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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

Things to do in Metro Detroit, April 24 and beyond

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Things to do in Metro Detroit, April 24 and beyond


On sale now

• The Strokes: June 15, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp. with Thundercat and Hamilton Leithauser, ticket prices vary.

• Jack White: July 25, Pine Knob Music Theatre, ticket prices vary.

• Hanson: Aug. 13, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, ticket prices vary.

• The Beach Boys: Aug. 15, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, Rochester Hills, ticket prices vary.

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On sale 10 a.m. April 24

• Comedian Jim Gaffigan: Sept. 18, Fox Theatre, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

• Teddy Swims: Sept. 29, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

• Beck: Oct. 12, Fox Theatre, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

• Leanne Morgan: second show added, Oct. 15, Fox Theatre, Detroit, (limited number of tickets are still available for the previously announced Oct. 16 show), ticket prices vary.

On sale noon, April 24

• Melanie Martinez: July 18, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

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On sale noon, April 27

• Usher Raymond and Chris Brown: July 2-3 Ford Field, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

Note: Events are subject to change; check with venues for updates. Tickets on sale at 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com or the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.

Beats

• Corktown Music Festival: April 23-25, Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit, https://thelagerhouse.com, ticket prices vary.

• Tyler Rich, James Barker Band: April 24, District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte,  with Ryan Jay, https://district142live.com, $28.40+.

• One Ton Trolley: 6:30 p.m. April 24, Pontiac Little Art Theatre, 47 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac, www.theplat.org, $15+ adv.

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• Lost Signals: April 24, Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, www.themagicbag.com, 18+, doors at 8 p.m., $12.82-$17.70+.

• Jeremy Facknitz and Audra Kubat: 7:30 p.m. April 24, Trinity House Theatre, 38840 W. Six Mile, Livonia, www.trinityhousetheatre.org, $25+.

• House of Heavy: April 24, The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, doors at 7 p.m., all ages, https://thelovingtouchferndale.com, 248-820-5596, $22.12-$26.49.

• Jay Electronica: 7 p.m. April 25, The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac, https://thecrofoot.com, ages 18+, ticket prices vary.

• Dark Tranquillity + Soen: April 25, Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E Congress St., Detroit, www.saintandrewsdetroit.com, doors at 6 p.m., ticket prices vary.

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• Live & Let Die – Paul McCartney Music tribute: April 25, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, andiamoshowroom.com, 586-268-3200, doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., $35-$65+.

• Sunset Blvd.: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. April 25, The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester, ages 21+, 248-453-5285, www.theroxyrochester.com, ticket prices vary.

• Bring the Noise Volume 9: April 25, Diesel Concert Lounge 33151 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield, doors at 7 p.m., www.dieselconcerts.com, $10+ cover.

• Annual Handbell Festival: 3 p.m. April 25, First United Methodist Church, 6363 Livernois Road, Troy, https://tuesdaymusicaleofgreaterpontiac.org.

• Ari Hest: 8 p.m. April 25, at 20 Front Street, Lake Orion, 248-783-7105, www.20frontstreet.com, all ages, $29.95+.

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• Kenny Wayne Shepherd: April 26, Music Hall, 350 Madison St., Detroit, with Shirley Murdock and Keith Washington, 313-887-8500, www.musichall.org, ticket prices vary.

• Hail The Sun: 6 p.m. April 26, The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac, https://thecrofoot.com, all ages, ticket prices vary.

• Slomosa: 7 p.m. April 26, El Club, 4114 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, https://elclubdetroit.com, $34.77.

• Musical Gems of Springtime Concert: 4-6 p.m. April 26, St. John Lutheran Church, 23225 Gill Road, Farmington Hills, www.stjohn-elca.org, free.

• The Randy Crawford Tribute: 7:30 p.m. April 27, at Aretha’s Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison Detroit, https://jazzcafedetroit.com, $39.19+.

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• They Might Be Giants: April 28-29, Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit, www.majesticdetroit.com, doors at 7 p.m., ages 16+, ticket prices vary.

• Demi Lovato: 8 p.m. April 29, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit,  with Adéla, 313presents.com, ticket prices vary.



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Milwaukee, WI

Tempers flare, fans get involved in ugly end to Wave-Sockers Game 1

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Tempers flare, fans get involved in ugly end to Wave-Sockers Game 1


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  • A physical altercation between the Milwaukee Wave and San Diego Sockers marred the end of Game 1 of the MASL championship series.
  • A Sockers player was issued a red card for violent conduct after the game and will be suspended for Game 2.
  • The San Diego Sockers defeated the Milwaukee Wave 5-4 in the first game of the series.

