3/31/2025 -- U of M student detained by ICE

🌭 Last Thursday I told you about a new 6-foot hot dog being unveiled at St. Paul Saints games this year. Well, four brave fans decided to eat not just one, but two of these gigantic hot dogs.

Safety

University of Minnesota Graduate Student Detained by ICE in Off-Campus Raid

The Summary: A University of Minnesota international graduate student was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday at an off-campus residence. The university stated it had no prior knowledge of the detention and did not share any information with federal authorities. The reasons for the detention remain unclear, and the student's identity has not been disclosed.

University Response: University officials described the situation as "deeply concerning" and emphasized their commitment to supporting the detained student through legal services and other resources. They reaffirmed that campus public safety departments do not enforce federal immigration laws or inquire about immigration status.

Broader Reactions: The detention has sparked widespread concern among state and local leaders. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Ilhan Omar have contacted federal agencies seeking clarity on the case, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the incident "deeply troubling."

Housing

Minneapolis Council Votes to End Algorithmic Price Fixing 🏠

The Summary: The Minneapolis City Council voted to ban the use of algorithms for setting rental prices following allegations that landlords shared private data with RealPage, a third-party company that used algorithms to inflate rents. The Department of Justice previously sued major landlords, including several operating in Minneapolis, for participating in such practices, which were deemed anticompetitive and harmful to renters.

Ordinance Details: The ordinance prohibits landlords from using algorithmic tools that rely on nonpublic competitor data to set rent prices. It aims to prevent monopolistic practices and protect renters from inflated costs. If signed by Mayor Jacob Frey, the ordinance will take effect on March 1, 2026.

Possible Savings: According to the city council, Twin Cities renters in units managed by algorithms paid an average of $324 more per year than renters in units not managed by algorithms.

Healthcare

Minnesota Medicaid Director Warns of "Impossible" Cuts Amid Federal Budget Proposal

The Summary: According to the Congressional Budget Office, Minnesota could face an annual $1.5 billion cut from its Medicaid budget, which currently stands at $18 billion. This reduction would impact the 1.3 million Minnesotans who rely on Medicaid, including 40% of children and 55% of nursing home residents.

State Response and Concerns: Minnesota Medicaid Director John Connolly described the potential cuts as "impossible" for the state to absorb without drastic changes. These could include narrowing eligibility, reducing covered services, or cutting benefits entirely.

Broader Implications and Next Steps: The proposed federal cuts have sparked bipartisan fears and debates over how Minnesota can maintain essential health services. Bipartisan concern has emerged, with 14 Republican legislators warning that such cuts could force local governments to raise property taxes or eliminate essential services.

Next Steps: A Congressional vote on the cuts is expected in the coming weeks, leaving state officials scrambling to prepare for potential budget shortfalls.

What Else We’re Reading…

Small Plane Crashes Into Residential Area In Brooklyn Park

Terry Dolan, the Vice Chair and Chief Administration Officer of US Bank, is believed to have been the victim of a plane crash in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday. The plane, registered to Dolan, crashed into a home, resulting in no survivors on board, while the residents of the house escaped without injury. Footage from a nearby security camera shows the plane diving into the neighborhood. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

TRIVIA

Sports ⚾

⚾ The Minnesota Twins’ season got off to a rough start after being swept on the road to the St. Louis Cardinals.

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Detroit Pistons on Sunday evening in a game that featured a fight resulting in seven ejections.

🏒 The Gopher Men’s Hockey team had an early departure from the NCAA Hockey Tournament after giving up three 3rd period goals to UMass and eventually losing in overtime.

🏀 The Gopher women’s basketball team kept their season alive after defeating Gonzaga in the quarterfinals of the WBIT. They are now one of four teams that remain and will face Florida on Monday.

⚽ The Minnesota United Loons defeated Real Salt Lake by a score of 2-0 on Saturday.

🏒 The Minnesota Wild have Lost to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Wild sit in the top wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ A Minneapolis-bound Delta flight had a near miss with an Air Force jet (WCCO)

❯ UnitedHealth Group has scrapped mentions of DEI from website (Reuters)

❯ A protest took place outside of a Golden Valley Tesla dealership (Fox9)

❯ The Trump administration abruptly terminated $226M in COVID-19 grants for Minnesota (Bring Me The News)

The Final Word: Streaming Recommendation 📺

I came down with the stomach flu last week, hence the lack of Friday newsletter, which meant I had a little extra time on the couch to watch some shows. I’m a sucker for a true crime documentary that is about fraud and the newly released “Con Mum” on Netflix checked those boxes. The show definitely gave new meaning to the phrase “never judge a book by its cover.”

-Patrick