Midwest
Prosecutors drop charges against Minnesota trooper in deadly shooting of motorist Ricky Cobb
A Minnesota county attorney has decided to drop a case against a state trooper accused in the fatal shooting of Black motorist Ricky Cobb II.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the decision Sunday evening.
“Ricky Cobb II should still be alive today,” Moriarty said in a statement. “There are so many points at which Mr. Londregan could have handled the situation differently, and if he had, Ricky Cobb might still be alive. But that is not the question before us as prosecutors; the only question is whether we can still prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred given this new evidence. The answer to that question is no, and I would violate my ethical duties if I nonetheless continued with the case.”
Troopers pulled the 33-year-old Cobb over on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on July 31 because the lights were out on his car. They then found that the Spring Lake Park man was wanted for violating a protection order in neighboring Ramsey County. Trooper Ryan Londregan, 27, shot Cobb twice as Cobb tried to drive away after troopers ordered him to get out of his car.
MINNESOTA TROOPER ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING MOTORIST TO REMAIN FREE WITHOUT BAIL, JUDGE RULES
Trooper Ryan Londregan walks with his wife to his first court appearance related to the killing of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop, Jan. 29, 2024, at the Hennepin Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis. (Renée Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP, File)
Moriarty filed a notice to dismiss the charges after Londregan’s defense team revealed prospective testimony during an April court hearing that the trooper believed Cobb was reaching for a firearm – and that a Minnesota State Patrol trainer said he never instructed officers to refrain from shooting into a moving vehicle.
The evidence would have made it impossible for prosecutors to prove that Londregan’s actions were not an authorized use of force by a peace officer, the county attorney’s office said in a statement released Sunday.
Cobb’s family was outraged by the decision.
“Regardless of how many absurd excuses Trooper Londregan gives to try and absolve himself, he shot and killed Ricky Cobb II at point blank range without any justification and, instead of prosecuting him for murder, the County Attorney’s Office has bowed to political pressure to drop the charges,” a statement from Cobb family attorneys obtained by Fox News Digital said. “Apparently, all you have to do to get away with murder is to bully the prosecutors enough and the charges will just go away.”
The statement added: “the state of Minnesota has repeatedly demonstrated that Black lives simply are not valued whether it’s Daunte Demetrius Wright, Philando Castile or Ricky Cobb II.”
MINNESOTA STATE TROOPER CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL SHOOTING OF MOTORIST DURING TRAFFIC STOP
Family members of Ricky Cobb II, a Black man who was shot and killed by a Minnesota state trooper, speak at a news conference outside Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on Aug. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Trisha Ahmed)
Referring to the decision to drop the charges, Londregan’s attorney Chris Madel told the Star Tribune, “It’s about g—— time. That’s going to be about my only on the record comment.”
Prosecutors and law enforcement experts reviewed footage from the scene and found that, as Londregan’s partner clung to the passenger’s door, Cobb moved his hand upward. Cobb did have a gun in the vehicle. Moriarty told the Star Tribune there is still no evidence he intended to grab it but that the defense team’s statements caused prosecutors to reconsider the evidence through a new lens.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty discussed the decision to dismiss the case against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the killing of Ricky Cobb II in a press conference on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Hennepin County Attorney’s Office )
Cobb’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in April, alleging that the stop and the shooting were unjustified.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Here are some of the top concerts in Milwaukee this spring
Here are some of the top concerts to check out around Milwaukee this spring at venues ranging from American Family Field to Shank Hall.
Prost! Maifest, Derby Day, Spaces & Traces, and fine art shows converge this weekend along with Revolutionary War Days in Menomonee Falls. Here are a handful of things to do in the Milwaukee area.
Estabrook Park Maifest
Cue the polka music; it’s opening weekend at Estabrook Beer Garden, 4600 N. Estabrook Parkway. Start hopping to Carol & The Keynotes at 5 p.m. May 1, and raise your stein for free beer at the Lakefront Maibock keg tapping at 6 p.m. The Squeezettes perform at 11:30 a.m. May 2, followed by a Third Space Happy Place keg tapping and free beer at noon. The polka continues with Polka Steve at 3 p.m. May 3. discoverthemorthshoremke.com
Foxtown Derby Day & Maifest
It’s beer and dogs at Foxtown Brewing, 6209 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, from noon to 10:30 p.m. May 2. Watch dachshunds “ruff for the roses” at the first annual Wisconsin Dachshund Derby, and enjoy performances by the Happy Shotski Combo, the Dorf Kapelle Band, and The LoveMonkeys. The Maifest menu includes bratwurst, giant pretzels, grilled Chicago dogs, brisket and pork schnitzel, with mint juleps, Oaks Lily cocktails, and Foxtown Brewing’s Maibock and lagers to drink. foxtownhospitalitygroup.com
Downtown Derby Day
Don your best derby hat and watch the Run for the Roses on May 2. Saddle up to the Bar in Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. for a 1 p.m. Derby Day bash with bites and specialty drinks available for purchase, then watch the race on Saint Kate’s grand projector screen. Or at 4 p.m. trot over to the Lobby Lounge of the Pfister Hotel at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. and sip a mint julep in the sophisticated atmosphere of the hotel. The main race takes place around 5:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. Visit thepfisterhotel.com or saintkatearts.com.
