Midwest
Prosecutors drop charges against Minnesota trooper in deadly shooting of motorist Ricky Cobb
A Minnesota county attorney has decided to drop a case against a state trooper accused in the fatal shooting of Black motorist Ricky Cobb II.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the decision Sunday evening.
“Ricky Cobb II should still be alive today,” Moriarty said in a statement. “There are so many points at which Mr. Londregan could have handled the situation differently, and if he had, Ricky Cobb might still be alive. But that is not the question before us as prosecutors; the only question is whether we can still prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred given this new evidence. The answer to that question is no, and I would violate my ethical duties if I nonetheless continued with the case.”
Troopers pulled the 33-year-old Cobb over on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on July 31 because the lights were out on his car. They then found that the Spring Lake Park man was wanted for violating a protection order in neighboring Ramsey County. Trooper Ryan Londregan, 27, shot Cobb twice as Cobb tried to drive away after troopers ordered him to get out of his car.
MINNESOTA TROOPER ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING MOTORIST TO REMAIN FREE WITHOUT BAIL, JUDGE RULES
Trooper Ryan Londregan walks with his wife to his first court appearance related to the killing of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop, Jan. 29, 2024, at the Hennepin Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis. (Renée Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP, File)
Moriarty filed a notice to dismiss the charges after Londregan’s defense team revealed prospective testimony during an April court hearing that the trooper believed Cobb was reaching for a firearm – and that a Minnesota State Patrol trainer said he never instructed officers to refrain from shooting into a moving vehicle.
The evidence would have made it impossible for prosecutors to prove that Londregan’s actions were not an authorized use of force by a peace officer, the county attorney’s office said in a statement released Sunday.
Cobb’s family was outraged by the decision.
“Regardless of how many absurd excuses Trooper Londregan gives to try and absolve himself, he shot and killed Ricky Cobb II at point blank range without any justification and, instead of prosecuting him for murder, the County Attorney’s Office has bowed to political pressure to drop the charges,” a statement from Cobb family attorneys obtained by Fox News Digital said. “Apparently, all you have to do to get away with murder is to bully the prosecutors enough and the charges will just go away.”
The statement added: “the state of Minnesota has repeatedly demonstrated that Black lives simply are not valued whether it’s Daunte Demetrius Wright, Philando Castile or Ricky Cobb II.”
MINNESOTA STATE TROOPER CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL SHOOTING OF MOTORIST DURING TRAFFIC STOP
Family members of Ricky Cobb II, a Black man who was shot and killed by a Minnesota state trooper, speak at a news conference outside Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on Aug. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Trisha Ahmed)
Referring to the decision to drop the charges, Londregan’s attorney Chris Madel told the Star Tribune, “It’s about g—— time. That’s going to be about my only on the record comment.”
Prosecutors and law enforcement experts reviewed footage from the scene and found that, as Londregan’s partner clung to the passenger’s door, Cobb moved his hand upward. Cobb did have a gun in the vehicle. Moriarty told the Star Tribune there is still no evidence he intended to grab it but that the defense team’s statements caused prosecutors to reconsider the evidence through a new lens.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty discussed the decision to dismiss the case against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the killing of Ricky Cobb II in a press conference on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Hennepin County Attorney’s Office )
Cobb’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in April, alleging that the stop and the shooting were unjustified.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Illinois
Tiffany Henyard was living in Georgia while still serving as Dolton, Illinois mayor: report
Former Illinois “super mayor” Tiffany Henyard was reportedly a resident of Georgia while still serving as Dolton mayor in 2025.
After losing her bid for re-election as Dolton mayor, Henyard has since launched a campaign to run in South Fulton County’s District 5 on the Fulton County Commission as a Republican.
Last week, Henyard took part in a special meeting of the Fulton County Board of Registration & Elections regarding her qualifications to run for a position prior to the Commission District 5 Primary Election, which will be held on May 19.
County law states that a candidate must be a resident of the county for 12 months prior to running in an election.
