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From a basement dispatch center to ‘behavior detection’ officers, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at MOA security

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

Walk into America’s largest mall and you’ll see visible signs of security: officers patrolling on foot and bicycle, K-9s and surveillance cameras.Then, there’s another whole layer of security that’s invisible to most Mall of America visitors — a room of staff who monitor surveillance cameras in real time and can dispatch security officers, an intelligence analyst looking at what people are posting publicly on social media about MOA, and plain-clothes “behavior detection” officers.The Mall of America gave journalists a behind-the-scenes tour of security Friday because they want the public to know about all the efforts they’re not seeing, said Will Bernhjelm, MOA’s vice president of security.With a 19-year-old from St. Paul fatally shot in the Bloomington mall in December, an incident of shots-fired in August, and two people wounded in a 2021 New Year’s Eve shooting, some people have been asking about the mall’s securit...

At the Guthrie, stories of satire, self-exploration and Shakespeare for 2023-24

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

The Guthrie Theater announced a packed schedule for its 2023–2024 season, with a wide range of classic productions and new theater focused on the modern world.A highlight of the season is Shakespeare’s full Henriad cycle, three productions — “Richard II,” “Henry IV” (Parts I and II performed together) and “Henry V” — performed by the same 25-member company. It’s a significant undertaking and was originally scheduled for the theater’s 2020–2021 season, disrupted by Covid.Here’s what’s on the schedule:“The Importance of Being Earnest” (Sept. 9–Oct. 15, Wurtele Thrust Stage): Oscar Wilde’s witty comedy follows “two dapper Victorian gents who shamelessly invent people to shirk responsibility and follow their whims, as the Guthrie describes it.“For the People” (Oct. 7–Nov. 12, McGuire Proscenium Stage): On Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis, April Dakota faces the powers-that-be in her quest to establish a wellness center for the Indigenous community. The play, written by Ty Defoe and Lariss...

MN Senate committee approves $1.9 billion infrastructure package

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

A Minnesota Senate committee approved a massive, $1.9 billion infrastructure package Friday, sending it to the Senate floor for final votes — even though the DFL majority does not have the Republican votes they need to pass it.The package would finance millions for local road and bridge repairs, sewer and water systems, upgrading college classrooms and improvements to state parks, trails and flood-control structures around the state.The Senate Finance Committee basically approved two bills passed by the House on Monday — a $1.5 billion measure to be paid for by selling general obligation bonds and a $392 million cash appropriation to fund other projects.Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Sandra Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, said the package reflects an agreement among DFL senators and House members of both parties on state public construction projects for the next two years.But Republican senators have not agreed to the deal and DFL senators need at least seven GOP votes ...

3/10/2023: Light/moderate snow moving in

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from meteorologists Rob Lindenmuth & Matt Mackie:An approaching storm system brings a light to moderate snowfall to much of the area tonight. Expect precipitation to begin between 6 and 9 pm for most. It will be snow from start to finish in the mountains, but may start as a rain/snow mix in the valleys where temps are running above freezing.By midnight, even the valleys flip over to snow. The fakes will continue to fly through the morning, tapering off by noontime. By the mid or late afternoon, there could be breaks in the cloud cover.Snow totals will be lower-end for most of us. A coating to an inch in the Adirondacks, one to three inches for much of the Capital Region. Higher totals are expected to the south, with a half foot or more for high spots in the Catskills.The St. Patrick's Parade in Albany shouldn't be impacted too much by this system. It's dry by the 2PM kickoff, perhaps a bit breezy.After a quiet and comfortable day Sunday, a bigge...

Push for Medicaid to cover doula care in New York

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A push to get more support for new mothers took place at the Capitol this week. Testimony heard before a State Senate joint public hearing on Tuesday discussing Medicaid coverage for doulas in New York State. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Doulas care for new mothers when they’re caring for a new baby. They provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. In many developed countries around the world, doulas have become standard. “Birth outcomes are better, maternal healthcare outcomes are better, their entire systems are build to support mothers, and that’s what our state and our country is missing” said Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of “Be Her Village,” a baby registry where people can buy postpartum support for new moms, including funding for a doula.  “My goal is to have every single mother have the support she needs wants and deserves,” said McGreyes. “Every s...

