Minnesota entrepreneur creates cellphone-shaped gun

To view this email as a web page, [click here] [Star Tribune] Talkers Top stories - Minnesota entrepreneur creates cellphone-shaped gun: Kirk Kjellberg has melded two everyday American accessories — the smartphone and the handgun — into [a device that could land him in the middle of the country’s roiling firearms debate]. And make him a lot of money. - Freeman defends decision, questions why officers didn't have Tasers: Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman expressed unwavering confidence Thursday that [he made the correct call in not prosecuting either officer involved] in the shooting death of Jamar Clark, pointing to the DNA evidence in the case as a "truth serum," but also questioned whether police could have avoided using deadly force during the altercation. Last night, [several hundred protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis] in anguish and anger over the decision not to charge the officers. - Officer's takedown of Clark raises questions about use-of-force policy: The takedown of Jamar Clark by a Minneapolis police officer moments before he was shot has [raised questions over whether the officer failed to de-escalate the situation] and in the process violated the department’s use-of-force policy. - Frustrated by Pitino's deal, U regents seek more control: The University of Minnesota president and athletic director [would need Board of Regents approval on contracts for the highest-paid Gophers coaches] under a new proposal. Regent Michael Hsu said "a group" of like-minded regents favor the change, prompted by their frustration with what has been learned about the 2015 contract extension for Richard Pitino. - Legislature considers switching to presidential primary system: In 2020, Minnesotans could vote for their party’s presidential candidate during a day-long primary instead of an evening caucus if [a proposal moving through the Legislature becomes law.] - Potential customers line up for new model at Tesla dealership: A horde of potential buyers descended on the Eden Prairie Tesla Motors dealership to put $1,000 down sight unseen for [a coveted spot on the waiting list for the highly anticipated Model 3 electric car], which isn’t expected to enter production until late 2017. - West Antarctic ice sheet could disappear much faster than previously thought: "Continued high emissions of heat-trapping gases could launch a disintegration of the ice sheet within decades, according to a study published Wednesday, heaving enough water into the ocean to raise the sea level as much as three feet by the end of this century," [the New York Times reports.] - Denny Hecker to leave prison one year early: Hecker, incarcerated since October 2010 for defrauding auto lenders and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, is now expected to be released July 4, 2018, instead of the previously scheduled July 4, 2019, [the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Wednesday.] - Minneapolis landlords rack up housing violations: The Star Tribune analyzed housing code violations at large apartment buildings in Minneapolis for the past three years. [Use our list to look up violations] at any property with four or more units. Watch this Hitting the slopes in a Ferrari: In this short film produced by Red Bull, driver Takeshi Kimura puts snow chains on a Ferrari F40 and [barrels down (and up) a ski mountain at breakneck speeds]. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com]. Trending - The best rice bowls in the Twin Cities: Food critic Rick Nelson [scours the area for the tastiest and most imaginative toppings.] - The time John Dillinger shot his way out of a St. Paul apartment building: Nick Woltman of the Pioneer Press revisits an infamous episode from St. Paul's gangster past in which [the outlaw narrowly avoided capture by federal agents] who showed up at his Lexington Avenue hideout. - Finally, a paddle for the lazy canoeist: A group of Ely outfitters made the amazing announcement that [they are selling an electric, motorized canoe paddle] available for use in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. - Is Vladimir Putin dating Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife? "Reports of the pair have been floating around for years, ever since their respective divorces in 2014 and 2013. One insider close to the powerful leader tells Us Weekly the relationship is 'serious,'" [US Weekly reports]. Sports roundup - It's really OK to like these Twins: [It's the best lineup the Twins have had to offer] since Justin Morneau was kneed in the head by Toronto's John McDonald as Morneau slid into second base on July 7, 2010, writes Patrick Reusse. - U.S. women's national team stars allege wage discrimination: "In the latest labor salvo between the World Cup-winning U.S. women’s national team players and the U.S. Soccer Federation, the five most prominent members of the USWNT have filed an action with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (a government agency) accusing U.S. Soccer of wage discrimination in relation to the money the federation pays to the U.S. men’s national team," [Sports Illustrated reports]. - Wild goes for seven in a row: A win tonight will [put the Wild up by seven points in the Avalanche] in the playoff battle. - African refugee aces NCAA bracket but forgets winner: Heading into Final Four weekend, James Kiki is tied for first place out of more than 500,000 entries in Yahoo's contest. That's the good news. The bad news: he has no chance to win the $50,000 prize because [he didn't pick a winner for the national title game.] In other tournament news, the NCAA has admitted [it accidentally invited South Carolina to the big show.] Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here]. Quote of the day “I believe deep in my heart no other prosecutor would have charged this case.” -- Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, on his decision not to charge two Minneapolis police officers in the death of Jamar Clark. Worth a click The swimming swine of Pig Beach: The New York Times Magazine went to Big Major Cay in the Bahamas to find the beach where [tourists share the sand and surf with a population of semiferal pigs], some of which are quite large. From the archives March 31, 1978: A work horse was paraded past bidders and spectators at the Waverly Midwest Horse Sale. The semi-annual auction, which began in 1947, is one of the largest in the country. (Photo: Mike Zerby/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook] [twitter] [google+] [pinterest] [instagram] [tumblr] [Sign up for more newsletters] • [Subscribe to Star Tribune] • [Privacy Policy] • [Unsubscribe] This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2015 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.]