Settlement reached. The Star Tribune’s Andy Mannix reports: “The city of Minneapolis will pay the family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond $20 million to settle a lawsuit over her July 15, 2017 shooting death by a Minneapolis police officer, city officials announced Friday.”
2040 plan stands. Also from Mannix: “Minneapolis’ 20-year plan to allow more variety of housing in its neighborhoods can move forward without the city conducting an environmental impact study. … Hennepin County Judge Joseph R. Klein dismissed a lawsuit this week alleging the 2040 Comprehensive Plan could be disastrous for the environment, allowing the plan to proceed unhampered by the courts. … Klein ruled this week that the law didn’t require the city to conduct a review before it approved the plan last December, and there isn’t evidence to support claims that the plan poses of a serious threat to the environment.”
Klobuchar releases mental health plan. The Associated Press reports (via the rochester Post Bulletin): “Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar has released a plan to spend $100 billion over a decade to improve mental health care and fight substance abuse, an issue the Minnesota senator has faced firsthand as the daughter of an alcoholic who struggled with addiction for years before getting sober. … The wide-ranging plan, released Friday, includes funding for early intervention of mental health disorders and drug use, a national suicide prevention campaign, better access to opioid addiction and other types of treatment and recruitment of health care workers to underserved rural areas and cities with the highest need.”
What’s a little radon? KARE’s AJ Lagoe, Steve Eckert and Jeffrey C. Kummer report: “Even though it had been approved by the Minnesota House and was supported by Governor Walz, a plan to require radon testing in Minnesota schools has hit a roadblock in the state Senate.”
In other news…
They’re getting pricier: “St. Paul police adjusting policy for security at festivals” [KSTP]
Whither Mondale State Park: “What’s in a name? Ask your legislator” [MPR]
Moving forward: “Park board member intends to introduce ordinance to change name of Lake Calhoun Parkway to Bde Maka Ska Parkway” [KSTP]
Corporations are people who are just not that into theater anymore: “Minnesota arts groups worry about losing corporate funding: ‘We were shocked’” [Star Tribune]
1,800 jobs: “St. Cloud Electrolux closing Nov. 1” [St. Cloud Times]
Economy is doing great: “CVS Closing 46 Stores Across The Country, Including 3 In The Twin Cities” [WCCO]
Today in music trivia: “Paul Westerberg’s sister Julie, ‘Waitress in the Sky’ inspiration, retires after four decades as flight attendant” [The Current]
West End a retail dead end? “Shops at West End: Right Place, Wrong Size” [Twin Cities Business]
Congratulations: “Horses, Ostriches & Jesse Ventura: Canterbury Park Celebrates 25 Years” [WCCO]
It’s pretty hard to oppose legislation aimed at making our schools safer for kids, but leave it up to senate Republicans to come up with a way to do it and yet give themselves some cover. I would be a lot more impressed with their study groups if their policies were based on science, empirical evidence, and an actual concern for people instead of dogma to limit government, hamper public education, and avoid taxes.
To quote from the story:
“’As far as cost is concerned, school districts as government entities are eligible to purchase test kits for $4.56 each’ said Dan Tranter, who oversees the state Health Department’s indoor air quality unit at a previous hearing in the House.”
“If radon is found, Tranter told lawmakers it can often be easily fixed. ‘Many schools can fix radon by adjusting the existing HVAC,’ he testified.”
No surprise, Karin Housley cynically proposes a study group knowing it will kill the bill but still let her maintain her image. Little bit like her campaign to make nursing homes safer while at the same time getting rid of more stringent requirements that the nursing home lobbyists opposed. The hypocrisy of these folks is amazing.
I am disappointed the Noor/Damond lawsuit was settled so quickly. I was hoping that in the discovery process the public could find out about Noor’s training, why he was hired, and the incompetent behavior of the police in general at the time of the shooting and afterward. Now I guess it will all be covered up and we will never know.
Wow, that was fast. The city of Minneapolis wants this to go away. I think the public knows about Mr. Noor’s training or lack thereof and why he was hired. Social promotion at its finest. Hopefully this settlement will send a message to the militarized police departments that the public will no longer be terrorized by them.
There is definitely room for study of Police procedure.
Not allowed in the trial, but stunningly pertinent was the Noor traffic stop where Noor approached the driver with his gun not only drawn, but aimed in the direction of the seated driver; Red Flag! The guy shouldn’t be a cop, nor should Noor be allowed to possess firearms.
Body cameras should always be activated under threat of dismissal.
I too would have liked to see them wait on an appeal before settling. I understand the need to acknowledge the wrong and move on, but at the same time, the financially wise move would have been to wait on the appeal. It is a tragedy all around.
I just read that one of the terms of the settlement is that the family will donate $2 million to causes related to gun violence. Her death had nothing to do with gun violence. It was pure police incompetence.