David Taintor
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Articles by David Taintor
Live: Vikings, Twin Cities will host 2028 NFL draft
Live: Vikings, Twin Cities will host 2028 NFL draft Vikings fans cheer during the second round of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh on April 24. (Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press) Downtown Minneapolis will anchor the festivities, which bring hundreds of thousands of fans to the host cities for the three-day event. ORLANDO, Fla. — The pick is in for the 2028 NFL draft, and the Twin Cities and the Vikings will play host. NFL owners voted at the spring league meeting here Tuesday.
Inside lawmakers’ end-of-session deal: What’s in — and what was left out
The Minnesota state flag flies amid strong winds on May 16, 2025, at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS) ORG XMIT: 173116649W (Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Comment Gift Share Listen Print The deal provides funding for the financially distressed Hennepin County Medical Center, addresses ballooning vehicle tab fees and includes a billion-dollar bonding bill to fund public works projects.
ICE surge in Minnesota is ending. Here’s what Tom Homan said about the drawdown.
ICE surge in Minnesota is ending. Here’s what Tom Homan said about the drawdown. “A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue to the next week,” Homan said. Border czar Tom Homan speaks during a news conference at the Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Read the full statement from Micayla Pretti on her brother Alex Pretti
A rosary adorns a framed photo Alex Pretti that was left at a makeshift memorial in the area where Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, on Jan. 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car.
Read the full statement from Micayla Pretti on her brother Alex Pretti
MINNEAPOLIS — Micayla Pretti, the younger sister of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis man fatally shot by federal agents over the weekend, released a statement on Monday evening. Read it in full below: “Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into. He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe. But most importantly, he was my brother. I had the privilege of being his little sister for 32 years.
Read the full statement from John and Yvette Hoffman on shooting
By David Taintor Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette called for civility in the wake of a gunman's attack that wounded the couple and killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. Suspected gunman Vance Boelter has been charged in the shootings, during which he allegedly impersonated a police officer. Gov. Tim Walz and other officials have called the shootings politically motivated acts of violence. Read the full statement from the Hoffmans, released late Thursday:
Minnesotans will gather at State Capitol for candlelight vigil for Melissa and Mark Hortman
The vigil is scheduled from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Anyone attending is asked to bring their own candles. Organizers also asked attendees to avoid bringing any signs.
Read ICE's full statement on federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis
By David Taintor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement explained its involvement in a federal law enforcement operation centered around a Mexican restaurant in south Minneapolis with a prepared statement released a few hours later.
Boy, 14, shoots himself in head in his St. Paul home and ‘is not expected to survive,’ police say
Boy, 14, shoots himself in head in his St. Paul home and ‘is not expected to survive,’ police say “It is unknown how the juvenile was able to have the gun,” said Police Sgt. Toy Vixayvong. Jerron Chapman (With permission from GoFundMe) A 14-year-old boy shot himself in the head over the weekend in St. Paul and was gravely wounded, officials said Monday. The shooting occurred about 9:25 p.m. Saturday at the boy’s home in the 300 block of Bates Avenue, police said.
Crash shuts down northbound I-35W in Lino Lakes
A crash closed the northbound lanes of I-35W early Friday in Lino Lakes, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The patrol said the northbound lanes “will remain closed throughout the morning” and urged drivers to find alternative routes. The patrol’s crash report said the incident happened at 3:48 a.m. at Lake Drive North in Lino Lakes and that a person was injured.
Pedestrian injured after getting hit by Metro Transit bus in Roseville
A Metro Transit bus struck and injured a pedestrian on Wednesday evening in Roseville, according to the transit agency. The incident occurred at about 8:15 p.m. in a crosswalk at Rice Street and Little Canada, said Metro Transit spokesman Drew Kerr, who added that no passengers were on the bus at the time. Metro Transit said the victim was an adult male who was reportedly in stable condition after receiving treatment at Regions Hospital.
