Minnesota News Briefs: Appeals court overturns conviction man sentenced for gas-station shooting

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ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a man sentenced in connection with a gas station shooting.

Marcus Rollins of Woodbury was convicted in 2010 of shooting at an SUV after it bumped his car at a Burnsville gas station. One of the gunshots grazed a 15-year-old girl in the lower back. Rollins was found guilty and sentenced to a year in jail and 15 years probation, but the Court of Appeals has now ordered a new trial -- citing an error in instructions to the jury.

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Safety officials still urge caution around Minnesota's high-running rivers, but the threat of flooding has lessened considerably in recent days. Flood warnings remain this week along the Mississippi in areas from Aitkin to Camp Ripley, and well downstream at Wabasha. Levels are still high but dropping rapidly on the Minnesota, Saint Croix, Crow and Des Moines rivers.

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Voters in neighboring Wisconsin are going to the polls today to decide whether Governor Scott Walker stays in office or is replaced by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Minnesota labor unions have been helping the dump-Walker campaign, and this morning the state DFL Party dispatched dozens of volunteers to Eau Claire to help get out the vote. Congressman Keith Ellison says the people of Wisconsin will send a message that no one has a mandate to wage war on middle class and working families - no matter what the outcome of the recall election may be. But Walker at a campaign stop Monday said his agenda has put Wisconsin on the right economic track.

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The Governor's Residence in Saint Paul is marking its 100th anniversary and the first public tour is today, with five additional dates through the summer. Interior tours will cover the first floor of the mansion. Space is limited and reservations are required. Guides from the Minnesota Historical Society will also be located around the grounds and gardens of the Governor's Residence to provide information about historic lawn games, sustainable agriculture and other horticultural features of the estate. Other tour dates are June 19th, July 10th and 24th, and August 7th and 21st.

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There's been worry over large amounts of foam showing up along the shores of the Mississippi in southeastern Minnesota. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the foam, noticed in higher quantities north of Winona lately, is most likely organic compounds from plants and algae. Officials think it's coming from a dredging operation upstream that's creating turbulent water mixed with organic sediment.

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Fire crews continue to monitor the Verso Paper Mill following last week's explosion at the plant. City Administrator Patti Gartland says they’re expecting the ladder engine will stay on-site through today. The warehouse area where the explosion occured is still under an active investigation by Verso officials. One person was killed and five others injured in the blast.

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The object that prompted an evacuation of Terminal 2 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Sunday was a device used for water purification. The woman traveling with the device told authorities she needed it for medical purposes. She was questioned, then allowed to catch a flight to Anchorage, Alaska. No criminal charges were filed.

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The amount of time that jobless Minnesotans can collect unemployment is shrinking. The maximum length of extended unemployment benefits for jobless workers in Minnesota is going to drop later this month from 60 weeks to 46. The decrease is because the jobless rate in the state has averaged at below six-percent for more than three months in a row. Workers who may be affected by the change have been notified. At the height of the recession, unemployed Minnesotans could get up to 86 weeks of benefits.

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Minnesota farmers continue to see generally good crop development around the state, but there some problems here and there. The weekly weather and crop update from the Minnesota Department of Agricultural Statistics shows that the planting of most crops has wrapped up for the year. Some areas in central and southern Minnesota have seen some replanting because of torrential rains and high winds and last week freezing temperatures in parts of nothern Minnesota nipped some of the young plants in that region, but overall the 2012 growing season is off to a good start. Small grains like spring wheat, oats and barley are moving ahead at a very quick pace this year, mostly because of very early planting and much of the corn crop is likely to be knee high long before the Fourth of July.

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An obesity expert at Rochester-Mayo Clinic has what might be considered an unconventional approach to fighting obesity. Dr. James Levine says being compassionate toward obese people will bolster their self-esteem and lead them toward healthier lifestyles. Levine gives credit to New City Mayor Bloomberg's call for cutting down on soft drink consumption but, "the idea that he's taking this on as a citywide project is, I think, laudable. This exact target, on the other hand, may not prove to be the solution but demonstrates a will to do something at a big level." Levine says that half the people in the United States and half of our children are seriously overweight. He says when people feel better about themselves they are more inclined to exercise and eat the right foods.

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The statewide average for regular unleaded is back below the 3-50 mark for the first time since February. Minnesota-Gas-Prices-dot-Com reports we're paying just over 3-dollars-48-cents this morning -- about a dime under the national average and nearly a quarter less than the statewide average a year ago.

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While Wisconsinites file into polling locations for recall elections today, Minnesotans wishing to run for public office have until 5-o-clock today to file papers. The Secretary of State reminds potential candidates that they can go online at sos.state.mn.us, and for a listing of people who have already filed for office.

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It could be another disappointing summer for teenagers looking for seasonal paychecks. Minnesota employment analyst Steve Hine says the jobs that kids normally get are in short supply. Hine says retail trade, leisure and hospitality, and bars and restaurants are not doing as well as much of the rest of the economy right now -- especially in Minnesota. Hine adds that older workers continue to stay in the work force, making it more difficult for young people to get jobs. Hine notes that employers are hiring workers with the most experience, leaving many teens on the sidelines.

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It's seen as a significant setback for the White Earth Tribe's attempts to break into the lucrative metro area casino market. Canterbury Park has agreed to drop its push for slot machines at the horse track, in exchange for money from the Shakopee Sioux Community to beef up its purses. Both groups say they'll oppose any new casinos in the Twin Cities. But White Earth Tribal Chair Erma Vizenor predicts, given the state's budget situation, gaming will not be off the radar of lawmakers. Vizenor says with expected deficits, "gaming will always be an option."

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Another reminder that some Minnesota's rivers are moving pretty fast still. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says a bicyclist heard cries for help from two stranded kayakers on an island in the Mississippi Monday afternoon. Deputies were able to cross the river and rescue the man and boy from Sauk Rapids. The teen and 21-year old say they had been kayaking down the Sauk River but when they entered the high-running Mississippi, they lost control and ended up stranded on the island.

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The busiest air carrier in Minnesota saw overall traffic drop last month. Delta Air Lines's stock took a beating with the news that May traffic dipped point-six-percent, thanks mostly to rival Southwest Airlines moving into Delta's main hub in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Delta has bought a small equity stake in Mexico's biggest airline, Grupo Aeromexico. Sixty-five-million dollars gets Delta four-percent ownership -- and it's the first time a global carrier has bought into a Mexican domestic airline.

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Here are the winning numbers from the Minnesota State Lottery for Monday, June 4th, 2012. The Daily Three: 2-6-3. Northstar Cash: 14-20-27-28-30. Gopher Five: 7-19-27-34-41.

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