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Minnesota State Office Building renovation will cost nearly half a billion dollars. What’s behind the price?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

A renovation and expansion of the Minnesota State Office Building, where 134 members of the state House have offices as well as the secretary of state, is expected to cost close to half a billion dollars — a price tag that has raised more than a few eyebrows.Republican critics have compared the cost to other recent projects at the Capitol complex in St. Paul, such as the $90 million new Senate Office Building finished in 2015 and the more than $300 million Capitol renovation completed in 2017.Part of the criticism comes from the way the project was greenlit.A provision in a 2021 bill effectively left the overall cost open to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor House majority and bypassed the traditional process for funding big projects. And the final design plans and cost weren’t shared with the public until hours before the DFL-majority House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee approved it in December 2022. The legislation also ruled out a teardown of the existing structur...

Guthrie Theater’s ‘Art’ offers something to think — and argue — about

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

These are not times for the conflict averse. The media (social and otherwise) seems awash with vitriolic disagreements, opinions frequently accompanied by snarls, snipes and condemnations. So why would you want to sit in a theater and listen to three men argue for 80 minutes?Here’s a reason: If you do, you might look back upon it as one of the most rewarding Twin Cities productions of 2023.That’s how I felt after experiencing the Guthrie Theater’s staging of “Art,” a comedy with some serious things to say about friendship, identity and opinions. At a time when tribalism has run amok — and a time of year when friends and family are reunited and often tiptoeing around differences — Yasmina Reza’s 1994 play is a funny and thought-provoking examination of what drives people to embrace conflict.Boasting note-perfect performances from Robert O. Berdahl, Patrick Sabongui and Max Wojtanowicz, it succeeds as a finely sculpted character study that extends outward into how and why ...

Viking won’t have to deal with Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander this weekend

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

The defender who was most likely going to be tasked with marking star receiver Justin Jefferson won’t be available when the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers on New Year’s Eve.In a surprising move, star cornerback Jaire Alexander has been suspended by the Packers for conduct detrimental to the team. This is a direct result of Alexander’s antics before the Packers played the Carolina Panthers last week. He went rogue pregame, walking to midfield for the coin toss, then making the call despite not being a team captain.“We have an expectation that everyone puts the team first,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement released by the Packers. “We had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together.”It will be interesting to see who defends Jefferson with Alexander not suiting up for the game. It likely will be cornerback Eric Stokes with a ton of help over the top.There...

Nursing home ransacked, burglarized after abrupt closure

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

ST. LOUIS – After the abrupt closure of a St. Louis nursing care facility, thieves are going on a crime spree inside.Carolyn Hawthorne worked at Northview Village for nearly 11 years. Her aunt lived there for three. That all came to an end on December 15, when the facility closed."I was in her [aunt] room and I happened to look out the window and vans started shuttling in,” she said. “Different vans from different nursing homes. I'm like, this is really real.”Hawthorne said word of the closure started to spread on social media, which led looters to the front and side doors, even while workers and the 185 residents were still inside.St. Louis police were called as cleaning supplies and TVs made it to the front door. Hawthorne said she tried to stop some of them. Check the radar: Storm system returns, this time with snow  "They were trying to take buffers, televisions, house cleaning supplies," she said.She said some of the thieves put the items back, but others ran out the door.Thr...

29-year-old suspect wanted in south Denver fatal shooting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

A 29-year-old man is suspected of first-degree murder in a fatal shooting in the 2900 block of West Cornell Avenue, according to the Denver Police Department.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Excited or frustrated, Denverites get used to 45 new traffic circles installed in their neighborhoods this year Crime and Public Safety | Person killed after hitting tree with vehicle in Denver Crime and Public Safety | Police investigating incidents involving Colorado justices after Trump removed from state’s ballot Crime and Public Safety | No charges for Denver officer who fatally shot man holding marker Crime and Public Safety | Undercover prostitution sting by Denver police snags investigator for metro DA’s office Terrell Alexander Hunley is wanted in connection with the shooting in south Denver that killed one man at approximately 9:22 p.m. on Nov. 27, the department posted on social media Wednes...

