Recent content from Liz Navratil
Builders to Edina: Change your tree ordinance or we might sue
Some Edina families reported needing to put nearly $100,000 in escrow under an ordinance aimed at preserving trees during and after construction.
Outgoing Orono mayor appoints new council member over objections
Claire Berrett took the oath of office during a contentious council meeting in which residents and officials sometimes shouted over each other.
Property taxes are rising across Twin Cities area — here's where they're increasing the most
Every county across the Twin Cities is raising its property tax levy next year, even as home values level off.
Minnetonka passes new dog leash rules, considers adding more off-leash areas
Minnetonka officials said they hoped to clear up confusion that resulted from existing rules, which allow dogs to be off leash if they're "at heel" and obedient to commands.
Minnesota state auditor ends review of controversial Orono land deals
State Auditor Julie Blaha said was no reason for her office to continue looking at the matter, but she left some questions for the courts or voters to decide.
Minnetonka considers tightening dog leash rules
Minnetonka allows dogs to be off leash if they're "at heel" and obedient to commands. Officials say that, and a mix of rules at Purgatory Park, has led to some confusion.
Orono City Council member resigns, leading to more political turnover
Council Member Matt Johnson resigned Tuesday. His departure came one week after voters selected a new mayor and two other new council members.
The Depot in Hopkins reopens, bringing back youth hangout and event space
The longtime coffeehouse shut down in 2023 amid financial challenges. The reopened trailside facility offers a scaled back snack bar and drip coffee.
Bloomington residents decide to keep ranked-choice voting
The city has been using ranked-choice voting since 2021 to select the mayor and City Council members. A question on the November ballot asked voters if they wanted to repeal it.
South metro elections: Mayor Jimmy Francis re-elected in South St. Paul
Elsewhere in the south metro, incumbents retained seats on Lakeville and Shakopee city councils, and Northfield chose a new mayor.
Orono mayoral challenger wins in race that drew big money
Plus, some competitive races in Plymouth, Edina and New Hope reported results Tuesday night.
Chengwatana State Forest reopens after fire that lasted two weeks
Rain and snow helped firefighters contain the blaze in the forest, east of Pine City.
From the tops of Twin Cities area trees, forestry crews see clear signs of trouble
Drought, severe storms and the emerald ash borer are toppling trees across the metro. But forestry crews are also trying to plant replacements.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan says Biden apology on boarding schools is 'first step toward healing'
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was among the crowd in Arizona as the president delivered historic apology about boarding schools.
Minneapolis police on defensive after neighbor allegedly shoots man who had reported numerous threats
The victim and several council members called out police for not doing enough to arrest the man.
Shakopee City Council race revolves around growth, taxes and public safety
The election, with 8 people running for 2 seats, comes at a crucial time for the Scott County city where the population has doubled over the last 20 years.
How many shops and where can they go? Minnesota cities are hashing out their new cannabis rules
Recreational cannabis sales are expected to start next year, so city officials are trying to decide where businesses can set up shop and who will run their compliance checks.
Bloomington to hire 18 more firefighters with new grant
With interest in on-call positions waning, Bloomington is trying to hire more full-time firefighters. Officials hope the change will help improve response times.
Bloomington hires therapists to help residents after some 911 calls
The suburban police department added the therapists to help people address mental health concerns behind some emergency calls.
Best tasting tap water in Minnesota? Bloomington wins the competition.
The city was one of 17 that competed for the Best in Glass award at a state water conference. Next, city officials will compete at nationals.
Hennepin County discloses data breach affecting 2 public health programs
County officials announced Tuesday that someone accessed a database containing information for people who participated in 'Find Your 5′ and 'Step to It' public health programs.
No yard signs. No big donations or debates. These Minnesota political races are unlike many others.
The races for county soil and water supervisors are sandwiched into the November ballot. And in most places, these contests are so low-profile people hardly campaign.
Westonka Library will remain open a few extra weeks as officials adjust timeline for new facility
Hennepin County officials hope to replace the library building, which opened in Mound in 1972, with a new, net-zero-energy facility.
Edina Historical Society seeks $100,000 in city funding as it tries to boost programming
Some council members want stronger commitments to telling a more diverse set of stories. Society leaders say extra funding would help them do just that.
Chanhassen will start using artificial intelligence to speed up staff work
City Manager Laurie Hokkanen said she hopes the technology will reduce the amount of time staff need to spend researching some issues.
Orono mayor's race draws big dollars, political drama
The city that borders Lake Minnetonka is facing its first competitive mayor's race in eight years, as incumbent Dennis Walsh faces a challenge from former school board chair Bob Tunheim.
