Car found as search continues for alleged shooter of Minnesota lawmakers
SWAT teams rushed to a remote highway in rural Minnesota Sunday where police say they found a car and cowboy hat belonging to the suspect in the targeted shootings of two state lawmakers. Jennifer Mayerle of CBS Minnesota reports.
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Knox County leaders are in the dark on trustee's office investigation, but that may change
It's been just over two months since Knox News exclusively reported the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury is investigating the Knox County Trustee's Office. County audit committee members, who were some of the first to learn about Justin Biggs' spending, will meet June 16 for a routine quarterly session, but any updates on the investigation might not be public. The committee is allowed to go into closed meetings to discuss confidential topics, such as a comptroller's investigation. The audit committee oversees the county audit department, which ensures public money is properly spent, employees follow the law and government operates efficiently. Or they might not hear an update at all. County officials and community members are in the dark about the investigation. The state watchdog agency does not (and will not) publicly share updates during its investigations. All we know is that the case is ongoing, and Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond's office is already at work reviewing the comptroller's materials. Biggs is at the center of a Knox News exclusive report into how he and some of his staff members overspent on high-end hotel rooms and used trustee-leased trucks for personal travel. The investigation goes beyond the trustee's office. Since Knox News published its investigation, Property Assessor Phil Ballard and Matt Myers, the county's procurement director, have been snagged by investigators for using county vehicles for personal travel. Why it matters now: Biggs has not been charged with a crime. Two of his three predecessors in the trustee's office have ended up in criminal court following investigations, and it's noteworthy that the comptroller's office has already begun sharing materials with the district attorney. (Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen recused herself from the case, which is why it's being handled in Blount County.) Why it matters in the future: Biggs is running in a contested Republican primary to keep his job in 2026. Regardless of the investigation and its fallout, Biggs is free to finish out his term as trustee and serve a new one if he's reelected. When's the meeting? The county audit committee, which is made up of three Knox County commissioners, one member of the county school board and two community members, will meet at 1 p.m. June 16 in conference room 575 in the City-County Building, 400 Main St. If they don't discuss the comptroller's investigation into the trustee's office - or even if they do - they could also ask about the state watchdog looking into the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center. Knox News reported June 2 that state investigators on April 7 had talked to the facility's only nurse, Stefani Clowers, for an hour and a half that day. One month later, Bean, the superintendent of the facility named for him, gave Clowers a choice: Resign or be fired for "turning him in," she told Knox News. Clowers, a registered nurse, sounded alarms that facility leaders failed to follow medical best practices. She told Knox News she contacted six local and state agencies about errors in medication distribution and several instances when she felt children's lives were in danger. She repeatedly raised concerns to Bean and his lieutenant, Kay McClain, she said. Clowers refused to resign, was fired and then was reinstated a day later under pressure from Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin, who warned Bean his dismissals of Clowers and information technology specialist Thomas Cordell exposed the county to potential lawsuits that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Cordell also took the offer for reinstatement. What we don't know: We don't know the extent of any state investigation into the detention center beyond the fact they were there in April. What we do know: Bean's firing of the two staffers and the alleged misconduct it revealed ushered a leadership overhaul. Bean resigned, and and the county is considering moving the juvenile detention center under the purview of the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Even if the state isn't investigating, the fallout will be noteworthy this week and next week in Knox County politics. The Knox County Commission will meet for its agenda review meeting June 16. The commissioners won't take any votes. It's just a time for them to ask questions about items on their agenda for next week. But a couple of notable items might raise questions, including moving the juvenile detention center under the control of the sheriff's office. But not everyone is on board: Mayor Glenn Jacobs is pushing for KCSO as the solution to overseeing the Bean Center, with an emergency ordinance to do so on the preliminary agenda. But other county leaders aren't so sure. How do other detention centers conduct oversight? Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett wants to create a committee to look into how other detention centers are run across the state. The commission could weigh in on her idea at the agenda review meeting. Study up: You can read about Durrett's proposal at Click "agenda" and select the "optional agenda review meeting" option. Another interesting agenda item... Knox County Commissioner Andy Fox, who represents South Knox County, is poised to introduce legislation discussing a "fluoride prohibition." I've been following Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon's sales tax increase proposal. Since the last edition of The Key: Knox News detailed the items exempt from sales taxes in Tennessee Kincannon released projects the administration wants to complete with the estimate $47 million in annual revenue form the increase The Knoxville City Council gave initial approval for the proposal to go on voters' ballots in November. The final vote will be June 24. Here are some news highlights from last week: Ryan Wilusz reported Trump fired another Biden appointee, cutting TVA board down to just three members Tyler Whetstone reported on an internal probe in the sheriff's office after it failed the family of a teen who died Keenan Thomas reported FIFA wants to continue turf research collaboration with University of Tennessee beyond 2026 I reported Jeff Talman will be on North Knoxville residents' city council ballots I detailed what Knox County did last time Knoxville raised its sales tax Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: and follow her on reddit at u/KnoxNewsAllie This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County leaders may hear updates on trustee investigation
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South River police respond after 50 students trash high school in senior prank
SOUTH RIVER – Students who were allegedly involved in trespassing and defacing South River High School property have been identified and are facing school disciplinary actions, according to police. In addition, local law enforcement officials will be working with the students' families to ensure there are appropriate consequences and accountability for the criminal trespassing and vandalism incident. reported students who participated are required to pay a $150 fine and participate in five hours of community service as part of a graduation participation contract sent to their parents. On June 12 police were notified about unauthorized entry and possible property damage at South River High School. An investigation determined that a large group of students entered the Montgomery Street building after school hours and purposely defaced school property. The senior prank, which was captured on school security cameras, resulted in high school classes being canceled for the day. Mayor Peter Guindi said the entire school was vandalized with desks, chairs and gym equipment moved and flipped, toilet paper thrown around, and items wrapped in plastic. Guindi said the prank went too far. About 50 students allegedly participated in the prank. 'Criminal trespassing and vandalism are serious offenses that threaten the safety and integrity of not only our schools, but our community as well.' Police Chief Mark E. Tinitigan stated. 'We take these incidents very seriously and will continue to work closely with schools to promote a safe environment for students, staff, and residents.' The South River Police Department emphasized the importance of respecting property and understanding the legal consequences associated with such actions and encourages parents, students, and community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. South River police plan to work with the school administration and Board of Education to prevent similar incidents in the future. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact South River Detective Sergeant Kenneth Nale at 732-238-1000 ext. 123. Email: srussell@ Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on South River NJ police respond after 50 students trash high school
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Suspect who terrorized Minnesota's political leaders after deadly shooting found crawling in rural field
The suspect wanted in the slaying of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, as well as in the injury shooting of a state senator and his wife, was found Sunday night armed and crawling in a field in a sparsely populated stretch of Minnesota, authorities said. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Vance Boelter's capture at a news conference after saying Saturday that the suspect's alleged crimes included a "politically motivated assassination." Despite being armed, authorities said, Boelter was taken into custody without incident and no injuries were reported. Boelter is in custody and has been charged in connection with the murders and the attempted murders, Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said at the news conference. Evans added that his team was in contact with the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office who he said were examining whether to bring their own additional charges. Law enforcement numbering nearly 200 — including members of 20 regional and local SWAT teams — descended on eastern Sibley County, about an hour outside Minneapolis, starting Sunday morning. But the suspect may have taken advantage of rural terrain to remain hidden most of the day, authorities said. It was without doubt the biggest manhunt in the state's history, said Police Chief Mark Bruley of Brooklyn Park Police Department said. The governor expressed relief that the suspect had been apprehended after collaborations from federal, state and local law enforcement that concluded when Minnesota State Patrol officers put their handcuffs on him. "After a two-day manhunt, two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended" the alleged