Jury Acquits Northern Minnesota Priest In Sexual Misconduct Case
A jury in northern Minnesota acquitted a former priest Monday in a case where he was accused of molesting four girls.
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A jury in northern Minnesota acquitted a former priest Monday in a case where he was accused of molesting four girls.
A man wrongfully convicted of sexually abusing his stepdaughter will likely receive $475,000 from Minnesota taxpayers -- but the state legislature must still approve the award. In his attorney's office Wednesday, Roger Olsen described how he still has trouble getting a job even a decade after the conviction was tossed.
A 12-person panel comprised of doctors, lawyers and church laypersons will oversee any suspicions of clergy sex abuse in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It's part of a breakthrough settlement reached on Thursday with the Ramsey County Attorney to resolve a civil suit that was filed last June.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, WCCO is hosting a phone bank as part of our "Trees of Hope" series. WCCO will be raising funds for Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge. MnTC helps thousands of people overcome drug addiction and lead healthy and productive lives.
Two former student actors at the Children's Theatre Company have filed suit against the theatre, co-founder John Clark Donahue and Minneapolis businessman Jason McLean. The lawsuit alleges McLean sexually assaulted a female student in 1983, when she was 15 years old.
Friends and neighbors paint a dark picture of Danny Heinrich's past. He is the man in jail on child pornography charges and a person of interest in Jacob Wetterling's kidnapping. Born in 1963 at Paynesville Hospital, Heinrich grew up just south of town. He spent most of his childhood with his parents and two brothers in a home near Lake Koronis.
Tire tracks and shoeprints: Investigators have old evidence in the Jacob Wetterling case that links person of interest Danny Heinrich to the area where Jacob was last seen. According to a former U.S. Attorney, prosecutors need more.
It took a jury less than two hours Thursday to convict a two-time convicted sex offender of producing and distributing child pornography. The United States Attorney's Office says 52-year-old Rex Lee Furman, of Federal Dam, was convicted after a three-day trial of 13 counts of producing child porn, two counts of distributing it and one count each of receipt of child porn, possession of child porn and committing a felony while required to register as a sex offender.
A 66-year-old northern Minnesota man was convicted Friday of sexually abusing two women on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. The U.S. Attorney's Office says William Andrew Clark, of Blackduck, was found guilty of one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of sexual abuse in connection to two rapes on the reservation.
Pope Francis praised American bishops Wednesday for their "generous commitment'" to helping victims of clergy sex abuse, drawing an angry rebuke from advocates who said the bishops acted only under the threat of hundreds of lawsuits. Addressing church leaders in a prayer service at the Washington cathedral, Francis said they had faced the crisis "without fear of self-criticism and at the cost of mortification and great sacrifice."
A priest convicted of child sexual abuse is part of a group that is raising money to buy the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis' Chancery building.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has put a Roseville priest on leave after receiving what it is calling a credible allegation that he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s. The Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick is pastor at Corpus Christi parish and St. Rose of Lima parish and school.
St. John's Abbey Church stands unchanged on the campus of St. John's University. But within the walls, there is a shift in leadership. Father Tom Andert -- the monastery's prior, or second in command -- stepped aside for now following accusations he molested a former student.
Victims of alleged sexual abuse by clergy in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have filed more than 400 claims against the archdiocese in federal bankruptcy court, according to attorneys for victims and the archdiocese. The claims were filed by Monday, the deadline imposed by the bankruptcy court.
Two men are suing the Boys Scouts of America, claiming they were sexually abused as scouts by troop leaders in St. Paul. The plaintiffs' attorney say the lawsuits allege the Boys Scouts organization created a public nuisance by its negligence and concealment of abuse allegations and by failing to warn parents and others about the "prevalence" of abuse.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking the public's help to locate additional victims of a convicted online child predator who may have Lucas Chansler, 31, formerly of St. Johns, Florida, was sentenced to 105 years in prison after pleading guilty last August to nine counts of producing child pornography.
A former boy scout has come forward with claims his scoutmaster sexually abused him for years.
