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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said a hiring spree is a costly endeavor, while some council members decried a lack of oversight about a large overspend.
Amid criticism from council, Minneapolis police chief defends nearly $20 million in overspending
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said a hiring spree is a costly endeavor, while some council members decried a lack of oversight about a large overspend.
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December 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
As high-ranking Republicans like Tom Emmer spewed vitriol about Minnesota's Somali community, state Sen. Jim Abeler penned a letter admonishing the president for his blatant racism, Rochelle Olson writes.
Olson: A GOP senator broke ranks to defend Somali Minnesotans. Will anyone join him?
As high-ranking Republicans like Tom Emmer spewed vitriol about Minnesota's Somali community, state Sen. Jim Abeler penned a letter admonishing the president for his blatant racism, Rochelle Olson writes.
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December 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
In the last year, just half of Metropolitan Council members have taken advantage of the free Metro Transit rides that come with their job.
Met Council members oversee Twin Cities transit, but rarely ride it
In the last year, just half of those appointed to the Metropolitan Council have taken advantage of the free Metro Transit rides that come with their job.
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December 9, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The third annual mid-July festival on St. Paul’s Harriet Island will also feature Matchbox Twenty, Black Keys, Cage the Elephant and Lord Huron.
The Strokes, Lumineers to rock Minnesota Yacht Club in 2026
The third annual mid-July festival on St. Paul’s Harriet Island will also feature Matchbox Twenty, Black Keys, Cage the Elephant and Lord Huron.
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December 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
President Trump’s sway among the Republicans who are seeking Minnesota’s highest office was fully apparent during a gubernatorial candidate forum.
Trump looms large over Minnesota’s GOP race for governor
The president’s sway among the Republicans who are seeking Minnesota’s highest office was fully apparent during a gubernatorial candidate forum in southwestern Minnesota.
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December 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Businesses and homelessness advocacy groups say people are relieving themselves in public out of desperation. The council is exploring high-tech restrooms.
Minneapolis City Council looks to solve No. 1 problem downtown: Where to go No. 2
Businesses and homelessness advocacy groups say people are relieving themselves in public out of desperation. The council is exploring high-tech restrooms.
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December 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Augsburg University’s president condemned the detention of a student by federal immigration agents on campus Saturday afternoon, calling the encounter a violation of the university’s private property and its values.
Augsburg president decries ‘illegal’ ICE detention of a student on private campus
University officials say agents refused to provide a judicial warrant before taking the student from a private parking lot on campus.
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December 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Leaders of a Twin Cities area mosque and school significantly damaged in an early Monday fire say they will rebuild.
Cause under investigation of fire that severely damaged mosque and school in Prior Lake
Part of the roof collapsed, but no one was hurt in the blaze at the Masjid Hamza mosque and Baitul Hikmah Academy.
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December 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
"Criticism of policies or governance is fair game. Stripping people of dignity is not," Edina Mayor James B. Hovland writes.
Edina mayor: Dehumanizing Somali Americans is a ‘moral failure’
"Criticism of policies or governance is fair game. Stripping people of dignity is not," Edina Mayor James B. Hovland writes.
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December 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Minneapolis City Council is expected to discuss giving Mayor Jacob Frey a raise of over $46,000 next year, and themselves raises in two years.
Minneapolis council considers giving mayor $46,000 raise and themselves raises in 2 years
The proposal comes two years after a salary survey found the mayor’s salary lags behind other mayors, including St. Paul’s.
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December 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Falcon Heights may be the first city in Minnesota to require require air conditioning to work — if A/C is included in the lease.
After tenants sweltered, this suburb could be the first Minnesota city to pass standards for rental AC
City cooling ordinances are increasingly common in U.S. cities as summer temperatures climb. If adopted, Falcon Heights’ may be first in Minnesota.
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December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
American farmers will receive a $12 billion bailout after a year of Trump's tariffs and low commodity prices have soured the economic picture for many producers.
Relief on the way for Minnesota soybean farmers with $12B federal bailout
Farmers in the state have struggled during Donald Trump’s trade war since China stopped buying U.S. crops because of tariffs.
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December 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A Hennepin County jury found that a woman's former romantic partner defamed her by sending letters about her alleged STD status into the public.