Shoves escalated between the Milwaukee Wave and San Diego Sockers and fans got involved in the unpleasantries, turning the conclusion of Game 1 of the MASL championship series ugly.

In the final seconds of the Sockers’ 5-4 victory April 22 at the UWM Panther Arena, Wave defender Tony Walls took a kick to the groin on a play that ended any chance for a traditional exchange of handshakes and hugs.

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Spirited jawing turned into jostling between players, and then fans joined in the altercation by pelting Sockers players with debris and drinks. Players retaliated. As the situation grew more chaotic, a security officer requested the presence of police who were at the Arena.

At the same time, officials were reviewing the play. Several minutes after the game the announcement came that Sockers defender Cesar Cerda had been issued a red card for violent conduct, making him ineligible for Game 2 on April 24 in Oceanside, California.

“It just got heated at the end [between] two high-level teams,” veteran Wave forward Ian Bennett said. “They’re very competitive, and who wants to win it? The rest, it was a hard game to ref, right? Because it’s a big game. It’s big final. Emotions are there.

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“To be honest, our emotions got the best of us, because we’ve got to be smarter than that, right? We don’t need to play in their hands, but kudos to them, they won, and we just got to regroup and lick our wounds and come back on Friday ready to go.”

A loud and larger-than-usual crowd turned out for the final home game of 2025-26.

Two quick goals by Bennett early in the fourth quarter pulled the Wave within a goal at 4-3, but Milwaukee couldn’t maintain the spark, and Sockers midfielder Leonardo De Oliveira turned the momentum back around with 5 ½ minutes left. The Wave killed a two-minute San Diego power play resulting from too many men on the field, but by the time goalkeeper Jerry Perez gave the Wave another goal, just 33 seconds remained.

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So now for the Wave to win an eighth arena soccer title, it must win back-to-back against the team that finished the regular season with the best record.

Milwaukee lost the opening game of its quarterfinal and semifinal series and won a regulation game followed by a quarter-length knockout game each time to advance. But those were at home; this time they’ll go on the road to play against the team that finished with the best record in the regular season. Game 3 would be a full-length game April 27.

“Very difficult,” first-year Wave head coach Marcio Leite said of the challenge that awaits.

“We’ve done it before. We beat them in their house. But we need to be smarter. And we need to play better. … We need to create better chances, then we need to make sure our shots are on target.”

(This story was updated to add new information.)

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis salon mixes rock and roll with haircuts: Inside HiFi Hair and Records

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Minneapolis salon mixes rock and roll with haircuts: Inside HiFi Hair and Records


A Minneapolis salon is turning heads by mixing rock and roll with haircuts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers.

A salon where music and haircuts go hand in hand

What we know:

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HiFi Hair and Records sits on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, marked by a leopard print awning and a vibe that’s all about community through music. 

“I tried to model it after a barbershop,” said Jonny Clifford, owner of the salon. 

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Clifford opened the shop in 2011, inspired by his father who introduced him to music and was battling terminal cancer at the time.

The salon brings together the hum of blow dryers and the sounds of rock and roll, with Clifford saying, “Music is the uniter. Most everyone who is alive today grew up on rock and roll.” 

He added a record store the following year, letting customers browse new and used vinyl and CDs while waiting for their appointment. 

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“I jokingly refer to it as the coolest waiting room in the city,” said Clifford.

The shop is filled with memorabilia from music legends like Elvis, David Bowie and The Monkees. There’s even a wall dedicated to Minnesota’s local music scene. 

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Clifford said, “We’ve got Bobby V who I think never gets enough credit for his contributions to music in Minnesota.”

Clifford’s journey from punk haircuts to community hub

Why you should care:

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Clifford started cutting hair in the early 1980s because he and his friends in southwest Minneapolis couldn’t afford the punk haircuts they wanted. 

Now, he not only looks the part—”Ronny Wood, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, I’m always like old Keith Richards or young Keith Richards”—but he helps others feel like rock stars too. 

“People are like make me look like a rock star and that is sort of a universal term right. Everyone wants to look like a rock star,” said Clifford.

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His goal is simple:

“If I can make a living and raise my family, pay my bills, have a business and be a part of a community, that is important to me. I win. That’s everything,” said Clifford. 

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He is passionate about giving a boost to local musicians, saying, “I think they need it more. I love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, but they are doing fine. Our local people haven’t made it national yet. They could use a voice. They could use a boost, and they need to be heard.”

The salon’s rhythm is all about joy, music and community, and Clifford plans to keep it going. 

“Til I kick over. I’ll probably be back standing behind the chair. And someone will complain I didn’t finish their haircut,” said Clifford.

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HiFi Hair and Records continues to be a place where music and style meet, giving Minnesota’s music scene a little extra volume.

Maury’s StoriesMinneapolis



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