Henyard argued during the meeting that she has been a legal resident of Fulton County since May 1, 2025.
However, Board Commissioner Julie Adams pointed out that she served as Dolton mayor until May 4, 2025, when she formally left office.
“Did you know that in Cook County, Illinois, to hold an office there, you have to be a resident in that jurisdiction?” Adams said.
“So, you were the mayor until May 4 of 2025, but yet you’re saying you became a resident of Georgia on May 1 of 2025.”
“OK,” Henyard responded.
Henyard claimed during the meeting that she was essentially a “lame duck” after losing the mayoral primary election in February to Dolton Trustee Jason House, which led to her moving out of the state.
“But you were mayor, correct?” Adams asked.
“My title was mayor, yes,” Henyard said.
Board member Douglass Selby also remarked that Henyard appeared to still be registered to vote in Illinois.
The elections board later voted 3-1 to approve Henyard’s residency requirement to run for the Fulton County Commission.
Henyard did not answer questions on whether she still received payments from Dolton through her term as mayor and Thornton Township trustee.
Illinois state law dictates that mayors must live in the municipality they represent for their entire term.
WGN Investigates found through public records that Henyard received a gross pay of $12,007 from March 7 to May 2, 2025 as Dolton mayor and roughly $8,600 from Thornton Township for the first two weeks in May when she would have presumably moved to Georgia.
Henyard has been dubbed the “worst mayor in America” after corruption allegations and financial mismanagement of village funds.
A financial probe reportedly revealed that the village of Dolton’s bank account fell from its initial $5.6 million balance to a $3.6 million deficit.
Amid corruption allegations among officials, residents accused her of using village funds as her own piggy bank by billing taxpayers thousands of dollars for her hair and makeup team, as well as going on a lavish trip to Las Vegas.
Indiana
Save money on lawn care with smart mowing habits, says Consumer Reports
INDIANAPOLIS (CONSUMER REPORTS) — Looking to save money on lawn care this season? Consumer Reports says the key may be in how you mow and how you maintain your equipment. After cutting more than 500,000 square feet of grass in testing, CR’s experts say a few simple habits can go a long way toward keeping your lawn, and your budget, in shape.
Each year, Consumer Reports mower tester Dave Trezza heads to Florida during the winter months to get a head start on testing. There, on more than five acres of grass with hills, trees, and other obstacles, CR evaluates dozens of mowers and tractors for cutting performance, handling, mulching, and bagging.
One of the biggest takeaways from all that testing is that proper maintenance can save you money. Trezza says most mowers can deliver a good cut, but only if they’re well cared for. That means sharpening the blade at the start of the season and keeping the mower deck clean so it performs efficiently.
How you mow also matters. Consumer Reports recommends mulching your grass instead of bagging it whenever possible. Mulching returns nutrients back into the lawn, which can reduce the need for fertilizer and save money over time. A good mulching mower should leave an even cut without clumps of grass behind.
If you’re in the market for a new mower, Consumer Reports says to match the machine to your yard. For larger or sloped lawns, a self-propelled mower can make the job easier. Gas-powered models, like the Yardmax YG2760, can offer strong performance at a lower price point, cutting and mulching as well as more expensive options in CR’s tests.
For smaller yards or those looking to save even more, a battery-powered push mower can be a great choice. Consumer Reports found that models like the Ryobi RY401170VNM deliver an even cut and excellent mulching performance. Compared to gas mowers, battery-powered options also require less maintenance and run more quietly.
No matter which type of mower you use, Consumer Reports says cleaning it after each use is essential. Grass clippings can build up on the deck, leading to rust and reduced airflow, which can hurt performance over time.
With the right mower, proper maintenance, and a few smart mowing habits, you can keep your lawn looking great—without overspending.
Iowa
Iowa High School Boys Golf Postseason Assignments Revealed
The Iowa high school boys golf postseason is right around the corner, and the Iowa High School Athletic Association has revealed pairings for tournaments.