Love, lies and the law intersect at Twin Cities trial over STD transmission, defamation
A romantic relationship that started on Tinder led to a civil jury trial in Hennepin County District Court that ended with monetary damages being awarded for inflicting emotional distress.
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December 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
About 1,200 kids in mental health crises were stuck in Minnesota emergency rooms last year, unable to go home or find inpatient treatment.
Kids in crisis are boarding in ERs. A new partnership aims to end that
About 1,200 kids in mental health crises were stuck in the hospital’s ERs last year, unable to go home or find inpatient treatment.
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December 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Several professors cited the rising impact of AI and the speech of some prominent politicians as reasons the classes are particularly relevant now, though some have been taught for five years or more.
More colleges are offering classes helping students identify truth in a confusing world
From Winona State University to Augsburg University and the U, professors are helping students wrestle with misinformation and disinformation.
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December 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Matt Privratsky said he has recommended Rad Power e-bikes to friends and family in the past. After reading the warning, he’s telling them to check their batteries, especially because his was not charging when it caught fire.
A fire warning for an e-bike battery was issued. It was too late for a St. Paul couple.
Matt Privratsky said his home caught fire when a Rad Power e-bike battery overheated.
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December 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A review of court records shows the alleged fraud uncovered to date is closer to $152 million, though that number is expected to grow as ongoing state and federal investigations into the state programs continue.
Trump claims Minnesota lost billions to fraud. The evidence to date isn’t close.
The fraud allegations have been used as a justification for federal immigration enforcement against Minnesota’s Somali population.
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December 7, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The Trump administration’s increased vetting of student visas is proving disruptive for college and universities in Minnesota.
Mankato university prepared specially for 40 to 60 international students. Just 4 showed up.
Minnesota State Mankato offered an intensive program to help students catch up after experiencing visa delays.
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December 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The Rosemount City Council approved a separation agreement with its police chief, two months after he was placed on leave following anonymous complaints raised in an employee survey.
Rosemount police chief blasts city process that led to his resignation after two months on leave
The Rosemount City Council approved a roughly $164,000 separation agreement following anonymous employee survey complaints.
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December 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Lawmakers and business owners say Minnesota’s testing, age limits and potency caps show what a safe national framework could look like — if the federal ban doesn’t erase it first.
Minnesota’s hemp rules could offer a model for federal regulation as ban looms
Lawmakers and business owners say Minnesota’s testing, age limits and potency caps show what a safe national framework could look like — if the federal ban doesn’t erase it first.
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December 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Ro’s wife and daughter were set to join him in St. Paul when changes to the Refugee Admissions Program canceled their trip. Now they are stuck in a refugee camp.
Trump’s refugee changes leave Karen man separated from his wife and daughter
Ro’s wife and daughter were set to join him in St. Paul when changes to the Refugee Admissions Program canceled their trip. Now they are stuck in a refugee camp.
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December 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
About a dozen detainees were led out onto the tarmac at MSP airport on Friday and whisked away to Omaha.

The flight comes amid a surge in ICE activity targeting Somalis and Latinos in the Twin Cities.
December 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
About a dozen detainees were led out onto the tarmac at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday.
Flight carrying federal detainees leaves Minnesota as ICE activity escalates
The Twin Cities saw immigration enforcement operations targeting Somalis and Latinos carried out this week by federal agents.
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December 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
St. Paul's 2026 budget avoids cuts to the fire department and keeps library and rec center hours.

The budget adds $5 million in subsidies to boost downtown, much of it for office-to-apartment conversions, and beefs up parking enforcement.
Key takeaways as the St. Paul City Council approves its 2026 budget
Taxes on a median-value home are going up $107 — and why are they hiring more parking enforcement officers?
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December 6, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Reposted by Minnesota Star Tribune
The closure comes on the heels of two others in the past two weeks, Schram Haus Brewery in Chaska and Invictus Brewing in Blaine, as breweries nationwide grapple with steadily declining sales and consumption of beer and alcohol 🍺
Fair State Brewing announces it will close after this weekend
The Minneapolis brewery told its members it was no longer a “fully functional business.”
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December 5, 2025 at 11:12 PM