Recent content from Deena Winter
Minneapolis violence interrupters say new city rules will reduce their staffing and pay
One nonprofit says its staff has to be cut from 32 to seven to comply with the new Neighborhood Safety contract requirements.
Minneapolis police chief defends pastor who made threatening remarks to City Council
Mayor Jacob Frey would not comment on the Rev. Jerry McAfee, who has been under fire after his violence interrupters were involved in a north Minneapolis shootout.
Minneapolis withdraws violence interrupter from consideration for contract after shooting
The Rev. Jerry McAfee's nonprofit was set to get a nearly $650,000 violence prevention contract, despite controversies. Then 70 shots rang out.
Violence interrupter who made threatening statements to City Council could get new contract
Meanwhile, a worker for the Rev. Jerry McAfee's nonprofit was arrested Friday on probable cause reckless endangerment.
Minneapolis City Council OKs demolition of 1914 grain mill along Hiawatha Avenue
A small preservationist group fought the demolition of the 1914 grain mill, saying it should be repurposed instead.
City attorney says Muslim Minneapolis City Council members can't host iftar in a city building
Citing the separation of church and state, city officials told the four council members they couldn't hold the Ramadan meal on city property using city funds.
8 businesses sue Minneapolis, saying city allowed activists, gangs to take over George Floyd Square
This is the second lawsuit in which business owners allege the city disrupted and ruined businesses by not policing the area.
Minneapolis City Council member says Emily Koski violated campaign finance law in mayoral run
Council Member Linea Palmisano and two prominent DFL donors filed a complaint with the state alleging campaign finance violations by Council Member Koski.
A developer wants to tear down an old Minneapolis flour mill. Some neighbors want to save it.
A company that wants to buy the Nokomis Mill on Hiawatha Avenue from ADM says it's blighted and must be torn down to deter "vandals, squatters and criminals."
Minneapolis City Council overrides Frey veto of plan for George Floyd Square
Mayor Jacob Frey had vetoed the council's plan to study a pedestrian mall. The city hopes to reopen the street to traffic nearly five years after Floyd's murder.
Frey vetoes council plan to study pedestrian mall at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis
The council recently voted to direct the city to return to its scrapped plan to limit traffic at the intersection where George Floyd was killed.
Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman entangled in fraud trial
An investigator said Osman operated the nonprofit Stigma-Free as a "shell company" until it was turned over to a former aide to Mayor Jacob Frey.
The city of Minneapolis is removing 46,000 water meter transmitters that failed within a few years
The city has spent about $2 million dealing with transmitters whose batteries failed far sooner than expected inside homes and businesses.
Minneapolis violence interrupter threatens violence to City Council over funding
The Rev. Jerry McAfee's comments have become a flashpoint in a passionate debate to play out in council chambers Thursday.
Minneapolis City Council kills controversial violence prevention idea, but acrimony remains
Some council members wanted to send two programs to Hennepin County, saying they've been mismanaged by the Neighborhood Safety Department.
Minneapolis City Council considers regulating robots rolling around University of Minnesota
The City Council approved a pilot program allowing the robots at the U. Now they're asking whether robots are stealing jobs.
Some Minneapolis council members want county to take over troubled violence prevention programs
The once-lauded program has been plagued by problems.
A former Minneapolis cop who cost city $411,000 in legal fees is poised to get workers' comp
Michael Griffin was indicted by the feds in 2015, but acquitted of most counts. None of that matters in a workers' compensation claim.
Minneapolis City Council OKs ordinance allowing city to charge fees when cops do side gigs
The City Council will vote this spring on what fees will be imposed beginning in 2026.
Minneapolis will pay $600K to settle suit by woman Derek Chauvin violently arrested for drunken driving
Patty Day had been drinking and was sitting in her van when Chauvin yanked her out, threw her on the ground and arrested her for drunken driving.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says he'll run for third — and final — term
Frey says he's running for one last term to "see this job through." He faces several challengers.
Minneapolis city officials and Ilhan Omar stand up against Trump administration on immigration
Several City Council members are children of immigrants, and say the community is wracked with fear.
The Minneapolis City Council gave a homeless shelter $1.5 million to stay open. It's closing anyway.
Mayor Jacob Frey says the council acted hastily and didn't do enough homework before deciding to make midyear budget cuts in order to send Agate money.
Former attorney who co-founded app running for Minneapolis mayor
Jazz Hampton quit his job as a lawyer to create TurnSignl, an app to help people navigate traffic stops. Now he's among those challenging Mayor Jacob Frey.
Minneapolis police union seeks to intervene as city awaits judge's approval of consent decree
The police-reform agreement between the city and Department of Justice appears unlikely to get a judge's approval before Trump takes the oath Monday.
