• "Crime, Weather, and Sustainability: Minneapolis Local Pulse Roundup"
    Nov 24 2024
    Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for November 24, 2024.

    We start with breaking news from the past few days. A man was shot during a possible drug deal in Dinkytown and is expected to survive. Meanwhile, a teenage pedestrian from Maplewood tragically died after being struck by an SUV on Highway 61 on Monday morning[1].

    In other news, Minneapolis leaders, including Governor Tim Walz, gathered at Xcel Energy's Sherco Solar plant near St. Cloud to celebrate a milestone in the state's shift toward carbon-free electricity. This development marks a significant step forward in our city's commitment to sustainability.

    Moving on to the job market, there have been no major hiring announcements or notable business expansions in the past few days. However, it's worth noting that Target recently reported a slim sales increase in the third quarter, but profits slumped due to inflation-weary customers and costs related to a dockworker strike[4].

    In real estate, there have been no notable commercial or residential property sales or new development projects announced recently. However, the city of Cottage Grove has a plan to filter PFAS out of its drinking water and has secured funding for the project[1].

    From city hall, a state legislative study group met on Monday to gather feedback on plans to reduce the number of students who are chronically absent from school. This initiative aims to address a pressing issue affecting our local education system.

    Looking at the weather, temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day today, with potential snowfall arriving later. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows advises us to prepare for a chilly day ahead. Light snow and flurries are expected to move across Minnesota from west to east overnight Wednesday, with a dusting expected in the Twin Cities and 1-4 inches possible in the northwest corner of the state[1].

    In new business activity, the Uptown boutique Proper is closing after a decade in Minneapolis, but its Fargo location will remain open. On a brighter note, a bubble tea chain is moving into the former Caribou Coffee on St. Paul's Grand Avenue[2].

    Upcoming community events include Janet Jackson's concert at the Xcel Energy Center on June 18, 2024, and Vampire Weekend's added show at The Armory on July 31, 2024. For sports fans, the University of Minnesota football team hosts No. 4 Penn State on Saturday for Senior Day at Huntington Bank Stadium[2][4].

    In local school achievements, the Star Tribune has released its picks for the state's best prep football players. Congratulations to all the talented athletes recognized[3].

    On a feel-good note, the Hmong Cornhole Club is providing a competitive outlet and social draw for its members, showcasing the diversity and community spirit of our city[4].

    Finally, in today's crime report, a man died after a shooting near a park in south Minneapolis, and investigators are searching for suspects. Additionally, a 41-year-old man is accused of killing his girlfriend in his Red Wing apartment on Sunday. Our thoughts are with the families affected by these tragic incidents[1][3].

    This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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    4 mins
  • Weekend News Recap: Shootings, Fatal Crash, and Local Business Updates in Minneapolis
    Nov 23 2024
    Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Saturday, November 23, 2024.

    We're starting with breaking news from the past few days. A possible drug deal ended in a shooting in Dinkytown, with a man expected to survive. Meanwhile, a teenage pedestrian from Maplewood tragically died after being struck by an SUV on Highway 61. In other news, a 41-year-old man is accused of killing his girlfriend in his Red Wing apartment.

    In the job market, there haven't been any major hiring announcements recently, but we do note that the state of Minnesota is suing Zaza Cannabis business, which could impact jobs in that sector. On the other hand, downtown Minneapolis is seeing a residential revival driven by retirees, with hundreds joining Mill City Commons to support each other.

    Moving to real estate, a notable development is the purchase of downtown Minneapolis office space by a local investor who sees it as the "greatest opportunity of our lifetime." Weekly median home prices and inventory levels remain steady, but rising costs and regulations in Minneapolis are driving restaurateurs to outlying areas.

    From city hall, Mayor Frey vetoed the proposed Minneapolis Labor Standards Board, a decision that has been met with mixed reactions from business groups and proponents. The city is also considering a $15 minimum price for a pack of cigarettes in a new proposal.

    Weather-wise, it's starting to feel like winter in Minnesota. Temperatures will drop throughout the day, with potential snowfall arriving midweek. A system spreading across Minnesota on Wednesday will bring minimal accumulation to the Twin Cities but higher snow totals out west.

    In new business activity, Hi Flora!, an early innovator in Minnesota's cannabis industry, is closing up shop in early December. On the other hand, a bubble tea chain is moving into the former Caribou Coffee on St. Paul's Grand Avenue.

    Looking ahead to community events, Janet Jackson is coming to town next summer, and Vampire Weekend is adding a second show at The Armory. For those looking for holiday activities, there are several community Thanksgiving meals offered across the state.

    In local school achievements, the top-ranked St. Cloud State volleyball and wrestling programs are chasing national titles. And in a feel-good community story, Regions Hospital and Children's Minnesota shared photos of their tiniest patients dressed up for Halloween.

    In today's crime report, police are investigating an alleged sexual assault at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, which was later determined to be falsely reported. There have also been reports of a young man on an electric scooter grabbing or trying to grab women in the area. Additionally, an 18-year-old man was shot and killed near Minneapolis' Little Earth of United Tribes housing area.

