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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Minnesota Vikings OTAs Were Notably Intense; *Most* Absences Due to Prior Injuries
The Minnesota Vikings held their first round of full-team offseason workouts this week, where turnout was incredible. Harrison Smith was present, as was Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and, of course, redshirt rookie QB1 JJ McCarthy. Not only were most of the Vikings key veterans in attendance for voluntary OTAs, but according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) during his latest scoop session on SKOR North, the practices this week in Eagan were notably intense. Minnesota Vikings OTAs were notably intense this week Not only did the longtime local reporter (who has attended hundreds of Vikings practices) notice the pumped up competitiveness, though. New CB Jeff Okudah, who previously played for the Dan Campbell-led Lions, expressed his surprise with how intense the 7-vs-7 practice sessions were too. 'I thought it was a pretty spirited practice, for OTA session number two. You know, just the competitive nature of it. I had a nice chat with Jeff Okudah after practice. He noted that and so I just thought that was pretty interesting for late in May. I did not expect to see some of the stuff we saw on Wednesday. You know, seven on seven and all that, just how spirited it was, how competitive it was. I did not expect to see that for May 28th.' Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North) Advertisement If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan reading this article or watching that scoop session, you have to be excited about how this first week of offseason workouts went. For all of the team's stars to show up ready to work and improve on what was an incredible 2024 season, it's clear O'Connell & Co. are already locked in and hungry for more success. Related: Kevin O'Connell Wins Another Award You know 100% that, not only are other teams missing a lot of big names on their OTA attendance sheet, but it's highly unlikely others are coming in this focused and determined to get better. That's a really good sign, especially for a Vikings team that sportsbooks and most pundits are picking to be a middling NFC squad in 2025. Most Minnesota Vikings OTA absences due to injury Of course, not every key Minnesota Vikings player for 2025 was on the TCO Performance Center practice fields this week. Most notably, Christian Darrisaw was missing at left tackle (replaced by Justin Skule) and Will Fries was replaced by Blake Brandel at right guard. Advertisement Of course, both Darrisaw and Fries are recovering from major leg injuries. The former went out in week 11 of last season with a major knee injury that required surgery. The latter broke his leg. According to what Kevin O'Connell told reporters in his presser, Fries isn't expected to practice until training camp. Fries, their top external signing in March, may not practice fully until training camp, O'Connell said, or nearly 10 months after sustaining a broken tibia on Oct. 6. The Vikings' top nine blockers may be set if they're content with Rouse, a 2024 sixth-round pick, as a hybrid tackle/guard. Skule, the 28-year-old former 49er and Buccaneer, replaces David Quessenberry as the backup tackle. Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick, is the backup center. Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) Meanwhile, Darrisaw was working out with cleats on the sideline this week. The Minnesota Vikings hope he is ready to return for the start of the regular season. It's also worth mentioning the RG/LG alignment. Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy With Fries out, Brandel slid over to right guard, while 1st round rookie, Donovan Jackson worked with the first team at left guard, where he is supposed to be competing with Brandel as a starter. Does that mean Jackson can be written in to start week one? No, but it is worth monitoring how many snaps Brandel gets on the left side, while Fries continues his rehab. The other injury absence was Rondale Moore, who continues his rehab from a torn ACL. Not only is he expected to compete for the WR3 job, if healthy, but he could be a factor in the return game too. Where in the world is Isaiah Rodgers…? The only non-injury OTA absence that was mentioned by reporters who were in Eagan this week was new CB Isaiah Rodgers. In his absence, the aforementioned Okudah and second-year 2024 undrafted free agent signee Dwight McGlothern got reps with the first team defense. Mechi Blackmon got some run too. Coaches were getting long looks at Okudah, the former Lions top pick on his fourth NFL team, and McGlothern, last year's undrafted darling, with the first-team defense on Wednesday. Blackmon appeared to be getting some work, too, as he's 10 months removed from a torn ACL. Rodgers, the ex-Eagles reserve who got a two-year deal to play a bigger role in Minnesota, was not seen at practice. Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) It is important to remember that these workouts are 'voluntary' and we do not know why the newly signed corner was not in attendance. Nonetheless, it's news worth mentioning.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Can Trump pardon Derek Chauvin? Gov. Tim Walz reportedly said Minneapolis should prepare
Minnesota officials are addressing "rumors" that Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of killing George Floyd in 2020, could receive a presidential pardon. Some conservative activists have advocated for President Donald Trump to pardon Chauvin, though the White House has previously said they were not considering it. Elon Musk has indicated he would support freeing Chauvin, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she supports a pardon in a May 14 X post where she shared a KSTP story that state agencies had been briefed on the possibility. The Trump administration has not publicly indicated that it is considering a pardon for Chauvin, who would still face prison time in Minnesota for his state conviction even if his federal charges are pardoned. Still, Gov. Tim Walz says the state should be prepared. Here is what we know: More: Trump has been convicted of a crime. Can he pardon himself as president? The White House declined to comment on the potential clemency request for this story. