SD woman sues Minn. lawyer for failure to sue
- SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota woman allegedly dropped out of her wheelchair by employees of the state DMV in Sioux Falls is suing her former lawyer for failing to sue the state in time. Forty-three-year-old Belinda French, of Garretson, is accusing Minnesota lawyer Rob Leighton of sitting on her case until the statute of limitations ran out, which robbed her of an opportunity for compensation for her injuries. The lawsuit says French, who suffers from spina bifida and osteoporosis, was injured on Dec. 30, 2009, during a visit to a DMV office in the Minnehaha County Administration building. French hired Leighton to represent her, but the lawyer reportedly failed to file the lawsuit within the allotted time. Leighton declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Political divide topic of McGovern conference
- Two former members of Congress and political opposites came together Monday during the annual McGovern Conference to address political polarization and moving beyond. Republican Gil Gutneckt represented Minnesota’s first congressional district in the U.S. House from 1994 through 2006. He believes over the last ten years the 24 hour news cycle has influenced the system….Gutknecht-1Democrat Max Sandlin represented Texas first congressional district from 1996-2006. He says money plays much too large a role in the political process….Sandlin-1Gutknecht thinks the President needs to step up and work with Congress to break the current grid lock in Washington….Gutknecht-2Sandlin says a lack of familiarity between members of Congress today is making progress more difficult. He says it began back in 1994….Sandlin-2 The conference also included sessions on the media’s role in partisan politics and a discussion between state GOP and Democratic leaders regarding elections.
Victoria’s Secret apologizes for use of headdress
- FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) – Victoria’s Secret has apologized for putting a Native American-style headdress on a model for its annual fashion show. The company responded to criticism over the weekend by saying it was sorry to have upset anyone and that it wouldn’t include the outfit in the show’s television broadcast next month. Thousands of people commented on the company’s Facebook page after the apology was issued. Some saw the floor-length headdress worn by model Karlie Kloss as art, while others say it displayed ignorance toward Native American cultures and history. Feather headdresses, or war bonnets, are a symbol of bravery and are worn by Native American leaders in some tribes, including chiefs. Women don’t wear war bonnets. Kloss has tweeted her own apology. Paul Frank Industries Inc. and the band “No Doubt” have run into similar criticism and apologized this year for their use of headdresses.
Semitrailer crash in North Dakota kills 21 steers
- DAWSON, N.D. (AP) – Twenty-one steers were killed when a semitrailer bound from Canada to South Dakota crashed during a freezing rain storm in North Dakota. The Highway Patrol says the semi rolled on its side in a ditch Friday afternoon off an icy highway near the south central town of Dawson. Fifty-three steers survived. The 24-year-old driver of the semitrailer was not hurt.
Mo. governor, barge industry urge action
- ST. LOUIS (AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and the barge industry have joined forces to pressure the federal government to keep water flowing as normal on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The drought has left many waterways at historic lows. Nixon sent a letter Friday urging the Army Corps of Engineers to rethink plans to reduce the amount of water released from the Missouri’s upstream reservoir. That would also reduce flow on the Mississippi below St. Louis. Nixon says the move could create an “economic disaster.” Meanwhile, the American Waterways Operators and Waterways Council last week urged Congress and President Barack Obama to act to keep the water flowing. The Corps said last week that the reduction is the first of several drought conservation measures necessary if drought conditions continue into 2013.
No arrests in shooting outside events center
- AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) – Sheriff’s investigators say their work to find those responsible for a shooting outside an events center near Austin that left five wounded, including two critically, has been hampered by uncooperative witnesses. Mower County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Mark May said Monday no arrests have been made in the shooting outside the former Lansing Corners supper club near Austin that now hosts special events. May says a “rap party” got out of control early Sunday and as security staff broke up the crowd, shots rang out in the parking lot. The chief deputy estimates there were about 200 people in the parking lot. May says two small-caliber handguns were used in the shooting, but he would not say whether they were recovered. Officials say the critically injured are from Rochester and Sioux Falls.
Spearfish amphitheater sold to local developer
- SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) – An amphitheater in Spearfish that hosted the Black Hills Passion Play for nearly 70 years has been sold. Local developer Rand Williams bought the 6,000-seat facility for an undisclosed price early this month. Williams say he plans upgrades that will include state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and large video screens. The amphitheater constructed on a natural slope on Spearfish’s west side attracted millions of visitors for its summer productions of the Passion Play between 1939 and the last performance in 2008. The play recreated the last seven days of Christ. Williams says he bought the amphitheater but not the play production. He plans public meetings to get input on the best uses for the facility.