10/2/2023 -- TC Marathon Cancelled, Sales Tax Increase, Twins Playoffs

Good morning. Today is Monday, October 2nd. Here is everything you need to know to start your day in the Twin Cities.

Twin Cities Marathon and 10 Mile Cancelled Just Hours Before Race Time

The Summary: After releasing a statement on Saturday stating they expected to be able to run the Twin Cities Marathon and 10 Mile races, Twin Cities in Motion abruptly reversed course on Sunday morning by cancelling both races at 5:30am due to the weather forecast putting the races in black-flag status (“extreme and dangerous conditions”). More than 20,000 total runners were expected to compete in TC 10 Mile and TC Marathon.

The Context: Twin Cities Marathon race organizers had been keeping their eyes on the unseasonably warm temperatures leading into race weekend, warning participants to hydrate properly and adjust their pace appropriately. But, with temperatures expected to hit record highs in the upper 80s, high levels of humidity, and limited cloud cover, race organizers ultimately deemed the races as too dangerous. Participants received an email at 5:30am Sunday morning just 90 minutes before the start of the 10 mile and 2.5 hours before the start of the marathon. This is only the second time in the marathon’s 40 year history that it has been cancelled.

What Race Organizers are Saying: Charlie Mahler, TCM communications manager, told the Star Tribune the following: “We would have loved to say the race was a go [Saturday night], but we couldn't say that definitively. Our race directors and medical directors met and decided shortly before 5:30 [a.m.] that, no, we just can't be certain that we can put on a safe race with what the situation is.”

Mixed Feelings from Runners: Despite the cancellation of the races, many runners still took to the course to “unofficially” finish the 10-mile and marathon. Some expressed disappointment yet understood the extra caution Twin Cities in Motion took. Others wished there had been more transparency from race organizers and were frustrated by the decision to cancel just hours before race time rather than in the days leading up to Sunday. Runners are expected to receive word on possible refunds this by this Thursday.

Sales Tax Increases in the Twin Cities Metro

The Summary: As of October 1st, consumers in the Twin Cities metro, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott, Ramsey, and Washington counties, will see a one percent sales tax increase, adding an extra dollar to every $100 spent and brining the total sales tax rate above 8% in much of the metro. Groceries, clothing, and prescription drugs will remain exempt from this tax hike.

What Will The Tax Be Used For: The recent sales tax increase, approved during the last legislative session, aims to generate $2 billion over the next four years, with a quarter-cent designated for housing initiatives. This includes a new state rental assistance program providing up to 5,000 rental vouchers statewide, with 3,000 of those allocated for low-income renters in the metro area, as well as funding for the construction of affordable homes through city and county assistance.

The Context: The state of Minnesota has struggled with providing enough affordable housing for its residents and currently has a 100,000-unit supply gap of homes for lower income Minnesotans. Earlier this year, Governor Walz signed a $1 Billion housing investment into law that was the biggest investment in housing in state history and has a focus on constructing new affordable housing units in Greater Minnesota.

Hesitancy From Retailers: John Reynolds, state director of National Federation of Independent Business, expressed concern about the sales tax increase: “It eats into the bottom line of mom and pop shops – even though inflation has slowed the prices haven't gone down.” (MPR)

Minnesota Twins Begin Their Playoff Campaign

The Summary: The Minnesota Twins wrapped up their season on Sunday finishing atop the AL Central with an 87-75 record. The Twins are set to face the Toronto Blue Jays in a best of three series starting this Tuesday with all games played at Target Field and starting at 3:38pm. The Twins were 3-3 against the Blue Jays during the 2023 season. The games will be televised on ESPN.

The Streak: The Twins head into the series having lost their last 18 playoff games which is good for the longest playoff losing streak in all of North American professional sports. The team has not been shy about acknowledging the streak with Kyle Farmer going so far as to guarantee a Twins playoff win: “If you don’t believe it, don’t play.”

Key Players: The Twins have been without Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Byron Buxton who have all been out for varying lengths during the last two months. Correa is the most likely to return for the opening series according to manager Rocco Baldelli.

✔Quick hits

👩‍⚖️ Federal Judge allows lawsuit by Twin Cities journalists against Minneapolis Police to proceed (The Reformer)

🏥 Minnesota individual health insurance premiums to rise by up to 5.5% next year (Star Tribune)

🏛 Rep. Dean Phillips steps down from his role in House Democratic leadership. (Axios)

😷 Minnesota surpasses 15,000 in total COVID deaths (CBS MN)

🏈 Gopher and Viking football bounce back with wins over the weekend (SB Nation & Fox Sports)

🚨 West Metro Mayors call for regional approach to juvenile crime after Minnetonka carjacking (Star Tribune)

📃U.S. Congress averts shutdown with last second votes (CNN)

💲 Minneapolis based substance use disorder recovery startup Kyros lands $10.5M raise (TCB)

🥇 Minnesota woman set to compete in Ironman championships, 9 years after being hit by a bus (Star Tribune)

🍴 Mpls St.Paul Mag’s Fall Restaurant Week begins October 9. (MplsStPaul)

Street Vendors Sell Fruit for Survival in the Twin Cities

The Story: Have you ever wondered who the people are selling cups with fruit around various Twin Cities parks and lakes? The Star Tribune recently ran a story about the surge in Ecuadorian migrants to Minnesota and how many of them have resorted to selling food in parks in order to survive. The Parks and Rec boards of Minneapolis and St. Paul have struggled to manage the increase in vendors as most of them are selling without proper licenses. Read the full story here.

The Final Word: MN Nice

Minneapolis was recently ranked the second most neighborly city in the United States behind Madison, WI which got me thinking about the true definition of what it means to be “Minnesota Nice.”

-Patrick

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