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Minnesota Dems allegedly let tax dollars fund terrorists as police left without money to protect public: cops

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Minnesota Dems allegedly let tax dollars fund terrorists as police left without money to protect public: cops

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As violent crime endangers communities across Minnesota, police say they were left stretched thin and underfunded while state leaders directed millions elsewhere, a gap now drawing sharp scrutiny from public-safety experts and police union leaders.

That gap is under the microscope as the state deals with a massive fraud scandal involving hundreds of millions of dollars, including allegations of taxpayer money finding its way to terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia, all under the nose of Democratic leaders.

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Randy Sutton, a police veteran and founder of The Wounded Blue, told Fox News Digital the crisis extends far beyond one agency or city.

“The public safety is at risk… we are in a criminal justice crisis in America,” Sutton said. “Political leadership is destroying public safety through their ideology.”

BALTIMORE SEES STAGGERING CRIME DROP AS DEMOCRATIC PROSECUTOR HOLDS REPEAT OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara addresses more than one hundred uniformed law enforcement officers while waiting for the release of an officer who was shot in the line of duty in north Minneapolis, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, outside North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minn. (Aaron Lavinksy/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation, says Minnesota is living that crisis in real time.

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“We’ve been down anywhere from 50 to over 100 officers since 2020, and we just haven’t recovered from that,” Ross told Fox News Digital. “Right now we’re about a thousand police officers short in the state of Minnesota, and we’re on pace to lose another 2,000 to 2,500 over the next few years.”

The staffing shortages come as Minnesota recorded 170 murders in 2024, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), only slightly below the year before, with firearms involved in nearly 75% of those killings. Statewide, carjackings rose 5.5% and rapes increased 5.2% from 2023 to 2024. Assaults on peace officers also jumped up 1.5%.

Ross said recruitment and retention have reached a breaking point, not only in St. Paul but statewide.

WALZ BEARS ‘FULL RESPONSIBILITY’ FOR $1B FRAUD SCANDAL, GOP CHALLENGER DEMUTH DECLARES

Police in Minnesota are struggling with staffing shortages, experts said. (Minneapolis Police Department/Facebook)

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“The overall landscape for policing in Minnesota has gotten really, really competitive. We’re losing officers to other departments paying more and offering greater incentives.”

He said the state’s massive fraud losses, now the subject of multiple federal investigations, have worsened long-term pressures on public-safety agencies.

“These billions of dollars could have been spent on public safety, but it’s gone… and we’ll never see that money again.”

TIM WALZ CALLED OUT BY WASHINGTON POST FOR REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL

Sutton, who tracks crime trends nationally, said the shortages could not come at a worse time.

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“Last year, more than 85,000 American officers were assaulted… every single day an officer is being shot,” Sutton said. “We’ve never seen volume like this.”

WATCH: Police veteran warns public safety is ‘at risk’

Both experts warn that Minnesotans may not fully grasp the extent of the public-safety crisis, especially in the metro areas where crime is concentrated. While violent crime dipped slightly in greater Minnesota, the BCA reports a 1% rise in violent crime across the seven-county Twin Cities region, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, where police staffing has been hit hardest.

WALZ ‘DERELICT LEADERSHIP’ TO BLAME IN $1B FRAUD SCANDAL WITH ‘HAUNTING REMINDS OF WATERGATE’: GOP CHALLENGER

“People are afraid to even report crime… and some police agencies aren’t reporting to the FBI,” Sutton said. “The figures are skewed. We don’t even have an accurate picture of violent crime.”

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Ross said St. Paul officers are doing “more with less” even as community expectations increase.

A spokesperson for Gov. Tim Walz defended the administration’s record, pointing to what they described as unprecedented public-safety investments across Minnesota.

MINNESOTA’S ANTI-FRAUD SPENDING HAS QUIETLY BALLOONED, LEAVING TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR FAILURE TWICE

Tim Walz speaks onstage during the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at the Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

“The Governor signed the largest public safety budget in state history, investing money in every single police department in the state,” the spokesperson said. Walz’s office also noted Walz’s efforts to fund a new State Patrol headquarters and the recent groundbreaking of a new state crime lab, adding that “Minnesota was recently ranked as one of the safest states.”

