Minnesota
Wake for Minnesota trans man killed in New York to be held Monday
Sam Nordquist will be honored during a public wake on Monday from 2-7 p.m. at 484 Inwood Oaks Avenue North in Oakdale.
As previously reported, seven people have been charged with torturing him for over a month before killing him:
- Kimberly Sochia, 29
- Thomas Eaves, 21
- Patrick A. Goodwin, 30
- Jennifer A. Quijano, 30
- Kyle R. Sage, 33
- Emily Jean Motyka, 19
- Precious N. Arzuaga, 38
New York State Police: Minnesota man found dead after months of torture; 5 charged | 2 more charged in the killing of transgender Minnesota man in upstate New York
According to police, Nordquist had arrived in New York state sometime in September and had been staying at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell. A search warrant was executed on Feb. 13 as part of their investigation, where authorities say they found a “deeply disturbing pattern” of abuse.
Authorities say they believe Nordquist endured repeated acts of violence and torture from late December to sometime in February, adding his body had been moved in an attempt to “conceal crime.”
“This is by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been a part of,” Jim Ritts, the Ontario County District Attorney, said. “It is an ongoing investigation, so we are necessarily limited in the things that we can talk about. But no human being should have to endure what Sam endured.”
Authorities said Nordquist knew his assailants, who also identified as LGBTQ+, and there was no evidence of a hate crime.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, several resources are available to offer help. For immediate help, contact:
More than 12 million people just in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence every year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The organizations listed above can help connect victims to resources like safe shelter, advocacy, legal help and support groups.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers tips for identifying abuse and supporting victims of abuse. CLICK HERE to see those.
Other organizations that can help include:
Minnesota also has a list of many other resources for victims of crimes that can be found HERE.
Freckle-like sunspots visible, Northern Lights tonight
Wildfire smoke is acting as a sun filter, making cool and dark regions on the sun’s surface more visible. These freckle-like sunspots are also creating opportunities to view the Northern Lights on Sunday night, but the hazy air could obstruct the view.
(FOX 9) – The Northern Lights are expected to be visible Sunday night, but haze from wildfire smoke might spoil the show for Minnesota.
Northern Lights forecast
What we know:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a severe (G4) level geomagnetic storm on Sunday evening. Geomagnetic storms are what fuel the aurora and a G4 is the second-strongest level of storm.
The NOAA forecast shows the aurora could be visible as far south as central Iowa.
Northern lights in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Photo submitted by Danny) (Supplied)
Best viewing times for the aurora
What’s next:
Typically, the best times to view the aurora are around the midnight hour. It appears that’s about the time the storm will be at its strongest in the overnight hours.
Smoke will likely hamper aurora visibility
The other side:
Unfortunately for Minnesota, smoke from wildfires burning in Canada has made skies hazy across the state, and particularly in areas to the north.
While it might not be impossible to see the aurora, FOX 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard compares it to a foggy morning. He says it is worth taking a look in your area, to see if you can spot anything, but it’s probably not worth traveling a far distance to seek out the aurora.
Much of Minnesota is under an unhealthy air quality alert due to smoke.
Tips for viewing the Northern Lights
What you can do:
The NOAA recommends the following tips for the best chance to see the Northern Lights.
- It’s generally better to go north (but with the smoke, that might not be the case tonight).
- Go to areas with less light pollution. You can use this map to find the best spots near you.
- Spring and fall are often the best times to see the aurora, because “the subtleties in the way the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere” can create larger geomagnetic storms.
The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a stabbing that occurred at a Walmart Saturday morning.
According to officials, the stabbing took place at approximately 9 a.m. at a Walmart located at 4611 State Highway 29 South in Alexandria, Minnesota.
Police say they found an individual with stab wounds upon arrival, and transported that individual to a local hospital. The condition of the victim is currently unknown.
Alexandria police say the suspect fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, however the individual was later caught by police and taken into custody.
The details of the suspect’s arrest are unknown at this time.
Minnesota
After years at home, thousands of Minnesota state workers are about to return to the office
While labor unions have opposed the new policy, Walz has argued it still allows for flexibility and hopes it will strengthen workplace culture. The state’s workforce of some 40,000, not including those employed by colleges and universities, makes it the second-largest employer in Minnesota behind the Mayo Clinic.
The return to office push won’t fundamentally change the state’s implementation of that plan, said Wayne Waslaski, an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Administration. Many employees will still work remotely half the time, reducing space needs from pre-pandemic levels.
“From a space standpoint, we’ll still be in a smaller footprint even after accommodating for the updated telework policy,” Waslaski said.
Wayne Waslask shows off a conference room, which will be used for a new hybrid work schedule, at the State Administration Building. Waslask is the state’s Assistant Commissioner of Property and Risk Services. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Key to that strategy is the state’s embrace of shared workstations. At the Administration Building on the State Capitol campus in St. Paul, teams will work on-site together on the same days. Cubicles are smaller than they used to be — just 6 by 8 feet — and are to be cleaned and empty at the end of each day. Photos, spare ties and other personal effects are to be stored in nearby locker rooms.
Even the entire senior leadership team at the Department of Administration gave up their offices in favor of shared spaces, Waslaski said.
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