State seeks ban on “Glock switch” gun accessory
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, has sued Austrian gun manufacturer Glock for a device that easily converts semi-automatic handguns into machine guns. The state has banned machine guns since the Mob Era of the 193os, Ellison noted. Nonetheless, he said, Glock has manufactured and marketed something called a “Glock switch” for 40 years. With the small accessory, a Glock handgun can fire continuously with a single trigger pull. “Glock’s actions, and their inaction, violate Minnesota law and put kids, communities and law enforcement in danger. This has to stop,” Ellison said. He cited gun incidents with Glock switches, including:
> August 2023. An undercover Minneapolis police officer was wounded.
> May 22021. A shoot-out at a Minneapolis nightclub that killed two people.
Ellison’s suit was filed in Hennepin County court.
News summary at week’s end: December 15, 2024
POLITICS: Walz contemplating third term? “Ask me later”
FUTURE: Power giant’s plan: New Wisconsin Minnesota line
SCHOOLS: Anything criminal in Caledonia wrestling brawl?
POLICING: Police calm suicidal woman off bluff-top cliff
CRIME: Judge orders trial for 1985 Dolowy murder
CRIME: Prison ordered for Red Wing child torture
CRIME: Four counts waived for twin in Amish fatalities
CRIME: Wife of man who faked drowning: Marriage over
JOURNALISM: Judge: News cameras OK at Fravel sentencing
REMEMBRANCE: Minnesota’s fallen soldiers at Shy’s Hill
REMEMBRANCE: R.I.P.: Marie Steigerwald
GOVERNANCE: Legislator to agency: Rethink Trempealeau detour
DIVERSIONS: MnDOT: Please put on your thinking cap
Fog, drizzle keep complicate weekend driving
WINONA, Minn. – Fog compounded he dangers on highways and backroads in the weekend ‘s ongoing wintery conditions. The situation was complicated by drizzle and temperatures dancing just above nd just below freezing. The Minnesota State Patrol reported 250 vehicular crashes with property damage statewide, 27 crashes with injury crashes, 88 vehicles off the road, six spin-outs and seven jackknifed semis through Sunday evening.
Fleeting harbor lures early ice-fishing
WINONA, Minn. – The weekend cold was too much to resist for eager ice-fishing enthusiasts who trekked out on the fleeting harbor ice at the CHS trucking site. A sheriff’s deputy, worried for their safety on the new ice, called in a state Natural Resources agent. The conclusion: The harbor’s backwater ice was thick enough. The harbor has no current. Barge and tug traffic is dead for the season.
Power giant’s plan: New Wisconsin-Minnesota line
CARMEL, Ind. – The manager of the Midwest electrical grid plans a giant transmission project over several years with 24 lines across 11 states. The project includes a line from south central Wisconsin, through southern Vernon County, across the Mississippi River, to a site northwest of Rochester in Minnesota. The entire project would be the largest regional grid update in U.S. history. The Indiana-based Midcontinent Independent System Operator is readying a campaign for regulatory approval from state agencies. The advocacy group Clean Wisconsin already has weighed in by heralding the project as doubling the clean energy that Wisconsin produces. The project may face opposition from conservationists, as did another trans-Mississippi River powerline that has been built 102 moles from Dubuque in Iowa to Madison in Wisconsin.
MISO footprint. With relative power pricing per region.
MISO profile
Midcontinent Independent System Operator, called MISO in the trade, is the electric grid operator for the central United States. It buys and sells electricity for retailers that serve 45 million people.
Legislator to agency: Rethink Trempealeau detour
TREMPEALEAU, Wis. – State legislator Steve Doyle called for the Wisconsin Transportation Department to fond a way to replace aging bridges without shutting down busy U.S. Highway 35 between Holmen and Trempealeau. The current plan is to shut down the Tank Creek Bridge and two other bridges for two years. Doyle, an Onalaska Democrat, sad the current plan – a detour via Centerville—would add an unacceptable 10 to 15 minutes to commutes on the corridor to Holmen, Onalaska and LaCrosse. Doyle encouraged citizens to vice theur views to the state project engineer (Paul.Valenti@dot.wi.gov).
College president sidesteps call to fire prof
MANKATO, Minn. — The president of Minnesota State University-Mankato, Edward Inch, distanced himself from a demand to fire political science professor for suggesting violence — even murder — against health insurance companies. Inch denounced the professor’s message but noted that was not made on a campus forum but on the prof’s personal Facebook page. Inch was mealy and avoided the call of Congressman Brad Finstad to fire prof Kevin Parsneau. It was clear, however, that Inch won’t do it. He wrote that:
> All students and staff represent the university.
> Values should be upheld.
> Messages should be educational and enlightening, not disparaging or disrespectful.
