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Documents: A surveillance project attracts “too much media attention”
Twice during the past two years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given permission to a notable defense contractor to help conduct an unusual mission: Fly a sophisticated high-altitude balloon over a six-state area – including southern Minnesota – to help the government deter drug trafficking and homeland security threats. ... Continue Reading
The University of Minnesota courts the military
In the spring of 2018, the State of Minnesota submitted a high-profile bid to have the United States Army build a Futures Command Center in the state. The bid – while ultimately unsuccessful – provided a revealing look at how the University of Minnesota tried to market itself to the military. ... Continue Reading
New federal documents describe 2014 “Brass Star” military training exercise
The U.S. military provided coaching on how to handle media inquiries during a 2014 military training exercise in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and included advice on how to limit information should a “serious accident or incident involving injury or death” occur. ... Continue Reading
St. Paul produces additional documents on 2014 military training
In the newly released documents, Mayor Chris Coleman’s deputy mayor, Kristin Beckmann, described one City Council member as “pissed” and another as being “in a tizzy” over what had happened. Even St. Paul’s then-public school superintendent joined in. “We got helicopters flying around downtown buildings. What is going on? We are so freak[ed] out,” Valeria Silva wrote in an e-mail. ... Continue Reading
Davidov an army intelligence officer?
Longtime Twin Cities peace activist Marv Davidov was once in line to be a member of the U.S. Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps, according to new records. ... Continue Reading