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Report detailed ‘toxic culture’ at Hastings veterans home months before leaders acted

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

A state human resources consultant reported to leaders of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in early January that there were widespread feelings of “doom, fear, and intimidation” among workers at the state Veterans Home in Hastings.It was the third time in eight months that allegations of a toxic workplace were probed by state officials. But it wasn’t until mid-March, after caregivers went public with stories of years of bullying and intimidation of staff at the Hastings veterans home, that Commissioner Larry Herke decided to fire two top officials in charge of the facility.Lynn Wachtler, a nurse practitioner and former primary care provider at the Hastings home, said it was “regrettable that the agency failed to address our claims in a timely manner and left employees no other choice except to involve the media to effect necessary changes.”Wachtler is one of more than a dozen current and former workers who have spoken out on the problems at ...

Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek skates on his own for first time since injury

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

Joel Eriksson Ek skated by himself Saturday morning TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul. It was the first time he has taken the ice since suffering a lower-body injury in an April 6 game against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.The fact that Eriksson Ek is already back on his skates is pretty impressive considering he got injured blocking a slap shot from from Penguins star Evgeni Malkin.Though the Wild listed him as week to week after the injury, Eriksson Ek seems to be progressing faster than expected.There’s a good chance he will at least travel with the Wild as they begin their first-round playoff series with the Dallas Stars in the upcoming week. Asked if Eriksson Ek could possibly be ready on Monday night when the Wild play the Stars in Game 1, coach Dean Evason tried his best to downplay the timeline.“He skated on his own this morning,” Evason said. “Just the positivity of being on the ice is encouraging.”Johansson feeling 100 percentAfter taking a cross ch...

Minnesota Public Radio joins others in quitting Twitter

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

Minnesota Public Radio will no longer use Twitter, joining National Public Radio, PBS, and other public media stations who have said that the social platform is undermining their integrity by saying they are “state-affiliated media” and “government funded.”MPR joined the ranks on Friday night with an announcement sent to members by Jean Taylor, CEO of American Public Media.“…contrary to our mission and core values. Instead of being a neutral and efficient channel for serving the public, Twitter is now actively aiming to undermine the integrity of public media organizations like ours,” she wrote, noting that all of American Public Media Group’s channels were quitting Twitter.MPR News posted several tweets Friday night saying “MPR News is an independent nonprofit news organization in service to the public” and offered various ways and links for listeners to find them.While the decision was effective immediately, the “wi...

After sticky substance drama, Twins fall to Yankees

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

NEW YORK — Two years ago, the Twins and Yankees were at the center of things when Major League Baseball cracked down on foreign substances.Then-Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson, now with the Yankees, was one of the most vocal players to speak out on the issue, calling out pitchers, including Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, for using substances to doctor baseballs, which increase their spin rates and subsequently bettered their performances.Major League Baseball, in response, established new guidelines to crack down on foreign substances, introducing random checks and penalties that included an immediate ejection.It was during one of those checks that an issue arose between the two teams again on Saturday. Yankees starter Domingo Germán appeared to have a substance on his hand, though he was allowed to remain in the game after a lengthy check, to which Twins manager Rocco Baldelli took exception.Baldelli did not stick around to watch the rest of the Twins’ 6-1 loss to the Yankees from the...

Boston remembers deadly marathon bombing 10 years later

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — With a bagpiper playing “The Bells of Dunblane” and a few runners looking on, families of those killed in the Boston Marathon bombing marked the 10th anniversary of the tragedy early Saturday by slowly walking together to the memorial sites near the finish line and laying wreaths.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who was making her first run for City Council when the bombing happened, joined the somber procession along with Gov. Maura Healey. At each memorial site — marked with three stone pillars — they stood with the families in silence. Thousands, including many marathon runners in their blue and yellow windbreakers and several former Boston Red Sox players, came out to a second ceremony Saturday afternoon near the finish line. Church bells were rung and the Boston City Singers and Boston Pops performed “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.”The 127th running of the Boston Marathon takes place Monday.“The day never leaves me," said Jennifer Black, 71, a realtor from Lo...

