Driver found in car had been shot

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis police investigating a car crash discovered the driver had been shot.

Authorities say the car crashed into a building in northeast Minneapolis about 5 p.m. Tuesday. Officers arriving at the scene found the man had gunshot wounds that caused his death at Hennepin County Medical Center.

The victim is identified by his father as 39-year-old Steven Markey. Jerry Markey told the Star Tribune that police officers knocked on his door in Maple Grove Tuesday night to break the news of his son’s death.

Minneapolis police say the gunfire happened about a block away from where the car crashed. No suspects are in custody.

Worker gets benefits, returns

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A month after collecting $166,000 in early retirement benefits from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, a veteran staffer is back at work there.

Former Deputy Commissioner Brian Hiti volunteered for retirement as part of a restructuring at the development agency. But the Star Tribune reports his retirement didn’t last long. He was back on the payroll a month later at $41 per hour. The agency says the contract was necessary to fill key duties and ensure a smooth handoff of his responsibilities as a mining adviser.

The newspaper says the contract has brought fresh scrutiny to an agency long criticized for political cronyism. Gov. Tim Walz reprimanded its commissioner in April after former state Rep. Joe Radinovich got a well-paying post without going through the normal hiring process.

Lillehaug leaving Supreme Court

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Lillehaug said Wednesday he has Parkinson’s disease and won’t seek re-election next year.

Lillehaug, 65, said in a statement released by the court that he expects to resign effective July 31, 2020. Under the state constitution, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz would appoint Lillehaug’s successor, who wouldn’t have to stand for election until 2022.

“I have loved my six years of work on the Court and had planned to serve for a few more years. But my plan has changed because I have Parkinson’s disease. It’s at an early stage, it’s well-managed, and I feel great,” Lillehaug said.

Lillehaug served as U.S. attorney for Minnesota from 1994-1998 under President Bill Clinton. He returned to private practice until Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton appointed him to the Supreme Court in 2013.