Two injured in plane crash at Shakopee park
The crash happened shortly after noon in Scenic Heights Park. Federal officials are investigating.
Savage to honor Paralympian Abby Bauleke after silver medal win
Bauleke, who grew up in Savage, won a silver medal with the Team USA Paralympics wheelchair basketball team in Paris.
Is your city asking you to vote on a sales tax hike this election? These Twin Cities suburbs are.
Cities pitch sales tax increases as a way to shift the burden of funding projects from residents and business owners who pay property taxes to anyone who makes a purchase that includes a sales tax.
Bloomington uses ranked-choice voting for city races. Now voters will decide whether to keep it.
Some residents want to ditch ranked-choice voting, arguing the system is confusing. Others want to keep it, saying it gives voters more choices.
St. Louis Park requires landlords to give tenants more notice before eviction
Renters told the city that more time might help them scrape together payments if they are behind on rent because of a sudden hardship.
Bloomington breakfast truck owners win $100,000 in contest decided by voters
The owners of Scramblin' Egg were the first to win a new business competition that aims to give residents a say in who wins.
Excitement. Unease. Minnesota college students begin new year in politically polarizing times.
The spring semester ended on a tense note. College leaders anticipate another emotional school year as students navigate issues like the November election and the war between Israel and Hamas.
Carleton College pledges $2 million to Northfield Public Schools if referendums pass
Voters in the district will see three questions on their ballots asking if they approve various construction projects designed to upgrade Northfield High School.
University of Minnesota regents decline to divest from Israel in response to war with Hamas
Colleges across the country spent the summer trying to figure out how to respond to pro-Palestinian activists' calls to divest from companies with ties to Israel in response to the war with Hamas.
Minnesota college students get smaller grants as state aid program faces $40 million shortfall
As many as 70,000 students typically receive aid through the Minnesota State Grant program. The University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas are among the schools trying to offset the cuts.
Hamline settles with instructor who showed images of Prophet Muhammad
The St. Paul university found itself at the center of a painful debate over academic freedom and religious tolerance after school leaders decided not to renew the art history instructor's contract.
College classes begin next month. Some Minnesota students still don't have financial aid offers.
The U.S. Department of Education's flawed attempt to update the FAFSA has left colleges across the country scrambling to complete students' aid offers.
University of Minnesota regents consider neutrality policy amid divestment talks
Colleges across the country are trying to figure out how to respond to pro-Palestinian activists' calls to divest from companies with ties to Israel in response to the war with Hamas.
U seeks $10.5M in donations to maintain presidential mansion
University of Minnesota regents said Wednesday that Eastcliff holds a significant place in U history, but they hope finding a donor to help covers its costs will free up money for other causes.
Want to know if you qualify for student loan forgiveness? Here's how Minnesotans can find out.
The U.S. Supreme Court shot down President Joe Biden's biggest student debt forgiveness proposal, but the U.S. Department of Education has also made tweaks to other targeted programs.
Nearly 45,000 Minnesotans qualify for some student loan forgiveness
The issue has been a talking point in the presidential election, as Biden and Trump take competing stances on student debt.
Here's the new University of Minnesota president's plan for the challenges awaiting her
Rebecca Cunningham begins her term as president on Monday, as the U grapples with the future of its medical programs, tensions over the Israel-Hamas war and retractions of two major research papers.
University of Minnesota faculty votes 'no confidence' in interim president
The largely symbolic vote comes as Jeff Ettinger's term leading the U of M ends and amid ongoing debate over academic freedom and tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
Interim University of Minnesota president faces Senate committee probing antisemitism concerns
College leaders across the country have faced scrutiny over responses to the Israel-Hamas war. The Minnesota hearing is happening in Jeff Ettinger's final week as interim president.
Minnesota State system freezes tuition for most students, but some fees could rise
Minnesota lawmakers required the freeze, and some trustees suggested asking for additional flexibility. Many schools, including St. Cloud State University, are facing budget cuts.
U will rename Nicholson Hall amid claims of antisemitism
Faculty say their research raises concerns about Edward Nicholson's role stoking antisemitism and political repression.
U announces new American Indian studies degree, first in the Midwest
A TRUTH Project report released last year called on the U leaders to repair their relationships with tribes and atone for centuries of abuses. One of the recommendations was to create a new Ph.D. program.
U president says search for Holocaust center director will resume in 2025
The move comes one week after the university offered the job to Israeli historian Raz Segal.
University of Minnesota students will pay more in tuition next school year
Regents approved the largest hike in a decade in a divided vote Thursday.
Red Lake Nation College opens in Minneapolis, offering higher education and cultural connection
The tribal college is among the first to open a location in a U.S. city to provide educational opportunities to American Indians who live far from reservations.
