Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Friday, May 30th, 2025.

We start our day with cloudy skies, steady rain in the city, and temperatures hovering right around 70 degrees. Rain may linger through midday, so if you’re headed out, keep that umbrella handy. Looking ahead, we’ll see a slight break in the rain this weekend, though storms could return early next week.

Our biggest headline this morning is the opening statements in the high-profile trial of Derrick Thompson, accused of killing five young women in a high-speed crash back in 2023. The prosecutor described the fatal incident as an explosion. This case has reset conversations citywide about road safety and accountability in our neighborhoods.

At City Hall, we’re starting to see momentum ahead of the November city council elections. Several longtime council members, including Emily Koski and Andrea Jenkins, are retiring, opening up room for new leadership and ideas. The budget tug-of-war from last winter is also still making waves. The council overrode Mayor Frey’s first-ever veto to approve a $1.9 billion budget with a nearly seven percent property tax increase. That means higher bills for most homeowners, but also expanded spending on housing and public safety reforms, which will shape Minneapolis for years to come.

In local business news, there’s a flurry of restaurant activity near the North Loop, with two new coffee shops opening along Washington Avenue and a beloved bakery on Hennepin Avenue announcing it will close its doors next month due to rising rents. Meanwhile, the job market continues to trend positive. Minneapolis’ unemployment rate sits around three percent, thanks to steady hiring in health care, tech, and hospitality.

For real estate, home prices in Minneapolis remain strong, averaging just above $370,000 this spring. However, rising insurance costs and property taxes are adding pressure, particularly for first-time buyers. Experts warn these trends could continue through the summer.

On the crime front, police responded overnight to a break-in near Lake Street and Nicollet. No injuries were reported, and one arrest was made on site. Elsewhere, the city is watching closely as the trial of violence interruption leader Bishop Harding Smith unfolds. He has pled not guilty to charges of wage theft and fraud.

Let’s turn to sports. The Minnesota Lynx are still undefeated this season, with Napheesa Collier leading the charge. Our high school lacrosse playoffs are underway, and both Washburn and South High have advanced to the section finals. The Twins saw their Thursday night game at Target Field rained out, adding to a long list of weather-related postponements.

In the arts, the Minnesota Orchestra welcomes piano soloist Conrad Tao this weekend at Orchestra Hall. And if you’re making weekend plans, don’t miss the paddleboard and water adventure festival along Lake Nokomis or the community food truck night on Minnehaha Avenue Saturday.

Finally, a feel-good sto

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