4/15/2024 -- Wolves Start Playoff Run

Wolves

Timberwolves Prepare for Difficult Playoff Bracket 🏀

The Summary: After losing in their final game of the regular season, the Timberwolves dropped to the 3 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a rematch with the Phoenix Suns.

How we got here: Heading into the final day of the season, the Wolves found themselves in a three-way tie with the OKC Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Denver and OKC wins plus a Minnesota loss resulted in a top three seeding in this order: OKC, Denver, Minnesota

Tough Match-Ups: The Wolves are set to face the #6 seeded Phoenix Suns on Saturday, a team they lost two on three separate occassions this season. Should the Wolves win, they could be facing a date with the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets.

In Ant We Trust: While the playoff outlook is less than ideal, Anthony Edwards has no shortage of confidence heading into their first-round series with the Suns.

Infrastructure

Stone Arch Bridge Officially Closes for Construction 🌉

The Summary: Starting Monday, half of Minneapolis' iconic Stone Arch Bridge will close for extensive renovations, impacting pedestrian and cyclist access until 2026.

Purpose: The $38.5 million project by the Minnesota Department of Transportation aims to repair damaged stone and repoint mortar.

Last Stroll: People took to the bridge on Sunday to enjoy a final stroll across the popular walking, running, and biking spot.

Detours and Future Access: During the closure, pedestrians and cyclists are advised to use suggested detours, including the recently reopened Third Avenue Bridge. The phased renovation plans ensure that one side will reopen next spring before the other side closes, with the entire bridge set to reopen in spring 2026.

Business

❯ Corporate Foundations Close: Accoridng to the Star Tribune, 3M, General Mills, and Thrivent have recently closed their charitable foundations. Leaders at these companies insist their giving will not decrease.

❯ Grocery Prices: In the last few weeks, two Twin Cities publications have studied the various grocery stores in the Twin Cities to determine which is the cheapest. Check out the rankings from the Star Tribune and Bring Me The News.

Sports

📈 The WNBA Draft is tonight and the Minnesota Lynx have the 8th overall pick. Many mock drafts have the Lynx taking either Angel Reese from LSU or Alissa Pili from Utah.

⚾ The Minnesota Twins split a 4-game series with the Detroit Tigers to move to 6-8 on the season. The bad news: Carlos Correa left the game early on Friday with an oblique strain.

🏀 The Timberwolves ownership saga continued with new documents saying A-Rod/Lore planned a severe roster payroll reduction that would have torn apart the core of the Wolves.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Medical providers remain in limbo as ChangeHealthcare cyberattack impacts continue (MPR)

❯ Speed enforcement camera bill advanced — the Legislation would allow Minneapolis and three other cities to install cameras as part of a pilot project (Kare11)

❯ Man who fired at Hennepin deputies in Minnetonka before his death was not subject of arrest warrant (MPR)

An Eden Prairie woman pleaded guilty to embezzling $1 million from an Edina employer (Bring Me The News)

A campus group is accusing the University of Minnesota of directing censorship against Palestinians (Star Tribune)

Beyond the Twin Cities

Headlines From Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ The Humane Society rescued over 100 cats from a home in Crosby (Bring Me the News)

❯ So far in 2024 drivers have killed 61% more people than in 2023 (MPR)

❯ A Republican politican bragged about his ‘Rural’ Minnesota upbringing — he actually grew up in Shoreview (Daily Beast)

❯ Small businesses fear big problems with proposed minimum wage bill (MinnPost)

The Final Word: Spring has Sprung ☀

If you weren’t outside enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend, I’m not sure what you were doing. My personal favorite spot, the Lake Harriet Bandshell, got a makeover this last year. Be sure to get a burger and frieds from the Bread and Pickle while you’re there — I think its one of the underrated burgers in the Twin Cities.

-Patrick