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a question about whether Chauvin has applied for clemency. However, as of March 19, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said a pardon is not something Trump was considering at the time. Walz also said he has not received an indication about a potential pardon, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. However, he also said the state is considering the possibility. 'If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to do so, whether I agree — and I strongly disagree with him — if he issues that pardon we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve out his 22-and-a-half years in prison in Minnesota," Walz told reporters, according to the Tribune. 'So, no indication whether they're going to do it or not, but I think it behooves us to be prepared for it. With this presidency, it seems like that might be something they would do.' The Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette said in a statement that it heard the "rumors" of a pardon, but ultimately Chauvin would remain in custody for his state conviction. "To be clear, we have no credible intelligence about any pardon or planned disruptions here in Minneapolis. Since 2020, we've overhauled our emergency management plans and out of an abundance of caution are planning for any eventuality," the emailed statement read. No. Presidential pardons only apply to federal cases, not state cases. The Constitution states the president "shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." That text limits the pardoning power by excluding state criminal offenses and civil claims, according to the Constitution Annotated. Chauvin was convicted on both state and federal charges. Chauvin has been convicted on state and federal charges after he knelt on George Floyd's neck in Minneapolis in May 2020. Floyd's death was one of several that fomented a global movement protesting police violence against Black communities. The former police officer, who is White, was first convicted on state murder charges and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. He later pleaded guilty to violating Floyd's constitutional rights in federal court and was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison. Currently, Chauvin is serving his federal sentence. In 2023, he was injured in a stabbing. A pardon is an expression of forgiveness that eases the consequences of a criminal conviction, according to the DOJ. A pardon and a commutation of a sentence are both ways for the president to grant leniency to someone who has committed a federal crime. Both are known as clemency. A pardon often implies that the convicted person has taken responsibility for their actions and is forgiven by the president. It can restore some civil abilities that would otherwise be barred due to the criminal conviction, according to the DOJ. Contributing: Claire Thornton, Phillip M. Bailey, Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Derek Chauvin pardon? Tim Walz addresses Trump administration rumors
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Derek Chauvin pardon row: Official says Trump's clemency won't free George Floyd's killer from prison
A Minnesota official addressed speculation about President Donald Trump pardoning Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer convicted over the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. ABC affiliate, KSTP, reported on Tuesday that Governor Tim Walz, the Minnesota National Guard, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Attorney General Keith Ellison were warned about potential unrest if Trump pardons Chauvin. The president himself has made no remark indicating his move. Trump had pardoned two Washington, DC police officers back in January. The two were convicted in the 2020 killing of Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man. The pardon sparked speculation about a federal pardon being planned for Chauvin. Even prominent Republicans demanded Trump's pardon for Chauvin. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene called on the president via an X post. 'I strongly support Derek Chauvin being pardoned and released from prison,' she tweeted. She and other MAGA influencers claimed that George Floyd died of a drug overdose. Chauvin, 49, was one of four officers who were at the scene when a convenience store's owner claimed Floyd had attempted to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. They handcuffed him. During the arrest, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes. The 46-year-old ultimately lost consciousness. Coroners ruled Floyd's death a homicide the following day, sparking huge Black Lives Matter demonstrations around the world. Now, with speculation around a potential pardon being made, an official warned that even a federal clemency cannot get Derek Chauvin out of prison. The former Minneapolis police officer is currently serving a 22-and-a-half-year state sentence for the second-degree unintentional murder and a concurrent 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told Newsweek that even if Trump pardons Chauvin, the former officer will have to serve his state sentence. 'A pardon of Chauvin's federal conviction would only send him back to Minnesota to serve the remainder of his sentence in state prison. The only conceivable purpose would be to show further disrespect for George Floyd—and for the rule of law,' Ellison told the media outlet via email.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Minnesota Officials React to Speculation on Derek Chauvin Pardon
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's death approaches, speculation that President Donald Trump may issue a federal pardon for Derek Chauvin has increased to the point of drawing sharp responses from Minnesota's Democratic political leaders, as well as public safety officials. KSTP, the ABC affiliated station in St. Paul, reported Tuesday that Governor Tim Walz, the Minnesota National Guard, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Keith Ellison have been warned about potential unrest if the president pardons Chauvin—a move some MAGA influencers have advocated for since early this year. While Trump has denied any plans to pardon Chauvin as recently as March, Minnesota officials who spoke with Newsweek said they are not taking any chances. The Context As one of his first actions after returning to office in January, President Trump pardoned two Washington, D.C. police officers convicted in the 2020 killing of Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man. The