Mayor Jacob Frey could be called to testify in upcoming Feeding Our Future trial
Frey could be called to testify about former aide Abdi Nur Salah, who is accused in the upcoming federal fraud trial set to begin in February.
Minneapolis City Council fails to override Frey veto of its denial of raises to 160 of city's highest-paid workers
The Minneapolis City Council could amend the budget to fund the raises, but it doesn't appear to have the votes to do so.
Minneapolis Charter Commission discusses cutting City Council pay and making them part time
The commission chair also wants to look at having some council members elected from a wider area, with some at-large members.
Activists raise alarm over nonprofit monitoring Minneapolis police
The firm, ELEFA, has also faced criticism from activists in New Orleans who question whether that city has achieved enough reforms to exit its consent decree.
Minneapolis minister launches run for mayor
The Rev. DeWayne Davis — the 15th child of Mississippi sharecroppers — announced his campaign in north Minneapolis.
Minneapolis leaders want lawmakers to end low prison wages and pay off city's U.S. Bank stadium debt
The City Council rejected some of the mayor's proposals, including changes to the open records law.
Minneapolis council approves federal plan to address discriminatory policing
The City Council went into closed session for about seven hours Monday to go through the details of a consent decree, a legally binding agreement to reform policing.
A look at what's in the agreement with the U.S. DOJ mandating police reforms in Minneapolis
Among the new rules: No foot pursuits without cause, no cuffing kids under 14, no off-duty work during suspensions.
Anti-abortion protesters score victory in lawsuit against city of Minneapolis
The City Council quietly voted last month to amend a city ordinance that banned people from blocking entrances to abortion clinics.
Minneapolis City Council did much more than weigh in on Israel vs. Hamas in 2024
Minneapolis city government tends to generate headlines for symbolic controversies, like its call for a ceasefire in the Middle East war. But that's only a small part of the Minneapolis City Council's work product.
Faribault woman killed in crash with tractor in Rice County
A John Deere tractor driver tried to make a left turn when it was struck by a Chevy Traverse SUV.
A Duluth man has been arrested in connection with the theft of Mankato West High's hockey sticks
The boys hockey team had to postpone its game against Anoka in the Heritage Holiday Classic tournament after its gear was stolen from the team bus.
Vanessa Dayton wanted to build a house in the Bryn Mawr woods. Then the neighbors found out.
A member of the Dayton family bought land in a wooded area of the Bryn Mawr neighborhood to build a house, sparking a feud with neighbors that has led to police reports and angry confrontations.
State says it can't say whether autism centers are still operating after FBI raid
The autism centers in St. Cloud and Minneapolis are quiet, locked and in one case, appears to have moved out of its former therapy site.
Mayor Frey vetoes council's denial of raises for about 160 of Minneapolis' highest-paid workers
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey invited the City Council to come back to the table and find a way to give raises to all city employees, but it's not clear how.
Minneapolis council member under fire for using 'say their names' for police horses
LaTrisha Vetaw says the criticism is 'unfounded and unserious.' She used the phrase in defense of the police department's mounted patrol, which was being defunded.
FBI searching autism centers in Minneapolis, St. Cloud after finding 'substantial evidence' of health care fraud
Federal law enforcement suspects many autism centers are billing the state for services not actually provided to young Minnesotans with autism spectrum disorder.
Frey veto on pro-Palestine protest stands
The Minneapolis City Council was unable to override his veto of a resolution supporting pro-Palestinian protesters who were arrested or disciplined.
Minneapolis City Council overrides Frey's historic veto of 2025 budget
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's veto is believed to be the first in city history, according to the city clerk — and so is the override.
Frey vetoes Minneapolis budget a day after it was approved by City Council
Frey cited "serious concerns over fiscal responsibility." It's believed to be the first time a Minneapolis mayor has vetoed a city budget.
Minneapolis council adopts budget that increases property tax levy 6.8% over 2024
The council approved a 2025 budget below Mayor Jacob Frey's initial proposed 8.1% increase, but many residents will see property tax hikes as a result.
Frey vetoes resolution urging amnesty for pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Minnesota
University president says employees suffered emotional trauma after being trapped in Morrill Hall.
Minneapolis council, Mayor Frey seek lower property tax hike as budget talks begin
Council members began marathon meetings on the 2025 budget Friday, seeking ways to reduce the tax levy increase.
Minneapolis council rejects city plan for George Floyd Square, 4 years after his murder
The City Council instead wants to create a pedestrian mall at 38th and Chicago. City officials say Thursday's move could delay completion.