shooter, Walz said. "This cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences," he added. Authorities allege Boelter tried to kill state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin at roughly 2 a.m. Saturday before fatally shooting state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a 55-year-old Democrat, and her husband, Mark, in nearby Brooklyn Park. In a statement released by the Hoffman family following Boelter's arrest, Yvette Hoffman thanked law enforcement for the suspect's capture. "John and I are both incredibly lucky to be alive," the statement read. "We continue our healing journey and are humbled by the outpouring of love and support our family has received from across the state and our nation." Authorities said Boelter left behind a notebook with a hit list of other politicians as well as those who have been vocal in support of abortion rights. The names included those of Hoffman and Hortman near the very top, said Democratic Party executive Ron Harris, a fellow Minnesotan. Evans said the list also included politicians based in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa. Boelter emerged as the suspect as police covered locations familiar to him and spoke to people associated with the married 57-year-old. The hunt was jolted into renewed action about 6:30 on Sunday morning when his car and cowboy hat were found not far from his residence in Green Isle in the eastern portion of Sibley County, authorities said. A Buick Regal associated with the suspect as well as his cowboy hat, found at the side of a road in a wooded area about three miles from the residence, drew a massive manhunt, authorities said. But the trail seemed to get cold through nightfall as there was no sign of the suspect for more than ten hours despite evidence he had spoken to people while on the run, Evans, the criminal apprehension superintendent, said at a news conference earlier in the day. Boelter remained somewhat of a mystery even as authorities spoke to his wife and relatives following a Sunday traffic stop, during which they cooperated fully with investigators, Evans said. There was no evidence, he said, the suspect ever previously threatened the lawmakers he shot or anyone else on that list. Warrants for his arrest included a state warrant alleging he committed second-degree murder and a federal warrant alleging he was on the run to avoid prosecution. It wasn't clear if the suspect has obtained legal counsel. Officials say Boelter impersonated law enforcement to get close to the lawmakers' at their suburban Twin Cities homes before opening fire. Police in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, conducting a welfare check at the Hortmans' residence encountered a man in front they believe is Boelter and dressed as a police officer, with a police-style SUV, emergency lights on, in the driveway, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said on Saturday. It was apparent the home had taken fire before the officers' arrival, he said, and when the suspect realized police had arrived, he opened fire and exchanged rounds with them before fleeing through the home and escaping out back, he said. No other injuries were reported, but inside that home was the slain couple, authorities said. A statement of probable cause filed in support of charges reflected in the state warrant stated the suspect was seen on security video earlier at Hoffman's home, shortly after 2 a.m., presenting himself at their door as a police officer, wearing a mask over his face, and using a Ford SUV that had the appearance of a marked patrol vehicle. The couple's daughter was not struck and called 911. Walz cited the daughter, Hope, as he spoke Sunday night, calling her actions "heroic." Authorities said they found three semiautomatic rifles and two 9mm handguns in the abandoned SUV. Also inside, they said, was the notebook with the alleged hit list. At the news conference, Evans said a local police officer reported seeing a man running into the woods, and authorities, including SWAT teams and a state public safety helicopter overhead, rushed the area. They called for the suspect to surrender and captured him as a crawled on a field, he said. Detectives were interviewing the suspect overnight, Evans said. In video circulating online the suspect describes himself as a married father of five from Green Isle who works for two funeral homes. He said he previously worked for three decades in the food industry and once traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to partner with farmers and fishermen there to help them stimulate their food supply system. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Yvette Hoffman was well enough to text updates, including that her husband has had to undergo multiple operations since the shooting in which she said he was struck by nine rounds and eight others hit her. She said the state senator is 'closer every hour to being out of the woods," according to Klobuchar. Later, Walz said Hoffman emerged from the last of many immediate operations he needed and was recovering. Walz said the shootings will nonetheless have a deep impact on Minnesota politics, with the loss of Hortman presenting a double-edged sward of political violence and the loss of a leader who he described as ardently effective and compromising. "Melissa Hortman was the core of who our values were," the governor said. "It's not about hatred. It's not about mean tweets. It's not about demeaning someone. It's leading with grace and compassion and vision and compromise and decency. That was taken from us." This article was originally published on
