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Duluth man pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct with girls

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DULUTH – With freshly selected jurors waiting nearby for the start of an expected days-long trial, a Duluth man facing criminal sexual conduct charges took a last-minute plea deal instead of facing the women he abused when they were children.

Clint Franklin Massie, 49, pleaded guilty Wednesday morning at the St. Louis County Courthouse to the four counts from incidents dating back to 2008-09 when two of his victims were young girls. The deal dismissed one of the counts against him. His sentencing is scheduled for March 20, and he could end up with more than nine years in prison. Massie, who was initially charged in February 2023 and has been out on $300,000 bail, was released until his sentencing.

In each case, the victim was known to Massie — whether they were related or through their shared membership at Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. He was friends with their parents and regarded as a fun, child-free uncle, according to reports from the investigation.

Assistant St. Louis County Attorney Michael Ryan told the court that the victims were satisfied with the deal.

“They have been involved in talking this through,” he said to Judge Dale Harris.

After Massie pleaded guilty, would-be witnesses and their supporters filed into the courtroom filling rows. Massie, dressed in a dark suit coat and khaki pants, turned to look. Ryan questioned him on the victims’ accusations — four specific scenarios where he had touched girls: during a sleepover at his house, when alone on a tractor, or beneath a blanket while others were in the room.

Massie said in court there were a lot of big gatherings and shared meals within this the group. It wasn’t unusual for one of the many children to sit on his lap.

At times Massie paused and said he couldn’t remember exact details or motives. At other times he deferred to what he told investigating officers last year. In each instance he ultimately agreed with the scenario presented by the prosecution.



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Hegseth faces senators' concerns not only about his behavior but also his views on women in combat

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Pete Hegseth has spent the week on Capitol Hill trying to reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense in the wake of high-profile allegations about excessive drinking and sexual assault.



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Minneapolis council fails to override Frey’s veto of labor board

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Two council members supporting the override, Aurin Chowdhury and Jason Chavez, said after the vote that they believe Frey’s plan gives too much power to employers at the expense of workers.

Greg Nammacher, the President of SEIU Local 26, released a statement saying workers will continue to push for better conditions, saying it’s incredibly frustrating that despite advocacy from groups representing tens of thousands of residents, the mayor and some council members chose to side with “low-road employers” who said they’d refuse to come to the table.

“We have no interest in and will not accept any future board process that is further watered down by even more misinformation and fear from corporate-funded PR firms,” he said.

The override was supported by Council Members Chowdhury, Chavez, Emily Koski, Jeremiah Ellison Robin Wonsley and Katie Cashman, as well as Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai and Council President Elliott Payne.

It was opposed by Council Members Jenkins, Osman, Palmisano, Michael Rainville and LaTrisha Vetaw.



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Bob Dylan approves of Timothée Chalamet playing him in biopic

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Legendary musician and Minnesota native Bob Dylan weighed in publicly this week for the first time on the decision to have Timothée Chalamet portray him in the upcoming biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” and Dylan said he has full confidence in the actor’s abilities.

“Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me,” the post read. “Or a younger me. Or some other me.”

The 28-year-old actor Chalamet, viewed by many as a heartthrob, raised the eyebrows of some in Minnesota and beyond who questioned his ability to play Dylan and replicate his iconic voice in the movie. After seeing Dylan’s praise, Chalamet posted an Instagram story with a stream of verbs to convey how excited he was, including “screaming,” “crying,” and “pooping.”

“Thank you Bob!!!! Dream come true!!!!” Chalamet wrote in his post.

After a tour of the school, Chalamet “talked and geeked out about theater” for 45 minutes with the students, according to drama coach Megan Reynolds. In interviews the next day with Dylan and overall music fans at Minneapolis’ Electric Fetus record store, they expressed confidence in Chalamet’s ability to get the look, and questioned whether he could sufficiently replicate Dylan’s voice.



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