Star Tribune
Fired Duluth church youth leader sentenced in 3 more sex assault cases
Gatlin, 36, pleaded guilty to five counts of felony-level sexual conduct earlier this month after a handful of women accused him of sexual assault dating back to when they were school-aged and he was in his 20s and in a position of authority within the Duluth church. At the time, his parents — reportedly aware of his actions — served as pastors. They resigned from their positions in early 2023, unwilling to cooperate in an internal investigation. Jackson Gatlin was fired.
His parents, Michael and Brenda Gatlin, are subject of nine civil lawsuits, alongside Jackson Gatlin, Duluth Vineyard and Vineyard USA.
Tuesday’s sentencing, which took about 10 minutes and, as has been the case throughout, drew a packed courtroom. It centered on the final three victims whose claims against Gatlin are all similar. According to criminal complaints, the women told authorities about invitations to Gatlin’s home under false pretense, being assaulted in his bedroom, his parents’ bedroom or his car. One of the three victims told investigators that he restrained her.
Victim 1′s mother told authorities that she called Gatlin’s mother, but that Brenda Gatlin told her that “We know your daughter has issues.”
One victim came forward to Vineyard leadership in late 2022 and more followed. The incidents were reported to Duluth police, along with Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), a nonprofit organization that conducts independent investigations. In early 2023, some of the victims took to social media with their stories.
Gatlin, who had worked with youth between 2006 and 2023, was charged in October 2023. He was briefly held in the St. Louis County jail, where he returned after pleading guilty Nov. 6.
None of Gatlin’s new sentences exceed the 13 years he will serve, followed by a lifetime of conditions — including registering as a sex offender. Dressed in an oversized orange jumpsuit, he declined to speak in the courtroom.
And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – ”reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that ”there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.”
The ICC warrants say there’s reason to believe Netanyahu used ”starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny.
Israel strikes in central Beirut kill at least 7 people and wound 37
BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets.
The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying.
Thanksgiving holiday travelers check into Delta flights at Terminal 1 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in St. Paul on Tuesday. Experts say this holiday could break records for crowds. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Speaking of weather: The National Weather Service predicts a chilly, but relatively calm, week ahead in Minnesota. Thanksgiving will see a high in the mid-20s here. Elsewhere, parts of the Midwest and East Coast will likely see heavy rain leading up to Thanksgiving, and maybe even snow in the Northeast.
The big picture: Nationally, more than 31 million passengers are expected to fly on U.S. carriers over the Thanksgiving holiday – an all-time high, according to the trade group Airlines 4 America.That’s up from nearly 29 million passengers last year, and 28 million in 2019 before the pandemic struck.
What experts say: “I won’t be surprised if this Thanksgiving turns out to be a record for MSP,” said San Francisco-based travel expert Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group. “I anticipate that Delta, MSP’s largest airline at the airport, will benefit from the strong air travel demand, and that will be seen — and felt — at MSP. Not only will there be lots of people starting and ending their journeys in the Twin Cities, but … there will be lots of connecting passengers.”
Drew Stowers, from left, 5, of Fargo and his siblings Lauren, 7, and Jack, 4, wait with their mother to get on a flight to Phoenix in Terminal 1 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Tuesday. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Reserve a spot in the security line: Use MSP Reserve, where you sign up to reserve a spot for free at both terminals. Availability is limited, and times vary. Head to the line at security that says “MSP RESERVE.” Robinson says there is an “adequate number” of TSA staff to handle the throng at MSP. Just make sure you don’t cause delays in security lines, review TSA’s rules for checked and carry-on baggage and pack accordingly.
Parking at MSP: It will be at a premium. You can pre-book parking online at MSP to guarantee a spot and get the lowest rates. Metro Transit’s Blue Line light rail service feeds into both terminals at MSP, and bus service is available to the main terminal as well.
Star Tribune
MN Gov. Tim Walz recognizes (but doesn’t pardon) a massive turkey ahead of Thanksgiving
Speaking beside Walz on Tuesday, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson noted 74% of the state’s agriculture exports are to Mexico.
“Our main partners are always Mexico and Canada,” Petersen said.
Asked whether the DFL losing full control of the state House was a verdict on DFL governance, Walz said, “I see a very close and divided country.”
It’s also a country that largely comes together for Thanksgiving, for football, a balloon parade in New York City, and turkey, even if the red-wattled, strange-footed, flightless bird never scaled to the heights of the bald eagle.
