7/1/2024 -- Mpls Among Worst For Housing Shortages

Housing

New Report: Minneapolis Has One Of The Worst Housing Shortages In The US 🏠

The Summary: Minneapolis ranks as one of the top 10 cities in the United States with the most severe housing shortages, according to a Zillow report. The city ranked eighth among the 50 largest metropolitan areas analyzed.

Nationwide Housing Shortage: The Zillow report highlighted that despite a surge in construction during the pandemic, the U.S. continues to face a growing housing shortage. The deficit increased from 4.3 million homes in 2021 to 4.5 million in 2022.

Minnesota Shortage: Other reports have shown that Minnesota has a housing deficit of 106,000 units, three-quarters of which fall within the greater Twin Cities metro area.

Weather

Historic Flooding Across The State Continues To Take A Toll

The Summary: As major rivers in Minnesota continue to rise, Governor Tim Walz and FEMA Regional Manager Tom Sivak provided an update on the flooding outlook. Recovery efforts are already underway, and a federal disaster declaration has been submitted.

FEMA Response: Tom Sivak stated that recovery would be a long process, but the agency has already deployed staff members to assess the damage. In the coming days, teams dressed in FEMA uniforms will go door-to-door to conduct assessments,

State Response: Governor Walz announced that the executive council approved a peacetime emergency extension for the next 30 days. Additionally, a federal disaster declaration has been submitted due to the widespread damage, with threshold numbers being met quite easily according to Walz.

Highway Reopenings: Some state highways have reopened, including Highways 15, 30, and 75 in south-central Minnesota, as well as Highway 14 near Lamberton. Highway 169 between Mankato and St. Peter has also reopened, although it remains closed between Mankato and Le Sueur.

River Crests and Local Impact:

❯ The Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix crested over the weekend.

❯ St. Paul declared a state of emergency and closed several roads, with the Mississippi River remaining in a major flood stage until early this week.

❯ Washington County leaders also declared a state of emergency extending across communities along the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers

 ❯ In Stillwater, Fourth of July fireworks have been canceled and the historic lift bridge closed due to St. Croix River flooding.

❯ Valleyfair in Shakopee has canceled its Fourth of July fireworks show due to flooding impacts and temporarily revised its daily operating hours.

What Else We’re Reading…

The key 2024 races that will determine control of the Minnesota Legislature ✔

The Minnesota Reformer recently published an extensive analysis covering the various congressional and senate seats that are being contested this fall that could really shape the make-up of the Minnesota legislature. Minnesota Democrats have enjoyed full control of the entire legislature, but various seats that are up for grabs could dictate whether that stays the same come this fall.

Sports

Suni Lee Headed To Paris Olympics 🤸‍♀️

The Summary: St. Paul native Suni Lee secured a spot on her second straight Olympic team, this time qualifying in front of her hometown crowd at the Target Center.

Team USA: Suni Lee will be joined by Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera who were all named to the U.S. Olympic team in women's gymnastics.

Defense of Gold: Suni Lee will be looking to defend her all-around Olympic gold medal. However, she’ll have tough competition, especially from her own Team USA teammates.

Highlights: If you missed watching the Olympic Trials, just check out a couple of Suni Lee’s highlights here and here.

Other Sports News

🏆 The Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky to remain atop the Western Conference standings.

⚾ The Minnesota Twins won their series against the Seattle Mariners and were powered by hot hitting from Byron Buxton

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Multiple Cub grocery stores were targeted by bomb threats over the weekend (KSTP)

❯ Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of felony domestic assault (Fox9)

❯ KARE 11's Randy Shaver officially signed off after 43-year TV career (Bring Me The News)

❯ Thousands attended the 2024 Twin Cities Pride Parade in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday (WCCO)

❯ A woman’s body was spotted in the flooded Mississippi River in St. Paul, eventually being recovered 7 miles downstream (Pioneer Press)

The Final Word: A Dog’s Summer 🐶

IF you’re new to this newsletter, you’ll quickly find out that I have a dog named Harriet that I adopted a couple months ago. This last week, I took Harriet out on Lake Harriet for his first paddle board ride which was followed by an ice cream treat from Bread and Pickle.

-Patrick