Star Tribune
What will happen to 15 Minnesotans charged in the Jan. 6 insurrection?
One defendant, 44-year-old Martin Cudo, of Lakeville, is scheduled to go on trial Jan. 27, a week after Trump is sworn in, on some of the same charges that were filed against several of his fellow Minnesotans: obstructing an official proceeding, entering a restricted area, disorderly or disruptive conduct and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
Prosecutors say Cudo was among the many others who breached police barricades before entering the Capitol. Along with interior video surveillance images of Cudo’s movements, the criminal complaint includes what the prosecution says is a selfie he took while wearing a COVID mask patterned after the American flag and a red, white and blue “Trump 45″ cap. He eventually gave in to police demands and left the Capitol with other rioters shortly before 3 p.m. but remained on the grounds until about 5 p.m., the complaint read.
“I’m intrigued by the possibility of a pardon,” Cudo said in an interview with the Star Tribune one week after Trump’s defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Cudo explained that he, his mother and her husband traveled to Washington together, but he left them behind at the rally and joined the march to the Capitol on his own.
“There were bad guys there,” he said. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’d take it all back if I could.”
Asked whether he felt any extra weight of consequence when he voted on Nov. 5, given the direct and immense impact the outcome could have on his life, Cudo said, “I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t feel that way.”
“It’s a combination of fight where you need to fight, and that includes everything — legal action, a bullhorn, peaceful protests and civil disobedience,” Murphy said of his approach. “And then at the same time, we can’t close off the opportunity to find common ground.”
Some of the first maneuvering by top Democrats began this past week, when Pritzker and Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado announced the formation of a group called Governors Safeguarding Democracy. Its unveiling followed several days of behind-the-scenes drama, as several fellow Democratic governors declined to join the group, at least for now.
A draft news release listed six other governors as members of the coalition led by Pritzker and Polis. But four of them — Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania — declined to join, according to people briefed on the discussions. Govs. Tony Evers of Wisconsin and Josh Green of Hawaii were also named on the draft news release, but neither has yet agreed to join the group.
Alex Gough, a spokesperson for Pritzker, said that the group had been working with 20 governors’ offices but that “not all of these governors wish to be named publicly at this time for understandable reasons, including the potential threats states are facing.”
Murphy said he had been approached to join the Pritzker group, as well, but declined, explaining that he was focused on New Jersey until his term ends in early 2026. He said he had also declined to run to lead the Democratic National Committee after holding a series of conversations about entering that race, which is expected to have its first candidates enter by early next week.
The election to lead the party, expected to be held sometime in early 2025, will be an insular contest decided by the 447 members of the DNC. Those who have had conversations with party members and prominent Democrats about running include Ken Martin, the Minnesota Democratic chair; Ben Wikler, the Wisconsin Democratic chair; Michael Blake, a former New York state Assembly member; Mitch Landrieu, a former Biden administration official who also served as mayor of New Orleans; and Stacey Abrams, who twice ran for governor of Georgia.
When Nasrieen Habib launched a hiking group for Muslim women in 2022, she didn’t know if anyone would show up.
Nine women responded to her initial social media post. “And we have never stopped since,” Habib said.
In the two years since, Hiking Hijabie — and an offshoot for families, Hiking Ummah — have grown into a local force, drawing more than 870 participants for outdoors activities including hikes, camping, kayaking and even snow tubing. The mantra is “rain or shine, we are hiking,” Habib said.
The energetic Minneapolis mom of two has launched an umbrella organization, Amanah Recreational Projects, to channel social and outdoors ventures for Muslims, including Hiking Hijabie, Hiking Ummah, EcoJariyah, and Chai and Chat.
She said her goal is to create a safe space for Muslim families and the whole community to spend time outdoors. Habib said adapting to cold weather can be challenging or even overwhelming for many newcomers, especially those from warmer places like Somalia.
“Winter activities are actually pretty fun,” Habib said. “I want to make sure my community feels safe and comfortable in their environment, where they can engage in physical activities and enjoy the outdoors.”
The idea of women hiking by themselves is also unusual in the Somali community, so the group is pushing new boundaries.
Habib, 38, spent her early years in Somalia and Uganda, then grew up in the subtropical temps of Houston, Texas.
Authorities are piecing together details of a suspected murder in or around Pine County.
Jail records show the Pine County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 31-year-old man Friday on suspicion of second-degree murder. The Star Tribune typically does not name suspects until they are charged.
It was unclear when the incident occurred or whether it occurred in Pine County. Authorities said they planned to release more details after investigators gather information.
Pine County is about 60 miles north of the Twin Cities.
This is a developing story. Check back with startribune.com for more information.
