Minnesota

A state trooper is accused of killing a cheerleader who was about to graduate. He’s no longer with the agency | CNN

Published

4 months ago

September 7, 2024

A state trooper is accused of killing a cheerleader who was about to graduate. He’s no longer with the agency | CNN

CNN
—

A former Minnesota state trooper allegedly responsible for a car crash that killed an 18-year-old cheerleader is no longer employed by the Minnesota State Patrol, according to the agency.

Shane Roper, 32, faces multiple felony charges related to the May 18 accident that claimed Olivia Flores’ life and injured others.

In August, the former state trooper pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges, including second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide, CNN previously reported.

A review of Roper’s disciplinary record found he was involved in four prior crashes while driving his Minnesota State Patrol squad car “either due to inattentive driving or excessive speed,” according to the criminal complaint.

Roper was placed on paid leave after the May accident, according to Minnesota State Patrol Chief Col. Christina Bogojevic.

“Shane Roper’s last day of employment at Department of Public Safety/Minnesota State Patrol was on Tuesday, September 3,” Lt. Mike Lee told CNN on Saturday.

CNN has requested Roper’s personnel data regarding discipline, to clarify whether he was terminated.

Olivia, a captain on the cheerleading team at Owatonna High School, was a cherished daughter, sister and teammate whose loss has been felt widely throughout her community.

“She should’ve been able to walk across the stage,” Carlos Flores, Olivia’s father, told KTTC, wearing a handmade bracelet with small beads that read “LLO,” which stands for “Long Live Olivia.” “Because of you, (Roper) we planned a funeral instead of her graduation party.”

“Because of your choice, I don’t get to dance with my daughter at her wedding.”

Owatonna Huskies cheerleaders held multiple events, including a dinner and silent auction, to honor their teammate and raise funds for the Flores family.

“It is with broken hearts we have to say goodbye to our Olivia,” Owatonna Huskies Cheerleading said in a Facebook post. “She was such an amazing cheerleader, friend and person. She touched many lives and our lives will forever be changed from her brightening them.”

A GoFundMe was set up to support the Flores family as they navigate their loss.

CNN’s Alaa Elassar and Sara Smart contributed to this story.

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Minnesota

‘Attempted coup’: Chaos reigns in half-empty Minnesota House

Published

5 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Chaos reigns in half-empty Minnesota House

Chaos reigned over the House on the first day of the Minnesota legislative session – with Democrats not showing up in an effort to prevent a quorum, and Republicans assuming power and pushing forward. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard has the latest developments.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota appears to be in a constitutional crisis on day one of the legislative session.

Constitutional crisis

What we know:

The war over control of the House saw its first air strikes on Tuesday, with Democrats staying away and Republicans seizing control.

A half empty House greeted Secretary of State Steve Simon as he launched the 2025 session.

But after a roll call, Simon said there weren’t enough members to do any business.

“There being 67 members present, there is no quorum as required by the Constitution of the state of Minnesota,” the Secretary of State said. “The House may not conduct any further business and the House of Representatives is adjourned.”

“The House is not adjourned,” interjected Rep. Harry Niska, (R-Ramsey). “You do not have authority over the House of Representatives.”

MN House Republicans override Simon, declare a quorum [RAW]

After Secretary of State Steve Simon sent the House into recess after saying there wasn’t a quorum presence, the 67 Republicans present moved to remove Simon and instate Paul Anderson to take the roster. Anderson then declared there was a quorum, and Republicans voted Simon’s adjournment out of order. Republicans proceeded with business, with no Democrats in the chamber. Democrats had made good on their promise not to show up on the first day of the Minnesota Legislature.

‘Attempted coup’

Dig deeper:

As Simon walked away, Republicans took over and ran the day’s session as if nothing had happened.

They cast a unanimous vote for Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) as Speaker of the House, which would make her the state’s first person of color in the role.

The DFL caucus watched it happen from 30 miles away.

“What we saw today was an attempted coup,” said Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis).

DFL leaders explain absence from MN House

Saying they are protecting the “will of the voters,” leaders with Minnesota’s Democratic party explain why they were absent from the House of Representatives on Tuesday during the start of Minnesota’s legislative session.

Dozens of members made Shakopee headquarters for the day.

They called the Republican session a sham, but they recognize people across the state may have strong feelings when they see video of their empty seats.

“I would imagine that Minnesotans are irritated with both of us,” said Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park). “I would imagine that they’re irritated with us for not being there. And I would imagine they’re irritated with Republicans for wanting to throw out a duly elected member, especially on the day that the courts ruled that he clearly won.”

Room for agreement?

Big picture view:

Democrats have offered to give Republicans majority control until they’re no longer a majority, likely in February, instead of for a full two years.

Republicans say every offer they’ve heard is unreasonable.

“What we are offering is to come in,” said Rep. Demuth. “I am the Speaker of the House, and we look forward to working with them over the next two years in a reasonable way.”

What’s next:

Republicans say they intend to come every day and go about House business.

Democrats started their day in Shakopee with a judge ruling in favor of Rep. Brad Tabke.

Despite the ruling, Republicans are still threatening to vote not to seat Rep. Tabke.

Democrats will now go to the Supreme Court to stop Republicans from blocking Rep. Tabke and from ruling the House while they’re not around.

They’re hoping a ruling could come within a couple of weeks.

PoliticsMinnesotaElectionSt. Paul

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Minnesota

NEXT Weather: Minnesota forecast from Jan. 14, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

NEXT Weather: Minnesota forecast from Jan. 14, 2025 – CBS Minnesota

Watch CBS News

WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames says Tuesday will be sunny, with a high in single digits and a wind chill of 5 degrees below zero. A warmup is coming, but it won’t last long.

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Minnesota

Golden State visits Minnesota following Edwards’ 41-point outing

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Golden State visits Minnesota following Edwards’ 41-point outing

Associated Press

Golden State Warriors (19-20, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (21-18, eighth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota plays the Golden State Warriors after Anthony Edwards scored 41 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 120-106 victory against the Washington Wizards.

The Timberwolves have gone 16-11 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota averages 109.6 points and has outscored opponents by 2.0 points per game.

The Warriors are 14-13 in Western Conference play. Golden State is fourth in the NBA with 12.7 offensive rebounds per game led by Kevon Looney averaging 3.0.

The Timberwolves average 109.6 points per game, 1.0 fewer point than the 110.6 the Warriors give up. The Warriors average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Timberwolves allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Rudy Gobert is scoring 10.1 points per game and averaging 10.5 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Stephen Curry is averaging 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Warriors.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 111.1 points, 46.5 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 6.2 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points per game.

Warriors: 4-6, averaging 105.7 points, 44.7 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: day to day (ankle), Rob Dillingham: out (ankle).

Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis: day to day (hand), Brandin Podziemski: out (abdominal), Gary Payton II: out (calf), Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (ankle), Draymond Green: day to day (back).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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