Historic Milwaukee Spaces & Traces
Tour unique homes on Milwaukee’s upper east side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2. Guided by docents, the tour features nine homes, and a lecture by historian Brian Fette at 2 p.m. at Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Tickets are $40 and are available online at historicmilwaukee.org/spaces-traces-2026.
Old Falls Revolutionary War Days
The redcoats are coming to Old Falls Village Park, Pilgrim Road and County Line Road Q in Menomonee Falls, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, watch the planting of the Liberty Tree ceremony and see Revolutionary War reenactors bring early America to life with battles, weapon demonstrations, encampments and uniform presentations. The event includes military vendors, historical displays, music and a beer garden. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5-11). oldfallsvillagepark.org
Free Range Art Show
A century-old farmstead hosts a fine art and craft spring show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2-3. View jewelry, pottery, fiber art, mixed media, wood work, paintings, cut metal art and sculptures in a historic Wisconsin barn at 6503 Pleasant Valley Road in Grafton. Free to attend. thefreerangeartshow.com
Art in the Garden
Shop the annual art and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners. The fair includes over 50 local artists, crafters and vendors showcasing a wide selection of handmade home decor, garden art, jewelry and artwork. Admission to the fair is included with regular admission to the gardens. boernerbotanicalgardens.org
What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend
“Animal Farm”: George Orwell’s 1945 novella warning about the dangers of communism traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted as truth is erased. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Sequel to the 2006 film follows the shifting power dynamics in the fashion industry, with veteran employees facing a digitally driven landscape. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Deep Water”: A plane en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Hokum”: A writer navigates a chilling game of deception after he is locked in the abandoned, haunted honeymoon suite of a rundown hotel. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Story of Everything”: Documentary film exploring the origins of the cosmos and humanity, arguing that scientific evidence points to intelligent design rather than random chance. See it at Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
Minneapolis police said a 69-year-old man was found dead after a shooting inside a north Minneapolis home. Chief O’Hara said Wednesday, officers responded at about 8:48 p.m. to a report of a shooting and found the man inside a residence on Bryant Avenue North, near 48th Ave. North
Police said he had an apparent fatal gunshot wound. Officers secured the scene and canvassed the area.
Police said homicide investigators are working to determine what led up to the shooting and, at this point, it does not appear random. “This is a tragic loss of life,” said Chief O’Hara. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones. We need anyone who may have information about what happened to come forward.”
Anyone with information can email policetips@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-5845 to leave a voicemail. People who want to stay anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. Police said tips leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
IndyGo serves 22,000 riders daily who rely on it for jobs and healthcare. The funding is voter-approved and separate from road budgets.
IndyGo paratransit services have possible 57% rate hike
Ryan Malone appreciates IndyGo paratransit rides. He has vision impairments and MS. He talks about the rides and the proposed 57% fare increase.
The April 14 letter titled, “Indianapolis doesn’t prioritize pothole repairs” raises a fair frustration shared by many drivers, but it misrepresents priorities, ignores dedicated funding streams, cherry-picks numbers and overlooks how IndyGo delivers broad, measurable value that helps roads and the city overall.
The 2026 Indianapolis city budget directs unprecedented funding to roads. The Department of Public Works’ most recent capital plan included $218 million for transportation infrastructure in 2026, in addition to key investments in additional snow removal and road maintenance equipment. DPW’s transportation capital funding has nearly tripled since 2016. Since that time, the city has resurfaced 1,279 lane miles and strip-patched 1,169 more.
The city is prioritizing basics; roads got a massive boost even with tighter revenues.
The state funding formula has disadvantaged Indianapolis by using two-lane road mileage and ignoring urban complexity. But House Enrolled Act 1461 shifts to a lane-mile formula and provides $50 million extra annually to Marion County — and state law restricts those funds to construction and reconstruction of local streets.
There are several points aimed at IndyGo that are worth correcting and adding important context the public should understand about this critical city service.
The claim that IndyGo’s $432 million budget “could go a long way toward streets” is the most misleading. The 0.25% income tax was voter-approved in 2016 — with nearly 60% voting yes — specifically and exclusively for public transit. These locally raised dollars leverage up to a 400% federal match, multiplying their impact several times over and ensuring Indianapolis captures funding that would otherwise go elsewhere. Diverting them would break a voter promise.
The “less than 2% uses the bus” stat is a classic distortion. IndyGo’s 2025 ridership included 6.7 million trips, or nearly 22,000 riders Monday through Friday. Transit serves disproportionately low-income, senior, disabled and car-free residents who rely on it for jobs, healthcare and school. It isn’t a luxury — it’s mobility infrastructure.
Public transit isn’t in competition with roads; it complements them. Every $1 invested in public transit generates $5 in broader economic activity. The Red Line alone delivered more than $7 per $1 invested, and IndyGo’s BRT network has already attracted more than $1.2 billion in corridor development.
By completion of the Blue Line, IndyGo will have paved more than 90 miles of Indy streets and built or repaired more than 1,300 ADA ramps. Nearly 7 million riders take cars off the road — fewer vehicles mean less congestion and less wear-and-tear on pavement, directly reducing potholes.
Potholes are real, but scapegoating IndyGo distracts from the actual balanced progress underway. Indianapolis is a world-class city with a great future, and the best is yet to come.
Richard Wilson is treasurer of the IndyGo Board of Directors.
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