MICHAEL GOLDBERG

Associated Press/Report for Ameirca

Michael Goldberg covers the Mississippi Legislature for The Associated Press, concentrating on poverty and inequality.

2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada border

A jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard.

Human smuggling trial witness says he shuttled over 500 Indian migrants into the US

A man convicted of human smuggling testified that he shuttled more than 500 Indian migrants across the U.S.-Canada border over four years.

Prosecutors say 2 men prioritized money over human life leading to deaths of Indian family

Federal prosecutors say two men put financial profit over human life when they attempted to smuggle a couple from India and their two young children across the U.S.-Canada border in heavy snow, leading to the family freezing to death.

An Indian family froze to death crossing the Canada-US border, a perilous trip becoming more common

Gov. Tim Walz vows to fight Donald Trump’s agenda while working to understand his appeal

Gov. Tim Walz has vowed make Minnesota a safe haven for the values that drove the Democratic presidential ticket he helped lead. Walz also promised to work harder to understand the concerns of President-elect Donald Trump’s voters.

Federal judge lets Iowa keep challenging voter rolls although naturalized citizens may be affected

A federal judge has ruled that Iowa can continue challenging the validity of hundreds of ballots from potential noncitizens.

Alleged Minnesota gang members charged with string of killings in federal crackdown

A federal grand jury has indicted 11 alleged members of a Minneapolis street gang on charges that include murder, conspiracy and drug trafficking.

Pro-Palestinian protester charged with assault after occupying building at University of Minnesota

Local prosecutors have charged one pro-Palestinian protester with assault while not filing charges against 10 other people who barricaded themselves inside an administrative building at the University of Minnesota.

11 pro-Palestinian protesters are arrested after occupying building at University of Minnesota

About a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested at the University of Minnesota after they briefly entered an administrative building. Campus officials issued an alert for people to leave the building Monday afternoon.

Justice probe finds pervasive abuse and discrimination by police in small Mississippi city

A Justice Department investigation has found that police in a majority-Black Mississippi city discriminate against Black people, use excessive force and retaliate against people who criticize them.

Experts to review 7 murder cases handled by Minnesota medical examiner accused of false testimony

Prosecutors say a Minnesota medical examiner with a history of delivering false or misleading reports may have mishandled at least seven murder cases in which his testimony helped send people to prison. The cases were handled by Dr. Michael McGee.

Takeaways from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s response to violence after George Floyd’s murder

Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be the Democratic vice presidential candidate has revived the debate over how he handled the biggest crisis of his political career. In 2020, Minneapolis and St.

Sharp divisions persist over Walz’s response to the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd

It was the biggest crisis of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s political career. The streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul erupted after a white Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd in 2020.

Trump threatens to jail adversaries in escalating rhetoric ahead of pivotal debate

Former President Donald Trump posted a warning on his social media site threatening to jail those “involved in unscrupulous behavior” this election, which he said would be under intense scrutiny.

A woman pleads guilty to trying to bribe a juror in a major COVID-related fraud case

A Seattle woman who attempted to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for an acquittal in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases changed her plea to guilty in federal court.

Minnesota man with history of driving drunk charged in patio crash that killed 2 and injured 9

A man with a history of driving under the influence has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after he rammed his car through a Minnesota restaurant’s outdoor patio where a group of medical professionals were celebrating after work.

It’s a pork chop on a stick and a vanilla shake for Tim Walz at the Minnesota State Fair

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz munched on a pork chop on a stick and washed it down with a vanilla shake as the Minnesota governor and his family visited his home state fair.

Minnesota officials vote to tear down dam and bridge that nearly collapsed

Officials say a southern Minnesota dam and nearby bridge that almost collapsed last month after a bout of heavy rain and prompted a federal emergency declaration will be torn down.

From cybercrime to terrorism, FBI director says America faces many elevated threats ‘all at once’

The head of the FBI says America is facing heightened threats from many corners at a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling.

Ex-officer convicted in George Floyd’s killing is moved to new prison months after stabbing

The ex-Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd has been transferred to a federal prison in Texas almost nine months after he was stabbed in a different facility.

Former students and colleagues recall high school teachers Tim and Gwen Walz as allies and advocates

When Kamala Harris named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, she highlighted his service as a congressman, soldier, teacher and coach. But she also mentioned his support for gay students at Mankato West High School.

Minnesota attorney general seeks to restore state ban on people under 21 carrying guns

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is asking a federal appeals court to consider restoring a state law that bans people ages 18 to 20 from getting permits to carry guns in public.

The top prosecutor where George Floyd was murdered is facing backlash. But she has vowed to endure

The prosecutor elected in George Floyd’s county after his murder is facing fierce backlash not even halfway into her term.

North Korean charged in cyberattacks on US hospitals, NASA and military bases

Federal authorities say a North Korean military intelligence operative has been indicted in a conspiracy to hack into American medical centers, military bases and even NASA.

Man pleads guilty to bribing a Minnesota juror with a bag of cash in COVID-19-related fraud case

One of five people charged with attempting to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for the acquittal of defendants in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases has pleaded guilty.

Minneapolis approves officer pay raise years after calls to defund the police

Minneapolis has approved a contract that would make the city’s police officers among the highest paid in the region. The contract was approved Thursday.

2 more people charged with conspiring to bribe Minnesota juror with a bag of cash plead not guilty

Two more people charged with conspiring to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for the acquittal of defendants in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases have pleaded not guilty.

A bridge near a Minnesota dam may collapse. Officials say they can do little to stop it

Rushing waters from the Blue Earth River have already left a trail of debris and destruction on the edges of a southern Minnesota dam that partially failed last week.

Things to know about the case of Missouri prison guards charged with murder in death of a Black man

Four Missouri prison guards have been charged with murder, and a fifth with accessory to involuntary manslaughter, in the December death of a Black man. The charges were announced Friday.

4 Missouri prison guards charged with murder, and a fifth with manslaughter, in death of Black man

Four Missouri prison guards have been charged with murder, and a fifth with accessory to involuntary manslaughter, in the December death of a Black man who was in custody at the Jefferson City Correctional Center.