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3 brothers serve with Faribault police; Minnesota Legislature approves scholarships for children of cops
3 brothers serve with Faribault police; Minnesota Legislature approves scholarships for children of cops

CBS News

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • CBS News

3 brothers serve with Faribault police; Minnesota Legislature approves scholarships for children of cops

There are 35 police officers sworn to protect and serve this Southern Minnesota town of 25,000 people. Nearly 10% of them have the last name Shuda. "We can drive our records division and our dispatchers crazy a couple times," said Matthew Shuda, 33. "So somebody will call in and ask to talk with Officer Shuda. Well, which one?" He's the oldest of the three Shuda brothers who currently work in the Faribault Police Department. Michael, 29, and Jason, 22, are also officers. But the familial ties don't stop there. Their father, Al Shuda, was in the force for 24 years before retiring in 2014. "If Jason makes it a full career … we'd be looking at upwards of potentially 68 straight years," said Matthew Shuda. "We're in different divisions, so there's not that constant overlap, but we still get enough interaction with each other, so it's fun being able to see each other at work," Jason Shuda added. All three brothers said the dynamic they share as brothers in uniform is a unique and special experience. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and advocates hopes there will be more officers like them in the state's law enforcement ranks. This session, the Minnesota Legislature greenlit a new pilot program to help cover the cost of school for children of police officers studying to be cops themselves. Lawmakers earmarked $500,000 for the scholarships — a "last dollar" effort that kicks in after accounting for other tuition assistance and financial aid. Children of active officers or those whose parents suffered a permanent duty disability while on the job qualify. The program will be administered by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system — and only applies to students enrolled in one of those schools. It will begin in the 2026-2027 academic year. Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation, joined lawmakers in March to push for the program's passage. He said the state is short 1,000 officers, with 2,700 nearing retirement age, creating a long-term crisis if there aren't creative solutions to get more people in the profession. He believes it will help with both recruitment and retention — that officers nearing retirement age may consider sticking around a little bit longer if they know their children may benefit from the scholarships. "This is, in my mind, a no-brainer, said Ross. "We can get cops' kids in seats at these schools, get them on a law enforcement track and hopefully they can follow in their parents' footsteps. I'm open to trying anything." The program's $500,000 appropriation is modest in the context of a roughly $66 billion two-year state budget supporting state government, programs and services. But Ross praised the move because it comes at a time when the Legislature had to make tough budget decisions to stave off a future deficit. "I don't know that we can get Democrats and Republicans to agree on what day of the week it is, and they decided they were both going to support this," said Ross. "I'm excited about that, and it makes me hopeful for building off this and creating more incentives for our youth to become police officers." The Shuda brothers also agree that a program like this is a good idea. "There is something to be said for working in the same line of work as the rest of your family," said Matthew Shuda. "And with the shortage that there is in law enforcement, anything that we can do to try and increase the number of people that are in this career field is a great option."

Limpopo brothers arrested for allegedly killing their father
Limpopo brothers arrested for allegedly killing their father

News24

time21-07-2025

  • News24

Limpopo brothers arrested for allegedly killing their father

Two brothers have been arrested for the murder of their father in Limpopo. Officers discovered the 55-year-old man severely assaulted and unable to speak, according to police. Also in Limpopo, a pastor is expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court for the rape of a 14-year-old child at church. Limpopo police have arrested two brothers for the murder of their 55-year-old father in Ga-Mothapo village, Tjatjaneng, over the weekend. Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said police responded to a domestic violence complaint just after 11:00 on Saturday. 'Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the 55-year-old victim who had been severely assaulted and was unable to speak. 'Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been assaulted by his two sons following an argument,' Ledwaba added. The man was certified dead on arrival at the hospital and the sons, aged 29 and 32, fled the scene immediately after the incident. 'Police launched an intensive manhunt and successfully arrested both suspects at a hideout in a nearby village during the early hours of Sunday morning,' Ledwaba said. They are expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Monday, 21 July. READ | In an unrelated incident, a 40-year-old pastor has been arrested for the rape of a 14-year-old girl at church in Sibasa, Limpopo. Police said the incident occurred on 9 July 2025, when the pastor allegedly called the girl to the church. 'Upon her arrival, the victim found the pastor alone in the church office. It is alleged that the suspect locked the door and forced the victim to perform sexual acts before repeatedly raping her. 'The suspect then allegedly instructed the victim to remain silent about the incident,' Ledwaba said. According to the police, the victim 'courageously' disclosed the ordeal to her family on Saturday, and the family notified the police. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is investigating the case. Police said the pastor was arrested on Sunday and would appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday. Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said: 'We encourage parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately.'

The kindness of strangers: I was five years old when a woman I'll never know gave me an extravagant doll
The kindness of strangers: I was five years old when a woman I'll never know gave me an extravagant doll

The Guardian

time20-07-2025

  • General
  • The Guardian

The kindness of strangers: I was five years old when a woman I'll never know gave me an extravagant doll

When I was very young, my family and I emigrated from Albania to Melbourne. As a child of refugees settling in Australia after the second world war, I experienced the searing poverty that myriads of displaced people dealt with as they tried to rebuild lives in far away, unfamiliar places. As a result, my brothers and sisters and I very rarely enjoyed the magic and thrill that come when a child gets a new toy. One day – I must have been no more than five – I was wandering through the local town hall with my mother. Some sort of fair was in full swing and I happened upon a table where, for a mere penny, I could try my luck to win a doll. I didn't have a penny, but I did have a fervent wish to have a doll – particularly the beautiful one with the gloriously extravagant light blue dress! I lingered at the table watching people try their luck and hoping no one would win the doll I felt was mine. At some point, a woman – I'll never know who she was – decided to play and won the chance to choose a doll from the dozen or so settled along the wall. As she prepared to claim her prize, she turned to me and, with a smile that I can still remember today, asked me to choose. I hesitated until she said: 'Which one would you like to take home with you?' Feeling emboldened, I pointed tentatively to the doll with the magnificent pale blue dress. A moment later, the doll floated down from the wall and into my waiting hands. It was mine. I was overwhelmed with wonder. This incredibly kind woman had noticed the longing in the eyes of a little girl and made her dream come true. Her act of kindness was a moment of pure magic. I cherished that beloved doll until I was 17, when we left Australia to move to Canada and luggage restrictions forced me to bequeath her to another. That woman sowed the seeds of my own belief that small acts of kindness can change lives. We are regularly confronted with choices about how to treat other people and how to interpret their words and actions. I try to be forgiving and empathetic because I believe very sincerely in the goodness of people, in large part because of that day at the fair. Sixty-five years later, I can say I am a better person because of that woman. From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here

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