University of Minnesota spent about $1 million this school year on companies with ties to Israel
Like other colleges across the nation, the U has faced protests and calls to reconsider its investments in response to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Go to college or deploy? These Minnesota National Guard members didn't have to choose.
The Minnesota State system of colleges and universities allows some service members to take college classes while they're deployed, speeding up their efforts to earn a degree.
Minnesota lawmakers find fix to help foster kids pay for college
In the final days of the legislative session, the $5 million plan won approval in two separate bills, clearing the way for hundreds of students to receive aid next school year.
College graduations will be twice as sweet for class whose high school celebrations happened online
COVID-19 lockdowns forced Minnesota high schools to move graduation online four years ago. Now, many college graduates will get their first chance to walk across a stage.
Debate over whether to divest from Israel dominates University of Minnesota regents meeting
Pro-Palestinian student activists are urging the U to cut ties with companies in response to the war between Israel and Hamas, while some Jewish organizations have called boycotts discriminatory.
U discloses $5M in investments tied to Israel and defense spending
The U is among the first colleges to release details on its investments in response to protesters' demands. The investments represent less than 1% of the U's total endowment.
University of Minnesota considers increasing tuition next school year
Tuition for Minnesota residents attending the Twin Cities campus would rise by 4.5% to $15,148 per year. The U's Board of Regents could make a decision next month.
University of Minnesota president recommends renaming Nicholson Hall
The building was named after Dean Edward Nicholson in 1945. Faculty say their research raises concerns about his role stoking antisemitism and political repression.
Protesters pack up pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Minnesota campus
Interim U President Jeff Ettinger announced the deal to end the encampment in an email to students and faculty Thursday morning.
U of M's interim president meets with pro-Palestinian protest leaders
UMN's Jeff Ettinger later sent an email to the groups noting a "shared understanding" the encampment would be removed, but organizers disagreed and said it would continue.
Former diversity worker sues University of Minnesota after firing over swastika photo
Mashal Sherzad said UMN discriminated against her and violated her free-speech rights. The university said her post of the photo on social media undermined her credibility.
Israel-Hamas war creates 'really fraught times' at Minn. colleges
The latest conflict is happening thousands of miles away. But debates over Palestinian rights and antisemitism hover over U.S. college campuses, including the University of Minnesota.
Omar appears at pro-Palestinian protest at University of Minnesota; 9 arrested earlier
Protests are happening at colleges across the country, including Columbia and Yale universities. University leaders face pressure to both support free speech and protect students.
U. of St. Thomas announces budget cuts, says academic programs won't be eliminated
Colleges in Minnesota and across the country are making cuts as they face enrollment challenges, exacerbated by demographic drops and changing attitudes on higher education.
Music or physics? This University of St. Thomas class combines both.
Minnesota colleges are increasingly promoting interdisciplinary classes, saying they hope to reduce administrative expenses and better prepare students for a changing workforce.
Minnesota State names interim leader for St. Cloud State University
Trustees chose Larry Dietz as interim president for St. Cloud State, and also named Shari Olson as interim leader for Northland Community & Technical College.
FAFSA completions in Minnesota drop amid flawed efforts to update form
Higher education advocates asked the governor for funding to help students complete the form, saying the state risks "a catastrophic decline in college enrollment."
Minnesota State professors ask lawmakers for more academic freedom protections
Union leaders say they're worried about restrictions passing in Republican-led states, where lawmakers are limiting what professors can teach about race, gender, other issues.
Minnesota lawmakers seek new rules for online college programs
They're targeting companies that take a portion of tuition for helping recruit or run online programs. St. Cloud State and Southwest Minnesota State already have such contracts.
Tell us: How have Biden's student loan relief proposals affected you?
Biden's latest proposal would reduce debt for millions of Americans. It comes months after his first attempt at widespread debt cancellation.
Minnesota lawmakers say they've struck a deal to help former foster kids pay for college next year
The state had promised the students free college, then said there wasn't enough money. Students who relied on the grants had urged lawmakers to act swiftly, saying their futures hung in the balance.
FAFSA delays just the beginning: This year's college admissions cycle is full of changes
Free tuition. The end of affirmative action. Financial aid delays. Shorter applications. The ways Minnesota students apply to college and pay for it are quickly changing.
College textbooks can be pricey. Minnesota State is offering more for free.
System leaders hope free resources will help reduce disparities in higher education, while giving professors more power to tailor their course materials.
University of Minnesota announces pick for next Duluth chancellor
The U announced Wednesday that it had selected Charles Nies, a higher education administrator in California who has Minnesota ties.