A retired St. John's Abbey priest accused of sexually abusing children is dead. The law office of Jeff Anderson and Associates announced Friday that Father Richard Eckroth passed away this week at the age of 88.
A former Hastings priest accused of sexual abuse was found not guilty on Tuesday. The 64-year-old was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a former altar boy at a Hastings Catholic Church from 1989 to 1991.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says it placed an active priest on a leave of absence after it received an allegation of past sexual abuse. Archbishop John Nienstedt says in a statement there is a "credible allegation" that the Rev. Gerald Dvorak sexually abused a minor in the 1970s.
A former St. Paul Public Schools custodian was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing several young children, including members of his family. Walter Johann Happel, 63, struck a plea deal in March after pleading guilty to one count of surreptitious invasion of privacy, after he spied on an 11-year-old boy in Linwood Monroe Arts Plus School student bathroom.
A judge says three people who claim they were sexually abused by priests can proceed with public nuisance claims against the Diocese of New Ulm in southern Minnesota. Brown County District Court Judge Robert Docherty dismissed some counts in the two lawsuits in a ruling dated March 27. But he ruled the public nuisance claims can go forward.
The Diocese of New Ulm has released the names of four priests accused of sexual abuse. St. Paul lawyer Jeff Anderson says that, of the four named, one has to his knowledge not been publicly named before -- Father Dennis Becker.
An attorney has released the names of 17 clergy members accused of sexual abuse or misconduct with a minor in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. St. Paul lawyer Jeff Anderson said Wednesday the clergy were identified in notice of claims submitted to the archdiocese and its insurance carriers.
The archbishop of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese says he has ordered a bankruptcy declaration because it's the fairest way to help victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Jonathan Ross, who shot Renee Good in Minneapolis last week, suffered internal bleeding after the incident, two officials said, though it's not clear how extensive the bleeding was.
A judge on Wednesday morning declined to issue a temporary restraining order against ICE operations in Minnesota, seeking further evidence before issuing a ruling.
An arrest has been made in connection with an infant's death at a child care facility in Savage, Minnesota, last fall, police said.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting a woman at his apartment last year had his prison sentence stayed earlier this month.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.
An arrest has been made in connection with an infant's death at a child care facility in Savage, Minnesota, last fall, police said.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting a woman at his apartment last year had his prison sentence stayed earlier this month.
Prosecutors claim Mohamed Omarxeyd billed for daily services at times when clients were in jail or hospitalized and couldn't have received care.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says that following federal agents is not unlawful unless you're committing some separate act that is illegal.
Michael Bruce Gillis, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor in federal court last September.
President Trump is following through on a promise he made late last year to end deportation protections for some Somali immigrants in the country.
Faith leaders, union representatives and community members are calling for a Day of Truth and Freedom on Friday, Jan. 23 — urging all Minnesotans not to go to work, school or go shopping.
A 3-year-old boy was killed and his grandmother suffered "significant injuries" in a dog attack in Otter Tail County on Sunday, the sheriff's office said.
The state of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, announced a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials in an effort to stop the surge of ICE agents from coming to Minnesota.
With all the ICE activity happening in Minnesota, people are asking: Where are federal agents taking the people they detain? WCCO Investigates is digging in to share who's working with ICE and what we've learned.
A Wisconsin man accused of sending the state Supreme Court's chief justice intimidating emails has been sentenced to probation.
Some schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are delayed or closed on Tuesday as early morning rain makes the roads slick.
A western Wisconsin town is reveling in the national spotlight.
When he's not playing zone or man, Hall is carving it up at local hills. He has qualified for multiple professional snowboard competitions.
Two people were killed and another hurt in a crash in western Wisconsin Tuesday afternoon.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Jonathan Ross, who shot Renee Good in Minneapolis last week, suffered internal bleeding after the incident, two officials said, though it's not clear how extensive the bleeding was.
A judge on Wednesday morning declined to issue a temporary restraining order against ICE operations in Minnesota, seeking further evidence before issuing a ruling.
New polling shows most voters do not think last week's deadly ICE shooting was justified. But the Trump administration thinks so and suggested that Renee Good was a domestic terrorist. Experts say that's not a label to be taken lightly.
