Concert review: Now in their 70s, AC/DC still know how to rock

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Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, AC/DC did what not too long ago seemed impossible. The Australian warhorses kicked off the North American leg of their Power Up Tour in front of a sold-out crowd of metalheads young and old (but mostly old).

Just weeks after we last saw the band in these parts, headlining Xcel Energy Center on Valentine’s Day 2016, lead singer Brian Johnson was forced to leave the tour after doctors told him he was at risk for total hearing loss due to a punctured ear drum. Axl Rose, of all people, stepped in to help AC/DC finish the tour, which seemed destined to be their final outing. In an interview at the time, Johnson himself suggested he was done with the band.

But, apparently, Johnson got his ear drum situation sorted and, in 2020, the band surprised fans with a new album, “Power Up.” Last summer, they played 17 cities across Europe. Minneapolis is the first of 13 North American dates, with the band returning to Europe in June.

Now 77, Johnson looked like he was having the time of his life Thursday, grinning wildly and shimmying around the stage like a drunken pensioner. His vocals have always been more about blunt force than technique and Johnson impressed with his still-powerful singing/screaming, even if he skipped some of the lyrics here and there. (The band took several quick between-song breaks during the show, presumably to give Johnson the chance to catch his breath.)

As usual, guitarist Angus Young existed in his own world and cranked out a steady stream of power chords and squealing solos, all while — at the age of 70 — dressed like a schoolboy. Young also stands as the only continuous member in the band’s 52-year history. His brother Malcolm retired in 2014 to receive treatment for dementia and died three years later. Drummer Phil Rudd sat out the tour to care for his partner, who is battling breast cancer. Bassist Cliff Williams has also retired from the road.

The replacements — rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, nephew of the Young brothers, bassist Chris Chaney and drummer Matt Laug — all fared well in creating a musical base for Young and Johnson to build on. Laug, in particular, proved particularly adept at keeping the rock and roll train barreling forward.

As for the set list, well, it was pretty much what you’d expect from AC/DC: “Back in Black,” “Thunderstruck,” “Highway to Hell,” “You Shook Me All Night Long” and so on. The pair of new songs they played fit in well, even if “Demon Fire” approaches Spinal Tap territory.

Despite the wrinkles and gray hair of the men playing them, AC/DC’s songs remain timeless slices of crude and rude rock custom made for blasting from the cars of stoned teenagers. It’s still a thrill to hear them performed live, even in the echo chamber that is U.S. Bank Stadium.

If this is the last we’ll see of AC/DC — and it very well could be — they went out with a bang for sure.

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Lightweight strollers perfect for on-the-go parents

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Which lightweight travel strollers are best?

Traveling with children can be easy and convenient with the right items. Lightweight and compact travel strollers will provide a safe and secure place for children to rest, while also being easy to transport. Strollers that are best for travel will comply with safety measures similar to regular strollers but will be less bulky. Before you purchase a lightweight travel stroller, consider how much it weighs, the canopy features and the stability of the wheels.

A lightweight versatile folding stroller that is designed with durability and safety in mind is the Gb Pockit Air All Terrain Ultra-Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller.

What to know before you buy a lightweight travel stroller

Weight

Before purchasing a travel stroller consider how much the item weighs and the restrictions that could be presented while flying, such as weight restrictions for carry-on items.

Items that are light and easy to transport should still be durable.

Canopy

The best lightweight strollers for travel will feature a retractable canopy that allows the child in the stroller to have shade from the sun or stay dry if the weather conditions are not ideal. A retractable canopy allows for the child to have privacy while being strolled around, as well as added protection from strangers and the weather.

Wheels

Lightweight travel strollers should have wheels that are equipped to withstand all different types of terrains. Double wheels that feature locking technology will provide the most security for the child in the stroller and will be the safest, easiest way to push the item around on any surface. Locking wheels allow for abrupt stops without causing the child to fall out of the stroller. Nonslip, durable wheels are also good features in a stroller.

Secure straps

The straps that hold the child in the travel stroller should be securely fitted and closed. These items are typically fastened with a buckle and are of the best quality when they feature pads that bring the child comfort rather than constraint. They should be adjustable for children of various sizes and ages and should be securely closed to prevent the child from escaping or falling out while on the go.

What to look for in a quality lightweight travel stroller

Storage

The best lightweight travel strollers come with an area for users to store necessary travel items or the child’s items. Strollers with storage bags or added space are of best use when on the go. Some lightweight travel strollers will even feature cup holders so you can operate the stroller with both hands.

Carrying straps

A quality lightweight travel stroller will provide you with a padded handle or strap that allows you to easily transport the compact, folded item. Either option will be convenient in airports and when getting the item in and out of storage spaces.

Compact

You will be able to fold the best lightweight travel strollers to a compact size. This will make them easier to take as carry-ons or pack away into trunks, garages or closets when you aren’t using them.

How much you can expect to spend on a lightweight travel stroller

The best lightweight travel stroller will cost $40-$200, depending on the material and added features.

Lightweight travel stroller FAQ

Are you able to bring a stroller onto a plane when traveling?

