepin County also set up a $2 million relief fund for small businesses.
U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field: Locked down but eager to get back in the game
Skeleton crews watch, wait, hope for return of events, athletic seasons.
Master Gardener sales canceled; plants to be donated
Plants will be donated to community gardens and spaces.
Hennepin County Board tentatively approves two-month reprieve in property tax deadline
The Ramsey County Board is expected to take action next week on a similar proposal.
State Supreme Court allows voter data withheld from public
Access ruling reverses decisions of two lower courts.
Under pandemic pressure, Hennepin County already has nearly drained its $10 million emergency fund
Concern was expressed that the county may have to dip into its general fund, made up of property tax dollars, to cover pandemic expenses.
Nonprofit seeks to link isolated high-risk residents with volunteers
Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson established NorthStar Neighbor last weekend.