Prosecutors claim Mohamed Omarxeyd billed for daily services at times when clients were in jail or hospitalized and couldn't have received care.
We're hearing from a Minnesotan who says he was detained for following and recording ICE agents in Woodbury. Ryan Ecklund shot video of agents warning him not to follow them on Monday morning. He did keep following them and they eventually boxed him in and removed him from his vehicle. Frank Vascellaro talked to him about the experience.
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
WCCO gathered data on core staple items from Aldi in Apple Valley, Target in Fridley and Cub Foods in north Minneapolis.
Minnesota drivers have something to celebrate this holiday — a price drop at the pump.
With costs still high and budgets stretched, getting smarter with money matters more than ever.
There were 584 vehicles towed during this week's snow emergency in Minneapolis. That number stands at 352 and counting in St. Paul, where parking restrictions are in place until 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.
A judge on Wednesday morning declined to issue a temporary restraining order against ICE operations in Minnesota, seeking further evidence before issuing a ruling.
An arrest has been made in connection with an infant's death at a child care facility in Savage, Minnesota, last fall, police said.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting a woman at his apartment last year had his prison sentence stayed earlier this month.
New polling shows most voters do not think last week's deadly ICE shooting was justified. But the Trump administration thinks so and suggested that Renee Good was a domestic terrorist. Experts say that's not a label to be taken lightly.
Prosecutors claim Mohamed Omarxeyd billed for daily services at times when clients were in jail or hospitalized and couldn't have received care.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says it began distributing payments on Friday to over 2,600 Minnesotans.
Just one day after dropping his bid for reelection, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state's paid family leave program is one of the most transformational bills the state has ever passed.
Roughly 12,000 Minnesotans have already applied for the state's new paid family leave program, according to an update by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
It's a beauty technique that's exploding. Depending on your age, you might not have heard of it. It's called micro-needling.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Here are the significant books, films and characters joining the list of works in the public domain on Jan. 1, 2026.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
John Blackwell buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer and scored 27 points to help Wisconsin overcome an 11-point second-half deficit to beat Minnesota for a 10th straight time, 78-75.
Julius Randle scored 29 points and the hot-shooting Minnesota Timberwolves never trailed in a 139-106 blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has informed the team that he is stepping down from his position.
Addison has not yet been charged and was released on bond Monday afternoon.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has received a one-game suspension due to the number of flagrant fouls he has accumulated this season.
The shooting death of Renee Good by an ICE agent has raised several legal questions.
The fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent has raised many legal questions. Constitutional law professor David Schultz, who has taught a class on police, criminal and civil procedure, has some answers.
The DFL race pits two prominent party leaders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig, against each other.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
New polling shows most voters do not think last week's deadly ICE shooting was justified. But the Trump administration thinks so and suggested that Renee Good was a domestic terrorist. Experts say that's not a label to be taken lightly.
ICE is making arrests in Minnesota right next to shoppers grabbing groceries. The tense encounters are happening at places like Target, Walmart and other private businesses.
It's a question many people have been asking: What is the cost of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Minnesota? WCCO was able to get some numbers.
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
From the frozen ponds and lakes to the packed indoor rinks serving as community hubs, hockey is uniquely celebrated and cherished in Minnesota like no other state in the country.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
Periods of light snow move through in waves over the coming days before a big chill-down into single-digit highs, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
A cold snap will settle in on Wednesday in the Twin Cities.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.
The department warned borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans that money from their paychecks could be withheld if they don’t pay off their debt.
Protesters say they were making noise to disturb the federal agents they believed were staying inside the Graduate by Hilton Hotel near the University of Minnesota.
One week after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in south Minneapolis, a prayer vigil is set to take place at the site of the killing. The vigil is scheduled to begin just after 9:37 a.m., at the exact time organizers say the agent shot Good.
Periods of light snow move through in waves over the coming days before a big chill-down into single-digit highs, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
A prayer vigil for Renee Good is planned for Wednesday morning, Gov. Tim Walz will address cuts to federal funding in Minnesota and more.