Minnesota's Somali community on edge over FBI fraud allegations

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minnesota's Somali community on edge over FBI fraud allegations: The FBI is investigating an alleged broad scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Agriculture of tens of millions of dollars in child nutrition spending. Instead of feeding children, court documents allege an array of entities used the money to buy real estate, cars and other luxury items. According to FBI documents unsealed so far, [many of the subcontractors under investigation are from the Somali community.]( - Minneapolis teacher strike comes against backdrop of state budget surplus: Thousands of Minneapolis educators are on strike over a push for higher wages, smaller classes and more mental health support for students in a district facing a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. But the local dispute over finances has also [raised questions about another pot of money](: the state's record $9.3 billion surplus. Senate Republicans are pushing back on Walz's proposed supplemental budget, which includes a 2% increase in education funding per student in fiscal year 2023. - Former Minnesota GOP chair Jennifer Carnahan running for Congress: The former chair of Minnesota's Republican Party is running for Congress just months after fellow GOP leaders helped force her from power. Jennifer Carnahan announced Monday [she is running in the First District Congressional race]( in hopes of winning the southern Minnesota seat her late husband Jim Hagedorn held. - Minneapolis didn't violate police officers "minimum-staffing" requirement, appeals panel says: In a reversal, a three-judge panel said the charter requires the city to fund a baseline of officers, but [the mayor had discretion over how many to employ.]( - 18-year-old pleads guilty to shooting two people at MOA on New Year's Eve: An 18-year-old St. Paul man has [admitted that he shot and wounded two people at the Mall of America](on New Year's Eve, sending shoppers running for cover and prompting a lockdown at the mall for roughly 45 minutes. Kahlil M. Wiley pleaded guilty Friday in Hennepin County District Court to second-degree assault in connection with the gunfire late in the afternoon of Dec. 31 on the third floor of the Bloomington mall. Prosecutors agreed to drop a second count of the same charge. - St. Cloud district tests ending hat ban after power struggles, cries of discrimination: For the rest of the school year, secondary students in the St. Cloud school district [will be able to wear headwear in school]( — a decision seen as a win for beleaguered staff and students struggling amid the pandemic. - 2-year-old boy shot in downtown Minneapolis home: A 2-year-old boy was shot in the face early Monday in a home on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, authorities said. [The child was in "critical but stable condition"]( while being treated at a nearby hospital, according to police. The boy's identity has yet to be released. - Putin is angry, frustrated and likely to escalate war, U.S. intelligence officials say: More than two weeks into a war he expected to dominate in two days, Vladimir Putin is projecting anger, frustration at his military's failures and a willingness to cause even more violence and destruction in Ukraine, [in the assessment of U.S. intelligence officials.]( - How Target's grocery business finally found a groove: As the pandemic came along, Target's grocery business is [one reason it was allowed to stay open when other retailers were forced to close](. The need for social distancing in the pandemic's early days drove Target to quickly expand its drive-up and delivery services. WATCH THIS Chihuahua's "Swan Lake" dance routine steals show at Crufts: Sure, you may have seen Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, but [have you ever seen it performed by a tiny dog?]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Minnesotans took in kids from Northern Ireland in the '70s — and changed lives: About 6,000 boys and girls came to the Upper Midwest thanks to the St. Paul-based Children's Program of Northern Ireland (CPNI). The volunteer-led effort, which continued for 40 years, offered an equal number of Protestant and Catholic children a respite from the bombs and sniper fire that threatened daily existence in their religiously segregated country. [The influence of the program is still being felt today.]( - 12 of the best pies in the Twin Cities area: Pi Day is celebrated each March 14 in honor of the mathematical constant — and as an excuse to indulge in all the sweet and flaky scrumptiousness that is a great pie. Whether you're shopping for some to bring home or looking for a casual corner shop to enjoy a slice, [here are our picks for the best places for pie]( around the Twin Cities any day of the year. - Refreshed St. Louis Park home with "midcentury vibe" hits market for $574K: The current homeowners have made updates over the years while [keeping with the style of the home.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - Vikings extend Cousins' contract, free up salary cap money as free agency starts: The deal, which came just before the start of NFL free agency this week,[resolves what might have been the Vikings' biggest question]( as they prepare to operate under new leadership. Patrick Reusse joins the Daily Delivery podcast to [break down the avalanche of weekend sports news.]( Michael Rand [grades the Cousins extension and three big Twins trades.]( - 20 Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments: Chet Holmgren and Kendall Brown, two projected NBA lottery picks, [highlight the list of top Minnesotans]( in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Paige Bueckers is back from her injury, and Monika Czinano [helps lead a talented Iowa team into the NCAA women's basketball tournament.]( - A big day of trades for the Twins: Minnesota filled the gaping hole atop its pitching rotation but paid a steep price to do it, [trading their 2021 top pick Chase Petty to Cincinnati for veteran Sonny Gray](, a two-time All-Star who has already started three season openers in his career. The Reds also included Francis Peguero, a 24-year-old Class A righthander, to complete the deal. The Twins ended the first day of spring training with a five-player trade that [sent Josh Donaldson and just-acquired shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa to New York](. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK In search of the Perfect Bracket: Neil Greenberg of the Washington Post [employs a complex data analysis to create the Perfect Bracket](, which he says may not have the best record in picking individual games, but is intended to "help you win your pool by highlighting selections that have a high potential value relative to conventional wisdom." TRIVIA WINNER Congratulations to Levi Weber! Levi was randomly selected from among the many readers who correctly answered that Banksy is the famous street artist whose work will appear in an upcoming exhibition in Minneapolis. Levi wins a $15 gift card. Be sure to read Talkers on Friday for another trivia question! FROM THE ARCHIVES March 14, 2017: Members of the Iranian community in the Twin Cities gathered at Como Park in St. Paul for Chaharshanbe Suri, also know as the Festival of Fire. It is typically celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. One of the traditions is jumping over a bonfire to usher in the new year. (Photo: Leila Navidi/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 © 2022 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](