Recent content from Rochelle Olson
Former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton appointed to the board overseeing U.S. Bank Stadium
Sayles Belton was appointed by Mayor Jacob Frey to replace Barbara Butts Williams, who stepped down before her term ended.
Murder charges filed in crash that killed U hockey coach Motzko's son, another man
Prosecutors also already have filed notice with the court that they will seek a longer than normal sentence for James D. Blue, 51, because of the nature of the alleged crime.
The Vikings and U.S. Bank Stadium prepare for state's largest indoor crowd since December 2019
Vikings are planning a reopening celebration sans vaccine or mask requirements.
Chauvin enters not guilty plea to federal civil rights charge involving a 14-year-old
Charges allege Chauvin held the teenager down until he passed out in 2017
Supreme Court overturns Noor third-degree murder conviction
Decision could cut 8 years from sentence of ex-Mpls. officer, affect other cases.
Noor decision has broader impact on Chauvin case, other police prosecutions
Some lawyers said third-degree murder can't be used against four former officers in pending cases.
Former police officer Potter seeks dismissal of added charge in Wright shooting
Potter's lawyers say she clearly attempted to use her Taser, not kill Wright after traffic stop.
Judge overseeing Mpls. police ballot question is prepared, collaborative
Jamie Anderson is overseeing the continuing dispute over the Minneapolis police ballot question
Uptown driver who killed, injured protesters in June found competent for trial
Nicholas Kraus is accused of driving into protesters after law enforcement shooting of Winston Boogie Smith.
U shot putter Nedrick acquitted of sexual assault charge
Kevin Nedrick has been suspended from the Gophers track and field team since his arrest a year ago.
Apple Valley homecoming: Gold medalist Steveson gets jubilant reception
Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson returned for a celebration in the high school gym where just three years ago he would have been sitting among the school's 1,600 students.
Gun owners group loses bid to allow permit carriers to bring guns to the Minnesota State Fair
Ramsey County judge denied the group's request for a temporary order.
Judge denies deadline extension for ex-Brooklyn Center police officer's defense in Daunte Wright shooting
Lawyers for Kimberly Potter wanted to know if additional charges would be filed.
America's tallest man, Rochester resident Igor Vovkovinskiy, dies at 38
Ukrainian native came for treatment when he was 6, stayed a lifetime
St. Thomas GOP chair arrested in Florida on sex trafficking allegation
The woman was arrested in connection with the indictment of state Republican activist Tony Lazzaro.
Gophers coach calls Orono crash that killed son, friend 'murder'
The parents of Mack Motzko and Sam Schuneman spoke publicly for the first time since the fatal crash. Their grief is compounded by disbelief that their sons' lives ended after a brief ride with a reckless stranger.
Man charged in fatal Orono car crash posts $500,000 cash bail, is released
James D. Blue will appear in court Sept. 8 in the death of Mack Motzko and Sam Schuneman.
Olympic champ Steveson returns to enthusiastic airport welcome
Gable Steveson, whose stunning comeback won the heavyweight wrestling gold medal in Tokyo, touched down in the Twin Cities late Sunday with a giant smile on his face and a shiny gold medal around his neck.
Trial of ex-officer charged in Daunte Wright's death won't be televised
Kimberly Potter, who faces a manslaughter charge, had objected to cameras in the courtroom.
D.J. Leary, longtime public affairs consultant and DFL operative, dies at 84
He was a longtime adviser to Vice President Hubert Humphrey and a consultant for numerous candidates for local, state and federal offices.
Attacker at center of Minnesota rape law change pleads guilty to unwanted sexual touching
Plea deal means no new trial and no more jail time for Minneapolis man
BCA won't reinvestigate police shooting of Terrance Franklin
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman had asked the state to take another look at fatal 2013 shooting by Minneapolis police.
Winston Smith Jr.'s killing puts year-old Minnesota BCA unit under fresh scrutiny
Creation of the Force Investigations Unit remains controversial.
Target Field, Twins agree on biggest maintenance expense: new scoreboard and control room
Target Field and the Twins have agreed to split the cost of the biggest maintenance project yet at the ballpark, now playing host to its 12th season.
Ex-Brooklyn Center police officer opposes livestreaming of trial
Prosecutors are seeking to allow audio, video livestream of courtroom
Judge won't revise memo on young witnesses to Floyd killing
Judge Peter Cahill said he no longer has jurisdiction, rejects state's claims about evidence of trauma
Minnesotans celebrate after year of isolation: 'This is a family day'
At parks, pools and parades, Minnesotans and their families gathered for summer fun after the isolation of the pandemic.
