×

State Briefs

Jury convicts man of stalking

Sioux Falls mayor

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A jury has convicted a man of stalking the Sioux Falls mayor.

The Minnehaha County jury convicted 58-year-old Christopher Bruce after deliberating nearly three hours Wednesday.

Bruce declined to comment after his conviction. He faces up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Mayor Paul TenHaken told the Argus Leader he is satisfied with the verdict.

Bruce was accused of sending a series of threatening emails to TenHaken between November 2018 and June 2019.

Bruce told jurors Tuesday the emails were not threats of violence. TenHaken testified that of the hundreds of emails he’s received from members of the public since taking office in May 2018, only Bruce’s have referenced firearms and his family members, who include his parents in Worthington, Minnesota.

Minnesota reports 2 more deaths from vaping

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials are reporting the state’s second and third deaths due to lung illnesses caused by vaping.

The Department of Health said Wednesday both deaths involved people over age 50 who died in September after complicated hospitalizations. One had vaped several products including THC, the compound that gives marijuana its high.

The other patient had vaped unknown products in addition to nicotine.

Minnesota has 73 people with confirmed or probable cases of lung illness due to vaping, and almost all had frequently vaped illegal cannabis products. Health officials have warned against vaping the products, which can be counterfeit.

The Centers for Disease Control said earlier this week at least 26 people have died nationally from vaping-related illnesses, and it’s warned against any use of vaping products.

2 people killed in Polk County crash

CROOKSTON, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say two people were killed when their SUV collided with a semi in Polk County.

The sheriff’s office says the crash happened shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday at an intersection on County Road 46. KFGO reports the driver of the SUV, a 36-year-old Fertile man, and his passenger, a 33-year-old woman from Winger, both died at the scene. Their names have not been released.

The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with the investigation.

Ocasio-Cortez, Omar endorse Bernie

Sanders for president

Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar are endorsing Bernie Sanders for president.

The Sanders campaign confirmed the backing of two members of “The Squad” on Tuesday.

The endorsements are a major boon for the 78-year-old Vermont senator, who has faced questions over his health since suffering a heart attack two weeks ago.

The 30-year-old Ocasio-Cortez and 38-year-old Omar are progressive stars and frequent targets of President Donald Trump.

Sanders’ deputy communications director Sarah Ford says Ocasio-Cortez will appear with the senator at a rally in her home district in New York this weekend.

Sanders hinted at her backing during Tuesday’s Democratic debate in response to a question about his age, saying his skeptics should attend his Saturday rally featuring a “surprise guest.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today