move immediately sparked widespread speculation about whether Trump would pardon others involved in high-profile cases of violence against Blacks, with Chauvin being the most prime example. Demonstrators raise their fists as a fire burns in the street after clashes with law enforcement near the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct shortly after midnight on June 8, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. Demonstrators raise their fists as a fire burns in the street after clashes with law enforcement near the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct shortly after midnight on June 8, 2020 in Seattle, former Minneapolis police officer is currently serving a 22-and-a-half-year state sentence for the second-degree unintentional murder of 46-year-old George Floyd. Chauvin is also serving a concurrent 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. Floyd's 2020 death at the hands of Chauvin, who is white, drew global attention and set off nationwide protests that, in a number of cases, turned violent. What To Know Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, told Newsweek he was unequivocal in his view of the case. "Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in front of the whole world," Ellison said in an emailed statement. Ellison also emphasized that President Donald Trump has no authority to pardon Chauvin's state conviction. "None," he said, noting that even if Chauvin's federal sentence were commuted, he would still return to Minnesota to serve the remainder of his state prison term. "A pardon of Chauvin's federal conviction would only send him back to Minnesota to serve the remainder of his sentence in state prison," Ellison added. "The only conceivable purpose would be to show further disrespect for George Floyd—and for the rule of law." Rumors of a possible pardon gained traction after the report from KSTP, but Governor Tim Walz said the White House has not signaled that a federal pardon is imminent. Still, he noted that the state is preparing for any outcome. "With this presidency, it seems like that might be something they would do," Walz told reporters on Wednesday. Marchers cross the Brooklyn Bridge demanding police reform after a commemoration to honor the anniversary of George Floyd's death on May 25, 2021, in New York City. Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin... Marchers cross the Brooklyn Bridge demanding police reform after a commemoration to honor the anniversary of George Floyd's death on May 25, 2021, in New York City. Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin sparked global protest and continues to spur the Black Lives Matter movement. More David Dee Delgado/Getty Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette confirmed to Newsweek that his office had also been briefed on the rumors, but stressed that even if a federal pardon were issued, Chauvin would remain in prison under his state sentence. "To be clear, we have no credible intelligence about any pardon or planned disruptions here in Minneapolis," Barnette said in a statement. "Since 2020, we've overhauled our emergency management plans and, out of an abundance of caution, are planning for any eventuality." Speculation about a possible pardon has also been fueled by public comments from high-profile figures on the right like Elon Musk and conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who argue that Chauvin's sentence was excessive and politically motivated in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Trump has denied any current plans to pardon Chauvin. In March, when asked by reporters at the White House, he said, "No, I have not heard about that." A protester holds a sign with a photo of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. A protester holds a sign with a photo of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Photo byWhat People Are Saying Richard Painter, a law professor and former chief White House ethics lawyer, wrote on X: "Derek Chauvin's Minnesota conviction cannot be pardoned by the president—only the federal conviction can be. Although not a factor in his conviction, Chauvin's crime clearly involved racism. A pardon will rightly be seen as racially motivated." Ben Shapiro wrote in an open letter to President Trump in March: "Make no mistake—the Derek Chauvin conviction represents the defining achievement of the Woke movement in American politics. The country cannot turn the page on that dark, divisive, and racist era without righting this terrible wrong." Terrance Floyd, George Floyd's brother, responded to Shapiro's petition on CNN News Central: "Stay in your lane. You know, your opinion is your opinion, but facts is facts. And the fact is, Chauvin's knee was on my brother's neck. The fact is, he held him down there to his last breath when he shouldn't have." What Happens Next The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that a deputy city operations officer in Minneapolis sent an internal email telling city employees how officials would respond if Chauvin is pardoned. The message said city leaders would publicly condemn the move, even though a federal pardon wouldn't affect Chauvin's state sentence.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-KSTP meteorologist Wren Clair joins KARE 11 weather team
Wren Clair, the Twin Cities meteorologist who suddenly exited KSTP this past February, has joined the KARE 11 weather team. Clair's LinkedIn page was updated to reflect her new employment with KARE 11, which was confirmed by the Twin Cities NBC affiliate to Bring Me The News on Monday. "We're excited to have Wren join the team of talented meteorologists at KARE 11," said Doug Wieder, President and General Manager of KARE. "Her expertise in weather forecasting and commitment to viewers aligns perfectly with our station's mission." Sign up for our BREAKING WEATHER newsletters Clair will start with the station next Monday, May 19. Details of her role with KARE 11 have not been confirmed at this time. KSTP confirmed in mid-February that Clair was "no longer employed" with the station, after viewers noticed she had not appeared during her regular time-slot. No reason was given for her departure, with Clair also not speaking publicly about her departure. Clair joined KSTP-TV in 2018, previously working at stations in Wisconsin and Boston. She now joins a KARE 11 weather team led by Belinda Jensen, with other members including John Zeigler, Laura Betker, and Jamie Kagol.