Why is U.S. Bank Stadium in a constant state of repair?
Ongoing construction on the building includes replacing 35,000 zinc panels.
Chauvin sentenced to 22½ years for the murder of George Floyd
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to 22.5 years for the murder of George Floyd. The court heard victim-impact statements from four members of Floyd's family, and Chauvin gave brief remarks.
After Chauvin case, more trials could be livestreamed
The ex-officer's trial and the pandemic caused the Minnesota Supreme Court to see the benefits of cameras in the courtroom and to reconsider the state's long-standing ban.
Minnesota events group aims to see Olympians swimming on top of Vikings turf
New nonprofit working to bring more national sports events to Twin Cities.
Charges to be dropped for driver who drove into protest on 35W
Bogdan Vechirko of Otsego was charged with a felony and a gross misdemeanor last fall. The charges will be dropped if he remains law-abiding for the next year, by an agreement with Hennepin County prosecutors.
U.S. Olympic trials' pool headed for north Minneapolis aquatic center
Once the Olympic trials wrap up this weekend in Omaha, the pool will have a second act as the star attraction in the renovation of an old north Minneapolis book bindery into an aquatic center.
Hennepin County defense attorneys push for more diverse jury pools
Hennepin County should do more to track who serves, increase pool, lawyer argues.
Morton man dies in ATV crash in Renville County
The 66-year-old driver crossed the highway and was struck by a minivan.
BCA: Man shot, killed by police had fired from inside vehicle
Authorities said there is no video of the shooting of the man identified as Winston Boogie Smith, 32, in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. Grief mixed with anger for his family.
Chauvin attorney seeks probation; prosecutors want 30 years in prison
Chauvin obeyed all court orders after he bonded out of jail before trial, showing his amenability to probation, his attorney argued.
Gophers football players' gender discrimination lawsuit can go forward
Federal Appeals Court revives claim involving 2016 sexual assault investigation
Possible north Minneapolis shooting victim dies
Man arrived at hospital after reports of shots fired.
Suspect in downtown Minneapolis shooting dies by suicide after chase in Elk River
Man was wanted on suspicion of shooting another man earlier in the day inside an apartment.
Lawsuit claims Daunte Wright shot, permanently disabled teen in 2019
No charges have been filed in the case and police continue investigating
Judge probes leak of grand jury proceedings into Floyd's death
Two newspaper stories described the possibility of federal charges for four former Minneapolis officers.
Prosecutors deny claim that ME's opinion on death of George Floyd was coerced
State accuses former Minneapolis cop's lawyer of bad faith argument.
U.S. Bank Stadium renegotiates terms with facilty management firm due to COVID shutdown
Vikings' stadium operator pays less over a longer period but will get locked in for a longer term.
Frey releases public safety plan, says city must make a turn
The mayor says he wants to end traffic stops for low-level offenses and increase funding for police overtime and for the Office of Violence Prevention. He still needs council approval for his plans.
Hennepin County Board committee votes to give Juneteenth full holiday status
Vote comes a year after the board balked at $2-plus million cost, gave workers a floating holiday
Minnesota State Fair kicking off summer with Memorial Day weekend mini fair
Announcement comes days after Gov. Tim Walz says normal Fair is possible in August.
Attorneys debate 'aggravating factors' in George Floyd murder
Floyd was "particularly vulnerable" and treated with "particular cruelty," prosecutors argued.
USA Curling joins Vikings, tennis, lacrosse, e-sports at Eagan development
Headquarters will be moving from Stevens Point, Wis., to Twin Cities, a "hotbed" for the sport
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Twins and Target Field seeking new artists to create works for ballpark plaza
Ballpark authority agreed to spend $200K on project to replace glass images.
Chauvin's alleged accomplices now face their own reckonings in Floyd's murder
Three former police officers charged with aiding and abetting murder, manslaughter
Derek Chauvin cuffed after murder, manslaughter convictions in death of George Floyd
A masked Derek Chauvin showed no visible emotion as Judge Peter Cahill read the verdict on each count. Cahill said sentencing would be in roughly eight weeks.
Legal analysts say emotional eyewitnesses amplified powerful video as witness to Chauvin's crimes
The bystander video of Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds gave prosecutors a star witness for the Hennepin…
Jury in Chauvin trial enters second day of deliberations
Once the jury left the courtroom for the day, an attorney for Derek Chauvin called for a mistrial, citing immense media exposure, particularly a comment by Rep. Maxine Waters. Judge Peter Cahill denied the motion.
