Authorities believe they have uncovered a scam in which a man bought food stamp cards at half their value from dozens of homeless-shelter residents in the St. Paul area and then redeemed them at two grocery stores, the Star Tribune reports.

A former Lutheran pastor from Gibbon goes to trial in Sibley Co., on accusations he had inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old girl. He's also accused of stalking and accessing the girl's email.

Drug testing is being temporarily suspended in the St. Paul Police Department crime lab, MPR reports. The action comes after a Dakota County court hearing this week when two crime lab workers and the director of the lab said the lab does not follow any written procedures for drug testing and does not document most of the steps they take when testing evidence for illegal drugs.

KSTP-TV reports burglaries are up 10 percent compared to last year. There have also been more reports of prostitution and disorderly conduct.

Minnesota public defenders have decided to review cases involving at least 18 other crime labs after problems were revealed at the St. Paul facility, the Pioneer Press reports. State Public Defender John Stuart said, "The way the [St. Paul] lab was operating regarding drugs raises questions about whether they have proper procedures or validation for fingerprints or ballistics or testing paint chips."

Police Chief Thomas Smith appointed a new head of St. Paul's troubled crime lab on Thursday, Minnesota Public Radio said. Senior Commander Colleen Luna will lead the lab's reorganization, Smith said.

A video showing a St. Paul police officer kicking a suspect lying on the sidewalk has sparked a police brutality investigation. Mayor Chris Coleman says the video raises serious questions and says he spoke with Police Chief Thomas Smith, who then launched the investigation.