Park and recreation officials said the Pan Continental Curling Championships open Sunday at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center; organizers estimated about $1.5 million in direct spending across the region over the 10‑day event.

The Virginia City Council declined a motion to pay an outstanding $29,000 invoice from Mesabi Humane Society on Oct. 14, 2025, then voted to direct staff to pursue alternatives for meeting the city's statutory animal-control obligations.

Chief Human Resources Officer Nikki Odom told the Budget Committee the HR department will implement Minnesota paid family and medical leave in 2026, support an enterprise ERP (Workday) transition, reduce two FTEs under the mayor's recommendation, and is relying on internal savings and self-insurance reserves rather than new general-fund dollars.

CFO Dushani Dai presented the Finance and Property Services departments 2026 recommended budget for $65.1 million, described property-services projects (First Precinct move, South Side Community Safety Center design), and said the city will begin passing credit-card processing fees for utility bills to customers in 2026.

Prince Corbett, director of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (REIB), told the Budget Committee on Oct. 7 that the department's recommended 2026 budget falls to about $1.1 million from just over $2 million in 2023 and that staffing will drop to five budgeted positions, limiting capacity for enterprise racial-equity work while the department le

City Attorney Kristin Anderson presented the offices accomplishments, public-safety work and recommended 2026 budget cuts to the Minneapolis City Budget Committee, describing program wins and planned reductions that together reduce roughly 3.0% in 2026 after a 4.0% reduction in 2025.

At an Oct. 7 budget committee meeting, Emergency Management Director Rachel Sayer told the Minneapolis City Council Budget Committee that FEMA funding for the department will drop from about $900,000 to $10,000 next year, prompting a $25,000 training reduction and plans to pursue mayoral or other replacements for grant revenue.

At a public hearing on the mayors recommended 2026 budget, city staff summarized the proposal and dozens of residents urged the council to restore cuts to Speak Minneapolis, reverse reductions to co-enforcement worker programs, and fund emergency housing vouchers and school-stability supports.

Staff presented a 2026-target Bayview Park reconstruction with $450,000 currently in the project budget, recommended community engagement options, ADA considerations and surfacing choices; staff also briefed commissioners on a parks classification policy and the city’s ongoing agreement discussions with FLA (facility user group).

The Audit and Compliance Committee reviewed its 2025 6 work plan, confirmed the annual financial-statement sign-off schedule (Oct. 29) and noted a planned closed session on information security for the December meeting.

Chief Auditor Galswyck told the Audit and Compliance Committee that only 15% of open high-risk audit items were remediated in the most recent period, several items remain open more than two years, and employee leaves could delay parts of the FY26 audit plan.

At the October 2025 Audit and Compliance Committee meeting, Associate Vice President Catherine Bonnison briefed regents on the universitys enterprise risk management program, its alignment with peer institutions and plans for deeper reviews of research, reputation and student experience.

EQB heard the annual update on state government sustainability work (calendar year 2024) from Marcus Grubbs of the Office of Enterprise Sustainability. Presenters cited reductions in greenhouse‑gas intensity, energy‑use improvements in state buildings, procurement and waste‑diversion efforts, and highlighted agency pilot projects and awards.

At its Oct. 15 meeting the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) heard a multi‑agency briefing on data centers — covering environmental review options, tax incentives, energy and air permitting, and agency coordination — and received public comment calling for stronger, statewide review and greater transparency around AUARs.

After interviews and scoring, the council approved Kraus-Anderson as construction manager at risk for the Civic Campus project and approved an architectural services agreement with LHB; the council divided the construction-manager vote and approved project portions in separate votes.

Council unanimously accepted a FEMA SAFER grant to hire firefighters. Staff explained the 36-month funding schedule, local-match ramps and operational timelines; council signaled preference for an April 2026 start but asked staff to return with specific budget impacts and options before finalizing timing.

At the October meeting the HRA director reported a $350,000 grant for the North Scoggin workforce housing project, discussed housing needs at lower AMI levels, noted a near-complete audit, and the board considered local revenue sources including contributions from Cascade Vacation Rentals and the condition of an HRA-owned billboard.

The HRA voted to terminate its amended and restated development and purchase agreement with Temperance Trail Development Company LLC for property near Birchgrove School and discussed next steps including consulting the town board and exploring broader development opportunities on adjacent county land.

The Cook County HRA voted to apply for up to $600,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation in Grand Marais, funding up to $25,000 per household in rounds if awarded.

Developers Ryan Companies and Leidner/Widener Apartment Homes updated the HRA on construction progress at Highland Bridge, including a 97-unit gateway building under construction, planned daycare tenant fit-out, reuse of historic Ford plant elements in facades, and timelines for Blocks 11 and 16.

The council approved four resolutions on the consent agenda: conduit issuance support for Twin Cities German Immersion School and Metro Deaf School (each recorded 4–1), approved the city's 2026 state general obligation bonding rank list, and authorized pro bono special counsel for a federal litigation matter; vote tallies as recorded in the meeting

Staff presented text amendments to St. Paul's T (Traditional Neighborhood) zoning districts that would clarify district intent, add modest height allowances, streamline design standards, and incentivize affordable housing; the council laid the ordinance over for a second reading and public hearing on Nov. 5.

Staff described a proposed local historic designation for the Hamm's Brewery site that would unlock roughly $28 million in state and federal historic tax credits and support redevelopment including roughly 196 affordable units; council laid the ordinance over for second reading and public hearing on Oct. 22.

The superintendent updated the board on October 1 enrollment (about 2,356), the Central Lakes Conference vote to accept Bemidji beginning next fall, near-complete HVAC work, a projected 10% rise in health insurance costs, and ongoing contract negotiations with teacher and paraprofessional units.

Superintendent Michael Carey updated the Cloquet ISD 94 School Board on district work to align Multi-Tiered System of Supports, ongoing Northern Lakes Academy facility discussions and uncertainty around a Carlton/Renshall athletics cooperative; facilities projects including roofing and a proposed gate at Washington Elementary were also discussed.