4/12/2024 -- Mpls City Council delays wage ordinance

Transportation

Minneapolis City Council Votes To Delay Rideshare Wage Ordinance 🚗

The Summary: The Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to postpone the implementation of a new rideshare pay policy, extending the effective date from May 1 to July 1.

Council's Perspective: Council members say the delay will afford additional time for potential new entrants in the rideshare sector to establish themselves, potentially filling the void left by Uber and Lyft's impending departure.

Response from Uber and Lyft: While both Uber and Lyft have agreed to defer their exit until July 1, they remain staunchly opposed to the new pay regulations.

What’s Next: Despite supporting the proposal to delay the ordinance, multiple council members still oppose any adjustment in the new wages the council approved.

Bonus: Axios wrote a story this week on what happened when Uber and Lyft left Austin, Texas.

Police

Lawsuit Alleges Misconduct and Threats by Former Hennepin County Sheriff 🚨

The Summary: Current and former members of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office have filed a lawsuit accusing former sheriff Dave Hutchinson of bigotry, erratic behavior, and threats of retribution. The lawsuit alleges that county officials were aware of Hutchinson’s behavior and failed to take adequate action to address it.

Allegations of Fear and Threats: The lawsuit claims that Hutchinson's behavior instilled fear among his staff, including threats to their jobs and physical safety. An incident in 2021 is highlighted where Hutchinson allegedly unholstered his gun and aimed it at employees while joking about shooting people.

Legal Action and County Response: The employees’ attorney criticized the county for not taking sufficient action to ensure employee safety. The county stated they will vigorously defend against the claims.

Background on Hutchinson: Hutchinson's career faced scrutiny following a drunk driving incident in December 2021, where he rolled over a county-owned vehicle on I-94 at speeds exceeding 126 mph. He was subsequently sentenced to two years probation for DWI, and his peace officer license was suspended for 30 days.

Business

❯ Target Ups Security: Target is implementing new technology at its self-checkout registers to combat theft by using cameras to detect unscanned items, alerting shoppers. The technology, being rolled out to all stores this year, provides audio and visual cues to shoppers who fail to scan items.

❯ Edina Realty Heads South: Edina Realty has expanded into Florida by opening its first office in Naples, catering to snowbirds from Minnesota seeking warmer-weather homes. With listings from nearly the entire Sunshine State now available on their website, the move aims to provide seamless access to Edina Realty's services for clients in both Minnesota and Florida.

❯ Wolves Ownership Dispute: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the league is not currently involved in the dispute over the Timberwolves' ownership, emphasizing that it's a matter for mediation and arbitration as outlined in the purchase agreement.

Sports

🐜 Ant Shines: After a slow start against the Wizards, Anthony Edwards put the team on his back scoring a career high 51 points in the Wolves victory.

🏀 Kat is Back: After missing much of the latter half of the season due to injury, Karl Anthony-Towns is set to return in the Wolves upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

⚾ Twins Slow Start: After dropping their most recent series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Twins’ record is now 4-6 and the offense is one of the worst in the MLB.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ A federal judge sentenced a high-level gang member, calling Minneapolis gang wars ‘public health crisis’ (KSTP)

❯ The Uptown Association announced this week that the Uptown Art Fair would be cancelled in 2024 (Fox9)

❯ A new bill being proposed aims to curb 'rampant' copper wire theft across St. Paul (Kare11)

❯ St. Paul schools named John Thein as interim superintendent (Pioneer Press)

❯ Two deputies were hurt and a gunman killed during an attempted arrest in Minnetonka (Fox9)

Beyond the Twin Cities

Headlines From Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ State says 10 water systems in the metro have unsafe levels of PFAS, under new EPA rule (Star Tribune)

❯ Just three months after launch, sales of Minnesota blackout plates near 50,000 (MPR)

❯ Duluth Airport leaders shared their latest plans for multi-million dollar project (Northern News Now)

❯ A Minnesota man has been convicted in fatal stabbing of teen on Wisconsin river (NBC)

The Final Word: World’s Largest Candy Store? 🍭

Minnesota’s largest candy store housed in an iconic 27,000 square foot, yellow building is set to move to a new location that will double its size. The new location could give the store the distinction of the World’s Largest Candy Store.

-Patrick