Minneapolis Greets New Bridge

'75% of Joplin is gone', says Red Cross rep of Missouri town

(NEWSER) - The latest savage slash of US tornadoes ripped up the Midwest last night, flattening the town of Joplin, Missouri. At least 89 are dead, and that number is expected to rise. "I would say 75% of Joplin is virtually gone," said a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross after a tornado tore a 4-mile swath through the heart of town. Homes and other buildings were crushed, and power lines and trees toppled. "Vehicles were picked up and thrown into houses," said one witness. Medical records and X-rays from the hard-hit Joplin Regional Medical Center were discovered nearly 70 miles away, littering people's driveways, reports CNN . More»

Minnesota school relents on couple after lawsuit

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of classmates cheered as a lesbian couple paraded in matching tuxes to take their place among prom royalty at their Minneapolis suburban high school. "It felt amazing," said senior Desiree Shelton. She and date Sarah Lindstrom had battled to walk to the prom court as a couple after the school attempted to dodge the gay rights issue by ruling that all elected students would have to walk alone or be accompanied by a parent or teacher. Officials finally caved after they were sued by two human rights organizations. They agreed that members of the royalty court would be escorted by anyone meaningful to them, regardless of gender or age. More»

Gang accused of wooing US-Somalis for 'fun, friendship'

(NEWSER) - Join a terror group and have fun, make friends and see the world. That's the pitch federal authorities say a Minnesota terror gang used to recruit fellow Somali-Americans to fight overseas, according to new charges against 8 men. A total of 14 people have now been targeted in the probe into the recruitment ring, which is blamed for the disappearance of at least 20 young men from the Minneapolis area over the last few years, the New York Times reports. More»

(NEWSER) - An elevated walkway under construction at Atlanta’s Botanical Garden collapsed today, killing a worker and injuring 18, the Journal-Constitution reports. Workers were pouring concrete for the 40-foot-high footbridge when the collapse set off a scene one EMT described as "sheer chaos." Those nearby described a “loud thud” that “lasted for about 15 seconds,” followed 10 minutes later by sirens. More»

Victims eligible for $400K apiece

(NEWSER) - Minnesota will establish two funds totaling $38 million to compensate victims of the Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people last summer, the Star Tribune reports. One pool allows victims up to $400,000 each; the other provides those "extraordinarily impacted" by the collapse with extra funds for medical bills and other needs. In exchange, victims will waive their right to sue the city or state. More»