What are the charges against Derek Chauvin?
Here's a look at the charges against Chauvin and what prosecutors must prove in order to convict.
Final arguments in Derek Chauvin trial focus on fateful day
The prosecution, which goes first and gets a brief rebuttal by special prosecutor Jerry Blackwell after the defense, carries the bigger burden and has much more ground to cover.
Chauvin defense rests its case without his testimony
Former officer Derek Chauvin invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Defense expert: Cardiac arrest and drugs caused Floyd's death
Dr. David Fowler said Floyd's manner of death was "undetermined," due to a combination of factors.
Defense expert calls Chauvin's actions justified and reasonable
Police trainer Barry Brodd said George Floyd was resisting arrest and struggled with officers.
Floyd's brother tears up on stand; Chauvin defense today
At the start of the third week of the Derek Chauvin murder trial, Philonise Floyd spoke of George's devotion to their mother, saying, "He loved her so dearly."
Chief medical examiner: Arrest 'just more than' Floyd could take
Dr. Andrew Baker stood by his initial findings after George Floyd's death in afternoon testimony at Derek Chauvin's trial, after three other medical experts.
Day 22 of Derek Chauvin trial: Medical examiner who did autopsy did not include a lack of oxygen
Dr. Andrew Baker's findings are at odds with a prosecution expert who said Floyd died from a lack of oxygen.
Medical expert: 'In a vise,' George Floyd did everything he could
Dr. Martin Tobin, a Chicago physician who has written textbooks and specialized in respiratory and critical care medicine for decades said Floyd "died from a low level of oxygen."
Day 21 of Derek Chauvin trial: Chauvin kept knee on neck for 3½ minutes after George Floyd drew last breath, expert says
A medical expert testified in the Derek Chauvin murder trial that George Floyd died from a lack of oxygen late last spring as the now-fired Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd's neck. Testimony resumes Friday morning.
Chauvin trial evidence: Meth, fentanyl with Floyd DNA in pills
Three forensic scientists testified Wednesday for the prosecution about the process of gathering and testing evidence from George Floyd's vehicle and a squad car.
Day 20 of Derek Chauvin trial: Scientists wrap up prosecution's witnesses for the day
Two scientists with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and a third scientist from a Pennsylvania lab rounded out the day's prosecution witnesses. Testimony concluded about 4:45 p.m., with proceedings set to resume Thursday.
Trainers and use-of-force experts fault tactics used by Chauvin
Derek Chauvin's lawyer, Eric Nelson, pressed the claim that a hostile crowd distracted Chauvin and prevented a proper diagnosis or aid.
Outside expert testifies about numerous signs that George Floyd was no longer resisting
Also Tuesday, a Minneapolis police lieutenant in charge of use-of-force training said that putting a knee on a suspect's neck is not a tactic officers are taught.
Chauvin used excessive force and unsanctioned technique, chief says
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified Monday that fired officer Derek Chauvin used excessive force and defied his own training when he knelt on George Floyd's neck as Floyd pleaded for his life.
Police chief: Chauvin 'in no way' should've kept Floyd's neck pinned
Minneapolis police chief, Medaria Arradondo, who classified George Floyd's death as murder and fired Derek Chauvin, took the stand Monday.
Homicide unit chief: Force used by Derek Chauvin 'uncalled for'
Two police officials testified about taking control of the scene outside Cup Foods, then handing over to the BCA. Lt. Richard Zimmerman said to put a knee on the neck of someone in handcuffs would fall under the most extreme level of force.
Day 17 of Derek Chauvin trial: Head of Minneapolis homicide unit outlines use-of-force policy
Minneapolis' most senior police officer testified that Derek Chauvin putting his knee on a handcuffed George Floyd's neck during his arrest last spring was "totally unnecessary."
Ex-sergeant: Chauvin should have stopped when Floyd quit resisting
David Pleoger testified that the fired officer told him that George Floyd was being "crazy" and wouldn't get in car. Prosecutor Steve Schleicher pressed Pleoger on whether Chauvin's force was appropriate.
Day 16 of Derek Chauvin trial: Supervisor detailed to jurors the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's death
Asked whether Chauvin mentioned any use of force, David Pleoger said he recalled, "I don't believe so."
New video caps painful day of testimony in Chauvin trial
The prosecution played into evidence footage from all four body cameras of ex-Minneapolis cops, with George Floyd's moans of pain, calls for help and cries of "I can't breathe."