Minneapolis City Council urges amnesty for pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Minnesota
Council members narrowly passed a resolution Tuesday urging the U to rescind any discipline in connection with an Oct. 21 protest. Mayor Jacob Frey says he'd veto it.
Minneapolis City Council fails to override Frey's veto of labor standards board as 2 members flip votes
Mayor Jacob Frey says he's confident he and the council can reach a compromise in January.
Minneapolis City Council Member Emily Koski announces mayoral run
Koski blasted Mayor Jacob Frey for lacking vision and creating "the land of 10,000 work groups."
Sen. Omar Fateh to challenge Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
The first Somali American to serve in the state Senate, Fateh now wants to become mayor of Minneapolis.
Jeremiah Ellison not running for re-election to Minneapolis City Council
Elected to the council in 2017, the progressive was one of the architects of a 2020 pledge by nine council members to "begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department."
Minneapolis property taxes are going up, but not as fast as most major U.S. cities since 2019
A new study by Redfin says Minneapolis property taxes haven't increased as much as most metro areas since the pandemic. It's about in the middle of the 50 largest cities.
Frey vetoes labor standards board, but possible override looms
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Thursday vetoed an ordinance creating a labor standards board, but the council may have enough votes to override him.
Minneapolis mayor, Jewish group want teachers union to cancel event with anti-Israel speaker
A pro-Palestinian branch of the Minneapolis teachers union is holding a seminar Friday featuring Taher Herzallah. Mayor Jacob Frey and the JCRC are objecting, calling his remarks antisemitic.
Minneapolis City Council fails to override veto of affordable rental housing ordinance
The City Council was unable to override Mayor Jacob Frey's veto of a plan to give some organizations first dibs on buying affordable rental housing.
Minneapolis City Council votes to create new Labor Standards Board
After a year of backlash, the council easily passed a resolution creating a Labor Standards Board Thursday. Now it goes to Mayor Jacob Frey.
Minneapolis police looks at new response to neighbor conflicts, as activists keep up call for chief's resignation
A mediation program in the planning stages, in collaboration with the NAACP, would aim address neighborhood disputes.
Keith Ellison shuts down nonprofit run by Minneapolis Council Member Jamal Osman's wife
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office has reached a settlement with Ilo Amba's charity over meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's Feeding Our Future adjacent.
Minnesota DOC orders Hennepin County jail to reduce inmate population
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt says she will appeal the order from the Minnesota Department of Corrections because it's impossible to shrink rapidly.
Frey finds money to spare North Commons Park after City Council budget cuts to save shelter
The Minneapolis City Council had voted for budget cuts to save a downtown homeless shelter.
Twin Cities sorority members, Howard alumni host parties for Harris as results tick in
As election results trickled in, Kamala Harris supporters with sorority and alma mater ties anxiously waited.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey plans to run for re-election, and others might challenge him
City Council Member Emily Koski says she's 'strongly considering' running next year, too.
Minneapolis City Council approves cannabis dispensary regulations
The City Council passed an ordinance Thursday allowing cannabis dispensaries to begin operating next year with certain regulations.
Activists disrupt Minneapolis council meeting and call for police chief's firing. Frey says no.
Protesters interrupted a City Council meeting Thursday to demand Police Chief Brian O'Hara's firing after the alleged shooting of Davis Moturi by a neighbor.
Minneapolis unveils a new vision for George Floyd Square
Four years after George Floyd's killing, the city has a plan to reshape the neighborhood where he died.
Bail set at $1 million as Mpls. man asks for restraining order against neighbor he allegedly shot
Hennepin County Judge Jean Burdorf set bail at $1 million with conditional release of $600,000. John Sawchak said there was no way he could post it.
Frey defends police handling of neighbor shooting case, says 'post-incident review' will be done
The mayor said City Council members shouldn't politicize the case.
Finally, the razor wire is coming down around Minneapolis' torched Third Precinct police station
4½ years after protesters set the police station ablaze during the George Floyd uprising, unwelcoming barriers are being softened.
Minneapolis police arrest man charged with shooting neighbor who reported many threats
SWAT negotiators tried to communicate with John H. Sawchak and eventually breached his home Sunday night during a standoff that bled into Monday morning, shortly after Chief Brian O'Hara admitted to failing the victim.
Minneapolis trans summit postponed after LGBTQ+ groups express concerns
City Council Member Andrea Jenkins says the departure of trans planners concerned the community.
Minneapolis police overtime expected to hit $26 million this year
Police Chief Brian O'Hara said understaffing is continuing to drive up overtime, even though he has hired 60 officers.
Minneapolis council members are considering permits for street food vendors
Migrants say they've been threatened with jail and deportation; city officials dispute that. They're definitely getting ticketed.
