The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, Michael Cohen, took the stand Monday, poised to offer testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.

Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer, is by far the Manhattan district attorney’s most important witness in the case, and his appearance signals that the trial is entering its final stretch. Prosecutors say they may wrap up their presentation of evidence by the end of the week.

Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat, arrived Monday for the start of his trial on charges that he accepted bribes of gold and cash to use his influence to deliver favors that would help three New Jersey businessmen.

Menendez is on trial with two of the businessmen who allegedly paid him bribes. After charges were announced in September, he was forced out of his post as chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.

Construction on the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena has resumed today ahead of the last two weeks of classes, after the St. Paul City Planning Committee upheld the Zoning Committee’s denial of a site plan appeal from the Advocates for Responsible Development.

Construction on the arena had been paused since Tuesday, April 16.

Owen Larson can be reached at lars6521@stthomas.edu.