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The governor’s office also pushed back on claims that the state’s high-profile fraud cases affected law-enforcement resources. Critics argue those losses drained taxpayer dollars that could have supported public safety, but the administration rejected that characterization.

“The fraudsters stole money from programs like Medicaid that are funded primarily with federal funding, so police funding is not affected,” the spokesperson said.

NATIONAL GUARD ISN’T THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT DOWN VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR CITIES

Walz’s office added that, “The Governor has made public safety a top priority for the state, providing hundreds of millions in funding for cops.”

Ross said the governor’s claims do not reflect what officers experience on the ground.

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“Those are all projects that need to be done, but what we’re looking for is continued funding all the time. Not one-time funding.”

LIZ PEEK: MASSIVE MINNESOTA WELFARE HEIST PROVES DEMOCRATS CAN’T POLICE THEIR OWN MESS

He strongly rejected the claim that fraud had no impact on public-safety dollars.

“You can’t frame things that way. It all comes from the same pool of money. Those are tax dollars,” he said. “I think taxpayers would not be amused by that response.”

Ross said many officers fear political repercussions more than they fear criminals.

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DEM-APPOINTED EDUCATION OFFICIALS FACE NEW SCRUTINY AS FEEDING OUR FUTURE SCANDAL WIDENS, TRUMP TARGETS FRAUD

“There is a legitimate fear they might be prosecuted or terminated for doing their jobs, even when they’ve done everything correctly.”

“The first thing cops think during a use-of-force incident is: ‘Am I going to jail for this?’”

Sutton echoed that sentiment on a national scale.

MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT WORKERS BLAME WALZ FOR ‘MASSIVE FRAUD’ AMID ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SOMALI COMMUNITY

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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, left, talks with Michael Wilson, right, three years after George Floyd’s death at George Floyd Square, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

“Officers are more afraid of their own leadership than of the criminal element and that is the saddest part of this whole story.”

Ross said fewer highly qualified candidates are applying, and some who might make exceptional officers simply refuse to enter the profession due to the political climate and scrutiny.

“You’re not going to get the big number of super-qualified candidates when the hiring pool is this shallow,” he said. “People would love the work and be great at it, but they don’t feel supported.”

MINNESOTA TAXPAYER DOLLARS FUNNELED TO AL-SHABAAB TERROR GROUP, REPORT ALLEGES

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Ross said meaningful change must start with leadership at all levels — city, state and departmental.

“It all starts with leadership, political leadership, department leadership, union leadership. We need people to get up and lead.”

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Despite recent improvements in recruitment, he warned, “we have a long way to go.”

Sutton agreed, adding that until elected leaders prioritize public safety above politics, “communities will continue to be in danger.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of the Minneapolis mayor and police chief for comment.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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Detroit, MI

Metro Detroit braces for Frost Advisory, Freeze Warning overnight before rain arrives

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Metro Detroit braces for Frost Advisory, Freeze Warning overnight before rain arrives


Metro Detroit is in for another cold night, with frost and near-freezing temperatures possible early Tuesday morning before a wetter pattern arrives Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Alerts

A Freeze Warning will go into effect at midnight and continue until 8 a.m. Tuesday for Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Macomb counties, where temperatures could fall as low as 27 degrees.

A Frost Advisory will blanket the remainder of Southeast Michigan, including Genesee, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe counties during the same time span. (WDIV)

A Freeze Warning will go into effect at midnight and remain in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday for Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Macomb counties, where temperatures could drop to 27 degrees.

A Frost Advisory will blanket the remainder of Southeast Michigan, including Genesee, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe counties during the same time span.

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The coldest temperatures are expected north and west of Detroit.

Even if your thermometer reads 35 or 36 degrees, frost can still form on grass, rooftops, decks, and vehicles.

That is because surfaces cool more quickly than the air several feet above the ground.

Under clear skies and light winds, heat escapes rapidly from the ground overnight through a process called radiational cooling.

