Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Saturday, September 6, 2025.

We wake up today to cooler September air and some cloudy skies across the city. The high will reach just the mid 60s, with a light breeze off the river making it feel even cooler, especially through the evening. We might see a bit of sun later, but bring a jacket if you are heading out. That cooler weather comes just in time, as it is a big weekend around town with lots to do.

We start with breaking news that continues to send shockwaves through our community. A tragic carjacking and high-speed police pursuit earlier this week ended in a fatal crash at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Highway on Thursday. Two young women lost their lives, and a six-year-old boy remains hospitalized with serious injuries. The suspect, a 45-year-old from St. Paul, now faces both federal and state charges. This heartbreaking event reminds us of the challenges our neighborhoods are working to overcome, and support services are being offered for anyone affected.

Minneapolis continues to process the grief of last week’s mass shooting at Annunciation Church and Cristo Rey High School. Students and teachers across the region, including those from Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley, staged walkouts Friday, calling for changes to gun laws and gathering in solidarity with victims. City officials are encouraging anyone feeling the impacts of the shootings to reach out to local support resources for counseling and assistance.

City Hall is abuzz as a key commercial real estate policy—the Commercial Advance Notice of Sale—remains stuck in committee. Advocates hope to see it move forward soon. At the same time, spirited debate continues over whether George Floyd Square at 38th and Chicago should become a pedestrian mall. Business owners are pushing for more input, while the City Council faces a December deadline on how to proceed. The mayor’s office says continued delays could push construction back to 2027 and increase costs even further.

On a lighter note, this weekend brings the Northeast Vintage Block Party back to 13th Avenue, running from 11 to 6 today. Expect food trucks, live local bands, and unique finds from Minneapolis’s favorite vintage vendors. A quick ride away, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is in full swing in Shakopee, with this weekend’s Bold North Adventure theme promising knight clashes and hearty fare no matter the weather.

Art lovers can check out the Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk, a digital-art exhibition at the Arboretum, or the city’s monthly Art and Farmers Market at Franconia Sculpture Park on Sunday. Families looking for more can look forward to the Twin Cities MakerFest on September 13th.

In the local job market, unemployment remains low, with nearly one thousand job openings just this week in health care, hospitality, and tech. Real estate activity is steady, with median home prices hovering just under 350 thousand dollars, though high inter