Midwest
Minnesota mayors say constituents ‘scared’ as fraud crisis leaves questions unanswered
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Two of the nearly 100 Minnesota mayors demanding answers about the state’s unfolding fraud crisis described a climate of relentless uncertainty that has left some constituents “scared” about what lies ahead.
“My community is reaching out to me because they’re not getting answers from DHS, from other legislators, and they’re scared. There’s so much unknown… and, as a mayor, we are the front line. We try to help them,” South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis said on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday.
So far, that help has involved putting concerned constituents in contact with county officials to find the answers they seek.
“Those that are receiving those benefits are really scared and frightened of what’s next because they don’t know,” he added.
COMER SUMMONS MINNESOTA OFFICIALS AS HOUSE PROBES MASSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES FRAUD
Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst, left, and South St. Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Jimmy Francis, right. (Fox & Friends)
The scandal dates back to at least 2020 and involves fraudulent billing for a wide range of government services. It largely involves, but is not limited to, the state’s Somali community.
Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst spearheaded a letter co-signed by nearly 100 mayors to Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials on Monday, expressing deep concerns over the development.
“Fraud, unchecked spending and inconsistent fiscal management in St. Paul have trickled down to our cities. … Our state owes it to our citizens to practice responsible fiscal management and to stop taxing our families, seniors and businesses out of Minnesota,” the letter reads in part.
Purfeerst said the number of mayors signing on to the letter is growing and stressed the extent of the crisis afflicting Minnesotans.
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DEMANDS MINNESOTA FIX SNAP BENEFITS FOR 4 COUNTIES IMMEDIATELY UNDER PILOT PROGRAM
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sits for an interview with Star Tribune journalists in his office at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Dec. 12, 2024. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“If we do the quick math, $9 billion in fraud divided by 5.79 million Minnesotans comes out to roughly be 1,500 bucks a person that each hardworking Minnesotan has had stolen from them,” he said.
Walz, who is running for a third term, took accountability in recent remarks to reporters.
“This is on my watch. I am accountable for this. And more importantly, I am the one that will fix it,” he said.
But Walz questioned whether federal prosecutors’ accusations that the fraud could have totaled in the billions were politically motivated.
“You should be equally outraged about $1 or whatever that number is, but they’re using that number without the proof behind it,” Walz said. “But to extrapolate what that number is for sensationalism, or to make statements about it, it doesn’t really help us.”
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A spokesperson for Walz blasted the fraud investigation in a statement published in the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“This is clearly a coordinated political attack to try to silence one of the President’s most effective critics. The Governor takes fraud seriously and wishes they would too.”
Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
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Kansas
Little Rock mounted police assist with public safety at Kansas City World Cup matches
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KATV) — A few members of Little Rock Police’s Mounted Patrol Unit had a field trip this past month, traveling to Kansas City to assist with public safety during FIFA World Cup matches.
In a statement, police said these officers “provided high-visibility patrol, supported crowd management, and engaged with fans from around the world.”
They posted these pictures to their Facebook page:
Little Rock mounted police assist with public safety at Kansas City World Cup matches (Photo LRPD via Facebook)
Little Rock mounted police assist with public safety at Kansas City World Cup matches (Photo LRPD via Facebook)
Little Rock mounted police assist with public safety at Kansas City World Cup matches (Photo LRPD via Facebook)
“We are proud of our Mounted Patrol Unit for representing the Little Rock Police Department with professionalism, dedication, and excellence while helping provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone attending this world-class event,” the Department said.
Michigan
60% of traffic restrictions to be lifted in Michigan during Fourth of July travel — what to expect
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced 60% of traffic restrictions will be removed for the Fourth of July weekend.
Traffic restriction removal will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continue until 6 a.m. Monday, July 6.
Restrictions include road and bridge projects statewide.
106 out of 179 MDOT projects statewide will have lane restrictions removed.
For the Fourth of July weekend AAA estimates more than 2.6 million Michiganders will travel at least 50 miles or more from home.
Adjustments are aimed to keep traffic moving smoothly for the busy travel weekend.
While drivers will see suspended operations in most road work zone, equipment and certain temporary traffic shifts or shoulder closures may remain.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this Fourth of July, we want every Michigander to get where they’re going safely and with fewer delays,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why we’re temporarily lifting lane restrictions and removing orange barrels along key routes across the state. But once the holiday weekend ends, we’ll get right back to work fixing the damn roads.”
Here is a list of work zones and their status for the Fourth of July weekend.
Some routes may have detour routes posted at the project location.
All closures are subject to change.
Here is the most up-to-date information on MDOT projects.
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Minnesota
David Doty, Minnesota federal judge who oversaw NFL’s labor disputes for decades, dies at 96
A Minnesota federal judge noted for presiding over “several landmark disputes involving the National Football League” has died at 96, the U.S. District Court announced Monday.
David Doty died Saturday, just three days before his 97th birthday, the court said.
“Judge Doty devoted his entire professional life to serving others — as a Marine, as a lawyer who served not only clients but his community in many ways, and as a U.S. District Judge for nearly four decades,” Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz said. “Despite his remarkable accomplishments, he was a genuinely humble man. He treated everyone — from the guy who shined his shoes to Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court — the same way: with kindness and compassion and a sincere interest in their lives.”
Former President Ronald Reagan appointed Doty to Minnesota’s district court in 1987, and the court said he “continued to maintain a significant caseload until just a few months before his death.”
Doty grew up in Minneapolis and earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law for more than a quarter-century. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years.
Doty’s ruling in an antitrust case involving the NFL in the early ’90s led to the creation of the free agency system the league still uses. He oversaw decades of NFL labor matters, including a 2011 case that preceded a brief lockout. So influential was Doty in NFL labor matters that owners tried to get him removed from cases on multiple occasions, according to the Associated Press.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared a statement from the league on Doty’s death: “Judge Doty devoted his life to public service and the law, presiding over NFL-related litigation for many years during his distinguished career. We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”
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