Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteau seemed to question the four officers’ professionalism who walked out of Saturday night’s Lynx game in a statement released Tuesday: “Although these officers were working on behalf of the Lynx, when wearing a Minneapolis Police uniform I expect all officers to adhere to our core values and to honor their oath of office. Walking off the job and defaulting on their contractual obligation to provide a service to the Lynx does not conform to the expectations held by the public for the uniform these officers wear.”
MPR’s Bob Collins asks what message the officers were sending: “The Star Tribune reports the four officers, working an off-hours gig, walked off the job at Saturday’s game. … ‘If [the players] are going to keep their stance, all officers may refuse to work there,’ police union boss Lt. Bob Kroll told reporter Randy Furst. … ‘We do not, in any way, condone violence against the men and women who serve on our police force,’ superstar Maya Moore said in a statement. ‘Senseless violence and retaliation will not bring us peace’ … Question: When police walk out over such a sentiment, what is their message?”
There are a lot of big questions raised by the Philando Castile case, but this is surely an important one. The Marshall Projects Robin Washington writes: “Fred Friedman, the retired chief public defender for Northeast Minnesota, called it unusual to be stopped so many times with no serious charges. ‘It’s a big deal to get stopped 52 times. You can’t find somebody who’s been stopped 52 times and doesn’t have any felony convictions or drunk driving. That’s highly unusual,’ he said. ‘Why was his license revoked? Was it just this insurance nonsense?’ he continued, noting there’s little chance that officers would know of Castile’s troubles with the Department of Motor Vehicles just by seeing him driving along. ‘Here’s the heart of it: Why did he keep getting stopped?’”
President Obama called Philando Castile’s mother:
Valerie Castile just had a phone call with President Obama.
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) July 12, 2016
Judge Glenda Hatchett will represent Castile’s family in upcoming legal battles. [The Uptake]
Have you had your home tested for radon? MPR’s Mark Zdechlik writes: “The Minnesota Department of Health is promoting a new interactive statewide map of radon levels to encourage residents to test for the carcinogenic gas. … The department said about two in five homes have dangerously high radon levels. Dan Tranter, supervisor of the Health Department's radon program, said he hopes the new map will spur people to test for the gas, which is the No. 2 cause of lung cancer.”
In other news…
Still pretty flooded up north: “Floodwaters causing numerous road closures in the Northland” [Duluth News Tribune]
And Minnesota not too shabby at #4: “Colorado rises high to No. 3 in Top States for Business” [CNBC]
Surely, they’ll iron out their differences: “Both sides steeled for Twin Metals hearings” [Duluth News Tribune]
The big business of youth sports: “Software company Sport Ngin sold to NBC Sports” [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal]
Kids these days, with their iPods and their “pokey mans”: “What’s this Pokémon stuff all about?” [Pioneer Press]
You think real Vikings would’ve paid pilotage fees? “Draken Harald Hårfagre is in jeopardy of leaving the Tall Ships Challenge 2016 and the Great Lakes” [Draken Expedition]
Congrats, but holy cow is this an ugly fish: “Minnesota's flathead catfish record broken” [West Central Tribune]
