Minneapolis man charged,

allegedly set girlfriend on fire

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man is charged with attempted murder and assault after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend and set her on fire.

The criminal complaint says the woman escaped and drove herself to the hospital while her hair and body were still smoldering. She’s now in a medically induced coma after Monday’s attack.

Prosecutors charged 46-year-old Richard Bullock on Wednesday. Court records do not list an attorney to comment on his behalf.

According to the complaint, a woman who saw the attack says Bullock and his girlfriend were drinking and arguing in an RV when he began punching her and strangling her repeatedly, causing her to pass out multiple times. He then doused his girlfriend with rubbing alcohol and lit her on fire, engulfing her in flames.

Minnesota opioid task force

to hold 1st meeting next week

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s new task force on the opioid crisis will hold its first meeting next week on how best to spend $20 million from new licensing fees on the pharmaceutical industry.

The Department of Human Services on Wednesday announced the 19 members of the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council. They include legislative and tribal leaders; health care professionals; experts in addiction, mental illness and public health; individuals in recovery and chronic pain sufferers.

The task force is due to issue its first report and recommendations for project funding in March 2020.