Early release for felons after law change, Valentine's Day snow, Lutsen Lodge owner speaks out: Week in review

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - 2 women were released early from a Minnesota prison after a felony murder law change. Valentine's Day snow totals. Lutsen Lodge owner spoke out after negative social media attention. Here's this week's top stories from Feb. 10-16. 

1. 2 women released early from Minnesota prison after felony murder law change

Two women released from prison this week may be the very first inmates in Minnesota to have their sentences reduced under new legislation redefining the crime of aiding and abetting felony murder.

Megan Cater and Briana Martinson were charged and ultimately pleaded guilty to aiding in the murder of Corey Elder in Bloomington nearly seven years ago.

To read the full story, click here. 

2. Minnesota weather: Snow totals from Valentine's Day — largest storm of the season in the metro

The Twin Cities nearly doubled the season total for snow in just one storm on Valentine's Day, with the area picking up several inches of snow and setting a daily record at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Wednesday's wintry weather was the largest snowstorm this season in the Twin Cities.

3. Lutsen Lodge owner speaks out after negative attention on social media

Almost a week after the fire that burned down Lutsen Resort Lodge, the owner is speaking out following a mass of negative attention toward the resort on social media. 

This comes after investigators walked back comments about calling the fire a crime scene. Officially, the fire is under investigation and authorities are asking the public to stay out of the area. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) says it is still too early to determine how the fire started. The confusion started after the Cook County Sheriff's Office sent a press release calling the area an "official crime scene". DPS has since said that communication was not clear. 

In a long statement made by Lutsen Lodge owner Bryce Campbell on Facebook, he responds to topics that have surfaced from failed fire inspections, bankruptcy, lawsuits and unpaid taxes. The owner asked the public to "Stop," adding "The damage that has been done is going beyond a building."

To read the full statement, click here. 

4. Facebook's new 'chirping' sound was a mistake; here's how to turn it off

Have you noticed your Facebook app making a "chirping" sound as you scroll through the social media platform? You’re not alone. 

Some reporting has suggested that the added sound was part of a new update to make the mobile experience "more engaging and interactive," but Meta spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed to FOX Television Stations that the change was simply "an error."

Click here to learn how to turn off the sound. 

5. Serial swindler targets motorcycle dealerships across the metro

A Forest Lake man with a lengthy history of theft and check fraud is now charged with stealing more than $200,000 from a dozen Twin Cities businesses.

Richard Wooton, 54, is facing a new round of theft charges after police say he targeted a dozen dealerships last year, writing bad checks to purchase motorcycles, heavy machinery, trailers, and even a boat.

Court documents claim Wooton stole more than $232,000 worth of items from May to October 2023. He would then sell many of the items for cash.

6. Medina burglar drops safe from balcony, steals $1M in jewelry: Surveillance video

Authorities are warning about a brazen string of burglaries targeting high-end houses in several wealthy, suburban communities across the Twin Cities metro.

In one break-in captured on home surveillance video, a masked suspect got away with more than $1 million in jewelry.

To read the full story, click here. 

7. Minnesota native killed in Mexico after being attacked by dogs

Photographs and memories are all Reyna Mishler has left of her beloved daughter, Mina Bast. From her house in St. Paul, she can hardly comprehend what Mina went through thousands of miles away from home.

The 48-year-old St. Paul native and Como Park High School graduate was walking along the beach near her home in San Felipe, which is located in the Baja California portion of Mexico. She reportedly saw a dog being attacked by a large pack of ten other dogs, and when she tried to help, the pack turned on her.

Mina was killed and an investigation into her death was launched.

8. Minnesota school lunchtime length could be mandated in proposed law

The minimum amount of time children get to eat their lunch could soon become mandated for school districts.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL-Minneapolis) would require a student who is a part of the national school lunch program to have a minimum of 15 minutes seat time to eat their lunch after receiving the meal. 

Differing from the general time frame currently allotted for a lunch period, the minimum time to eat lunch would not include transition time to and from the cafeteria – or where the lunch is served – waiting in a food service line, selecting the meal, returning trays, or recess.

9. Disney on Ice skater injured Minneapolis: Skater's condition improves

The Disney on Ice skater who was injured in Minneapolis has improved, according to Hennepin Healthcare.

A spokesperson for the hospital told FOX 9 she is now in serious condition. Over the weekend, she was listed in critical but stable condition. 

In a statement from Feld Entertainment over the weekend, during the 11 a.m. show at Target Center, the skater who portrays Belle was injured after she fell while performing a lift during a pair skating routine. She was taken to the hospital. 

10. 2 charged after central MN authorities find 3-pound box of meth

Two men are facing charges in central Minnesota after authorities intercepted a box containing three pounds of meth, a criminal complaint alleges.

The package, addressed to a mobile home park outside of Rice, Minnesota, just north of St. Cloud, was discovered by airport police at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport on February 1. After getting a search warrant for the suspicious package, authorities opened and found about three pounds of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

From that point, a member of the airport police department disguised as a UPS driver, delivered the package to the intended address.