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The Ukrainian American Community Center in Minneapolis will host a blood drive on November 1 to thank Americans for their support of displaced Ukrainian families. Organizers aim to collect blood donations for Children’s Minnesota hospitals, with a goal of surpassing last year’s total of 152 donors. Monetary contributions for medical aid to Ukrainian hospitals are also encouraged.
Former Minneapolis City Council member Alondra Espejel, also known as Alondra Cano, remains jailed after being charged with two counts of drunken driving. Espejel allegedly attempted to flee the scene of a crash while intoxicated and resisted arrest, leading to her current detention with a $6,000 bail.
James Duane Ortley, jailed for a mass shooting, attempted to escape from a Minneapolis jail on October 22, injuring several deputies in the process. Ortley used a fire extinguisher to obstruct the deputies before being subdued with a Taser. He faces multiple charges, including assaulting a peace officer and attempted escape, and is held on $2 million bail.
A man was shot and killed in a south Minneapolis parking lot after confronting a vehicle theft suspect. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, resulting in the victim's death despite attempts at medical aid.
Mariah Samuels was shot and killed three weeks after reporting her boyfriend, David Wright, for domestic violence. The Minneapolis police's failure to adequately investigate her case reflects systemic issues in handling domestic violence incidents, leading to calls for departmental reforms. Chief Brian O’Hara has ordered a review of the case and retraining on domestic violence protocols.
Minneapolis voters face a pivotal election with all 13 city council seats and the mayor's office at stake, potentially reshaping the balance between progressive and moderate factions. The progressive bloc has maintained a veto-proof majority, but losing even one seat could change that dynamic. Tensions between factions have escalated, impacting campaign strategies and voter turnout.
Alondra Espejel, a former Minneapolis City Council member, was arrested late Tuesday for suspected DUI following a two-vehicle crash outside City Hall. She remains in custody without bail after refusing to undergo alcohol and drug testing. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The University of Minnesota will cease hosting high school graduations at its venues, including the 3M Arena at Mariucci, due to resource strains and safety concerns following a recent shooting. This decision affects over 20 graduation ceremonies that were held annually, leaving local schools to seek alternative locations.
Nicholas D. DeRousse, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for beating his mother, Stephanie DeRousse, to death in her Uptown condo in March 2023. He faces a 21¾-year sentence, with approximately 13 years to be served in prison. Authorities captured him in Kentucky after he fled to Hawaii following the murder.
A coalition of Minneapolis mayoral candidates, including Jacob Frey's challengers Omar Fateh, DeWayne Davis, and Jazz Hampton, aims to unseat the incumbent in the upcoming ranked-choice election. The “slate for change” strategy encourages voters to consider multiple candidates to maximize their chances of defeating Frey. This approach has raised questions about the dynamics of voter preferences and potential outcomes.