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STATE BRIEFS States sue EPA over water transfer rule
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota and eight other states on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over what they say is an illegal ruling that could hurt fisheries and contaminate drinking water.
The lawsuit targets an EPA water transfer rule published June 9 that exempts the discharge of pollutants contained in "transfer waters" from permitting requirements, the attorneys general said.
The states contend the rule creates a loophole that could allow the transfer of polluted or contaminated water from one water body to another where it would do harm. Examples of water transfers include an oceangoing ship dumping salt water into the Great Lakes or a lake's water being drained into a river. Water transfers routinely occur throughout the country for irrigation projects, city drinking water, dams and ecological restoration.
Others suing the EPA include New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Washington and the Canadian province of Manitoba.
Sun Country Airlines warns of possible shutdown
MENDOTA HEIGHTS (AP) - Struggling Sun Country Airlines has warned its employees that they should be prepared for potential major layoffs or even a shutdown as early as Dec. 1, though the carrier sought Thursday to downplay that message.
The warning came in a letter to employees on Wednesday night by John Fredericksen, general counsel for the Mendota Heights-based carrier, which employs 850 people.
Sun Country said in a statement Thursday, however, that it issued that letter to comply with legal requirements, and that it has no plans to shut down or slash its work force. It noted that federal law requires airlines to give employees 60 days notice if they intend large-scale job cuts or ceasing operations.
Errant check-casher sentenced to 9 months in jail
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A woman who cashed a nearly $2.6 million check that was issued by the state due to a clerical error has been sentenced to nine months in jail.
Hennepin County prosecutors initially charged 38-year-old Sabrina Walker with theft by swindle. The Minneapolis woman will serve 270 days in the workhouse on a lesser charge of failure to turn over state funds, but will be allowed out for work and classes.
Walker also will have to make restitution, with a cap of $500,000.
Student suspended for leaving hunting bow in truck
MILACA. (AP) - A Milaca High School senior is on suspension after leaving his hunting bow in his SUV that was parked at school.
Keith Larson has missed a week and a half of school and can't return to class until Wednesday.
Larson said had been on a hunting trip a few days before the morning he drove to school with his bow and arrow set still sitting in the back of his SUV. He said it was covered up, just sitting in the back end.
"I didn't plan nothing to use it. I just forgot it in the back of my vehicle," he said.
Principal Troy Anderson said the school has a strict, zero-tolerance policy, and students know they can't bring weapons to school.
EEOC sues Mesaba, alleges religious discrimination
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Mesaba Airlines, alleging religious discrimination against a Jewish employee who refused to work the Sabbath.
The commission said Wednesday that the lawsuit was filed late Tuesday against Mesaba, a regional airline based in Eagan that Northwest Airlines bought last year.
3 arrested in khat bust
WINONA (AP) - Three men are in custody in southeastern Minnesota on suspension of possessing the illegal drug khat.
The Winona County Sheriff's Department says a deputy stopped a vehicle about 4 a.m. Thursday near Lewiston for speeding.
Sheriff Dave Brand says the driver seemed nervous, so the deputy looked inside the car and saw a leafy green substance on the front seat.
The deputy suspected it was khat, which lead to a search of the vehicle. The search turned up just over 11 ounces of the plant.
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