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MINNESOTA

Candidate ends run after ISIS tweet

A Democratic candidate for the Minnesota House ended his campaign Sunday, hours after he tweeted that the Islamic State group "isn't necessarily evil" and its members were doing what they thought was best for their community.

Dan Kimmel, 63, announced the end of his bid for office on his campaign website and Twitter account. He said Saturday evening's tweet was in response to a statement made during a candidate debate, not in response to Friday's violent attacks in Paris. He said his tweet was poorly worded and didn't convey his intent.

Kimmel sent a tweet Saturday that said: "ISIS isn't necessarily evil. It is made up of people doing what they think is best for their community. Violence is not the answer, though." He was criticized on social media, and sent out another tweet later that said: "I deplore the evil acts of ISIS. I do not defend their acts." - AP
INDIANA

Officer arrested

A reserve police officer was in jail Sunday, facing preliminary charges of rape, human trafficking, and battery. The Fishers Police Department was notified by the state Department of Child Services about a "juvenile suffering from various injuries" and searched a home Saturday, according to a news release. Officers arrested the homeowner, Lonny Jordan Hatland, 42, who was found to be a reserve officer with the Muncie Police Department. According to the release, the girl told detectives that the man, later identified as Hatland, had assaulted her and coerced her into having sex with other men for months. - AP
NORTH CAROLINA

Train-car crash kills 2

Authorities say two people were killed when a freight train collided with a car. A news release identified the victims as William Flint, 86, and Dorothy Flint, 83, of Cary, N.C. The initial investigation shows the driver of the Toyota Camry made a wrong turn, and the car got stuck on the tracks. - AP

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