Judge's ruling clears way for longer prison term for Derek Chauvin

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Judge's ruling clears way for longer prison term for Derek Chauvin: The judge in the Derek Chauvin murder trial has found there are "beyond a reasonable doubt" [aggravating factors in connection with the killing of George Floyd]( last year that clear the way to sentence the fired Minneapolis police officer to a term above state guidelines. [Read District Court Judge Peter Cahill's ruling here.]( - Mayo study sheds light on long-haul COVID-19 patients: Lingering breathing problems and complications in the weeks and months after suffering COVID-19 illnesses were most common in women and in patients who didn't need hospitalizations or suffer severe initial infections, a new Mayo Clinic study found. The study is among the first to not only [address the mystery of who suffers post-COVID syndromes](, but also the types of symptoms they endure. [President Joe Biden congratulated the governors from Minnesota](, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio and Utah for "meeting the moment" with creative incentives for vaccination and maintained that many people simply need easier opportunities. - House GOP ousts Trump critic Liz Cheney from leadership post: House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney from her post as the chamber's No. 3 GOP leader on Wednesday, [punishing her after she repeatedly rebuked former President Donald Trump]( for his false claims of election fraud and his role in inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Meeting behind closed doors for less than 20 minutes, GOP lawmakers used a voice vote to remove the Wyoming congresswoman from her leadership post, the latest evidence that challenging Trump can be career-threatening for Republicans. Minnesota's four GOP delegation members have been [mostly silent about the closed-door vote.]( - Minnesota legal marijuana advocates focus on racial equity: Minnesota legislators are debatinglegalizing marijuana for adults and creating a marketplace to sell it, [framing it as a racial equity issue that will help address the economic disparities]( and the disproportionate toll drug offenses have taken on communities of color. The centerpiece of the bill is expungement for many marijuana offenses, as well as grants and aid to help those hit hardest by criminalization enter the legal market as entrepreneurs. - Trump officials defend their actions in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot: Two senior Trump administration officials [defended their actions during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol]( in testimony before Congress on Wednesday, with former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller standing behind every decision he made that day. - Minneapolis Park Board president says he'll bring back Bde Maka Ska pavilion: Minneapolis Park Board President Jono Cowgill [vowed to resurrect a $5.1 million proposal to rebuild the Bde Maka Ska pavilion](, after it was unexpectedly canceled in committee last week despite a monthslong public engagement process and tens of thousands of dollars spent. - Panic-buying fuels gas disruption in southeastern U.S. after pipeline hack: State and federal officials are [scrambling to find alternate routes to deliver gasoline]( in the Southeast U.S. after a hack of the nation's largest fuel pipeline led to panic-buying that contributed to more than 1,000 gas stations running out of fuel. There is no gasoline shortage, but if the pipeline shutdown continues past the weekend, it could create broader fuel disruptions. - Dozens killed in clashes between Israelis, Palestinians: Israel killed a string of senior Hamas military figures Wednesday and pounded three multistory towers as it hammered the Gaza Strip with airstrikes and militants in the territory fired barrages of rockets. [Dozens have died in the most severe outbreak of violence since a 2014 war](, with no resolution in sight. - Suicide deaths decreased in Minnesota in 2020: Suicides in Minnesota decreased in 2020 to 723, [the lowest number since 2014](, Minnesota health officials said Wednesday. Although that's down from the record high 830 suicides in 2019, it marks the sixth consecutive year when there were more than 700 suicides. - Hennepin County Board committee votes to give Juneteenth full holiday status: Thousands of Hennepin County employees are closer to getting paid time off to mark the holiday that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people. A Hennepin County committee [voted unanimously Tuesday to give full holiday status to Juneteenth](, a move that comes as the city of Minneapolis considers a similar action. The decision won't be official until the full county board votes next Tuesday. WATCH THIS How a 300-pound Tibetan mastiff gets into his owner's car: [Is that a dog or a bear?]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Go-Go's voted into Rock Hall of Fame on first try: Jay-Z, Foo Fighters and the Go-Go's were elected Wednesday to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame their first time on the ballot, [leading a class that also includes Tina Turner, Carole King and Todd Rundgren](. - 6 Twin Cities restaurant openings to put on your calendar: One of the prime locations in downtown Minneapolis is back in business, [just in time for patio season.]( - Minnesota beekeepers produce honey with unique local flavors: Not much more than a decade ago, those plastic-bear squeeze bottles didn't have much competition. Now, honeys and honey-based products proliferate across the culinary landscape. [And artisanal producers — especially local ones — are thriving.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - Twins offense deserves its share of the blame for failures: The Twins have scored three runs or less in more than half of their games this season, and [the offense has been especially bad in the final innings.]( - Vikings will face Bengals to open 2021 season, play Cowboys on Halloween: After four straight seasons opening their regular-season schedule at home, [the Vikings will begin their 2021 schedule on the road.]( - Saints-Twins marriage one of convenience and complications: Randy Dobnak unwillingly and unwittingly provided a preview of life as a Class AAA team. The Saints will host rising stars — and big-leaguers mending injuries or mechanics, [writes Jim Souhan.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Millions of Americans are eligible for assistance with their internet bills. Here's what to do. "A surprising number of Americans get $50 each month from the new $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit. That includes tens of millions who lost work during the pandemic," [writes Geoffrey A. Fowler of the Washington Post.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES May 12, 2018: Singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith, wearing a Darth Vader helmet, was escorted to the stage by a phalanx of stormtroopers as the Minnesota Orchestra performed the "Star Wars" theme during the Symphony Ball at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. (Photo: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]([twitter]([pinterest]([instagram]( [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 © 2021 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](