As Al Franken exits the political stage, what comes next?

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - As Al Franken exits the political stage, what comes next? Sen. Al Franken said [he would resign from the U.S. Senate]( on Thursday following mounting allegations of sexual harassment and loss of support by fellow Democrats, a stunning and rapid fall for a Minnesota politician who followed decades as a successful TV comic with a rise to the highest echelons of U.S. political power. [Read the transcript and watch the video]( of Franken's speech from the Senate floor. Numerous Minnesota politicians released statements following Franken's announcement, [which you can read here.]( Gov. Mark Dayton appears likely to [tap Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to replace Franken.]( Political reporter J. Patrick Coolican surveys the lay of the land as Minnesota [gears up for a very busy year in politics in 2018.]( - "Multiple allegations" against Keillor over a long time period, APM CEO says: According to MPR news, Jon McTaggart, CEO of American Public Media, held an off-the-record meeting Wednesday with employees in which he said [there were “multiple allegations” against Keillor]( over an extended period. Reporters from MPR did not attend the meeting, but reported on it via colleagues who were there. Keillor said Minnesota Public Radio was [wrong to fire him last week]( without fully investigating the allegations. - St. Paul restaurant worker struck by hit-and-run driver dies: [Authorities remain on the lookout for the SUV’s driver](, who went through a red light in downtown at W. 7th Street and Grand Avenue about 12:10 a.m. on Nov. 26 and hit Jose Hernandez Solano. - Trump's Jerusalem announcement draws criticism, praise from Minnesota religious leaders: President Donald Trump’s decision Wednesday to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sparked reactions from Minnesota religious leaders that [ranged from outrage to relief.]( - FBI director defends his agency against Trump attacks: Countering strident attacks on his agency from the president who appointed him, FBI Director Chris Wray on Thursday [defended the tens of thousands of people who work with him]( and declared, "There is no finer institution, and no finer people, than the men and women who work there and are its very beating heart." Former national security adviser Michael Flynn told a former business associate that [economic sanctions against Russia would be “ripped up”]( as one of the Trump administration’s first acts, according to a whistleblower, suggesting Flynn had a possible financial incentive for the United States to forge a closer relationship with Russia. - 7 Tim Hortons restaurants in Minnesota sued for breach of contract: The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, claims that [the Minnesota restaurants and their developer failed to pay]( royalties, advertising, opening fees and other charges required by franchise and other agreements. - St. Paul police dog attacked innocent woman, suit alleges: [A St. Paul police K-9 attacked an unsuspecting woman](, knocked her out of her shoes and dragged her to the ground causing bites that required hospitalization, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. - Ex-South Carolina cop sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing of black motorist: A white former South Carolina officer was [sentenced to 20 years in prison]( on Thursday for fatally shooting an unarmed black motorist in the back in 2015, wrapping up a case that became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. - Scholar risked all to document Islamic State atrocities: As the Islamic State turned the city he loved into a fundamentalist bastion, he decided he would show the world how the extremists had distorted its true nature, how they were trying to rewrite the past and forge a brutal Sunni-only future for a city that had once welcomed many faiths. He knew that if he was caught he too would be killed. [He called himself Mosul Eye.]( - Longtime WCCO sportscaster Ralph Jon Fritz dies: Fritz began his career in broadcasting when he was just 19, as an $85-a-week announcer on WAVN-AM radio in Stillwater. [Fritz, 78, died Wednesday in Florida]( after a long struggle with stomach cancer. Fritz's colleagues and fans across Minnesota are [sharing their memories of the veteran sportscaster.](  Watch this Frustrated homeowner leaves a surprise for would-be package thief: After a series of packages were stolen from a front stoop in Tacoma, Wash., the homeowner decided to [rig up a little trap for the thief.](  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Rare new bar opens in Minneapolis skyway: Sphere Kitchen + Bar, a small cocktail lounge on the second floor of the Fifth Street Towers, debuted last month, completing the building’s [two-year, multimillion-dollar renovation.]( - Varsity Theater announces first two concerts under new management: [The beloved Dinkytown music venue and event center]( – which was bought last summer by a Hong Kong-headquartered invest firm, Gaw Capital Partners, after a shuttered year – will host smiley Danish band New Politics on Feb. 22 and an acoustic performance by emo-flavored Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin frontman Andrew McMahon on April 13. - After internet fame, Max the banned library cat meets Macalester president: Macalester President Brian Rosenberg [had a sit-down with Max on Tuesday](, the same day the feline appeared in the Star Tribune newspaper. The face-to-face was documented in a video the college posted to Facebook.  Sports roundup - Vikings make huge strides with running game: Minnesota’s turnaround in the running game — from dead last in 2016 to sixth this season (122.8 yards per game) — [is not only impressive, it’s historical.]( - 400-pound tackle among players coming to Gophers recruiting weekend: This weekend, the Gophers will have two offensive linemen from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., make their official visits during Minnesota’s “eLITe18Palooza’’ recruiting event. One of those linemen, Curtis Dunlap, is 6-4 and 368 pounds. [He’s the small one.]( - Lindsey Vonn takes shots at Trump: In an interview on CNN, U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn became the latest athlete to make political headlines when [she was asked about representing her country]( at the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Quote of the day “I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party.” -- [Sen. Al Franken](, DFL-Minn., announcing his resignation after seven women accused him of sexual misconduct.  Worth a click Some of your favorite actors star in a series of horror vignettes: Halloween has come and gone, but [this fun video project from the New York Times Magazine]( keeps its spooky spirit alive well into the holiday season with some very well known actors.  From the archives Dec. 7, 1952: A U.S. Navy pilot escaped injury when his single-engine fighter plane skidded into a snowdrift and nosed over during a landing at Wold-Chamberlain Field outside Minneapolis. The snowbank formed a cushion and probably saved the life of the pilot, Lyle A. Lundeen of Robbinsdale, who dug through the snow to safety. (Photo: Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]( [twitter]( [google+]( [pinterest]( [instagram]( [tumblr]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]( • [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2017 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](