Inch said he will coordinate a campus conversation in the spring about speech, limits, and responsibilities. What triggered all the fuss? In Facebook the professor wrote: “How long do we really need to look for Brian Thompson’s killer?” Thompson was the $10 million a year chief executive the Minnesota-based insurance company United Healthcare. He was ambushed and killed on a New York City sidewalk en route to a conference to inform investors on the company’s huge profits. The assassination immediately generated two responses from the public:
> Alarm at the brazen murder and a nationwide search for the killer.
> Disgust against how insurance companies systematically delay and deny claims.
Friends said that Parsneau was engaging in rhetorical flourish and that Congressman Finstad missed the nuance.
Inch. President of MSU-Mankato since 2021. Caught awkwardly trying to navigate between the values of free speech and academic freedom – and an angry member of Congress from another world.
Visiting downtown LaCrosse? Prepare to pay more
LACROSSE, Wis. – The city Public Works Board may extend pay-to-park hours in downtown ramps. The $1 an hour charge now is in effect 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. On the Board’s agenda is a proposal to go later, to 10 p.m., and to start charging for Saturdays. Projections are that the changes would raises $225,000 a year in revenue.
College scores
Basketball (men): Southwest Minnesota State 75, Winona State 62
Basketball (men): Rochester Community 84, Minnesota North Mesabi 61
Basketball (women): Southwest Minnesota State 93, Winona State 64
Basketball (women): Rochester Community and Minnesota North Mesabi, cancelled
Minnesota prep
Basketball (boys): St. Charles Saints 76, Woodbury Math Dragons 36
Basketball (girls): Winona Cotter Ramblers 60, New Richland New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers 58
Wisconsin prep
Basketball (boys): Holmen Vikings 80, Galesville gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Red Hawks 68
Basketball (girls): LaCrosse Aquinas Blugolds 51, Holmen Vikings 46
Storm-related wrecks: 183 and counting
ST. PAUL, Minn. – By sundown the Minnesota State Patrol reported 183 autombile crashes, almost all dueto slick roads from the first major storm of the season. There were was one fatality and also 18 injuries. Other Saturday wrecks: 54 vehicles off the road, five spin-outs, and four jackknifed semis.
MnDOT: Please put on your thinking cap
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota state snowplow fleet has the usual new plows folded into the fleet for the season. They need christening. For the fifth year the state Transportation Department, which affectionately calls itself MnDot, is asking the public for names. It’s a contest. The prize: A new plow parked at parked your place through April for your exclusive use and with a driver on 24/7 duty. Just kidding. The real prize is bragging rights and evoking chuckles. Entry details. The deadline: December 20 at 12 noon. Among rior winners:
.
Orange armada. Eight-hundred plows for 12,000 miles of roads.
2023
> Barbie’s Dream Plow
> Beyonsleigh
> Clark W. Blizzwald
> Dolly Plowton
> Fast and Flurrious
> Taylor Drift
> Waipahinte (Dakota word for snowplow)
> You’re Killin’ Me Squalls
2022
> Better Call Salt
> Blader Tot Hotdish
> Blizzo
> Clearopathtra
> Han Snowlo
> Scoop! There it is
> Sleetwood Mac
> Yer a Blizzard, Harry
2021
> Betty Whiteout
> Blizzard of Oz
> Ctrl Salt Delete
> Edward Blizzardhands
> No More Mr. Ice Guy
> Plowasaurus Rex
> Scoop Dogg
> The Big Leplowski
2020
> Duck Duck Orange Truck
> Darth Blader
> F. Salt Fitzgerald
> Ope, Just Gonna Plow Right Past Ya
> Plow Bunyan
> Plowy McPlowFace
> Snowbi Wan Kenobi
Notable journalism
Brandon Cite (KIMT, December 11, 2024): “Foster Parents: Wabasha Providers Forced to Risk Loss of Own Children”
Rochelle Olson and Ryan Faircloth (Minnesota Star Tribune (December 13, 2024): “Governor Tim Walz Wants to Remain a Force in Politics at State and National Levels”
Catharine Richert and Matt Sepic (Minnesota Public Radio, November 21, 2024): “Wabasha County Board Tries to Dock Prosecutor’s Pay over Plea Bargains”
Viterbo’s December graduates number 142
LACROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University graduated 142 students –101 undergraduates, 34 master’s graduates and seven doctorate graduates. It was the mid-year class of graduates.
Earlier: Budget-strapped Viterbo cuts faculty, other posts
Earlier: Viterbo enrollment down, staff layoffs ahead
Anything criminal in Caledonia wrestling brawl?
