9/19/2023 -- Expensive Air Travel from MSP, Mpls Police Shortage, BandBox Re-opens

Good morning. Today is Tuesday, September 19. Here is everything you need to know to start your day in the Twin Cities.

Air travel is expensive from Minneapolis

The summary: If it seems like it has been getting more expensive to fly out of MSP airport, you’re not crazy. A recent study from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics found that Minneapolis-St.Paul International has the third highest average flight price at $456. MSP is only behind Anchorage International and Washington Dulles International.

The context: Flight prices haven’t always been this expensive for people flying out of MSP. In fact, the average ticket price has gone up 21% from Q1 2022 to Q1 2023. Relative to other American airports, MSP had the 7^th highest increase over this time period and far outpaces the 16% average increase across all airports.

Why is this happening? Well, it’s complicated. A recent Star Tribune article suggests a primary culprit for why MSP has seen such dramatic increases in flight prices: Delta Airlines. The airline giant makes up over 70% of flights coming out of MSP allowing it significant control over pricing relative to other carriers. Increased demand to travel coming out of the pandemic as well as labor challenges across the industry are also contributing to increases prices.

Minneapolis Police Continues To Struggle With Staffing Shortage

The Summary: Since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the number of active police officers has gradually fallen. The Minneapolis police force has 585 sworn officers and one of the lowest officer to citizen ratios among major cities in the US.

The consequences: The staffing shortage has resulted in longer response times, increased overtime costs, and officers being expected to cover much wider areas of the city during their shift.

What’s next? Police Departments across the Twin Cities Metro are attempting new recruiting efforts including significant financial signing bonuses and even door-knocking in certain Twin Cities neighborhoods to try and create interest.

✔Quick hits

🏒 Former Gopher Taylor Heise is picked first overall by Minnesota in the first ever Professional Women’s Hockey League (ESPN)

💙 A new Dallas Fed study found that 70.9% of people born in MN stay here ranking Minnesota 13^th in this metric (Axios)

🚨 Minnesota Supreme court rule that police will not be able to solely cite marijuana smell as reason to search a vehicle (MinnPost)

❄ El Nino, human-caused climate change, and weather patterns lead scientists to believe a milder winter is ahead (Bring Me The News)

⚾ Carlos Correa has struggled with plantar fasciitis for most of the 2023 season and left the Twins’ Monday night game against the Reds. (ESPN)

Things to Do, See, Eat This Week

🍔 Band Box Diner is reopening its doors after shutting down during COVID. The Elliot Park diner has been open since 1939 and is a staple greasy spoon spot. Supporters of the diner raised over $21,000 during 2021 to help it reopen.

🏀 The Minnesota Lynx host a deciding game three of their first round WNBA playoff series against the Connecticut Sun. Tip-off is 7pm on Wednesday at the Target Center and tickets are as low as $24.

🍎 It’s apple picking season! The Greater Twin Cities has no shortage of orchards that often have family-friendly activities, food, music, and drinks. Check out this list of the 21 Minnesota Apple Orchards to visit this fall.

The Final Word

Minnesota Twins manager welcomed twin boys this past week. I can’t think of a better omen heading into postseason play. I bought playoff tickets once I saw this news.

-Patrick

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