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Joe Minjares, a stand-up comic, playwright, and restaurateur, died at 79 in Minneapolis. Known for his roles in “The Truman Show” and “Roseanne,” he significantly impacted the local comedy scene and the hospitality industry. Friends and colleagues remember him as a community builder with a generous spirit.
Hennepin Healthcare, which operates the Minneapolis safety-net hospital HCMC, faces a $36 million budget shortfall, endangering jobs and patient services. The financial strain stems from a high volume of uninsured patients and inadequate Medicaid reimbursements, prompting hospital leaders to seek urgent community support.
Derrick John Thompson received a nearly 59-year prison sentence for killing five young Somali women in a crash in Minneapolis two years ago. He admitted to driving the vehicle that struck a Honda Civic while speeding over 110 miles per hour. Family members of the victims expressed outrage at his delayed admission of guilt during the sentencing hearing.
Minneapolis residents express frustration over more than 200 recent vehicle break-ins, questioning police effectiveness in solving these property crimes. Despite increased patrols, no suspects have been arrested, as property crime cases often remain unsolved nationwide. Experts suggest that police prioritize violent crimes, leaving property damage cases under-resourced.
Joshua Anthony Jones, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree intentional murder and faces a 35-year prison sentence for shooting four people in Minneapolis last September, resulting in two deaths. The victims, 20-year-old Roland Scott Little Owl and 39-year-old Robert Milton Brown, were shot in separate incidents over a 15-hour period. Prosecutors noted that Jones appeared to know the victims, who were not homeless.
Hennepin County officials closed a dozen beaches due to high E. coli levels, primarily caused by rainfall washing bacteria into swimming areas. The closures precede a hot weekend for the Twin Cities, raising health concerns for beachgoers.
Artist Melodee Strong organizes the inaugural MPower Northside Arts Fest to showcase local talent and shift narratives about North Minneapolis. The event will feature activities for all ages, including a community mural and scavenger hunt. Strong aims to promote pride in the North Side's beauty and culture.
A 16-year-old will not face murder charges for the shooting death of 11-year-old Amir Atkins in Minneapolis due to evidence suggesting self-defense. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office charged the teenager with possession of a firearm, as the victim reportedly pointed what appeared to be a gun from a stolen vehicle before being shot.
A Minneapolis park workers union filed a complaint after maintenance worker Indica Medeiros was asked to repay over $13,000 in maternity leave wages upon resigning to care for her premature child. The Park Board claimed that repayment was mandated if she did not return to work for at least four weeks post-leave. Medeiros expressed surprise at this requirement, which she stated was not disclosed prior to her leave.
A federal jury convicted Cortez Blakemore and Robert Lesure of racketeering and drug distribution charges, marking the conclusion of major trials against the Minneapolis Highs gang. This case is part of a broader federal initiative to dismantle violent street gangs in Minneapolis, which has reportedly contributed to a decline in violent crime in the city.