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How striking auto workers could affect consumers and car repairs

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“I’m afraid this one could be a doozy, to be honest,” Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) President Scott Lambert said.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Auto workers have been on strike before — but not like this.

“This is the first time the unions have struck all three big Detroit manufacturers. I’m afraid this one could be a doozy to be honest,” Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) President Scott Lambert says.

Lambert says the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) also picked a unique target for the strikes this time around, hitting parts distribution centers.

“It’s a way for consumers to feel some pain. They’re trying to cause pain for the consumer.”

Lambert says MADA and many dealerships are staying neutral in the strike.

“The union has, frankly, legitimate grievances. When the manufacturers went bankrupt in 2009-2010 they gave up a lot of pay and benefits as part of bringing the manufacturers back. The factories, on their part, are saying, ‘Look, we’ve made profits, but we’re trying to transition to an electric car and that’s not cheap. We have to put a lot of money into R&D and building new electric cars,’” Lambert explains.

Many auto dealers were expecting a strike, so they stocked up on parts.

Lambert says dealerships traditionally hold a 30-day supply of parts at their facility.

He says most dealerships have increased their inventory to 60-90 days to hopefully make it through the strike.

“Many have a good supply right now, but as the strike drags on, it’s going to be harder and harder to satisfy customers and I think that’s our big concern,” Lambert explains.

Auto experts say consumers could see longer wait times and higher prices for repair work as dealerships work harder to find parts.

Lambert says some consumers may be tempted to use generic or off-brand parts to get by, but that could create more problems down the road.

“Doing this yourself or using the wrong part could void some of these warranties, so consumers should be careful with what they think they can get away with on their own.”

Lambert says the strike could also affect the number of new vehicles on car lots.

He says dealerships traditionally try to have a 90-day supply of vehicles on their lot, but lately Lambert says most dealerships have struggled to come even close to that level.

“Right now, we’re creeping up to maybe a 30-day supply. We’re trying to get more but the strike is now going to impact that.”

We could see an even greater impact on consumers depending on what plants the UAW adds to the strike on Friday.

Experts say dealerships can still get parts and new vehicles, because production hasn’t stopped completely, but that could change depending on what the union decides to do moving forward.

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Police looking for man charged in murder of pregnant ex-wife

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Prosecutors say Mychal Allan Stowers was on work release from prison when he shot his pregnant ex-wife, and then shot another man during a carjacking.

ST PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul police are looking for a man now charged with two counts of second-degree murder after allegedly shooting his ex-wife and her unborn child. 

A criminal complaint filed against 37-year-old Mychal Allan Stowers details the two murder counts as well as carjacking and assault charges associated with his getaway. 

St. Paul squads were dispatched to 139 Sycamore St. E. just after 9 p.m. Oct. 19 on reports of shots fired. Arriving officers were met by residents who told them they heard gunshots in apartment 3. Police entered the apartment and found a woman laying on the floor surrounded by spent 9mm shell casings. Paramedics responded and declared the victim dead just before 9:30 pm. 

Police later identified the victim as 35-year-old Damara Alexis Stowers.

Investigators on the scene found a loaded handgun on a bed in a different bedroom, along with photos from an ultrasound. In the apartment mailbox were two letters, one addressed to the victim and the other to a Mychal Stowers. While officers were in the apartment a cellphone rang, and the contact name that showed was “My$hon Stowers.” 

Neighbors described seeing a heavyset man in his late 30s or 40s running from the scene. One told officers he heard four or five shots from the apartment, walked outside, and soon heard two more from a few blocks away. 

The owner of the building told police the victim was in the process of being evicted, and that her ex-boyfriend had been living in the apartment with her, which was against the lease. 

Additional officers were dispatched to 99 Acker Street, a few blocks from the apartment shooting scene, at around 9:15 p.m. on reports of a carjacking. They found a man who had been shot in the leg, breaking his femur. The victim’s friend said they were standing outside a running vehicle when a heavyset Black male ran up, said something they did not understand and then shot the victim. The assailant then stole the running gray Audi. 

The complaint states that on the same day an employee of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported that Mychal Stowers called, said he had shot someone and wanted to turn himself in. Despite the call, Stowers did not turn himself in. 

Records from the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) show Stowers was released from prison in March after serving time for another murder, was on work release and supposed to be living at a halfway house. He had had been granted a pass to visit his “ex-wife” at 139 Sycamore. 

Preliminary tests show the same gun fired spent shells recovered at both the murder and carjacking scenes, and the defendant matches descriptions of the shooter from witnesses at both scenes.

At this time Michael Stowers is not in custody.  



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Man gets 20 years in north Minneapolis apartment murder

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Donald Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to entering another man’s apartment and shooting him to death last year was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office released a statement saying 59-year-old Walter Hill was sentenced on second-degree intentional murder charges in 60-year-old Donald Edmondson’s November 2023 killing.

Prosecutors said Hill was given 337 days of credit for time already served.

“Mr. Edmondson should still be alive,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “A violent act committed with such disregard by Mr. Hill has taken him from his family. This sentence delivers accountability and protects our community, and I hope it brings some measure of peace to Mr. Edmondson’s loved ones as they attempt to move forward with their lives.” 

According to police, Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023. 

The attorney’s office said Hill entered his guilty plea Monday.



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Kris Lindahl, ‘Call of Duty’ partner on new billboards

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Turns out, Twin Cities realtor and billboard personality Kris Lindahl is in on the joke.

MINNEAPOLIS — The makers of the video game “Call of Duty” launched a new, locally inspired campaign Friday, coinciding with the release of the franchise’s newest installment, “Black Ops 6.”

Motorists might notice real estate agent Kris Lindahl, famously seen with his arms out over every interstate in town, was replaced by *ahem* “The Replacer,” an Activision character played by actor Peter Stormare. 

For the next few weeks, The Replacer will step in for Lindahl not only on billboards but also on advertisements across television, streaming and social media platforms.

But why does Lindahl need The Replacer’s help, you might ask? 

So he’s free to play “Black Ops 6,” of course.

The Replacer isn’t new to Minnesota. He also once stepped into the shoes of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.



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