Man fatally stabbed in St. Paul
A man was fatally stabbed Sunday evening after a fight at a St. Paul apartment building, police said. Police arrested a suspect at the scene. Police were called shortly after 6 p.m. to an apartment building on the 300 block of N. Dale Street in St. Paul. Authorities arrived to find a man “unconscious and barely breathing,” suffering from stab wounds to his torso, police said. First responders transported the victim to Regions Hospital, where he died.
Amber Alert: Pregnant woman and 4 children kidnapped at gunpoint near Brainerd
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office issued an Amber Alert early Friday after a man allegedly kidnapped a pregnant woman and her four children at gunpoint near Brainerd. Chad Aanerud, 35, is accused of kidnapping Nikkole Dobson, 33, at 1:50 a.m. Friday along with her four children ranging in age from 3 to 14.
Twin Cities forecast to get 2 to 4 inches of Halloween snow, but will it stick?
Rain and potentially heavy snow are on tap Thursday around the Twin Cities, just before families set out for Halloween trick-or-treating. Temperatures were expected to drop throughout the day, creating conditions for flurries. A winter weather advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. covering the Twin Cities metro area and parts of south-central Minnesota. Steady rain drenched the Twin Cities on Thursday, making for a soggy morning commute.
Year in prison for former MSP Chick-fil-A manager who stole $144K, spent part on OnlyFans
The former manager of a Chick-fil-A at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has been sentenced to a year in prison for stealing more than $140,000 from the franchise and a sister restaurant, money he later spent on a sex-oriented website and online sports betting.
1 person dead, 2 firefighters injured during house fire in west metro
A fire in a home in Rogers left one person dead and two firefighters injured, officials said. The blaze broke out late Sunday afternoon at a house in the 20700 block of Territorial Road, the Rogers Fire Department said. Firefighters found one person inside who was dead, according to the Fire Department. The victim’s identity has yet to be released. Two firefighters were slightly injured, the Fire Department said.
Lake Street fight in Minneapolis leads to 4 men being stabbed, police say
A late-night fight on Lake Street in Minneapolis led to four men being stabbed, with one suffering critical wounds, officials said Monday. The incident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday in the 1300 block of E. Lake Street, police said. Officers dispatched to the scene found two men with stab wounds. Emergency medical responders took them to HCMC, with one having life-threatening injuries and the other less seriously wounded, police said.
20-year term for man who targeted St. Paul home at random for burglary, raped woman at gunpoint
A repeat felon has received a 20-year term for breaking into a St. Paul woman’s home that he targeted for burglary in the middle of the night and raping her at gunpoint. Deonte Marquon Thomas, 34, of Maplewood, was sentenced Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court after pleading guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree burglary in connection with the break-in and sexual assault on April 15 shortly after 4 a.m. in the 300 block of S. Snelling Avenue.
'How Long Gone' podcast is bringing bicoastal elite energy to the Turf Club Original
"How Long Gone," an irreverent podcast hosted by a pair of self-described "bicoastal elites," is bringing its cheeky banter before a live Twin Cities audience. Hosts Chris Black and Jason Stewart are scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. Monday at the Turf Club in St. Paul. The thrice-weekly pop culture podcast debuted in March 2020 as a pandemic-era project for the longtime friends. The show picked up momentum with a series of if-you-know-you-know guests from the worlds of music, fashion and food.
House collapses into river near Rapidan Dam in southern Minn.
Tribune June 26, 2024 at 1:28 PM A large portion of a house teetering on the edge of the Blue Earth River near the Rapidan Dam fell into the water late Tuesday, according to authorities. "A portion of the house on the property closest to the Rapidan Dam has been undercut enough to have fallen into the river," the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
House collapses into river near Rapidan Dam in southern Minnesota
A large portion of a house teetering on the edge of the Blue Earth River near the Rapidan Dam fell into the water late Tuesday, according to authorities. "A portion of the house on the property closest to the Rapidan Dam has been undercut enough to have fallen into the river," the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Rapidan Dam house collapses into river in southern Minnesota Original
A large portion of a house teetering on the edge of the Blue Earth River near the Rapidan Dam fell into the water late Tuesday, according to authorities. "A portion of the house on the property closest to the Rapidan Dam has been undercut enough to have fallen into the river," the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
'He was a hero': eulogists remember Officer Jamal Mitchell, honor his service Original
Minneapolis leaders and friends remembered the life of fallen Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell Tuesday at a memorial service in Maple Grove. Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara were among those to eulogize the officer who was praised for his kindness and bravery throughout his life and in his final call on May 30. Here are some excerpts from the remarks made during the memorial.
