1. In a speech in Saudi Arabia, Trump urged Mideast nations to drive out “Islamic extremism”
Yesterday, President Donald Trump implored Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries to extinguish “Islamic extremism” emanating from the region, describing a “battle between good and evil” rather than a clash between the West and Islam.
Trump said in his speech, “We are not here to lecture — we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership — based on shared interests and values — to pursue a better future for us all.”
The president’s address was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his swearing-in.
2. Liquor Omnibus Bill might not pass, according to the bill’s author, State Rep. Joe Hoppe
That would mean a dead-end for 4 a.m. bar close during the 2018 Super Bowl and the loss of a lot of potential revenue for area businesses. The House author, State Rep. Joe Hoppe, said the deal with the Senate fell through over growler sales at small breweries.
Meanwhile, with less than 24 hours remaining, the clock continues to tick for lawmakers on budget negotiations with the governor.
3. Sheriff Rich Stanek says he is running for re-election, not governor, in 2018
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek announced via Facebook that he is running for re-election in 2018, ending speculation that he would seek the Republican nomination for governor.
Stanek said in the Facebook post: “This work has become personal to me and to my family, and it is with their love and support that I choose to rededicate my efforts for the next four years to this work.
The third-term sheriff is a former commissioner of the state Department of Public Safety and GOP lawmaker and would have been a formidable candidate for governor.
4. Mystery donation to used clothing store in Maplewood includes 60 bags of pot
A Maplewood children’s clothing store that pays money for used goods didn’t exactly know how to assess a customer’s drop-off Friday. Police Chief Paul Schnell said, “Once Upon a Child’ does not buy little baggies of weed.
In this case, it was 60 baggies containing about 2 grams of marijuana each.
About 6 p.m., police received a call from an employee of the store at 2839 White Bear Ave. Customers will sometimes drop off clothes, which employees will assess and pay for when the customer returns.
In this case, the customer didn’t return.
Police were still trying to find out who the woman was. Nobody was in custody Friday evening.
5. 'Alien: Covenant' beat out "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" for opening box office ticket sales
Ridley Scott's latest "Alien" exploit opened with $36 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. "Guardians" was close behind with just over $35 million in its third week of release. Two other new releases landed in the top five. Warner Bros.' teen romance "Everything, Everything" debuted in third place with $12 million, and Fox's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul," opened in fifth with $7.2 million.