Cold air also sinks and settles into lower spots, allowing temperatures near the surface to briefly reach freezing while official air temperatures remain a few degrees warmer.

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That means the temperature at ground level where plants are located can be colder than the temperature reported by a standard thermometer mounted several feet above the surface.

Sensitive plants and vegetation could be damaged or killed by the cold.

How to protect plants

Gardeners are encouraged to protect tender plants overnight by covering them with lightweight fabric sheets, blankets or frost cloths.

Bringing potted plants indoors or into a garage can also help prevent damage. Experts recommend avoiding plastic coverings directly on plants because plastic can trap moisture and transfer cold temperatures to leaves.

Flowers, vegetables, herbs and newly planted annuals are especially vulnerable this time of year.

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Tomatoes, peppers, basil, petunias and other warm season plants are among those most sensitive to freezing temperatures.

The chilly pattern will not last long.

Clouds increase Tuesday morning, followed by scattered showers developing during the afternoon.

Temperatures rebound into the upper 50s and lower 60s with a gusty south breeze developing during the day.

Rain becomes more widespread Tuesday evening and Tuesday night. A few thunderstorms and rumbles of thunder are also possible overnight as a stronger weather system moves through the Great Lakes.

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Severe weather is not expected, but brief downpours, gusty winds and small hail cannot be ruled out in a few stronger storms Tuesday night.

Behind the system, cooler air returns Wednesday with highs mainly in the 50s to around 60 degrees and gusty west winds.

Sunshine and milder weather return later in the week, with temperatures climbing into the 60s Thursday and around 70 degrees Friday.

This weekend

By the weekend, Southeast Michigan will get a taste of early summer.

Temperatures are expected to surge into the upper 70s and lower 80s Saturday through Monday, although there will be occasional chances for showers during the weekend.

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That includes Flower Day on Sunday at Eastern Market in Detroit, one of the city’s most beloved spring traditions.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the market to shop for flowers, plants, herbs and garden supplies as growers from across the region fill the sheds with color.

Right now, the forecast calls for warm temperatures near 80 degrees Sunday with a chance of scattered showers.

While it may not be a completely dry weekend, it will feel dramatically different compared to the frosty start to the week.

For now, though, gardeners across Southeast Michigan will want to focus on protecting sensitive plants from one more cold Michigan night.

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Remember to share your weather and garden photos with Local 4 at MIPics.

Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Milwaukee, WI

Same name keeps coming up in mock drafts as possible Bucks selection

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Same name keeps coming up in mock drafts as possible Bucks selection


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  • The Milwaukee Bucks have the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, their first lottery selection in a decade.
  • Most post-lottery mock drafts project the Bucks will select Nate Ament, a 6-foot-10 freshman forward from Tennessee.
  • Analysts view Ament as a high-upside prospect with shotmaking potential, fitting for a team facing an uncertain future.
  • Other potential selections for the Bucks include Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. and Arizona guard Brayden Burries.

The Milwaukee Bucks know their placement in the 2026 NBA Draft, slotted No. 10 for their first lottery pick in a decade. Who are some of the possible selections at that spot when June 23 rolls around?

Check out what the first post-lottery wave of mock drafts has to say, most of them pointing to same prospect, that being Nate Ament of Tennessee, a 6-10 freshman small forward.

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Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee

From Spencer Woo of ESPN: “While Ament’s stock has slipped from an early top-five projection, he had productive stretches this season within a tricky team context and has room to help himself in workouts. Although scouts are split on whether he has star potential or projects better as a long-term supporting player, there is still plenty of intrigue around Ament in the lottery. As a tall skill player with shotmaking upside, Ament fits a player archetype that teams often love to swing on. As Milwaukee considers a post-Antetokounmpo future, a malleable upside swing such as Ament could be a fit.”

Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports: “The Bucks should take a swing to jump-start their new era, whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is part of it. Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and he severely struggled during the tournament. Bucks general manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to take risks though. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius.”

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports: “Ament had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols – but the upside isn’t hard to spot. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald’s All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bucks franchise that seems on the verge of rebuilding after presumably trading Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.”