Fatal dispute over meth leads to 40-year prison sentence for Albert Lea man
Paul Walsh, Patrick Condon, David Taintor, Star Tribune June 4, 2024 at 10:21 AM·1 min read An Albert Lea man has been handed a nearly 40-year sentence for killing one man and wounding another in a dispute over stolen methamphetamine.
'Wolves Back Day' includes hidden message in Gov. Tim Walz's proclamation Original
Timberwolves excitement is reaching the highest level of Minnesota state government. Early Wednesday, ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference finals, Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed "Wolves Back Day" on social media. The Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. at Target Center, the first time the Wolves have reached the conference finals in 20 years. The first letter of each line of Walz's proclamation nodded to the state's unofficial new motto, courtesy of Anthony Edwards.
Excerpts from eulogies for Paul Elmstrand, Adam Finseth and Matthew Ruge Original
Thousands of mourners packed Grace Church in Eden Prairie on Wednesday for the memorial honoring the three Burnsville first responders who died in the line of duty in mid-February. Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand, 27, Matthew Ruge, 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, were shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute in the Dakota County city.
Hillary Clinton reveals one ‘satisfaction’ she gets from Trump’s indictment
Hillary Clinton responded in real-time to the news of Donald Trump’s likely fourth indictment in Georgia, revealing the one “satisfaction” she feels. “I don’t know that anybody should be satisfied,” Ms Clinton told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow late Monday. “This is a terrible moment for our country, to have a former president accused of these terribly important crimes. The only satisfaction may be that the system is working.
Hillary Clinton reveals one ‘satisfaction’ she gets from Trump’s indictment
“I don’t know that anybody should be satisfied,” Ms Clinton told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow late Monday. “This is a terrible moment for our country, to have a former president accused of these terribly important crimes. The only satisfaction may be that the system is working. Justice is being pursued.” A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, has returned an indictment in the investigation into Mr Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
Hillary Clinton reveals one ‘satisfaction’ she gets from Trump’s indictment
Hillary Clinton responded in real-time to the news of Donald Trump’s likely fourth indictment in Georgia, revealing the one “satisfaction” she feels. “I don’t know that anybody should be satisfied,” Ms Clinton told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow late Monday. “This is a terrible moment for our country, to have a former president accused of these terribly important crimes. The only satisfaction may be that the system is working.
Ron DeSantis campaign fires staff as Florida governor trails Trump in the polls
Ron DeSantis’ campaign has dismissed a number of staffers in an effort to trim costs months after the Florida governor entered the crowded 2024 GOP field. Politico first reported that around 10 staffers have parted ways in recent days. Some of the staffers may join an outside group affiliated with the DeSantis campaign, according to the report. Despite cruising to re-election in Florida on a hardline conservative agenda, Mr DeSantis has struggled to gain traction in the GOP primary.
California governor pushes back on Fox News’ Sean Hannity when asked about running against Biden
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back when Fox News host Sean Hannity repeatedly questioned whether President Joe Biden was up to the task of leading the US and whether the governor himself has been urged to run in 2024. “Do you think he’s cognitively strong enough to be president?” Hannity asked the California governor, in a preview of the Fox News host’s exclusive interview airing next week. Mr Newsom said he had no qualms about Mr Biden’s cognitive faculties.
