2/9/2024 -- Frey's "Loser" Comments & Metro Transit Crime Increases,

Minneapolis

Mayor Frey Pushes Workers To Return To In-Person Work With Off-Color Joke

The Summary: The Minneapolis Downtown Council held its annual meeting, providing key updates on the past year and future plans to revitalize the area. 

Jab From Frey: Minneapolis has one of the highest downtown office vacancy rates in the country and Mayor Jacob Frey has been bullish on getting people back in-person for work. He said the following at the annual meeting (video here):

“When people who have the ability to come downtown to an office don’t — when they stay home sitting on their couch, with their nasty cat blanket, diddling on their laptop .. if they do that for a few months, you become a loser! ... We’re not losers, are we?”

Pushback from Workers: While Frey has insisted his remark was an attempt at a joke, not everyone took too kindly to the humor. People quickly took to social media to fire off their own witty responses like this and this.

Other highlights from the meeting: 

❯ Target is no longer the largest employer in downtown Minneapolis. Hennepin Healthcare now owns that title.

❯ Downtown Minneapolis population grew 2.9% in 2023, an increase from the 1.2% growth in 2022. 

❯ About 65% of downtown workers are coming to the office at least once per week

Public Transit

Crime Increases on Metro Transit, But Showing Signs of Progress

The Summary: New statistics show that the Metro Transit crime decreased by 25% throughout 2023, but is still up 32% compared to 2022. 

Increased Ridership: Officials reported that systemwide ridership grew by about 15% in 2023 and is now nearly 60% of pre-pandemic levels. A new pilot program has allowed free bus rides on Two Metro transit routes, something that proved popular among riders. 

Implementation of Safety Measures: Over the last two years, Metro Transit has rolled out a number of new safety measures including stricter fare enforcement, updating rider code of conduct, and adding a stronger police presence.

Politics

❯ New Majority Leader: Erin Murphy has been elected to lead the Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus during the 2024 legislative session, succeeding Kari Dziedzic, who stepped down due to health reasons.

❯ Big Money for Dems: Minnesota Democrats have a significant fundraising advantage over Republicans, with the DFL holding nearly $1.9 million in cash on hand compared to the GOP's $312,000. Minnesota Republicans also currently have $474,000 in debt compared to less than $100,000 for the DFL. 

❯ DFL Clash w/ Marijuana Party: The Minnesota DFL has petitioned the state Supreme Court to remove the Legal Marijuana Now Party's major party status, citing failure to meet the new requirements, including holding sufficient conventions and appointing leadership across districts.

Business

❯ Feeding Our Future Update: Aimee Bock, federally indicted leader of Feeding Our Future, is alleging in a civil lawsuit that the Minnesota Department of Education intentionally deleted and hid documents. The Department asserts that Bock is using legal claims to divert attention from her own misconduct. The lawsuit comes just days after 10 more suspects were charged in the case.

❯ Xcel Plans New Rates: Xcel Energy has proposed implementing a "Time of Use" rate system for Minnesota residential customers starting in 2025, allowing customers to save or spend more on electricity depending on usage times, with peak hours priced higher and off-peak hours lower. 

What Else We’re Reading…

Journalists Covering 2020 Unrest Get $950k Settlement

The Minneapolis City Council approved a $950,000 settlement for journalists detained or injured by police during unrest following George Floyd's murder. However, the settlement does not admit wrongdoing on the part of the city. This newest settlement puts the city’s cost of settling lawsuits stemming from officer conduct during the unrest at almost $10 million.

Sports

🏀 Gopher’s Get Big Win: The Gopher’s men’s basketball team got their first “Quad 1” win against Michigan State on Tuesday night. The win moves them closer to being in the NCAA Tournament bubble conversation. Oh, and Michigan State alum Kirk Cousins was at the game. 

🐺 Wolves Make Moves: The Timberwolves acquired point guard Monte Morris from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for guards Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr. and a 2030 second-round draft pick. Morris should help the Wolves with some of their turnover woes as of late. 

📺 Twins Get Broadcast Partner: The Minnesota Twins are sticking with Bally Sports North for the 2024 season. Games will be available for cable and streaming TV subscribers whose packages include BSN.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ The Minneapolis city council overrode Mayor Frey’s veto of the Israel/Hamas ceasefire resolution. Activists are calling on the St. Paul City Council to make a similar ceasefire resolution (WCCO & KSTP)

❯ St. Paul teachers union has authorized a Feb. 15 strike vote (Sahan Journal)

❯ A Tesla employee from Twin Cities was arrested after threatening to kill Elon Musk and President Biden (Star Tribune)

❯ Falcon Heights, St. Anthony Village city officials are reconsider policing partnership (MPR)

❯ A new report shows the Smith Foundry is compliant with EPA regulations – East Phillips residents and activists continue to push for its closure (WCCO)

❯ Twin Cities native Dan Wilson wins Grammy for Best Country Song (MPR)

Beyond the Twin Cities

Headlines From Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ Lutsen Lodge burns down – investigators continue to look into the cause of the fire (WCCO)

❯ Low-income Minnesotans will see larger tax returns this season (Minnesota Reformer)

❯ Bemidji city council meeting ends abruptly after unidentified viewers use racial slurs (Bring Me The News)

❯ Minnesota and Eli Lilly settle insulin price-gouging lawsuit. The deal will hold costs to $35 a month (ABC News)

The Final Word:  Friday Puzzle

I came across this puzzle in a Reddit thread and was stumped by it – the picture depicts a Minnesota town. The original puzzle appeared in a 1941 issue of the Minneapolis Star Journal Sunday Magazine. Send me a reply to this email if you can solve it!

-Patrick