Midwest
Jury convicts North Dakota lawmaker of misdemeanor speculation
A jury in North Dakota on Friday convicted a state lawmaker of a misdemeanor in connection with a state-leased building he has ownership ties to. A legislative leader said he disagrees with the verdict and plans to review the statute and rules involved.
Republican Rep. Jason Dockter, of Bismarck, was charged in December 2023 with speculating or wagering on official action. He pleaded not guilty. The charge has a maximum penalty of 360 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine. Dockter declined to comment on the verdict but said he will consider an appeal. His sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
A criminal complaint alleged that, as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, Dockter voted “on legislative bills appropriating money to pay for property he had acquired a pecuniary interest in,” against the law and legislative rules. The charge arose from complaints to the state Ethics Commission.
NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKER HIT WITH MISDEMEANOR CHARGE IN SPECULATION CASE
Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said the case is concerning because “legislators aren’t going to feel comfortable knowing what a conflict of interest is.”
“I’m thinking that we need to visit legislative rules, look at state statutes and have a thoughtful conversation with the Ethics Commission so that we can make absolutely sure that legislators are not looking over their shoulder worrying about does it rise to the level of a conflict of interest or not?” Lefor said.
He called it a “slippery slope” for scenarios of a legislator who is a teacher voting on an education bill or a farmer voting on agricultural issues.
Prosecutor Ladd Erickson declined to comment on the verdict.
Dockter’s charge is part of a nearly two-year-old controversy involving the building, leased by the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for consolidating divisions of his office, that under Stenehjem incurred a cost overrun of over $1 million that hasn’t been fully reconciled.
Stenehjem’s successor, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, disclosed the overrun and that Stenehjem’s state email account was deleted days after his death in January 2022 at the direction of his executive assistant, Liz Brocker, who later resigned. A prosecutor declined to bring charges for the deleted emails.
Dockter is a co-owner of companies that own and worked on the building. He was friends with Stenehjem, but has denied any wrongdoing in the lease arrangement. Dockter was first elected in 2012. He was reelected in 2022 without opposition.
Democratic House Minority Leader Zac Ista called on Dockter to resign after the verdict. Dockter said he has no immediate plans to do so. Lefor said he doesn’t expect the Republican-majority House to take any immediate steps against Dockter.
The Legislature is not in session, and isn’t scheduled to convene until January 2025, after a December organizational session.
The cost overrun and deleted emails shocked state lawmakers, who raised concerns about trust and transparency. Earlier this year, Wrigley’s office recovered thousands of Stenehjem’s emails through a cellphone backup and released them in response to records requests. Stenehjem’s phone data became part of an investigation into former state senator Ray Holmberg, who is accused of traveling to Europe with the intent of paying for sex with a minor. Holmberg’s trial is set for September.
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Detroit, MI
A hot and humid start to the work week
CBS DETROIT – Temperatures will remain in the 80s for the beginning of the week, with a few chances of storms.
There is a marginal chance of severe storms moving in both Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Be prepared for the possibility of heavy rain, wind gusts, and hail.
We could also see a near-record high temperature for Monday.
More chances for showers and storms arrive on Wednesday, but once that system moves out we will dry out and see cooler temperatures to end the week.
Milwaukee, WI
Critical missing Milwaukee woman; police seek public's help
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critically missing 27-year-old Milwaukee woman.
Police said Bria Jones was last seen at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, May 19, near 78th and Silver Spring.
Jones is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue jean jacket, blue shirt, white pants and white shoes.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call MPD – District 4 at 414-935-7242.
Minneapolis, MN
Anthony Edwards tells Charles Barkley to 'bring ya ass' to Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Anthony Edwards’ postgame comments to Charles Barkley after the Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets to get to the Western Conference Finals set the internet on fire.
During a postgame interview, just minutes after the Wolves’ win, Barkley told Edwards he hadn’t been to Minneapolis in about 20 years. Edwards responded quickly and simply: “Bring ya ass.”
It should be noted that Barkley’s memory is a little flaky… he was in Minneapolis for the NCAA Final Four in 2019.
The utterance set the social media world on fire.
“‘Bring ya ass’ goes down with ‘straight cash, homie’ in the pantheon of MN sports sound bites,” said @johnnyasheville.
Other Wolves fans said the Wolves need to make a “bring ya ass” T-shirt.
In the replies, Food Network star Bobby Flay recommended Spoon and Stable, the James Beard award-winning restaurant on 1st Street North, about a half mile from the Target Center. Other people joined in, sending their own recommendations. Governor Walz suggested The Nook in St. Paul and Matt’s in Minneapolis.
The Wolves first Western Conference Finals game against the Mavericks is set for Wednesday at the Target Center. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
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