Suspect identified in November fatal shooting in Commerce City

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

A 22-year-old man is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting at a home in the 7300 block of Oneida Drive in November, according to Commerce City police.Finn Clark Hoover is suspected of murder in the shooting death of 37-year-old Alfredo Oscar Nunez on Nov. 30, the department announced on social media Wednesday.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man arrested in Adams County for allegedly attempting to burn his mother alive with gasoline and a lighter, police say Crime and Public Safety | Motorcyclist dies after hitting semitruck; 96th Avenue closes in Commerce City Crime and Public Safety | Commerce City man sentenced to 50 years in neighbor’s shooting death Crime and Public Safety | Suspect charged with assault in Commerce City DUI crash that injured firefighters, police Crime and Public Safety | Commerce City police officers, Adams County firefighters struck by suspected DUI driver while inv...

Ring in 2024 in metro Denver with a free ride home on New Year’s Eve

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

People in metro Denver out celebrating New Year’s Eve will find increased patrols, detours and delays downtown — and options other than getting behind the wheel to get home.Public transportationRegional Transportation District officials said they’ll waive fares for all buses, trains, and the FlexRide and Access-a-Ride services starting at 7 p.m. Sunday and continuing through 7 a.m. New Year’s Day.More than 2 million people since 2008 have taken advantage of RTD’s New Year’s Eve free rides, offered in partnership with the brewing company Molson Coors, which provides $50,000 to help cover the costs.“We want to encourage people to celebrate responsibly — by not driving, by taking transit,” RTD spokeswoman Marta Sipeki said.Rideshare reimbursementColorado residents 21 and older with valid IDs also can receive reimbursement of up to $35 for a one-way ride home using Uber or Lyft rideshare services or cabs under a safety program sponsored by the W...

Man who died following attack in home near Longmont identified

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died Christmas Eve after he was attacked on Dec. 19 in his home near Longmont.Steven Craig, 60, died Sunday after sustaining life-threatening blunt-force injuries on Dec. 19. Following the attack, Michael Lucky, who had ongoing cases in which Craig’s daughter was the victim, surrendered at the Boulder County Jail.The coroner’s office said the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.Michael Joseph Lucky (Boulder County Sheriff’s Office)Lucky, 32, was charged with attempted first-degree murder – after deliberation, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree burglary – menacing/assault, two counts of stalking and three counts of violating a protection order. He was also charged with four sentence enhancers.However, following Craig’s death, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said it is working with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office to ame...

Dodgers officially introduce Yoshinobu Yamamoto  

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

The newest member of the Los Angeles Dodgers was officially introduced to the team on Wednesday afternoon. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the highly touted right-handed pitcher from Japan, agreed to a 12-year, $325 million contract on Dec. 21, just days after the Dodgers broke the bank for fellow Japanese ace Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers made the signing official in a statement on Wednesday afternoon before formally introducing him at a press conference later in the day. Shohei Ohtani gifts teammate’s wife a new Porsche The 25-year-old's lucrative deal ranks as the most guaranteed money for a pitcher in MLB history, according to ESPN. The Dodgers officially welcome Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Dec. 27, 2023. (KTLA) "I am beyond ecstatic to become a member of this historic franchise," Yamamoto said at Wednesday's press conference. "And I cannot express how much it means to me to be able to call Los Angeles my new home."Making his debut in the Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball Orga...

Rider Dies in Motorcycle Accident on H Street [Chula Vista, CA]

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:19:40 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Motorcycle Collision near Hilltop StreetCHULA VISTA, CA (December 27, 2023) Monday night, one rider died in a motorcycle accident on H Street, reports say.The deadly incident happened around 8:31 p.m. on H Street between Hilltop Street and First Avenue.Responding officers determined that a motorcycle and three other vehicles collided at the scene. However, the third vehicle involved – identified to be a white SUV – did not pull over.Unfortunately, paramedics declared the motorcyclist dead, despite their life-saving efforts. At this time, the identity of the deceased rider remains undisclosed to the public, pending notification from the next of kin.No further details regarding the H Street multi-vehicle crash have been released to the public.Those who witnessed the collision are asked to contact the Chula Vista Police Department at (619) 476-5303.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the victim. May the loving...