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Vikings express confidence in Alexander Mattison even after trading for Cam Akers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

The fact that the Vikings went out and traded for running back Cam Akers this week speaks to how intentional they are being about fixing their biggest issue. After rushing for a total of 69 yards in losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings view Akers as somebody who could inject some life into the backfield.What does that mean for running back Alexander Mattison? Not too much less than 24 hours after the Vikings acquired Akers in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams.Talking to reporters on Thursday at TCO Performance Center, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips spoke highly of Mattison. Though he deferred any specifics of the starting lineup to head coach Kevin O’Connell, Phillips emphasized that the Vikings feel comfortable with Mattison in his current role.“We haven’t lost confidence in Alexander Mattison,” Phillips said. “I will say that.”There are a number of factors that have contributed to the Vikings struggling in t...

How are St. Paul police trying to recruit more women? Inviting them in to see their work.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

St. Paul police are inviting women and teens to see what they do as they continue grappling with staffing shortages and a stubborn underrepresentation of women on the force.During the free Women in Law Enforcement Seminar on Saturday, for girls and women 14 and older, female St. Paul officers will talk about their work as homicide and gang investigators. Attendees will have a chance to see law enforcement procedures first-hand and tour the department’s gun range.“We are trying to bridge that gap by trying different ways to approach women and invite them to come into law enforcement,” said Deputy Chief Pamela Barragan, currently the highest-ranked female officer in St. Paul. “Sometimes women don’t see themselves as an officer because societal norms have said that women should not do X, Y or Z, so we’re really intentionally trying to break those barriers for women.”The St. Paul department signed onto a national pledge in 2021 to increase the d...

Twins on the verge of clinching playoff berth

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

The Twins are ready to pop the champagne and celebrate the achievement of a division title. Now, it’s only a matter of when.With their magic number down to one, the Twins are on the verge of clinching the American League Central and punching their ticket to the postseason. It could happen as early as Thursday, but the Twins needed both Cleveland and Detroit to lose for that to happen.The Twins (81-72) were off on Thursday, watching and waiting to see if it would be the day.“Doing this for a little while now, it’s special to win a division,” Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler said after Wednesday’s win in Cincinnati. “I know if and when it happens, no matter what it looks like … that’s special because it’s a group of men that have set out to achieve something. It’s not our big goal, but it’s a step in what we’re shooting for.”No, the big goal is to win a ring, but overcoming the rest of the division is the first hurdle on the way to that jewelry.The Twins have led the division for much ...

What to know about the University of Minnesota’s data breach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

After investigating a data breach report from August, the University of Minnesota announced Thursday that personal information about students and employees across 30 years was compromised.The U began its investigation after an individual claimed to have posted information including admissions, race and ethnicity information online in July. The breach potentially affects students and employees from 1989 to 2021, according to reports.Names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses and passport information were all potentially targeted information in the breach, which University officials said likely came after someone gained unauthorized access to its database in 2021.Although student financial aid applications and work contracts may have been stolen, donation, medical treatment, passwords and credit card information were not in the database and not breached, University officials said in a statement.The University is offering potentially affected indi...

FOX 9’s Tom Lyden and MPR’s John Wanamaker both leaving jobs to care for ailing elders

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

Two longtime Twin Cities broadcast journalists have left the airwaves this week to take care of ailing elders. They’re also longtime friends.“We’ve been talking about this for 15 years. We love our families and we know our obligations,” said Tom Lyden, an investigative reporter for FOX 9, which aired a tribute to him Thursday during the 9 p.m. newscast. Thursday also was the last day on the job for Minnesota Public Radio News host John Wanamaker.The pair have a total of 50 years experience in the market. Lyden spent three decades at FOX, while Wanamaker worked for WCCO Radio for six years before moving to MPR in 2010.“A lot of people are dealing with aging parents, the baby boomer generation or older,” Wanamaker said. “I don’t feel I’m any different than any of them. My wife and I are doing the best we can.”Wanamaker, 57, is moving to Indianola, a city 14 miles south of Des Moines, to take care of his wife Lisa Erb’s parents.“We want to keep my in-laws ...

Wild star Kirill Kaprizov more motivated to win, and improve, than ever

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

On the first day of Wild training camp, Kirill Kaprizov was asked what he expected from himself this season.“I’m not a big fan of guessing or setting expectations ahead of time,” the winger said through translator Ilya Kravtchouk.Marcus Foligno had no such qualms, at least as they applied to the young Russian who scored a combined 114 goals in his first three NHL seasons.“You’re going to see a better Kaprizov out there,” Foligno told reporters after his morning session at TRIA Rink. “It’s scary to say, but it’s great for us. … He’s ticked off.”Kaprizov, 26, scored 40 goals among 75 points in 67 games last season but said Thursday the season was something of a disappointment. He missed nearly the entire final month of the regular season with a lower-body injury after getting mugged in Winnipeg by 6-foot-7, 242 pound Jets defenseman Logan Stanley.Kaprizov played the final two regular-season games. He scored a goal in a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series a...

PHOTOS: Adirondack Balloon Festival takes the cake

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Thursday in downtown Glens Falls, it started with two elected officials and a banner. Said banner was carried by Assemblyman Matthew Simpson and Senator Dan Stec in honor of the Adirondack Balloon Festival, as the pair led a pipe and drum band and a series of trucks carrying balloon baskets up the length of Glen Street. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Adirondack Balloon Festival parade begins in downtown Glens Falls, N.Y.The Adirondack Balloon Festival parade begins in downtown Glens Falls, N.Y.The Adirondack Balloon Festival parade begins in downtown Glens Falls, N.Y.The Adirondack Balloon Festival parade begins in downtown Glens Falls, N.Y.The Adirondack Balloon Festival parade proceeds down Glen Street towards Crandall Park in downtown Glens Falls, N.Y.The Adirondack Balloon Festival parade proceeds down Glen Street towards Crandall Park in downtown Glens Falls, N.Y.The Adirondack Balloon ...

Federal government to relaunch website for free COVID tests

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Starting Monday, you can get free COVID tests from the federal government again. The Biden administration is digging into their stockpiles to restart their free test program and paying $600 million to U.S. manufacturers to make more tests.The website COVIDtests.gov will be back up on Sept. 25 and will allow each American household to order four free tests. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We think it's really important to prevent the spread of COVID for people to be able to test to know whether they have it or not,” U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O'Connell said.O’Connell says the tests will come from the federal stockpile that they’ve built up.The Biden administration is also paying $600 million to various U.S. manufacturers to produce more COVID tests for future use. O’Connell calls it a strategic investment meant to strengthen our own suppl...

Longtime Albany police officer retires

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A longtime member of the Albany Police Department is retiring. Officer Steve Smith was recognized on Thursday for his two decades of work in law enforcement.He was the Albany Police Department's public information officer for the past 11 years. He kept the public and media informed in the role. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! He said he is grateful to play a role in building relationships between the department and the community."There are so many people in this community who are engaged, who are really just working with the police department to enhance public safety and quality of life, and that was the part I really, really enjoyed," he said.Smith also thanked his family for their support.

Fathers, father figures drop kids off at school in Schenectady

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:15:54 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- More than 250 local students were dropped off at school on Thursday by their fathers and father figures. The Schenectady City School District took part in Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Once the kids were dropped off, the fathers came together for coffee and conversation with each other and school leaders. The national campaign started 16 years ago to promote the importance of fathers being present in their child's lives.