Minnesota

How Minnesota is recruiting poll workers in a divisive presidential election

Published

2 months ago

October 27, 2024

How Minnesota is recruiting poll workers in a divisive presidential election

“The basic rule in Minnesota is you cannot preemptively post law enforcement at a polling place,” he said. “A city can’t say, ‘Wow, Precinct Two, there’s a lot of intensity there, let’s just put a cop at the door.’”

Simon doesn’t go deep into the details on security, though. “I don’t want to give a total road map to the bad guys,” he said.

But testimony at the Capitol last year on behalf of the new law bolstering protections for election and polling place workers indicated there’s room for concern. One election worker was followed to her car by an angry voter; the head of elections in another county was called repeatedly on her home phone during off hours, and an official was lunged at by an aggrieved voter, forcing her to call the local sheriff.

Those who violate the law could now face civil damages and penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation.

The Brennan Center survey indicated more than four in 10 election leaders were concerned about recruiting enough poll workers due to threats of harassment and intimidation. This includes doxing — publishing a person’s personal information online in a threatening manner — and swatting, fake emergency calls that result in an armed response being sent to someone’s home.

“Election officials are working to prepare for everything right now,” said Liz Howard, director of partnership engagement at the Brennan Center. “More than 90% of election officials have made improvements to election security since 2020.”

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Minnesota

Houston takes home win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Published

2 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Press Room

Houston takes home win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Associated Press

Minnesota Timberwolves (15-14, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (21-9, second in the Western Conference)

Houston; Friday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rockets -1.5; over/under is 213.5

BOTTOM LINE: Houston hosts Minnesota aiming to extend its three-game home winning streak.

The Rockets have gone 13-7 against Western Conference opponents. Houston ranks fifth in the NBA with 51.5 points in the paint led by Alperen Sengun averaging 12.5.

The Timberwolves have gone 12-9 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota scores 109.1 points and has outscored opponents by 2.2 points per game.

The Rockets are shooting 44.3% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 45.7% the Timberwolves allow to opponents. The Timberwolves are shooting 45.7% from the field, 2.2% higher than the 43.5% the Rockets’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sengun is scoring 18.3 points per game with 10.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Rockets.

Anthony Edwards is averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and four assists for the Timberwolves.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 7-3, averaging 111.6 points, 49.3 rebounds, 21.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points per game.

Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 105.2 points, 45.0 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 10.2 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.5 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Dillon Brooks: day to day (ankle), Tari Eason: day to day (rest).

Timberwolves: Daishen Nix: out (ankle), Joe Ingles: day to day (soleus), Luka Garza: out (ankle).

___

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

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Minnesota

Minnesota woman saves two owls on two separate occasions

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Minnesota woman saves two owls on two separate occasions – CBS Minnesota

Watch CBS News

Coincidence or divine intervention? For two owls in Minnesota, it was perhaps a bit of both. WCCO’s John Lauritsen introduces us to the woman who saved not one, but two owls, in two separate instances.

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Minnesota

A look at Minnesota's revamped wide receiver room for 2025

Published

19 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

A look at Minnesota's revamped wide receiver room for 2025

Entering this transfer portal, Minnesota’s wide receiver room was a major focus for P.J. Fleck and his coaching staff.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. Entering the offseason, the Gophers were set to say goodbye to both Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer. Behind them, the depth at the position was highly inexperienced outside of Le’Meke Brockington. The only other receiver to appear in more than 10 games this season was Cristian Driver who had a limited impact in 2024.

Now with the Gophers putting the finishing touches on their transfer portal class this window, three of the program’s top four commitments in the portal are wide receivers.

This month, the Gophers have landed wide receiver commitments out of the protal. Those additions come in the forms of; Nebraska’s Malachi Coleman (No. 90 overall transfer), Miami (OH)’s Javon Tracy (No. 97 overall transfer), and UCLA’s Logan Loya (No. 222 overall transfer).

Combined, the three wide receivers bring 88 career games of experience with them and over 1,500 career snaps.

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