Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
We're starting with breaking news from the past few days. A downtown St. Paul apartment complex was condemned on Monday, forcing over 70 residents out of their homes. In southern Minnesota, a driver was cited after rear-ending a school bus full of children on Monday morning. Parents of Minneapolis Public Schools students pushed back against the district's staffing decisions during a board meeting on Tuesday night[1].
Moving on to the job market, recent reports show steady gains in employment across the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area added nearly 24,300 jobs between 2022 and 2023, with an annual employment growth rate of 1.4%[5]. The unemployment rate in St. Paul remained flat at 4.2% in January, slightly down from 4.3% in December 2023[2].
In real estate news, the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Minneapolis was recently sold to a trio of investor groups[3]. New development projects are also underway, including the transformation of the Minnesota Vikings practice field into a winter wonderland with over two million pounds of ice.
From city hall, top state leaders announced millions in funding to support law enforcement recruitment and training across Minnesota on Tuesday[1]. Additionally, Minneapolis is considering a proposal to set a $15 minimum price for a pack of cigarettes, which is on its way to a city council vote[4].
Weather-wise, an overnight coating of snow could make the morning commute messy in the Twin Cities, with an arctic blast arriving later today. WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer warns of increasing winds and a big temperature drop on Wednesday, with wind chill values below zero[1].
In new business activity, the made-in-Minnesota 2024 gift guide is out, featuring local products. The bubble tea chain is moving into the former Caribou Coffee on St. Paul's Grand Avenue[4]. Unfortunately, the Uptown boutique Proper is closing after a decade in Minneapolis[4].
Upcoming community events include Janet Jackson's concert at the Armory on June 18, 2024, and Vampire Weekend's added show on July 31, 2024[4]. For local school achievements, parents and students are gearing up for holiday events and winter sports.
In a feel-good community story, the family of Charlie Boike, who was killed in a car crash at age 17, is working to expand his Waite Park training gym to give more people access, fulfilling his vision[1].
Today's crime report includes a recent incident where an unlicensed driver was sentenced to 5 months in prison for fatally striking a Burnsville priest[4]. Additionally, a man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in a fatal Duluth shooting[4].
This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.