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Roosevelt High students work to improve attendance by engaging peers, highlighting a significant issue as 1 in 4 students statewide are chronically absent. The initiative, part of a three-year project, aims to boost graduation rates, which have fallen from 73% in 2019 to 65% in 2023.
A man with a criminal history, James Duane Ortley, faces multiple murder charges after allegedly shooting five acquaintances in Minneapolis, resulting in four fatalities. Ortley opened fire from the back seat of a car, and police later identified him through witness accounts and surveillance footage.
A Hennepin County judge ruled that the Minneapolis Democratic-Farmer-Labor Ward 2 convention will proceed on May 3 despite a lawsuit requesting its postponement to June 1. The judge emphasized that changing the date could lead to confusion and chaos among delegates who were already notified of the original date. The lawsuit claimed interference by incumbent Council Member Robin Wonsley to block endorsements for a stronger candidate.
A juvenile girl tragically lost her life following a police pursuit in Itasca County when she crashed her vehicle after being pulled over for driving without headlights. Despite the deputy's attempts to stop the car, it fled for several miles before crashing, with authorities confirming the girl was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident. The sheriff's office is working to identify the victim and notify her family, expressing condolences for the loss.
A man in his 20s was shot dead in a car outside a north Minneapolis apartment building, marking the city's first homicide in two months. The police discovered the scene after reports of gunfire, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. No arrests have been made as investigators work to address rising concerns about violence in the area.
An Easter morning crash on I-35W in Minneapolis escalated into a freeway fight, leading to the temporary closure of part of the highway. The Minnesota State Patrol reported that three men were arrested, one for assaulting a state trooper, while a fourth man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident highlights ongoing issues of road rage and public safety on busy highways.
Shea Giagnorio, a federal employee in Kansas City, lost her job amid mass layoffs following budget cuts initiated by the Trump administration. The cuts have significant consequences for local programs and at-risk populations, raising concerns about the future of essential services. The article highlights the broader impact of federal job losses on the Kansas City region, where thousands of jobs are at risk and essential community services are being disrupted.
The article discusses the "War on Cars" podcast hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear, who will engage with the community at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis to address transportation issues exacerbated by highway systems. The discussion will center on advocacy for a people-first transportation system that prioritizes public health, justice, and climate resilience, particularly in light of ongoing road construction in the area. Their efforts aim to spotlight the negative impacts of urban highways and explore alternatives to car-centric infrastructure.
Minnesota's $10 million plan for safe recovery sites aims to support individuals struggling with addiction by providing essential resources and services. However, concerns arise as state budget proposals threaten to cut funding for these critical initiatives. Advocates argue that harm reduction strategies are vital for saving lives and improving health outcomes among drug users.
Junauda Petrus, the newly appointed poet laureate of Minneapolis, aims to enrich the community through poetry in local spaces like barber shops and buses. Her inaugural poem, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again," reflects on the city's cultural vibrancy and history while addressing social issues like housing insecurity. With a focus on engaging both youth and elders, Petrus plans to foster a sense of connection and resilience through storytelling.