Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Friday, September 26, 2025.

We wake up to a gray and rainy start today, with scattered showers expected to linger through the afternoon. We encourage everyone to keep a jacket handy and allow extra drive time on the morning commute. The National Weather Service expects highs in the low 60s, with breaks in the clouds possible by sunset. Looking ahead, we’ll stay mild but damp through Saturday before clearing up in time for Sunday’s events.

Overnight, firefighters responded to a tragic blaze in a duplex near the 900 block of 22nd Avenue Northeast. One man sadly lost his life, while three others made it out safely and are now receiving help from the Red Cross. This was Minneapolis’s third fire fatality of the year. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, and our thoughts are with the family and neighbors this morning. Public safety remains a prominent discussion after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced her office will no longer pursue felony charges for low-level traffic stops, like broken tail lights. The community continues to debate this policy, with law enforcement weighing concerns and supporters citing increased safety in similar policies elsewhere.

In other major developments, State Senator Omar Fattah, who is running for mayor, reports that his campaign office was vandalized with hateful threats. He is urging unity and saying he refuses to be intimidated, while Minneapolis police continue their investigation.

Turning to city hall, there is growing concern about Minneapolis’s finances. The adopted 2025 city budget brought a nearly 7 percent hike in the property tax levy, one of the largest increases in a decade. Leaders warn that the city faces difficult choices as federal funding drops sharply and demand for essential services rises. City Council seats are up for election soon, and candidates are discussing priorities from public safety to affordable housing.

Some good news on the economic front, as new restaurant and boutique openings have brought more than one hundred jobs to downtown and the North Loop this month. The housing market in Minneapolis is cooling, with the average home price holding steady at just above four hundred thousand dollars. First-time buyers are returning and builders report projects along the Hiawatha corridor are nearly sold out.

This weekend brings a wave of local culture. The Twin Cities Arab Film Fest continues at Main Cinema on SE Main Street through Sunday, and Pryes Brewing hosts its big Oktoberfest celebration with steins, bratwurst, and live music. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee is holding Festival Friday and Oktoberfest festivities today and tomorrow. For families, don’t miss the first night of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo, open every evening through November 2. For music fans, Dan Israel & Friends play Hell’s Kitchen Saturday night, and Noah Cyrus brings her tour to Fillmore Minneapolis.

In local sports, South High’s girls soccer team clinched a playoff berth after a dramatic win against Roosevelt on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Minneapolis North High celebrates after their robotics club won a state STEM award for their innovative drone design.

We close with a feel-good story from Powderhorn Park, where volunteers have teamed up with local grocery stores to create free fresh produce stands once a week. These efforts are helping neighbors facing food insecurity and bringing the community together one box of apples at a time.

Thanks for tuning in and spending your morning with us. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s happening in our city. This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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