Read Trump’s furious reaction to federal indictment in classified documents case
Former president Donald Trump released a four-minute video after announcing he had been hit with federal charges for allegedly retaining classified documents. Mr Trump reapeated his false election fraud claims and accused the military of being “woke”. Below is the former president’s statement in full: Very sadly, we’re a nation that decline.
Voices: ‘It’s like being on Mars’: The smoke in the air in New York is so thick you can feel it in your lungs
By 2pm, it looked like the sun was already setting in New York City. Smoke from hundreds of forest fires raging in Canada blew into town this week, choking out the sun and casting an eerie sepia tone across skyscrapers and city blocks. By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the air quality index in parts of the city climbed beyond 400 – a level considered “hazardous”. The scale only goes up to 500, and typically the air quality index hovers around 100.
Biden mocks chaotic DeSantis 2024 launch amid Twitter tech issues: ‘This link works’
Read full article President Joe Biden poked fun at Ron DeSantis as the Florida governor’s 2024 campaign kickoff during a Twitter Spaces event with CEO Elon Musk was riddled with tech issues. The Twitter event, which began at 6pm ET, was plagued by tech issues and dropped audio almost immediately. David Sacks, one of the moderators of the event, said the massive number of participants was “melting the servers”.
Trump snaps and calls Kaitlan Collins ‘nasty’ in tense exchange over classified documents at CNN town hall
Former President Donald Trump called Kaitlin Collins a “nasty person” during a tense exchange over classified documents during CNN’s New Hampshire town hall. During a combative back-and-forth over Mr Trump retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Mr Trump and Ms Collins spoke over each other for several moments. “Do you mind?” Mr Trump said. “I would like for you to answer the question. That’s why I asked it,” Ms Collins said.
Ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson launches GOP White House bid and calls on Trump to drop out over indictment
Former Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson has announced that he will seek the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. “I have made a decision, and my decision is I’m going to run for president of the United States,” Mr Hutchinson told ABC News’ This Week on Sunday. “And the reason is, I’ve traveled the country for six months, I hear people talk about the leadership of our country.
Utah State cheerleader responds to viral crying moment: ‘Now I’m a meme’
A Utah State cheerleader who went viral for her emotional response to her team’s March Madness loss has acknowledged the flood of social media attention. Ashlyn Whimpey was captured by cameras tearing up and quivering during Utah’s loss to Missouri during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier this week. Video clips of the moment racked up millions of views and generated a massive response on social media.
Utah State cheerleader responds to viral crying moment: ‘Now I’m a meme’
Read full article A Utah State cheerleader who went viral for her emotional response to her team’s March Madness loss has acknowledged the flood of social media attention. Ashlyn Whimpey was captured by cameras tearing up and quivering during Utah’s loss to Missouri during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier this week. Video clips of the moment racked up millions of views and generated a massive response on social media.
Elon Musk predicts Trump will win by a ‘landslide’ in 2024 if he’s indicted
Elon Musk has predicted that Donald Trump would be reelected in a “landslide victory” if the former president is criminally charged. Mr Musk was responding to reports that Mr Trump could be indicted as early as next week. Mr Trump himself wrote on his Truth Social platform that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday, adding that his supporters should “protest” to “take our nation back”. “If this happens, Trump will be re-elected in a landslide victory,” Mr Musk wrote on Twitter early Saturday.
Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday and calls for protests to ‘take our nation back’
Donald Trump has claimed that he will be arrested on Tuesday and called for protests to “take our nation back”. In a furious all-caps post on his Truth Social page, the former president railed against “a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorney’s office” which is likely to bring charges against Mr Trump over a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Montana airspace briefly closes due to ‘radar anomaly’ after new object shot down over Canada
British mother cries ‘oh my God’ as she grabs baby from cot at precise moment earthquake hits A British family feared for their lives as the deadly Turkey earthquake was caught on film on their baby monitor.The family from Hull was on holiday in the country when the quake hit.Victoria Sanli can be heard crying out ‘oh my God!’ as she grabs her baby Katelyn from her cot at the precise moment the earthquake strikes.As she carries the child to safety the cot is seen shaking with the deafening...
