Recent content from Sarah Ritter
Brooklyn Park mayor lashes back at neighboring suburbs in density dispute
Maple Grove and Champlin mayors say Brooklyn Park should keep apartments away from their borders. Brooklyn Park's mayor says that's "regional redlining."
Lawsuits, shouting and censures prompt Minnesota cities to set new rules — for their city councils
Brooklyn Center, Blaine and Orono are considering codes of conduct for elected officials. So are some of their neighbors, who hope to avoid the drama.
Subzero temperatures and wind chill will get week off to shivering start in Minnesota
Monday night is likely to be the coldest of the season.
Two found dead in St. Paul garage fire after a space heater was tipped over
Two people were living in the garage when it became engulfed in flames.
Asked to forgive $5M loan for apartments, Brooklyn Park weighs rent hikes, tenant displacement
Huntington Place Apartments, one of the largest affordable housing complexes in the state, could face foreclosure as it fails to pay lenders.
Anoka County pays nearly $2.6M to settle with man severely injured after jail denied meds
Deyonta Green was found unconscious, face down in his cell, after receiving no treatment during a weeklong opioid withdrawal, according to the lawsuit.
University of Minnesota law school is halting search for new DEI leader in response to Trump's ban
The university also is requiring all communications related to diversity, equity and inclusion be reviewed by attorneys.
Washington County law enforcement investigates after man's body found in ditch
Police believe the death may be connected to a suspicious fire investigation.
Many Minnesota cities already sell alcohol. Should they sell cannabis?
Cities are considering opening municipal marijuana dispensaries, an unusual venture as Minnesota creates a path for government-run weed shops.
Stillwater woman dies in skydiving incident in Arizona, police say
Police responded to the skydiving center, where the 55-year-old Minnesota woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Despite neighbor opposition, Blaine OKs trash plant expansion for metro's curbside composting
The Twin Cities metro is rushing to meet statewide goals for significantly increasing organics recycling. But residents debate where the trash should go.
Amid claims of covert actions and bullying, water fight in northern Twin Cities suburbs is set for trial
Blaine sued Lexington, aiming to separate from its water system over contamination concerns. Lexington accuses Blaine of "aggressive tactics" in the decades-long dispute.
Maple Grove church planning tiny-house community for chronically homeless residents
The project is expected to be the Twin Cities' largest "sacred settlement."
Anoka axes rental rules that prompted evictions over 911 calls. Will other cities follow?
The U.S. Department of Justice alleged the crime-free housing program prevented tenants with mental illness from seeking emergency services for fear of eviction.
Siblings charged in fatal St. Paul drive-by shooting
Four people face second-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting death of 26-year-old Andre Lorenzo Mitchell of Minneapolis.
Anoka County, city deadlocked over plans for bigger jail downtown. Will they finally compromise?
The county is seeking approvals for the expanded facility from the Anoka City Council, which has refused to sign off on the plans.
Jimmy Carter earned 'a special place in the hearts of Minnesotans,' politicians and advocates say
With the selection of Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate and the signing of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act, Minnesota was part of Carter's life legacy, politicians and local advocacy groups say.
Teen seriously injured in shooting outside of Fourth Precinct building in Minneapolis
A 17-year-old was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.
After series of dog attacks, Brooklyn Park increases citations and looks to regulate unlicensed breeding
Officials are considering changing city laws after several dog attacks this year, including one that killed a 3-year-old boy and seriously injured his mother.
Twin Cities shoppers fighting crowds to get last-minute gifts as mall traffic increases
Analysts predicted foot traffic in the last weekend before Christmas could match Black Friday.
Brooklyn Park developing massive vacant site near planned Blue Line stop with biotech hub, housing
Brooklyn Park leaders are exploring how to build out the northwestern part of city, where farmland and empty fields surround the site of the future light-rail station.
Minnesota reports highest level of whooping cough cases in more than a decade
Whooping cough cases are on the rise across the country.
Brooklyn Park council member sues mayor, council after censure and call for mental health evaluation
In the lawsuit, City Council Member Maria Tran accuses elected officials of falsely implying that she has mental health issues and poses a danger to others.
Divided Anoka County Board approves nearly 17% tax levy hike in sometimes tense meeting
The board's discussion became heated at times, with some commissioners calling for civility and an end to dysfunction, as they addressed a projected budget deficit.
Minneapolis police investigate homicide after family tracks phone of missing woman
The victim, 25, was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound, police said.
Minnesota ranks No. 3 in volunteerism nationwide as nonprofits see rebound
The number of Minnesotans who volunteer rose to the highest level seen in several years. But donations haven't had the same recovery.
Fleet Farm employee may have been attacked with 'edged weapon,' Carver County Sheriff's Office says
The worker was sent to the hospital with a neck injury.
Two Minneapolis officers injured after squad car crashed into another vehicle
The officers were sent to the hospital, while the driver of the other vehicle was uninjured, according to police.
Minnesota gas prices fall to lowest for Thanksgiving travel since 2020
The average gas price statewide leading up to Thanksgiving week is the lowest seen in the past four Novembers, according to GasBuddy.com.
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.
Three injured at Minneapolis nightclub shooting, the second at a downtown club this month
Police said three people went to the hospital with apparent gunshot wounds.
Across the north metro area, several elected officials have been censured. Here's what that means.
From Blaine to Robbinsdale to Brooklyn Park, some city councils and school boards hadn't voted to censure a member in decades — or ever — until this year.
Report: Two more arrested in killing of Detroit Lakes missionary in alleged murder-for-hire plot
A Detroit Lakes woman was also previously arrested in connection with the death of her husband.
Maple Grove to take over Life Time building, buy land for fitness chain's new location
The city has reached an agreement to take over the Life Time attached to the Maple Grove Community Center, which is undergoing a $104 million expansion.
North metro: Voters replace one Blaine council member, retain other local leaders
Elsewhere, Anoka voters weighed in on a trash question, a council member was ousted in Brooklyn Park, and one school board seat remained close.
Orono mayoral challenger wins in race that drew big money
Plus, some competitive races in Plymouth, Edina and New Hope reported results Tuesday night.
As more cities offer curbside composting, residents in one suburb don't want to take the trash
Neighbors of a waste facility looking to expand in Anoka County are putting up a fierce fight. Recycling advocates worry about the program stalling.
Police: Moorhead man arrested after fleeing officers, ramming squad cars
Police arrested a 19-year-old on charges of assault of an officer and fleeing police in a motor vehicle.
Hire your own trash pickup or let the city do it? Voters will decide in two Twin Cities suburbs.
Both Anoka and Mounds View have measures on the ballot asking residents whether they want to switch to a city-organized trash pickup system.
Two killed, one injured in weekend's second fatal shooting at Minneapolis encampments
Police said they were investigating whether the two cases were related.
Walz plays Madden NFL video game live on Twitch with AOC
Gov. Tim Walz played as the Minnesota Vikings against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Buffalo Bills, in a livestream aimed at reaching young men before the election.
St. Anthony City Council approves zoning for mosque, community center
Council members stressed inclusivity, but also raised questions about affordable housing as they rezoned a former bank property for the Tibyan Center.
Brooklyn Park City Council extends censure of embattled member seeking re-election
The City Council has twice censured Council Member Boyd Morson in response to a sexual harassment claim and complaints from city staff.
Blaine is booming with growth, plans for new downtown. Candidates have competing visions in election.
As the Nov. 5 election nears, key city development issues have largely been overshadowed by tension on the City Council, including the recent censure of a member.