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Who has the edge, five things to watch and predictions

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

As the Denver Nuggets enter the NBA playoffs for the fifth year in a row, a breakdown of their first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.Who has the edge?Guards: Back in the playoffs for the first time since the Bubble, Jamal Murray has a reputation to uphold. Whether anyone admits it or not, there’s a lot of pressure on Murray to ease the burden on Nikola Jokic in his first postseason since returning from his ACL tear. A nagging thumb injury could limit his effectiveness, though that excuse probably won’t hold water. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was brought to Denver for moments like these. Forget about what he can do offensively; if KCP can impede explosive Wolves guard Anthony Edwards, that would mitigate Minnesota’s most dangerous scorer. T-Wolves point guard Mike Conley, formerly of the Jazz, might know a thing or two about facing Denver in the playoffs. Edge: Denver, slightly.Wings: Considering that Minnesota’s best defensive option, Jaden McDaniels, punched a wall an...

Two teens arrested for murder of 25-year-old on train in Long Beach 

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

Two teenagers from Long Beach have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Los Angeles man that took place on Wednesday. The man, identified by authorities as 25-year-old Luis Fernando Polita of Los Angeles, was stabbed to death aboard a Metro Blue Line train around 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of East 1st Street. Detectives were able to determine that Polita boarded the Metro Rail outside of Long Beach, and that the male suspects entered the train sometime after it crossed into Long Beach.  “During the assault, one of the suspects produced a knife and stabbed the victim multiple times which ultimately resulted in the victim’s death,” the Long Beach Police Department said in a statement. According to a release from the LBPD, Akili Collins, 18, and Melake Daniel, 19, were arrested on Friday near the 900 block of East Broadway in Long Beach for Polita’s murder.   Man arrested for Hollywood subway train stabbing “Detectives are still actively w...

Coachella Highlights, Part 1

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

Coachella Highlights, Part 1: God damn, Doechii is great. The likes of Pusha T ensured that there was no shortage of quality hip-hop at Coachella Friday, but Doechii was right at the top of that pile. The opening “Ignant” and the career-forging “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” were highlights of a set that could well see her rocket in 2023.The Murder Capital (Courtesy of Coachella/Pooneh Ghana)Irish band the Murder Capital have been produced by Flood, whose list of credits includes New Order, Gary Numan and U2. That makes sense — there’s a swagger mixed with dark energy to the band that was like a bast of weirdly fresh air in the Sonora Stage, out of the desert sun, early in the day.Talking of the Sonora Stage, the fact that it’s one of only two (along with Yuma) that is closed off to the elements and you have to enter through doors means that the lines to watch Magdalena Bay and TV Girl beat us. We were skipping between stages, and couldn’t a...

Giants pitcher and Kings fan Logan Webb shares his thoughts on series with Warriors

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Pitcher Logan Webb was torn earlier this week as he stood at his locker in the Giants clubhouse. He knew what he wanted to say, but he was slightly hesitant. As a Rocklin native, Webb is a long-time Kings fan and thrilled for his hometown team to finally put an end to what was the longest active postseason drought in the NBA. But knowing the challenge that lies ahead — a first-round series against the defending champs — and the fact he plays just down the street from the Warriors made him reluctant to give his thoughts on the series. “Warriors fans are going to hate me, though,” the newly extended right-hander said in a half-joking manner. “They’re all Giants fans, it’s a lose-lose for me.” Still, Webb, who was 11 the last time Sacramento made the playoffs, made his allegiance clear. “The Kings are where I’m from,” he said, “got to represent.”With the NorCal matchup tipping off Saturday with Game 1 in Sacram...

Erik Karlsson’s future in San Jose remains in question as another disappointing Sharks season ends

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:14:36 GMT

SAN JOSE – Erik Karlsson sees brighter days ahead for the San Jose Sharks organization but did not want to speculate about whether he’ll be with the team at the start of next season.Karlsson just completed the greatest individual season for a defenseman in Sharks history with 101 points, but the team finished in seventh place in the Pacific Division and 29th place in the NHL’s overall standings with a 22-44-16 record.Karlsson, 32, the presumptive front-runner for the Norris Trophy, played in all 82 games and finished with 74 even strength points, fourth most in the NHL among all skaters.But Karlsson has made no bones about the fact that he wants to be on a contending team, and the Sharks, who finished with just 60 points — their fewest in a full season since 1995-96 when they had 47 — appear to be years away from being a legitimate playoff or Stanley Cup contending team.Karlsson had yet to meet with Sharks general manager Mike Grier as of late Saturday morning, but the t...