A. If a stroller is extremely lightweight and compact, it will be able to be used as a carry-on item on a plane. Strollers that are heavier and less compact will be less likely to pass as a carry-on. Users should check the airline’s travel guidelines for best use before traveling with a stroller, regardless of the weight.

What are the benefits of a stroller with grip handles?

A. Strollers with grip handles allow for better control of the stroller when transporting children. If the handles feature grip, it will be harder for the user to slip when pushing the stroller.

What’s the best lightweight travel stroller to buy?

Top lightweight travel stroller

Gb Pockit Air All Terrain Ultra-Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller

What you need to know: This stroller is breathable and features soft velvet fabric. It comes in two different colors and is designed for use in multiple places. This item is recommended for those older than 6 months.

What you’ll love: The frame is made with durable aluminum and is foldable for compact storage. This nontoxic item can be considered as hand luggage when flying. It has double wheels for stability on various terrains. It comes with a padded inlay that can keep a child warm on cold days. The bottom section of the stroller features a pouch to allow users more storage while on the go.

What you should consider: The handles rattle and the stroller doesn’t feel as durable after it is folded multiple times.

Top lightweight travel stroller for the money

Summer Infant 3D Mini Convenience Stroller

What you need to know: This mini lightweight stroller has a reclining canopy to add shade and a durable aluminum frame. This item is available in multiple colors.

What you’ll love: It has auto-lock wheels and can be used for everyday purposes. It can be reclined to multiple positions and can be folded. The back of the stroller has a storage basket and the sides feature two cup holders for multipurpose use.

What you should consider: This stroller does not fit children over 25 pounds.

Worth checking out

Kolcraft Cloud Umbrella Stroller

What you need to know: This stroller comes in a few colors and has double wheels for stability in various settings. It is for children ages 6 months old and up and can support up to 40 pounds. This item comes with a padded carrying strap.

What you’ll love: This item is easy to fold and is extra compact. It features an extensive sun canopy that will protect users from the elements, similar to the use of an umbrella, and the aluminum frame is durable. You can adjust the stroller into different resting positions, and it is easy to clean. It comes with one cup holder and a storage basket.

What you should consider: It takes multiple steps to collapse this stroller.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Minnesota woman faces federal charges for assaulting flight crew member

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GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A Bemidji, Minn., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for interference with flight crew members and attendants after an incident on an Allegiant Air flight in January.

Court documents show that Jody Sherry-Berg, 64, was arrested in Minnesota on Tuesday on a warrant from North Dakota. She was released on a personal recognizance bond after a court appearance. She is scheduled to be arraigned on April 21 in Grand Forks.

The indictment, unsealed Wednesday, alleges Sherry-Berg “did knowingly interfere with the performance of the duties of J.M., a flight crew member or flight attendant … by assaulting and intimidating … J.M. by grabbing J.M’s genitals,” on a flight from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to Grand Forks International Airport on Jan. 16.

Initially, Sherry-Berg was charged in state court with providing false information to law enforcement, after she allegedly gave a false name to Grand Forks police officers responding to the report of the assault. Those charges were dismissed on April 3, following the federal indictment.

A message left for Sherry-Berg was not immediately returned Wednesday.

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Lakeville man is first ever convicted under new wage theft law in Minnesota

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A Lakeville man was convicted this week of one count of felony wage theft, marking the first conviction of its kind under a 2019 state law.

Frederick Leon Newell, 59, was convicted by a Hennepin County district judge Wednesday of one count of wage theft and one count of theft by swindle, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

“This wage-theft conviction is the first of its kind in Minnesota. It is an important step forward in our efforts to protect workers,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated. Mr. Newell was entrusted with public funds to pay his staff for their labor on a public works project. Instead, he siphoned their money for himself.”

According to the criminal complaint, Newell committed wage theft by failing to pay employees at his company at the rate of pay required by law. Newell owned Integrated Painting Solutions in Apple Valley, according to the criminal complaint.

Newell’s company secured a bid to do work on the Redwell apartment complex at 1020 N. Third St. in Minneapolis. He hired seven people to paint and do cleaning. All that work was subject to wage requirements under city ordinance and state and federal law.

The court also found that Newell had committed “major economic offenses,” which may lead to a longer sentence.

In total, five employees of Newell’s company were underpaid by more than $37,000 between June 8, 2020, and Dec. 4, 2020.

Newell was charged with one count of theft of wages and one count of theft by swindle.

Authorities said the latter charge refers to Newell continuing to “accept payments from a general contractor over the course of a project despite knowing that his company was in financial distress, was not paying prevailing wage, and was concealing hours worked by employees.”

“This guilty verdict marks a historic milestone in our ongoing commitment to workplace justice,” said state Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, a member of the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. “When the Legislature amended Minnesota’s theft statute in 2019, we took a significant step by explicitly recognizing wage theft as a criminal offense. However, our work to protect hardworking Minnesotans isn’t complete.”

Frazier is looking at legislation to grant county attorneys authority to further investigate wage theft.

Newell will be sentenced  June 6.

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