Sectionals in Class 1A, Class 2A and Class 3A will all take place on Wednesday, May 13, as qualifiers will advance to districts scheduled for Monday, May 18. The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Golf Tournaments are locked in for May 26-27, with Class 3A and Class 2A together in Waterloo while Class 1A competes in Newton.
Waverly-Shell Rock, Columbus Catholic, Boyden-Hull Are Defending State Champions
Class 4A boys golf took place this past fall with Johnston’s Andrew Johannsen capturing the individual title. Last spring, Waverly-Shell Rock, Columbus Catholic and Boyden-Hull were crowned team state champions.
The Top 3 teams from each sectional will advance to districts, with the Top 3 teams at districts moving on to the state tournament. Also, the Top 2 overall individual players, plus ties, from each site’s non-qualifying teams will join the state field.
Below are the Iowa high school boys golf postseason pairings for each classification.
Iowa High School Boys Golf Postseason Pairings
Tournaments to be played on Wednesday, May 13 (Sectionals); Monday, May 18 (Districts)
Class 3A
At Storm Lake from Buena Vista Golf Course at Lake Creek (Districts hosted by MOC-Floyd Valley at Landsmeer Golf Course)
- Carroll, Cherokee Washington, Denison-Schleswig, Greene County, Harlan Community, MOC-Floyd Valley, Sioux Center, Storm Lake
At Okoboji from Emerald Hills Golf Course (Districts hosted by MOC-Floyd Valley at Landsmeer Golf Course)
- Algona, Charles City, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Iowa Falls-Alden, Okoboji, Spencer, Spirit Lake
At Webster City from Briggs Woods Golf Course (Districts hosted by Altantic at Atlantic Golf and Country Club)
- Boone, Des Moines Christian, Gilbert, Humboldt, Nevada, Perry, South Tama County, Webster City
At Knoxville from Pine Knolls Golf Course (Districts hosted by Altantic at Atlantic Golf and Country Club)
- Atlantic, Carlisle, Chariton, Clarke Community, Creston, Glenwood, Knoxville, Winterset
At West Delaware from Pin Oak Links (Districts hosted by Marion at Gardner Golf Course)
- Anamosa, Center Point-Urbana, Decorah, Independence, Maquoketa, Waukon, Waverly-Shell Rock, West Delaware
At Williamsburg from Stone Creek Golf Course (Districts hosted by Marion at Gardner Golf Course)
- ADM, Benton, Clear Creek-Amana, Marion, Mount Vernon, Solon, Vinton-Shellsburg, Williamsburg
At Fairfield from Fairfield Golf Course (Districts hosted by Pella at Bos Landen)
- Centerville, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Pella, Washington, West Liberty
At Oskaloosa from Edmundson Golf Course (Districts hosted by Pella at Bos Landen)
- Ballard, Bondurant-Farrar, Grinnell, Mid-Prairie, Newton, North Polk, Oskaloosa, Saydel
Class 2A
At West Sioux from Hawarden Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)
- Central Lyon, Rock Valley, Sheldon, Sibley-Ocheyedan, Unity Christian, West Lyon, West Sioux, Western Christian
At Ridge View from Holstein Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)
- Atla-Aurelia, Hinton, Kuemper Catholic, Lawton-Bronson, Logan-Magnolia, MVAOCOU, OABCIG, Ridge View
At Clarion-Goldfield/Dows from Clarmond Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)
- Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Eagle Grove, Emmetsburg, Estherville-Lincoln Central, Forest City, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, Pocahontas Area, Sioux Central
At Roland-Story from River Bend Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)
- East Sac County, Manson Northwest Webster, Ogden, Roland-Story, South Central Calhoun, South Hamilton, Southeast Valley, Woodward-Granger
At Red Oak from Red Oak Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)
- MMCRU, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, Riverside, Shenandoah, Treynor, Tri-Center, Underwood
At Clarinda from Clarinda Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)
- Central Decatur, Clarinda, Grand View Christian, Interstate 35, Nodaway Valley, Panorama, Van Meter, West Central Valley
At Tipton from Tipton Country Club (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)
- Central Lee, Columbus Community, Durant, Louisa-Muscatine, Mediapolis, Tipton, Lisbon, Wilton
At Davis County from Bloomfield Country Club (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)
