Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Saturday, August 2nd, 2025.

We start with breaking news from downtown. On Thursday night, a 19-year-old employee at Lotus restaurant in Loring Park used his jiu-jitsu skills to defend himself after being attacked while taking out the trash. Minneapolis police, impressed by his composure and restraint, even suggested a career in law enforcement. But Jezarius Sheldon has his sights set on nursing, continuing his family's legacy at the University of Minnesota. The incident has prompted stepped-up police patrols in the area, though, unfortunately, no arrests have been made yet. Business owners nearby are voicing growing concerns, urging city hall for more concrete safety measures. In fact, just five weeks ago, a nearby store was robbed at knifepoint, highlighting the pressure on downtown businesses to navigate ongoing crime.

On the topic of city decisions, as of yesterday, major updates to Minneapolis's civil rights ordinance are in effect. The City Council has expanded anti-discrimination protections, aiming to make life in our city fairer and safer for all. There is also a statewide shift taking place, with new Minnesota laws now restricting drivers with repeat DWIs. Starting this weekend, anyone with a prior offense in the last 20 years will need an ignition interlock device for at least two years. Plus, there are new housing protections for people who train service dogs, and cities can now perform national background checks for adult entertainment and massage business operators.

Turning to the weather, air quality is still a serious concern across the Twin Cities. Wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada has kept us under an air quality alert all week. As of yesterday, Minneapolis had the second-worst air quality in the world. The good news is, winds are starting to shift, so we expect a gradual improvement today. Still, unhealthy conditions could linger through Saturday, especially for sensitive groups, so it’s best to limit outdoor activities if you can.

In community news, today kicks off the SoMi Art Fair, part of the historic Uptown Art Fair tradition. Also running all week is the Minnesota Fringe Festival, bringing over a hundred performances to venues around the city through August 10th. For families and theater lovers, mark your calendars for Morris Park Players’ production of A Year with Frog and Toad at Open Eye Theatre starting August 15th.

On the jobs front, Minneapolis continues to see solid hiring, especially in healthcare and hospitality, though overall job postings are flat compared to last summer. Real estate remains equally steady, with average home prices in Minneapolis holding around $340,000. Rents have edged up just slightly, still below the national average.

In local schools, high fives go out to the Edison High boys’ soccer team after a big win over Southwest last night, and students from Washburn celebrated national recognition in robotics for their entry to the All-A

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.