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‘Reprehensible’ post by employee triggers DNR investigation
While not revealing the exact contents of the post, a response on the DNR Facebook page called the message “reprehensible” and not reflective of the agency’s values.
ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said it is investigating after a social media post about the recent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump was potentially linked to an agency employee.
While not specifying the content of the post, DNR officials made it clear in a Facebook statement Tuesday that the contents could result in discipline against that employee.
“Violence or the threat of violence has absolutely no place in American politics. The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump was a heinous act with tragic consequences. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources vehemently rejects the use of violence, or the insinuation of violence, in any form,” the post read.
“We are aware of a recent social media post on a personal account associated with one of our employees about the assassination attempt on former President Trump. The comment is reprehensible and inconsistent with the views and values of the Minnesota DNR. We are thoroughly examining the matter and will take all appropriate steps in alignment with state law and policy. The Minnesota Data Practices Act limits our ability to comment further on this personnel matter.”
Violence or the threat of violence has absolutely no place in American politics. The recent assassination attempt on…
Posted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday, July 16, 2024
The FBI is investigating Saturday’s shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania that left one attendee dead and two others badly injured, and Trump with a wound on his ear. A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man who was subsequently shot and killed by Secret Service agents is believed responsible for the attack.
Other comments on the incident have stirred up controversy: On Tuesday actor-musician Jack Black announced he was pulling the plug on the tour of his band, Tenacious D, after partner Kyle Gass made a comment onstage in Australia about the attempt on Trump’s life. It was Gass’s birthday and when asked to make a wish, he reportedly responded “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Black wrote in an Instagram post shared Tuesday. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.” Gass subsequently apologized in his own post.
Closer to home, the Sioux Falls Public Schools announced Tuesday that an employee is no longer with the district after posting on social media about the attempt on Trump’s life.
“The District’s Code of Conduct Policy (GBEB) clearly outlines the high standards to which we hold all staff members, given the public trust in our responsibility to educate the children of our community and serve as positive role models,” a district spokesperson wrote. “The staff member’s statement does not align with the School District’s values and was not condoned in any way.”
The council argues that the HERC must be closed to comply with the city’s zero waste policy, which was passed back in 2017.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a plan to shut down the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) on Thursday.
The resolution comes after decades of protests against the massive North Loop trash incinerator that burns roughly 365,000 tons of garbage a year.
“Today is a big step towards protecting the health of our communities and addressing longstanding environmental injustices that disproportionately impact communities of color,” said councilmember Robin Wonsley, in a statement.
The resolution calls for the incinerator to be permanently closed by Dec 31, 2027 and for the entire facility to be shut down by Dec 31, 2033.
The council argues that the HERC must be closed to comply with the city’s zero waste policy, which was passed back in 2017.
In October 2023, the Hennepin County Board signed off on a plan to close the HERC between 2028 and 2040, depending on how quickly the county can transition into a zero-waste system.
Of the garbage burned at the HERC, 75% comes from the city of Minneapolis. The other 25% comes from a dozen other cities in the area. The HERC produces enough energy to power more than 25,000 homes and half the buildings in downtown Minneapolis.
At a City Council Meeting on Oct. 10, Jenni Lansing with the City of Minneapolis Health Department provided analysis on the air pollution impacts of HERC. She said the health department supports working towards a zero-waste future and the ultimate closure of HERC, but said closing it now is not the solution.
“Overall emissions in Hennepin County are dominated by on-road and non-road, mobile and nonpoint sources, and these sources drive the cancer and non-cancer risks to health in Minneapolis,” Lansing said.
Hennepin County defines zero waste as preventing 90% or more of all discarded materials from being landfilled or incinerated.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The snow is really coming down in some places with Maple Lake getting 3.5″ so far.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — The wettest Halloween storm ever — is making mischief before little trick-or-treaters hit their neighborhood’s slushy streets.
Officials are reporting several power outages and car spin-outs.
There have been over 14,000 power outages, according to Xcel Energy.
The Minnesota State Patrol has responded to 169 crashes and 94 vehicles off the road, as of 2. pm. Thursday.
Meteorologist Beny Dery said an additional 1 to 2″ of snow is possible before things taper off this evening.
So far some of the totals around town are: 3.5″ Maple Lake, 3.0″ Buffalo, 2.5″ Dassel, 2.4″ Windom, 2.0″ St. Bonifacious, 1.5″ Maple Plain and 1.5″ in Bethel.
The snow is expected to let up from west to east and should wrap up for the metro between 5 to 6 p.m.
Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