CALEDONIA, Minn. — Police Chief Kurt Zehnder has completed his investigation into a brawl at a high school wrestling practice 1-1/2 weeks ago. Zehnder said he passed a recommendation on to Houston County Prosecutor Samuel Jandt. Typically this means that police see cause for criminal action. Zehnder, however, didn’t elaborate on his recommendation. It now is up to Jandt as county prosecutor to decide whether felony charges are warranted and viable to pursue through a trial. Had police determined the hoodlum-like behavior was relatively trivial, a ticket typically is issued for a misdemeanor and settled with a fine and no jail time
Walz contemplating third term? “Ask me later”
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz is unsure whether he’ll seek a third term in 2026. In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Walz said he’s keeping options open both in Minnesota and nationally. Meanwhile, he said, he’s gearing up for the legislative session beginning in January. In whatever capacity, Walz said, he plans to be active at the 2026 Democratic state convention. Asked if he might step aside because other DFLers are eager to be governor, Walz responded: “You could always have a primary.” Walz is 60 years old. A third term would carry him to age 67. The Star Tribune interview was the first with Walz since being on the Democratic ticket with Kamala Harris for president and losing narrowly.
Driving advice: Don’t — may be worse coming back
WINONA, Minn. – Road conditions deteriorated rapidly as freezing rain, sleet and snow swept steadily eastward along the Interstate 90 corridor. The path was wide, south into Iowa, and moving at 8 to 9 miles an hour. Conditions were expected to worsen by nightfall when surfaces turn into sheer ice. Overnight temperatures were forecast in the upper 30s, just below freezing.
$360,000 meth haul from Wisconsin gang
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Nearly 10 pounds of meth worth $360,000 was seized from a drug-trafficking operation, police said. It was the largest meth seizure in anyone’s local memory. Details of the police operation were not released immediately, although they were expected to appear in a pending criminal complaint. Arrested were:
> John Soung, age 47.
> May Zue Kong, 41.
> Xa Xiong, 31.
The investigation, which began in June, was led by the West Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force. Involved were the State Patrol and police agencies jn Eau Claire, and Menomonie
Game consoles, cash stolen in break-in
WINONA, Minn. – A thief, apparently oart of a gang, smashed a door window at the Warpzone gaming shop on Huff Street and stole three game consoles off store shelves and also took the cash register till. A witness called police after seeing thief exit the store in haste and join compatriots in a get-away car. This was about 11 p.m. The shop owner told police that the place was left in some disarray The owner valued the the game consoles at $250 each. About $150 was estimated in the till. Police began a neighborhood search for surveillance video. Police also were assessing similarities to recent burglaries at the El Patron and the Mango’s Mexican restaurants.
Earlier: El Patron — a second Mexican eatery to be hit
Earlier: Burglar flees Mango’s just in time
Gaming shop. At 500 Huff Street across from Winona State University.
Officer observes impairment, gigs driver
WINONA, Minn. – A Winona man was stopped for sloppy driving, which led to his arrest as a drunken driver. Molitor Raymond Steven, 59, exhibited signs of impairment, the officer said. His blood, measured in a roadside test as 0.09% alcohol – roughly 15% more than the max allowed for driving. A second test at the jail house found it had dropped to 0.07%. Nonetheless Steven was charged. The stop was on the West Side at Broadway and McBride streets. Thus was about 10:45 p.m.
College scores
Basketball (men): Winona State 71, Soux Falls 65
Basketball (men): Rochester Community 94, Minnesota North Vermilion 71
Minnesota prep
Basketball (boys): Albert Lea Tigers 63, Winona Winhawks 51
Basketball (girls): Albert Lea Tigers 57, Winona Winhawks 52
Basketball (boys): Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars 50, Winona Cotter Ramblers 36
Basketball (girls): Winona Cotter Ramblers 77, Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers 72
Basketball (boys): Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars 50, Winona Cotter Ramblers 36
Basketball (boys): St. Charles Saints 77, Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 57
Basketball (boys): Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 76, Chatfield Gophers 62
Basketball (girls): Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 70, St. Charles Saints 42
Basketball (girls): Chatfield Gophers 65, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 52
Wisconsin prep
Basketball (girls): Independence Indees 66, Osseo-Fairchild Thunder 62
Basketball (girls): Black River Falls Tigers 63, Galesville Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Red Hawks 33
Basketball (girls): Alma-Pepin Eagles 48, Whitehall Norse 38
Driver hurt in Fillmore County crash
FOUNTAIN, Minn. – A Canton driver was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries after two pickup trucks collided on U.S. Highway 52 between Fountain and Chatfield. Justin Leroy Rickert, 47, of Canton, was southbound toward Fountain in a 2013 Ford F150, police said. Going the opposite direction was Eric Peter Ruen, 53, of Lanesboro, in a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado. Ruen was unhurt. The crash was at intersection with Fillmore County Road 6 about 2:55 p.m.
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