Sights and sounds from St. Louis Cardinals spring training

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - We're near the halfway point of spring training. The first full week of March gives the St. Louis Cardinals a chance to closely evaluate young talent as many regulars compete in the World Baseball Classic. It's a slightly lighter camp in numbers than usual, but nothing of a surprise for Cardinals manager Oli Marmol. "We knew what we were getting into," said Marmol ahead of the WBC departures. "We're going to allow opportunity for young guys to continue to get innings and at-bats."Game action and beyond, the Cardinals have worked with dozens of players and prospects in anticipation of the 2023 season. Check below for some of the sights and sounds from recent days. Willie McGee's Work With OutfieldersThe three-time Gold Glove winner has worked closely with newly-transitioned outfielders Juan Yepez and Jordan Walker, along with Dylan Carlson, on line drives, pop flys and ground ball routines. Willie McGee helping Juan Yepez with fly ball drills. His advice... "Get unde...

Efforts begin to clear homeless encampment along downtown riverfront

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis leaders ordered the removal of a homeless encampment along the riverfront near Laclede's Landing. The eviction process happened Friday.Michael Jones said he has been living at the camp for months.“It's sad, and it's hard to watch this. A lot of people are hurting, and now they have nowhere to go," Jones said.Many homeless people lived in tents under the pavilion where the President Casino inside the Admiral Riverboat used to be years ago. Top story: Battlehawks athletic trainer dies at team hotel A lady who goes by Mommy D said she is being forced to leave a place she calls home.“It's so sad. I love these people. I wish I could just grab them all up in my arms and take them with me,” she said.Groups advocating for the homeless are also upset that the city is closing the camp and question whether the offers from the city will help fix the problem.“They are not getting resources. A lot of those resources don’t exist in St. Louis, and it's hard to access," said ...

Large number of teachers absent at Ferguson-Florissant high school

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

FLORISSANT, Mo. - Ferguson-Florissant School District leaders had to fill in for 37 absent teachers on Thursday at McCluer High School.This comes a day after a school board meeting Wednesday night where staff raised concerns about violence and drug use at the school.A union representative said teachers have been hurt by unruly and disrespectful students.The superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Dr. Joseph Davis, shared a message with families and staff on Thursday. Top story: Battlehawks athletic trainer dies at team hotel "We want to make you aware that we had 37 teachers absent today due to a combination of teachers out for conference attendance, illnesses, and other unforeseen absences," Davis said.He said district leaders immediately stepped in to help."Last night, when we saw the number of absences, the district took the proactive step of having district administrators," Davis said. "As well as principals and staff members from other buildings, assist in ...

Bicyclist in Denver shot in the arm by someone inside a motor vehicle

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

A bicyclist was shot by someone from inside a motor vehicle in Denver and police are looking for a suspect in the incident.ALERT: #DPD is investigating a shooting in the area of 1st & Emerson. On victim located with GSW to arm. Investigators are working to develop suspect info. #Denver pic.twitter.com/oNbxrFkwBL— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) March 9, 2023The shooting happened Thursday in the Speer neighborhood, in the area of East First Avenue and Emerson Street, police said on Twitter.On Friday police identified the victim, who was shot in the arm, as a bicyclist. An investigation is ongoing and no arrest has been made. Police did not release information on the suspect vehicle.Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Metro Denver Crimes Stoppers at 720-913-7867 (STOP).

AP sources: Panthers acquire No. 1 overall pick from Bears

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:35:19 GMT

By STEVE REED (AP Sports Writer)CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers are on the clock.The Panthers have traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the draft from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Carolina’s No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and star wide receiver D.J. Moore, two people familiar with the deal said Friday.The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.The move allows the Panthers to acquire a potential franchise quarterback — the sort of player the team has coveted for years — although it remains unclear which QB Carolina prefers. The Bears are committed to Justin Fields at quarterback and that gave them leverage to trade down.Carolina has its choice of Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis or Florida’s Anthony Richardson. The Panthers are considering up to ...