Recent content from Deena Winter
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.
![Peggy Lewis voted at Higher Ground Evergreen Residence, in Minneapolis, Minn.,Wednesday October 23, 2024.The pop-up site is for early voting. ] JERR](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HFAWTFXZLRGHJL3OHL45FVGU7A.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
You've heard of pop-up stores; Minneapolis has pop-up voting sites
A Democratic-led effort changed Minnesota law last year to allow one-day voting locations. Minneapolis has 11.
Minneapolis council committee OKs $30,000 to witness to George Floyd's murder
The settlement for Charles McMillian now heads to the full city council.
Poignant witness to George Floyd's death seeks $30,000 for emotional distress
A Minneapolis City Council committee will consider Monday a $30,000 settlement to Charles McMillian.
Minneapolis City Council overrides mayor's veto of new fee on carbon emissions
The council pushed back the start date to address legal concerns raised by the Frey administration.
After four years, Minneapolis to remove razor wire around Third Precinct building
Council members say they don't want the site to continue being a backdrop for the city's critics.
A day after JD Vance stood in front of the burned-out Third Precinct, Minneapolis debates a plan for the police station
Mayor Jacob Frey says it's time to move forward on his plan that the building house city elections staff and equipment.
Minneapolis seeks new partner to operate Cowles Center
The city is seeking a nonprofit to bring back the performing arts center, which closed earlier this year amid financial troubles.
Eveleth man dies after northern Minnesota house fire
The 63-year-old man was found in the driveway of his rural home.
Two arrested in Brooklyn Park shooting that left one dead
One man was killed in an early-morning shooting in Brooklyn Park, and two suspects were later arrested.
Minneapolis to look at new taxes as downtown values plummet
Mayor Jacob Frey said he's creating a group to consider new revenue sources, and City Council President Elliott Payne said the council is interested.
Minneapolis City Council committee OKs study of police off-duty fees
The full council next considers whether to study what it costs the city to allow police officers to use squad cars and other city resources to work security on the side.
Minneapolis City Council wants to take a deeper look at Frey administration's books
Mayor says the council acted rashly and irresponsibly when it voted to cut the city operating budget to save a homeless shelter.
Minneapolis tackles marijuana rules from 'seed to sale'
Right now the plan would allow more cannabis dispensaries to be permitted than new liquor stores or tobacco shops.
Former Council Member Lisa Goodman is back at Minneapolis City Hall
Ten months after retiring from the council, Goodman has been hired as director of strategic initiatives.
