4/19/2024 -- $15 cigarettes could be reality

Minneapolis

$15 for Smokes? Minneapolis City Council Weighs Minimum Price for Cigarettes

The Summary: The Minneapolis City Council is weighing setting a minimum price of $15 for a pack of cigarettes, making it the highest in the nation before taxes.

Details of the Proposal: The ordinance would not only establish a $15 minimum price for cigarettes but also ban discounts and coupons, set minimum prices for other tobacco products, and prohibit smoking inside cigar and hookah lounges.

Price Comparison and Exemption: The proposed $15 minimum would surpass St. Paul's $10-per-pack minimum set in 2021 and New York City's $13 minimum. The price hike would also apply to other tobacco products like cigars and chewing tobacco but excludes vaping compounds and e-cigarettes.

Police

Police Officer Involved in Murder of George Floyd Completes Federal Prison Sentence 🚓

The Summary: Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane, convicted in the murder of George Floyd, has finished his federal prison term but remains in federal custody.

Conviction and Sentencing: Lane was convicted in 2022 for violating George Floyd's civil rights during the incident in which Floyd was murdered by former officer Derek Chauvin. He was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison.

Release and Supervision: Lane is scheduled to be released from his Minnesota sentence and enter supervision on Aug. 20, 2024. His full sentence will conclude on Aug. 20, 2025.

Business

❯ UHG Cyberattack: UnitedHealth Group is anticipating the cyberattack on its Change Healthcare unit to result in costs of up to $1.6 billion this year, with $872 million already spent in the first quarter.

❯ Minnesotan’s Recognized on Time100: Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford and U of M School of Public Health professor Rachel Hardeman were named to TIME100's "Most Influential People of 2024." Ford was honored for promoting the farm-to-boardroom-table movement while Hardeman was recognized for her research on health equity.

What Else We’re Reading…

A Burnsville Woman Faced a $32k Medical Bill After A Minor Sinus Surgery

After receiving a minor sinus surgery from Park Nicollet, Christine Knirk was sent a bill for $32,449 bill. What followed was a months long and stressful back and forth between herself, her insurer, and Park Nicollet. The Star Tribune has the full story here.

Sports

🏃‍♀️ Elk River’s Emma Bates was the top female American finisher at the Boston Marathon this past Monday. She came in 12th overall (KSTP)

🏀 The Minnesota Lynx took Alissa Pili from Utah with their first round pick in the WNBA draft. Pili was a 3rd team All-American this past year (WCCO)

🐺 Anthony Edwards was named to the final Team USA roster for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics (Fox)

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Uber closed its driver resource center in south Minneapolis on Monday. The office’s five workers already accepted severance packages (MN Reformer)

❯ A St. Paul iron foundry has 30 days to address lead and air pollution problems (KSTP)

❯ Minneapolis office towers could be demolished as vacancy remains above 30% (Axios)

❯ First lady Jill Biden is set to visit the Twin Cities today to attend an education convention (WCCO)

Beyond the Twin Cities

Headlines From Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ Two popular trail loops on Minnesota’s North Shore are set to close for repair work this year (MPR)

❯ Bong Bridge reopened in Duluth after a semi-truck blew over Tuesday evening (Northern News)

❯ The Minnesota House has approved a bill attempting to speed up the legal cannabis marketplace roll out (Fox9)

❯ A Mahnomen hospital has closed its inpatient beds to survive, a first in Minnesota (Star Tribune)

The Final Word: Wolves in 4 🐺

After one of the best regular seasons in franchise history, my hopes couldn’t be higher as the Timberwolves enter the postseason this weekend. But, let’s be real, this is how I’m really feeling.

-Patrick