    This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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    3 mins
  • Maplewood Tragedy, Xcel Energy Milestone, Target Profits Slump, PFAS Cleanup in Cottage Grove, and More - Minneapolis Local Pulse
    Nov 22 2024
    Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Friday, November 22, 2024.

    We're starting with breaking news from the past few days. A teenage pedestrian from Maplewood tragically lost his life after being struck by an SUV on Highway 61 Monday morning. Our thoughts are with the family and community during this difficult time[1].

    In other news, Minneapolis leaders, including Governor Tim Walz, gathered at Xcel Energy's Sherco Solar plant near St. Cloud to celebrate a milestone in the state's shift toward carbon-free electricity. This marks a significant step forward in our city's commitment to sustainability.

    Moving on to the job market, while there are no major hiring announcements or new job postings to report today, we do have an update on the business front. Target recently reported a slim sales increase in the third quarter, but profits slumped due to inflation-weary customers and costs related to a dockworker strike in October[3].

    In real estate news, there are no notable commercial or residential property sales to report today. However, we do have an update on a local development project. Cottage Grove has a plan to filter PFAS out of its drinking water, along with a way to pay for it, which is a significant step forward in addressing environmental concerns[1].

    From city hall, Russell Fujisawa, who helped Chicago police implement reforms, will now be in charge of complaints, police oversight, and misconduct claims in the city of Minneapolis. This appointment aims to enhance transparency and accountability within our local law enforcement.

    Looking at the weather, temperatures will drop throughout the day today before some potential snowfall arrives. Light snow and flurries will move across Minnesota from west to east overnight Wednesday, with a dusting expected in the Twin Cities and 1-4 inches possible in the northwest corner of the state[1].

    In new business activity, the bubble tea chain is moving into the former Caribou Coffee on St. Paul's Grand Avenue, adding another spot for locals to enjoy[2].

    Upcoming community events include the annual Flood Run on Saturday, which is expected to draw thousands of bikers. Additionally, Open Streets Minneapolis is moving forward with new event organizers and is still seeking more hosts[4].

    In local school achievements, a state legislative study group met Monday to get feedback on plans to reduce the number of students who are chronically absent from school. This initiative aims to improve attendance and overall educational outcomes[1].

    For a feel-good community story, the Hmong Cornhole Club is providing a competitive outlet for some and a social draw for others, showcasing the diverse and vibrant community spirit in our city[3].

    In today's crime report, a 35-year-old St. Paul man is in custody after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement early Tuesday in the east metro. Additionally, a 41-year-old man is accused of killing his girlfriend in his Red Wing apartment on Sunday. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities[1].

    This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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    4 mins
  • Snowfall Woes, PFAS Concerns, and Community Resilience - Minneapolis Local Pulse Recap
    Nov 21 2024
    Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Thursday, November 21, 2024.

    We're starting off with some breaking news from the past few days. Yesterday's snowfall caused quite a stir on our roads, resulting in 577 crashes and two fatalities. Our thoughts are with the families affected by these tragic incidents[4]. The roads remain slick today, so please exercise caution while driving.

    In other news, a former 3M scientist has come forward with concerns about the dangers of PFAS chemicals. He shared his struggles to bring this issue to light within the company, facing roadblocks and delays. This is a developing story we'll continue to follow.

    On the job market front, we don't have any major hiring announcements today, but we do have an update from Target. The retail giant reported a slim sales increase in the third quarter, but profits slumped due to inflation-weary customers and costs related to a dockworker strike in October.

    Moving on to real estate, there haven't been any notable commercial or residential property sales in the past few days. However, we're seeing a steady pace in new development projects and construction updates. Weekly median home prices and inventory levels remain stable, with no significant changes to report.

    From city hall, veterans with rejected applications have expressed concerns about the fairness of the process, stating they didn't have a chance to appeal their denial. This is an issue we'll be keeping an eye on.

    Weather-wise, today is expected to be chilly with partly cloudy skies. The snow from yesterday has left our roads slippery, so please be careful if you're commuting. Looking ahead, we're expecting a cold but clear weekend.

    In new business activity, we don't have any major openings or closings to report today. However, the Hmong Cornhole Club is making waves as a competitive outlet for some and a social draw for others. It's great to see our community coming together through unique activities.

    Upcoming community events include the University of Minnesota football team hosting No. 4 Penn State on Saturday for Senior Day at Huntington Bank Stadium. It's going to be an exciting game, so don't miss out.

    In local school achievements, we're proud to see our students excelling in various fields. While we don't have specific achievements to highlight today, we're always eager to share the successes of our local schools.

    For a feel-good community story, let's talk about the resilience of our local sports teams. Despite the challenges, they continue to inspire us with their dedication and teamwork.

    In today's crime report, we're focusing on the impact of yesterday's snow on road safety. The Minneapolis Police Department urges everyone to drive cautiously and report any hazardous conditions.

    This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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    3 mins