Recent content from Rochelle Olson
Hennepin County Courthouse locked down days before trial
When jury selection for the trial of Derek Chauvin begins March 8, the twin-tower government building in Minneapolis will be closed to almost everyone, including the 2,500 people who normally work there.
![The stands sat empty in accordance with COVID-19 regulations as the Minnesota Twins took on the Cleveland Indians in the first inning. ] ANTHONY SOUFF](https://chorus.stimg.co/22337235/ows_c897d1e3_cb6c_4806_9269_d807c65c0809.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Twins send letter to season ticketholders about their options for 2021
In a letter to ticket holders, the team said it expects a limited number of fans at Target Field for the home opener April 8 against the Seattle Mariners.
With unusual speed, Minn. Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal in Noor case
Decision has implications for expected start of Derek Chauvin's trial Monday
Judicial referee Susan Cochrane, who channeled her difficulties into life's work of compassion, dies at 65
Susan Cochrane channeled her own painful experiences as the child of a brutal divorce, violence and alcoholism into a career of uncommon compassion as a…
Ex-Minneapolis cop Mohamed Noor asks state Supreme Court to hear murder appeal
Noor wants court to overturn his third-degree murder conviction in death of Australian woman
Twins seek governor's approval for 10,000 fans at Target Field
Gov. Tim Walz will have the final word on the size of the crowds, and he must balance fans' desire for normalcy against public health concerns as COVID keeps its grip on Minnesota.
Court of Appeals: Lake Minnetonka murder-suicide liability case against Park Nicollet should be tried before a jury
Businessman Brian Short fatally shot his wife, three children and himself in 2015
Lacrosse joins Vikings' Eagan campus as Arete Sport moves in
Burnsville upstart Arete will move in next month and stage summer event.
Health care shooting pushes clinics toward more vigilance, assessments
The shootings in Buffalo, Minn., are raising new concerns about how best to deal with irate patients vowing violence.
Husband of medical assistant killed in Buffalo attack struggles to explain loss to their children
Husband, friend describe vibrant 37-year-old mom who was dedicated to her work as a healer.
How did Minneapolis end up with a street named after a Persian king?
In the late 1800s, the population of Minneapolis was booming and city engineers sought to create alphabetical and numerical street grids that could be reliably navigated.
Prosecutors in George Floyd case want to reinstate third-degree murder charges
Recent appeals court ruling in case of former MPD Officer Noor is cited
A divided Court of Appeals narrowly upholds murder conviction of Mohamed Noor
Noor was found guilty in the 2017 shooting death of an Australian woman who called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in her alley.
Walz proposes to redirect U.S. Bank Stadium e-pulltab revenue to general fund
Leaders with the Senate and the Vikings oppose the proposal to move $130 million from stadium reserve to general fund.
U.S. Bank Stadium's water woes surface again with replacement barriers
Contingency fund will be tapped for $800,000 to address the problem; contractor Mortenson had sought $3.2 million to repair the leaky panels.
![President Donald Trump greeted cheering crowds at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com T](https://chorus.stimg.co/22249129/ows_7bdf6a8c_8a17_4006_b5c8_96104af27db3.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis will recoup $100,000 in security costs for Trump's 2019 rally at Target Center
Mpls. negotiates deal to recoup $100K from operator of Target Center.
Tax evasion case against Derek Chauvin, estranged wife pushed until after his murder trial
The trial was set for June 30 in the case against Chauvin and wife Kellie Chauvin.
Pro-Trump Capitol rally in St. Paul yields low turnout amid heavy security
About a dozen supporters of President Donald Trump who gathered for a "Freedom Fest" rally at the Minnesota State Capitol Saturday were vastly outnumbered by law enforcement.
Family of man shot by Mpls. police wrestles with questions
Hours after 23-year-old Dolal Idd was laid to rest in a Burnsville cemetery, his mother and older sister gathered with female family members and friends at an Eden Prairie mosque to grieve.
Vikings limp to home season end in gaping stadium without fans
In a rocky season, the Vikings couldn't even fall back on the fans. The team usually draws 700,000 per season, but this year they were allowed 700.
Violinist Leah Ottman, who played with many Twin Cities musicians, dies at 33
As a 5-year-old, Leah Ottman heard an instrument she liked while listening to her parents' classical music and told her mother she wanted to learn…
Clear Channel rejects artist's rendering of George Floyd's death as too violent for a Minneapolis billboard
An identical billboard went up in New York's Times Square in October, and others are scheduled next month for Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Kassius Benson named new Hennepin County chief public defender
Benson was one of three finalists for the job interviewed Tuesday.
U.S. Bank Stadium reserve predicted to balloon to nearly half a billion dollars by 2025
The fund is expected to grow to $419 million by mid-2025, according to the budget forecast released this week by state economists.
New U.S. Bank Stadium GM John Drum comes with baseball, football, hockey credentials
ASM Global named John Drum to permanently oversee bookings and event operations at the $1.1. billion giant.
Minneapolis wants state to make its stadium payment next year
Legislator cites depressed sales tax collections in asking for aid from state.
Don't go near the water: Some algae blooms are toxic to people, pets
Minneapolis has issued a warning, but the need for concern stretches throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.
Ikea's foundation donates $1.2M to Minn. student mental health programs
Walz says Ikea foundation grant is a model for public-private sector cooperation.
U president projects deficit of up to $175 million in current fiscal year
Gabel released the numbers with little detail on how the U would address it.
U.S. Bank Stadium launches study of homelessness and financial instability among employees
Operators hope to help furloughed employees with food, housing and health care.
Vikings fans won't be allowed in U.S. Bank Stadium for rest of season
"Closing the final four home games to fans is the right decision to help protect our community," according to the team's statement, released this morning.
Remembering former Rep. Jim Ramstad, champion of addiction treatment
The moderate Republican, who represented western Hennepin County in Congress for 18 years, died of Parkinson's.
In a historic ruling, trial of ex-officers in Floyd killing will be livestreamed
The trial of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd will be livestreamed because of a judge’s historic order Thursday…
Ex-officers charged in Floyd killing will be tried together in Minneapolis
Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao will start trial on March 8 in the downtown courthouse. The judge said he would allow cameras in the courtroom and will sequester the jury for safety.
Noor appeal arguments in Damond shooting focus on definition of 'depraved mind'
Lawyer says element not proven in Mohamed Noor's 2019 trial.
Amid high stakes and record early turnout, Minnesota voters reflect as polls close
Minneapolis turnout surpasses 2016 as line stretches four blocks in Farmington.
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Minnesota police group complains about book read to Burnsville fourth-graders
Walz responded that his priority is the health and safety of Minnesotans.
Hennepin County commissioner leaving board to run Can Do Canines
Johnson, a former legislator, twice ran unsuccessfully as the GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate.
Former U.S. attorney in Minnesota joins former GOP prosecutors voting for Biden
Tom Heffelfinger, 19 ex-prosecutors sign letter saying president is abusing power.
Mike Opat will leave Hennepin County board right after election
He resigns early after nearly three decades on Hennepin County Board.
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.
