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Report: Resolution expected soon for Kirk Cousins’ alleged tampering charges
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said, “the discipline, which is likely to involve draft picks, is expected to be more severe for the Falcons.”
Bill Strande, David Griswold, Associated Press
3:12 PM CDT April 22, 2024
3:12 PM CDT April 22, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS — There are reports the NFL’s investigation into alleged tampering charges against the Atlanta Falcons for their involvement with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins could reach a conclusion this week.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he expects it to happen before the start of Thursday’s NFL Draft because the discipline “is likely to involve draft picks.”
He also said sources told him the Falcons could see a significant penalty for the alleged Kirk Cousins tampering.
The Falcons agreed to a contract with the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback shortly after teams were permitted to start negotiating with unrestricted free agents in mid-March. Cousins told reporters at his introductory press conference that he spoke with Falcons’ team trainers which would be illegal.
“There’s great people here. And it’s not just the football team,” Cousins said in his opening press conference. “I mean, I’m looking at the support staff. Meeting — calling, yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of PR I’m thinking, we got good people here. And that’s exciting to be a part of.”
Cousins spent six seasons with the Vikings before signing a massive four-year, $180 million contract to go to Atlanta.
Schefter also said resolution is expected this week with the Philadelphia Eagles’ alleged involvement with then-free agent running back Saquon Barkley.
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ST PAUL, Minn. — Como Park Zoo & Conservatory debuted Wednesday the names of two ferocious new faces.
The twin cubs were born Aug. 29 as the first Amur tiger births at Como Zoo in more than 40 years. Longtime volunteers named them Marisa and Maks.
Volunteers named the female cub Marisa after a retired zookeeper who took care of large cats for 43 years at the park, according to Como Park’s website. The male cub was dubbed Maks, which volunteers said reflected his confident personality and early leadership skills.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to have long-term volunteers, who have spent years educating the public about our large cats, help shape this important moment in the cubs’ lives,” Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s Director Michelle Furrer said on its website. “Marisa and Maks aren’t just names; they’re a fun reminder of the passion and care that keep us committed to protecting wildlife every day.”
The cubs and their mother Bernadette are staying in a private maternity den, not visible to the public. This is the first birth for 7-year-old Bernadette and the cubs’ father Tsar.
Occupants of the home on Nelson Street told fire crews everyone escaped the home but crews soon located an unconscious man in the basement.
ST PAUL, Minn. — A man is in unknown condition after being pulled from a burning home in St. Paul early Thursday.
St. Paul fire officials said engines were called to a home on the 10 block of Nelson St. just before 3 a.m. on reports of a fire. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a tuck-under garage of the two-story structure.
A number of people who escaped the home told firefighters that everyone was out, and the fire was knocked down. While searching the home crews discovered a man unconscious in the basement and pulled him from the home.
The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition. At this time there is no word on his current status.
Investigators say it appears the fire started in the garage and did not extend to the main living area, but the home was filled with thick, black smoke and likely experienced water damage. It is unknown if there were working smoke detectors in the house.
St. Paul fire and police investigators are working together to determine the cause of the fire.
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Predicted weather conditions have triggered a Red Flag Warning for virtually the entire state of Minnesota Thursday, indicating an extreme danger for wildfires.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says the forecast – extremely low humidity and dewpoints and wind gusts in the neighborhood of 40 mph – will exacerbate already tinder-dry conditions, increasing the likelihood that a wildfire could spark and quickly spread.
Here are the counties impacted, and when Red Flag Warnings will be in effect.
8:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. – Northwest Minnesota: Becker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Grant, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake Of The Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Wadena and Wilkin.
11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. – Central and southern Minnesota: Anoka, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright and Yellow Medicine.
12:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. – Northeast Minnesota: Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching, Pine, and St. Louis.
Additionally a Special Weather Statement has been issued for Cook and Lake counties in northeast Minnesota where wind and relative humidity are predicted to produce near-critical fire weather conditions. Outdoor burning is not advised.
Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is telling residents to refrain from burning in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect, and to check any recent burning to ensure the fire is completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during a Red Flag Warning, and campfires are strongly discouraged.
“When fire risk is this high it’s important to be careful with anything could spark a wildfire,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.
