Latest news with #KSTP

3 days ago
- Politics
Minnesota state Sen. Hoffman credits daughter for 'saving countless other lives'
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife are crediting their daughter Hope for "saving countless other lives" on the night the couple was shot and wounded at their home in what prosecutors called an assassination attempt. "Without Hope, we wouldn't be here right now," the Democratic state senator and his wife said in a statement on Wednesday, according to Minneapolis ABC affiliate KSTP. "Our daughter's quick instincts and wherewithal to state that her dad is Senator John Hoffman when she called 911 led the police getting to the Hortman's so quickly and saving countless other lives." Vance Boelter is accused of shooting and wounding John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their house in Champlin, Minnesota, as well as shooting and killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home in nearby Brooklyn Park early Saturday morning, authorities said. Boelter allegedly showed up to their doors impersonating a police officer, officials said. But two other lawmakers were spared the night of the shootings, according to acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph Thompson. After Boelter allegedly shot the Hoffmans, prosecutors said he drove to a state representative's house in Maple Grove. That lawmaker was not home as she and her family were on vacation, Thompson said, and Boelter left the scene. Boelter then allegedly drove to a state senator's home in New Hope and parked on the street, Thompson said. After learning of the shooting at Hoffman's home, New Hope police dispatched an officer to the New Hope lawmaker's house, Thompson said. When the officer arrived, she saw Boelter's car parked down the block and she believed Boelter was an officer dispatched to the scene, Thompson said. The officer pulled up next to Boelter, rolled down her window and tried to speak with him, but he did not respond and stared straight ahead, Thompson said. So the New Hope officer drove to the state senator's home and waited for other law enforcement, and by that time, Boelter had left the scene, Thompson said. After learning of the shooting at the Hoffmans', officers were proactively dispatched the Brooklyn Park home of his fellow lawmaker, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman. When two Brooklyn Park officers arrived at the Hortmans', they saw Boelter's SUV in the driveway with emergency lights flashing and Boelter standing in front of the house, Thompson said. Boelter saw the officers and allegedly started shooting and running into the house, killing Melissa Hortman and her husband, Thompson said. The officers fired at Boelter as he allegedly rushed into the home, Thompson said, but the suspect escaped into the house and out the back. Boelter, who was arrested Sunday night, allegedly had a list of 45 elected officials in notebooks in his car, Thompson said. He faces federal charges including stalking and firearms charges and state charges including first-degree murder, officials said. The Hoffmans are recovering from their injuries. John Hoffman was shot nine times and Yvette was shot eight times, Yvette said, according to a message released by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
University of Minnesota approves largest tuition hike in a decade amid US education funding crisis
University of Minnesota approves steep tuition hike amid US funding crisis. (AI Image) The University of Minnesota (U of M) Board of Regents has approved the largest tuition increase in more than ten years, marking a significant development in the landscape of US higher education. In a 9-3 vote held on June 18, 2025, the board adopted a budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes tuition increases across all campuses and cuts to academic spending. The decision comes as the university faces a steep reduction in federal and state support, with leaders citing an 'uncertain financial landscape' and warning of tough decisions ahead. As reported by KSTP, University President Rebecca Cunningham told the board that 'higher education is facing unprecedented challenges' and emphasized the need to ensure financial stability despite the difficult choices involved. Tuition hike affects students across all campuses Under the new budget, undergraduate tuition will increase by 4% to 7.5% depending on the campus. Graduate students will see tuition rise by 6.5% for residents and 7.5% for out-of-state students. According to KSTP, officials said this marks the steepest tuition hike in over a decade and is part of a broader effort to stabilize finances. The board also approved a 7% cut in academic spending, a move that has drawn concern from students and faculty. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's A List Of Cheapest Steel Suppliers (See List) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo During a public hearing the week prior to the vote, members of the university community expressed fears about the impact these changes could have on education quality and employee well-being. Federal and state funding cuts deepen financial strain University officials warned that a potential 30% reduction in federal funding and a 3.5% decline in state funding (adjusted for inflation) are exacerbating budget pressures. Cunningham noted during the meeting, as quoted by KSTP, that 'we can all agree there are no easy choices this year.' Board member Doug Huebsch defended the vote, saying, 'Not everyone is going to be happy with this budget… but it is our job and obligation to deliver a budget that's balanced and as fair as possible,' as reported by KSTP. Low-income students promised protection Despite the hikes, university leaders stressed that low-income students will not be adversely affected. Thanks to programs like the North Star Promise and sustained scholarship and aid efforts, tuition increases will be offset for qualifying students. As per KSTP, the administration reassured the public that affordability remains a priority. The budget will take effect starting fiscal year 2026, as the University of Minnesota moves to navigate what leaders described as one of the most challenging periods for higher education in recent memory. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Minnesota in shock as burglar hits late Senator Melissa Hortman's home days after she and husband were killed
Just days after the tragic killing of the Minnesota state representative Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home, a second disturbing event occurred as a burglar broke into their house, as per a report. Second Tragedy Strikes Grieving Minnesota According to Brooklyn Park police, the break-in occurred overnight and was reported around 8 a.m. Wednesday, reported KSTP. The home, which had been processed by investigators and sealed with plywood over the windows, showed signs of forced entry, as per the report. Police say one of the boards at the back of the house had been pried off, and the window behind it shattered, KSTP reported. The cops said, "The home was once again processed by crime scene investigators for evidence of the burglary ," quoted ABC 11 report. The Brooklyn Park police also said that, "The home appeared to have been searched by an unknown individual; however, the family has indicated that they don't believe anything is missing," as quoted in the report. While, the burglary currently remains under investigation, the police department has urged local residents to check their surveillance cameras and call the police if they have any information, as per ABC 11 report. ALSO READ: Tesla in dire straits as reports say company halts production of Cybertruck, Model Y— Where is the stock headed? Live Events Vance Boelter Killed Melissa Hortman and Her Husband This incident takes place just a few days after Vance Boelter was accused of assassinating Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home in Brooklyn Park and also shooting and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their house in nearby Champlin early Saturday morning, reported ABC 11. FAQs What happened at Melissa Hortman's home? Someone broke into the home just days after she and her husband were tragically killed, as per reports. Was anything stolen? No, the family says nothing appears to be missing, though the home was searched, according to the police. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )


Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Whom did Vance Boelter vote for? Alleged Minnesota assassin's political affiliations revealed
The search for alleged Minnesota assassin Vance Luther Boelter sparked curiosity about his political affiliations. Following a massive manhunt, he has now been arrested, after being found in a field near Green Isle in Sibley County, according to KSTP. Boelter is accused of carrying out several shootings, including that of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in their Champlin home early Saturday, June 14, leaving them seriously injured. He then went to former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortmon's house, where he allegedly killed her and her husband, police sources told the New York Post. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who is believed to have appointed Boelter to a state advisory board in the past, said that Hortman's murder was 'a politically motivated assassination.' Boelter's roommate claimed that the suspect had conservative political views, but hardly ever discussed politics and did not come across as overtly political. 'He was a Trump supporter. He voted for Trump. He liked Trump. I like Trump,' Boelter's lifelong friend David Carlson told the New York Post. 'He didn't like abortion.' After the shootings, police found a targeted list of people in Boelter's car, including several politicians, and abortion providers and pro-abortion politicians, the Star Tribune reported. These included Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison and US Sen. Tina Smith, their respective offices said. Police also found picture of handwritten fliers with the slogan 'No Kings' in his car – a phrase that has now become a popular anti-Trump rallying cry. While the motive for the crime remains unclear, Boelter served on the same state workforce development board as Sen. Hoffman, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. KTTC obtained two notices of appointment for Boelter to the Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB). Meanwhile, online biographies show that Hoelter runs a security company and has ties to the Middle East and Africa. On LinkedIn, he lists himself as the CEO of the Red Lion Group, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.


Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Politician shooting suspect's wife found with passports and weapon in car
The wife of Vance Boelter, 57, who is suspected of shooting two politicians and their partners in Minneapolis, was stopped by police in a traffic stop and found to be carrying a weapon and passports The wife of a man suspected of shooting two US politicians and their partners was questioned by police after a weapon was found in her car along with passports during a traffic stop. A huge manhunt is underway for Vance Boelter, 57, after Democrat Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark were shot dead at their home early on Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park, a city near Minneapolis. John Hoffman, 60, also a Democrat, and his wife Yvette were shot at their home just nine miles away in a related attack, according to police. The Hoffmans each underwent surgery, according to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz who added: 'We are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt." Police have said that the gunman impersonated a police officer and they believe the attacks to be politically motivated. Hundreds of law officers fanned out across the Minneapolis suburb in pursuit of Boelter and now it has emerged that police stopped his wife Jenny Boelter on Saturday morning between 10am and 11am. The shootings of the Hortmans and the Hoffmans had taken place in the early hours of Saturday. In the traffic stop by police it is understood that Ms Boelter was in a car with 'other relatives' who were questioned in the Onamia area in Mille lacs County. Witnesses said that police remained on the scene for up to three hours with the wife of the suspect. And they told KSTP that in the vehicle was a weapon, ammunition, cash and passports, but it is believed that she was only questioned and not arrested. Meanwhile Kyle Burton, Mille Lacs County Sheriff, told FOX 9 of the traffic stop: "My office assisted law enforcement from Hennepin County on a stop near a convenience store in the city of Onamia. "Our role on this stop was perimeter. We did not search or question any of the occupants. I was told by my staff who responded that the shooting suspect's wife was in the car along with several other relatives." It is not known if Ms Boelter was living with her husband although it is understood that they both previously ran a company called Praetorian Guard Security. She was the President CEO and described as bringing 'years of organizational operations and logistical oversight,' according to the company website. Meanwhile, it said Vance Boelter had security experience in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, including in the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. A massive search is underway for Boelter, who was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that "looked exactly like an SUV squad car, as it was equipped with lights, emergency lights, and looked exactly like a police vehicle," Police Chief Mark Bruley said. A chilling image of a man believed to Boelter wearing a horror movie-style latex mask was issued. Cops exchanged gunfire with him at Hortman's home, but he managed to flee on foot. The FBI has offered a $50,000 (£36,859) reward for any information relating to the suspect.