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The Ringer: “Barring some transactional magic, this could be Milwaukee’s best bite at the talent apple in the draft for a while. The Bucks don’t currently have control over a first-round pick until 2031. If Giannis Antetokounmpo decides it’s time to move on, this roster will be rudderless and talent-deprived. If Giannis decides not to move on, it’ll have a rudder but still won’t go anywhere. Less than ideal, but that makes this a ‘best player available’ scenario, or rather ‘best wager available.’ There are definitely more stable options in this range, but Ament’s higher possible outcomes justify this pick. Ament fell short of expectations this past season, and he slid from top-five consideration as a result, but the jumbo-sized, smooth-moving ball handler is still a worthy bet here. Handling the ball at 6-foot-10 is an intriguing enough skill to instill some belief that he could develop into a quality asset. And the Bucks can take the risk given their circumstances.

Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports: “Ament is a polarizing prospect with a wide range of outcomes on draft night. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who is fluid, has touch, and skill, he’s also inconsistent and needs to get stronger. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament’s overall arc has been linear, and there’s still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice for a Milwaukee team that has a very uncertain future ahead of them.”

Brian Lewis of New York Post: “After the run on guards, taking an upside swing on a gifted developmental player here seems like a worthy gamble for a Bucks team that could be in full-on rebuild in a post-Giannis era.”

Two other names mentioned

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From Eric Nehm of The Athletic: “This was an incredibly difficult pick to make without knowing what the Bucks are going to do with Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the 10-time All-Star forward remains in Milwaukee, it might make more sense to look at someone like Yaxel Lendeborg, who could make an impact right away and give the Bucks more size and skill. Instead, though, I went with Philon, who has a lot of offensive upside and could be protected on the defensive end by Ryan Rollins. Philon is an electrifying offensive player who shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3 while averaging 22 points, 3.5 rebounds and five assists per game last season.”

From Kurt Helin of NBC Sports: “The Bucks need all the backcourt help they can get, and Burries may not be flashy, but he does a lot of things well — he can play on and off the ball, can knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers but also attack closeouts, and he gets downhill off screens and has a midrange pull-up game.”



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis grocer charged in $1.1 million SNAP fraud scheme

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Minneapolis grocer charged in .1 million SNAP fraud scheme


A Minneapolis grocery store owner is facing a felony charge after investigators say he trafficked more than $1.1 million in SNAP benefits using other people’s EBT cards. 

SNAP benefits trafficking investigation leads to felony charge 

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What we know:

According to criminal charges filed in Hennepin County Court, Abdidwahid Mohamed, owner of Minnesota Food Grocery LLC, is accused of using EBT cards registered to other people to purchase items like energy drinks and baby formula at Sam’s Club and Costco between March 8, 2021 and August 10, 2021. The goods were then resold at his store. 

The complaint states law enforcement says they watched Mohamed make the purchases and tracked him returning directly to his store with the items. Video surveillance and GPS data confirmed the trips, and investigators say many of the EBT cardholders were out of the country or denied shopping at the stores Mohamed visited. 

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The complaint states, “Mohamed received $1,141,082 in EBT payments” during the period in question. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to help low-income households buy food, with benefits issued through EBT cards that work like debit cards.

Wal-Mart team sparks investigation

The backstory:

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The investigation began when Wal-Mart’s Global Investigation Team flagged suspicious EBT transactions at Sam’s Club locations in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was contacted in May 2021, and surveillance of Mohamed followed.

The complaint states on Aug. 10, 2021, law enforcement executed search warrants at Mohamed’s store and vehicles. He was arrested at a Sam’s Club in Bloomington with an EBT card and a handwritten note containing a PIN number. Interviews with more than two dozen EBT cardholders revealed that many claimed their cards were lost or had never been used at the stores in question. 

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One woman admitted she had not shopped at Minnesota Food Grocery for more than a year-and-a-half after agreeing to let Mohamed use her EBT card.

The complaint states the offense “involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time.” 

What’s next:

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If convicted, Mohamed faces up to 20 years in prison or a $100,000 fine. 

The Source: Information from a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.

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Fraud in MinnesotaCrime and Public SafetyMinneapolis



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