4/25/2025 -- Carter Celebrates Drop In St. Paul Gun Violence

😃😃 The Institute for Quality of Life recently named Minneapolis the 2nd happiest city in the United States and the 30th happiest city in the world.

Government

Mayor Melvin Carter Delivers State Of St. Paul Address, Highlights Drop In Gun Violence

St. Paul State of the City Address 2025: Key Highlights

Public Safety Progress: Carter reported a 73% drop in non-fatal shootings and zero gun-related homicides so far this year, crediting the new Non-Fatal Shootings Unit. Auto thefts are down significantly, and a new East Side fire station has been created to address longstanding disparities.

Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: The mayor called the fentanyl and opioid epidemic a “new emergency” and announced plans for a citywide summit to develop solutions. He emphasized the need for innovative, community-driven strategies to save lives.

Downtown Revitalization Efforts: With one-third of downtown office space vacant, Carter’s plan is to add 20,000 new residents through redevelopment projects like Stella, Landmark Tower, and Grand Central Block. He said increasing downtown housing is crucial to reversing declining property values and boosting vibrancy.

Housing and Infrastructure: Carter advocated for more housing at all income levels and supported changes to rent stabilization to spur construction. Infrastructure investments include $24 million for road repairs, $23 million for parks, and a citywide effort to replace lead water lines.

Federal Policy and Local Challenges Carter criticized federal funding cuts and reaffirmed St. Paul’s status as a sanctuary city. He pledged continued legal action to protect local interests and support for vulnerable communities.

Closing Vision Carter ended by urging residents to unite in building a safer, more vibrant, and inclusive St. Paul. He said downtown revitalization is the city’s most urgent priority, requiring collective action from the entire community.

Housing

Twin Cities Housing Market Remains Highly Competitive with Low Inventory and Rising Prices 🏠

The Summary: The Twin Cities housing market remains highly competitive, with demand far outpacing the number of homes for sale. Buyers are encountering crowded showings and homes that receive multiple offers almost immediately after being listed.

Inventory and Pricing: Inventory is still historically low, with about 12,500 homes on the market in March 2025—up from last year but far below levels seen in 2008. The average sale price in Minnesota has reached a record $400,000 in 2025, up from $301,000 in 2020.

Buyer and Seller Dynamics: Most activity is centered on homes priced between $250,000 and $500,000, which are selling especially fast. Many homeowners are reluctant to sell due to having locked in low mortgage rates, contributing to the tight supply, while buyers must act quickly and often offer above the asking price to secure a home.

Market Outlook: Experts expect the market to remain steady through the summer, with a plateau rather than dramatic fluctuations. Homes are sitting on the market for an average of 51 days, but mid-priced properties often sell much faster, requiring buyers to be aggressive and prepared for a lengthy search.

What Else We’re Reading…

Hennepin County Declines Charges in Minneapolis Tesla Vandalism Case

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office declined criminal charges against a Minneapolis man accused of vandalizing six Teslas, opting instead for a diversion program requiring restitution, sparking criticism from police and state Republicans. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed frustration, noting the $21,000 in damages and the department's thorough investigation, while GOP lawmakers condemned the decision as undermining accountability. County Attorney Mary Moriarty defended the move as standard for low-level property crime.

Sports 🏈

🏈 The Minnesota Vikings drafted Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson with the 24th Pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

🏒 The Minnesota Wild took a 2-1 lead against the Las Vegas Knights in their first round playoff series. Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is in St. Paul on Saturday.

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves struggled offensively in game two of their playoff series against the LA Lakers. They return to Minneapolis for game three on Friday with the series tied 1-1.

⚾ The Minnesota Twins won their series against the Chicago White Sox and improved their record to 9-16.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ Blaine has broken ground on a new $750M sports and entertainment district (Kare11)

❯ A man has been rescued from a sinkhole in Minneapolis after being stuck underground for several hours (KSTP)

❯ Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn has pled not guilty to enticement of a minor (WCCO)

❯ The infamous Minneapolis neighborhood mountain lion is now preserved for viewing (KSTP)

The Final Word: Mpls Love

With the warming weather, Minneapolis is looking great these days. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

-Patrick