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Minneapolis man accused of shooting neighbor held on $1M bail

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Minneapolis man accused of shooting neighbor held on M bail


The Minneapolis man accused of shooting his neighbor after months of threats and other disturbing behavior is being held on $1 million bail as he faces charges of attempted murder.

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What do we know?

John Sawchak appeared in court on Tuesday, a day after being arrested following the shooting last week.

He was charged by warrant last week with attempted murder, first-degree assault, aggravated harassment, and stalking in the shooting.

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In court on Tuesday, Sawchak was granted a public defender and ordered held on $1 million bail or $600,000 bail with conditions – including staying away from his neighbor.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Sawchak remained in custody at the Hennepin County Jail.

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Controversy

The Minneapolis Police Department has faced criticism over the shooting for both a lack of prevention and waiting too long to arrest Sawchak after the shooting.

The criminal complaint against Sawchak details months of harassment by Sawchak against his neighbor dating back to October 2023, including a gun-pointing incident on Oct. 14, 2024 – just nine days before the shooting. The charges detail other incidents including Sawchak uttering racial slurs and death threats against the victim.

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Over the weekend, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara admitted the department failed the victim. On Monday, City Council Member Emily Koski questioned why police didn’t arrest Sawchak sooner after the shooting.

Sawchak is accused of shooting his neighbor on the night of Wednesday, Oct. 23, but police did not arrest him until after police forced their way into his home on Sunday night.



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis City Council votes to extend eviction notice period

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Minneapolis City Council votes to extend eviction notice period



The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to temporarily extend the eviction notice period for renters in an effort to help support residents impacted by Operation Metro Surge.

Under the ordinance, which was approved 7-5, landlords would need to wait 60 days — not the typical 30 — before bringing an eviction notice to a renter. If approved by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the 60-day requirement would stay in effect until Aug. 31.

Supporters of the ordinance said Operation Metro Surge left residents out of work and relying on mutual aid networks to pay rent.

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“Preventing eviction is always more cost-effective than trying to re-house someone who has been evicted,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley, who represents Ward 2.

Wonsley, alongside members Elliott Payne, Jamal Osman, Aisha Chughtai, Soren Stevenson, Jason Chavez and Aurin Chowdhury voted in favor of the resolution. Council member Jamison Whiting abstained from voting.

The city estimates Operation Metro Surge led to an additional $15.7 million in monthly need for rental support. Last month, council members approved $1 million in rental assistance for Hennepin County to help families impacted by the surge. 



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man arrested in Manchester after allegedly trying to meet minor for sex

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Minneapolis man arrested in Manchester after allegedly trying to meet minor for sex


A Minnesota man has been arrested in Manchester after police say he attempted to meet someone he believed was a minor for sexual activity.

The Manchester Police Department said Robert Fenn Eselby III, 23, of Minneapolis was arrested Feb. 27 following an undercover investigation.

According to police, Eselby contacted an undercover officer posing as a juvenile through several social media platforms. Authorities said he was informed multiple times that the person he was communicating with was underage.

Investigators say Eselby sent explicit photos and videos and later arranged to travel to Manchester to meet the supposed minor for sexual activity.

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Police said Eselby was taken into custody immediately after arriving in Manchester and was transported to the Delaware County Jail.

Authorities also said Eselby allegedly attempted to ask an arresting officer out on a date during the booking process.

Eselby faces one count of grooming, a Class D felony, and one count of disseminating obscene material to a minor, a serious misdemeanor.

Court records show he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.



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Minneapolis, MN

What is a data center?

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What is a data center?


What exactly is a data center and why are so many being proposed across Minnesota? Professor Manjeet Rege, chair of Software Engineering and Data Science and director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, joins us to explain how these massive facilities store and process the world’s data and what the economic, environmental, and infrastructure questions are as Minnesota considers hosting more of them.



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