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All lanes of Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis will reopen after a final closure this weekend. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will close the freeway from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday to remove barriers and restore full capacity ahead of the State Fair, which begins on August 21.
Greg Koch, co-founder of Stone Brewing, plans to transform the abandoned Fruen Mill in north Minneapolis into a hotel, restaurant, and spa. He purchased the property for $500,000 and seeks community support while addressing infrastructure and floodplain concerns. Local officials express optimism about the redevelopment after years of failed attempts by other developers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proposed a $2 billion budget that would increase property taxes by 7.8% for homeowners. The budget prioritizes cuts and reallocations to maintain essential city services amid rising costs and declining revenues. Frey aims to avoid the 13% tax levy increase initially projected, emphasizing savings over new spending.
Prediction markets indicate a tight race for the Minneapolis mayoral election, with incumbent Jacob Frey holding a narrow lead over challenger Omar Fateh. As of Tuesday, Frey had a 51% chance of winning on PredictIt, while Kalshi traders gave him a 63% chance. The total trading volume on PredictIt for this election was around $1,100, reflecting significant public interest.
Minneapolis residents voiced concerns over the slow implementation of police use-of-force training during a public forum led by Cmdr. Yolanda Wilks. Activists demanded quicker action following the city's commitment to reforms stemming from the MDHR settlement, which addresses years of civil rights abuses. Some community members criticized the department for not enforcing policies that the community has been advocating for.
Minneapolis lacks an official definition for Uptown, igniting a debate among residents about its boundaries. A survey revealed generational differences in perceptions, with younger respondents emphasizing walkability and community, while older participants recalled cultural landmarks. Vibes and personal experiences heavily influenced readers' interpretations of the neighborhood.
Hennepin County agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former prosecutor Amy Sweasy, who claimed retaliation for opposing charges against police officers in the George Floyd case. The settlement, reached just before a jury trial, was described as a recognition of the misconduct Sweasy faced during her tenure. County officials denied liability but opted for the settlement to avoid the costs and emotional toll of a trial.
Mayor Jacob Frey plans to end “double-time” overtime pay for Minneapolis police officers in his proposed 2026 budget, aiming to save the city approximately $3.64 million annually. The overtime policy, which has led to a record $28 million in spending last year, was implemented during a staffing crisis but is now deemed unnecessary as police ranks increase. Frey asserts this change will not compromise public safety.
Former Minnesota Republican operative Anton Lazzaro petitions the U.S. Supreme Court to review his sex trafficking conviction involving minors. Lazzaro, sentenced to 21 years in federal prison, argues that his actions amounted to consensual dating rather than trafficking. His case raises questions about the interpretation of consent and monetary exchanges in sexual relationships.
A Minnesota man serving a life sentence for the 1998 murder of an elderly woman may be exonerated after the key witness confessed to the crime. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is petitioning to vacate Bryan Hooper's conviction, stating he has maintained his innocence for 27 years. This development follows a confession from Chalaka Lewis, who admitted to lying during the trial and claimed responsibility for the murder.