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Sunrise Snapshot: Friday, November 15

Here's what you need to know heading into Friday.
Credit: Ramsey County
Jeffrey Morgan Groves

Man charged for sexual assault after police chase, crash in WI

A man has been charged for criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and burglary, one day after police say he led them on a wild chase that ended when he crashed his truck in Wisconsin. Prosecutors say Jeffrey Morgan Groves, 51, broke into an "elderly female's" home in St. Louis Park on Nov. 3, raped her multiple times, then forced her to go with him to two ATMs to withdraw cash for him. According to officials, a search warrant was executed at Groves' apartment in St. Paul on Nov. 7, and investigators found several pairs of pantyhose stockings with the crotch cut out, a meth pipe, and the woman's bedding. On Nov. 13, police attempted to arrest Groves during a traffic stop but he "fled in his vehicle and was stopped by police using a PIT maneuver, which caused his vehicle to crash," according to the complaint. Prosecutors say Groves was injured and is currently hospitalized in critical condition.

A mother's suicide prevention idea is spreading through MN and beyond

After Carol Castle's son, a firefighter, died of suicide, Castle created coins that carry the number of a crisis hotline for first responders. More than 2,000 coins have already been distributed, and police, fire and EMS agencies in Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin either have or will start carrying them soon. The issue of suicide among first responders has become more urgent in 2019 with nearly 200 officers taking their own lives so far, according to a non-profit that tracks law enforcement suicides. In the Twin Cities last week, two officers from two different metro police departments took their own lives just hours apart. Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson's office recently rolled out a wellness program, added free chaplains to staff and continues to pursue other ways to improve resources for employee mental health. Other departments in the Twin Cities have added similar programs — including Plymouth, which requires officers to meet with a mental health practitioner annually.

Officials meeting to discuss birds hitting U.S. Bank Stadium

Credit: KARE
US Bank Stadium in November

The debate has gone on for years. Should the glass on U.S. Bank Stadium be made less reflective in order to prevent more birds from colliding with the building? Conservationists are renewing their call for the glass to be made less reflective and less transparent after a study out this month showed the impact the stadium is having on the bird population. The study was done over two years during migration periods. It surveyed 21 buildings in downtown Minneapolis and found U.S. Bank Stadium had the third highest number of bird collisions at 229. Many of those birds died. The study estimates that 111 birds die every year after colliding with the stadium. Friday, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority will meet to discuss the study for the first time. It could be the first indication of whether or not the MFSA or Vikings plan to make any changes.

Sunnier Friday, warmer but windy weekend ahead

Before You Leave, Check This Out