- Albia, Burlington Notre Dame, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, PCM, Pella Christian, Pleasantville, Iowa City Regina Catholic
At Cascade from Fillmore Fairways (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)
- Alburnett, Dyersville Beckman Catholic, Bellevue, Camanche, Cascade, West Branch, Monticello, Northeast
At North Fayette Valley from Pleasant Valley Sports Club (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)
- Central Springs, Crestwood, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, MFL MarMac, New Hampton, North Fayette Valley, Osage, Postville
At Denver from Willow Run Country Club (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)
- Aplington-Parkersburg, Belmond-Klemme, Columbus Catholic, Denver, Jesup, Maquoketa Valley, Oelwein, Sumner-Fredericksburg
At Grundy Center from Town and Country Golf Course (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)
- Colfax-Mingo, Dike-New Hartford, East Marshall, Grundy Center, Hudson, South Hardin, Union Community, West Marshall
Class 1A
At Boyden-Hull from Rolling Hills Country Club (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- Akron-Westfield, Boyden-Hull, Le Mars Gehlen Catholic, Kingsley-Pierson, Remsen St. Mary’s, South O’Brien, Storm Lake St. Mary’s
At Newell-Fonda from Newell-Fonda Golf Club (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- Glidden-Ralston, Newell-Fonda, River Valley, Siouxland Christian, West Monona, Westwood, Woodbury Central
At Boyer Valley from Dunlap Golf Course (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- AHSTW, Boyer Valley, East Mills, Griswold, Heartland Christian, Council Bluffs St. Albert, Woodbine
At Sidney from Fremont County Golf Course (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- Bedford, Essex, Fremont-Mills, Hamburg, Lenox, Sidney, Southwest Valley
At George-Little Rock from Otter Valley Country Club (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Bishop Garrigan, George-Little Rock, GTRA, Harris-Lake Park, North Union, Trinity Christian, West Bend-Mallard
At West Hancock from Britt Golf Course (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Clarksville, Mason City Newman, North Butler, Rockford, Saint Ansgar, West Fork, West Hancock
At Turkey Valley from Jackson Heights Golf Course (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Central Elkader, Lake Mills, North Iowa, Northwood-Kensett, Riceville, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley
At East Buchanan from Buffalo Creek (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Clayton Ridge, East Buchanan, Edgewood-Colesburg, Nashua-Plainfield, Starmont, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley, West Central
At CAM from Crestwood Hills Golf Course (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- CAM, ACGC, Audubon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Exira-EHK, IKM-Manning
At North Mahaska from Prairie Knotts Country Club (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- Baxter, BGM, Lynnville-Sully, Madrid, Martensdale-St. Marys, Montezuma, North Mahaska, Southeast Warren
At BCLUW from Oakwood Golf Course (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- AGWSR, BCLUW, Colo-Nesco, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, GMG, North Tama, St. Edmond
At Belle Plaine from Belle Plaine Country Club (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- Belle Plaine, Cedar Ridge Christian, Central City, Don Bosco, Dunkerton, North Linn, Springville
At Iowa Valley from Marengo Golf Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- English Valleys, Hillcrest Academy, HLV, Iowa Valley, Keota, Melcher-Dallas, Sigourney
At Midland from Little Bear Country Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- Calamus-Wheatland, Easton Valley, Lone Tree, Bellevue Marquette Catholic, Midland, North Cedar, Prince of Peace
At Mount Ayr from Mount Ayr Country Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- Diagonal, East Union, Lamoni, Moravia, Mormon Trail, Mount Ayr, Wayne
At Winfield-Mt Union (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- Danville, Highland, Holy Trinity Catholic Fort Madison, New London, WACO, Wapello, Winfield-Mt Union
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