Toronto Mayor John Tory resigns over affair with former staffer
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert use Twitter hearing to complain about their own accounts Two right-wing members of Congress turned one of their first moments in the House majority into a spectacle over the respective sizes of their Twitter audiences.It happened on Wednesday, when the House Oversight Committee met to hear from former executives at Twitter about actions the company took during the 2020 election in response to a story about Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.Reps Marjorie...
Trump attacks ‘thug’ special counsel investigating him in viscous and personal tirade
Karine Jean-Pierre and Fox News reporter in standoff over Biden classified documents Karine Jean-Pierre and a Fox News reporter got locked into a stand-off over the discovery of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center.The White House press secretary had been holding a press briefing about an FAA computer outage that grounded thousands of flights.“How can president Biden be trusted, moving forward, with America’s secrets?” Peter Doocy asked during the conference.This video shows the...
Trump tiptoes away from Kevin McCarthy amid House speaker flop: ‘We’ll see what happens’
Mr Trump had previously lobbied for Mr McCarthy to become speaker after Republicans eked out a majority in the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections. Last month, he told right-wing Breitbart News that House Republicans were playing with fire by not backing Mr McCarthy. “I’m friendly with a lot of those people who are against Kevin. I think almost every one of them are very much inclined toward Trump, and me toward them.
Steve Bannon hammers Trump trading cards announcement: ‘I can’t do this anymore’
Read full article Steve Bannon hammers Trump trading cards announcement: ‘I can’t do this anymore’ Even Steve Bannon has come out against Donald Trump’s latest “major announcement” that he is selling digital trading cards of himself. The former president teased the announcement earlier this week with a cartoon video featuring Mr Trump in a Superman shirt. On Thursday, Mr Trump made it official.
Steve Bannon hammers Trump trading cards announcement: ‘I can’t do this anymore’
Steve Bannon hammers Trump trading cards announcement: ‘I can’t do this anymore’ Even Steve Bannon has come out against Donald Trump’s latest “major announcement” that he is selling digital trading cards of himself. The former president teased the announcement earlier this week with a cartoon video featuring Mr Trump in a Superman shirt. On Thursday, Mr Trump made it official.
Biden se burla de DeSantis por el presunto vuelo con migrantes a Delaware: “Debería venir a visitarnos”
El presidente Joe Biden respondió a los informes de que el gobernador de Florida, Ron DeSantis, ha organizado otro vuelo para enviar inmigrantes al noreste, esta vez enviando un avión a Delaware, cerca de la casa en la playa del presidente de EE.UU. En comentarios improvisados frente a los periodistas después de hablar sobre el financiamiento de campaña, Biden se burló del gobernador republicano por su último truco político.
Trump accuses FBI of ‘planting’ evidence in Mar-a-Lago raid with sly statement
Former president Donald Trump has accused FBI agents of “planting” evidence during their search of his Mar-a-Lago residence, alleging that federal authorities would not let his legal team observe the activity. “The FBI and others from the Federal Government would not let anyone, including my lawyers, be anywhere near the areas that were rummaged and otherwise looked at during the raid on Mar-a-Lago.
Trump accuses FBI of ‘planting’ evidence in Mar-a-Lago raid with sly statement
Former president Donald Trump has accused FBI agents of “planting” evidence during their search of his Mar-a-Lago residence, alleging that federal authorities would not let his legal team observe the activity. “The FBI and others from the Federal Government would not let anyone, including my lawyers, be anywhere near the areas that were rummaged and otherwise looked at during the raid on Mar-a-Lago.
Biden news - live: President vows to stop Iran nuclear plans as threat to Trump to avenge Soleimani revealed
LIVE – Updated at 17:00 As Joe Biden visits the Middle East, a new US intelligence report has warned that the Iranian military may be planning to assassinate high-ranking Trump administration officials – including the ex-president himself – in revenge for the US’s 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani. Mr Biden, meanwhile, is in Israel for talks at the start of his first Middle East trip.
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