Recent content from Susan Du
Star Wars superfans celebrate May 4th with ritual movie marathons, blue milk, costumes and community
The story has special meaning to those who relate to finding hope through darkness in their own lives.
Where to celebrate Star Wars Day (May the 4th) in Minneapolis and St. Paul
From stormtrooping for charity to block parties, break up the monotony of this gloomy spring with Star Wars events across the Twin Cities.
Help on the way for north Minneapolis neighborhood prone to extreme flooding
Several low-lying blocks of the Cleveland neighborhood have weathered excess storm water for decades. New flood modeling finally has identified the area as a priority for street and sewer improvements.
New director of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control is longtime abuse investigator Tony Schendel
Schendel will be in charge of navigating the city's animal control unit through challenges with overcrowding and an uptick in neglect cases.
Minneapolis to set up Lake Street Community Safety Center, and wants residents' help to define it
A temporary community safety center on the immigrant business corridor, followed by a permanent one coming to 2633 Minnehaha Av., aim to reinvigorate public safety in south Minneapolis.
Minneapolis City Council declines to endorse Frey's Third Precinct plan
Council members meeting as a committee did not lend their support to Mayor Jacob Frey's proposal to turn the burned-out police station into a voter center; the mayor says he'll move forward with plans anyway.
Single adults turned away from Hennepin emergency homeless shelters 4,000 times in 2023
Shelter beds were used more than 167,700 times during the same period.
Old newspaper boxes become life-savers as Twin Cities self-serve dispensaries
Jim Barrett and Andrew Kamin-Lyndgaard of Minneapolis created Little Free Libraries for naloxone and fentanyl testing strips as part of a growing effort to expand access to the overdose-reversing medicine.
With shortage of investigators, majority of Minneapolis arsons go unsolved
More than 200 fires were intentionally set in 2022 and 2023, but only a handful resulted in criminal charges.
Campus group accuses University of Minnesota of directing censorship against Palestinians
Magrath Library supervisors removed a book display that was curated by a student worker.
Minneapolis City Council votes to delay start of rideshare wage ordinance
The council voted unanimously Thursday to push the start date of a new policy to July 1, saying it will give new rideshare companies time to start up and fill gaps if Uber and Lyft leave the city.
Mpls. City Council may postpone start of Uber, Lyft pay ordinance
Council President Elliott Payne is willing to extend the start date for Minneapolis' new rideshare wage ordinance from May 1 to July 1; such a change will still require a full council vote.
Frey joins business, disability and senior advocates to urge reversal of Minneapolis' Uber, Lyft vote
The City Council is scheduled to take up the question of whether to reconsider the ordinance in its meeting Thursday; Uber and Lyft have said they'll leave if it goes into effect May 1.
Park Board workers say caring for Minneapolis parks isn't the job it used to be
As union negotiations intensify around the high cost of living, Park Board maintenance workers say love for parks is the only thing keeping them around.
Mpls. wants to turn burned Third Precinct into community space
After deciding police should not return to 3000 Minnehaha Av., city staff proposed the Lake Street building for the new home of Elections and Voter Services.
Drug use resource hub opens in north Minneapolis after state legalizes safe injection sites
Minnesota Overdose Awareness opened the center at 3859 Fremont Av. N. on Tuesday with the blessing of the Webber-Camden Neighborhood Organization.
Minneapolis says it will offer George Floyd Square vision by end of 2024
Another year of engagement around the intersection aims to define the city's role in future memorials, street design requirements and ownership of a former gas station-turned-protest space.
Pickleball craze breathes new life into old downtown Minneapolis office buildings
After a major tenant bailed, Mike Marinovich transformed the second floor of 1200 Washington Av. S. into the sound-proof Minneapolis Pickleball Club, and it's beckoning people back to the city.
City, parks and watershed district team up to repair Minnehaha Creek, clean up Lake Hiawatha
After a decade of work pairing creek improvements with redevelopment projects in the western suburbs, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is starting to focus on water problems in Minneapolis.
Tapping into neighborhood power to make maple syrup in a Minneapolis sugarbush
This winter was the first time the Park Board allowed the Urban Sap Tap project, a dedicated group of King Field hobby syrupers, to tap maples in King Park.
Minneapolis Park Board votes down ADA bikeway through Soo Line Garden
The Park Board owns the garden, where Hennepin County wants to pave a bike and pedestrian trail to the Midtown Greenway.
Attorney General's Office settles with landlord accused of neglecting north Minneapolis homes
HavenBrook Homes has agreed to pay $2.2 million in restitution, forgive $2 million of tenants' debt and attempt to sell its rental homes.
Camp Nenookaasi residents, city of Minneapolis clash in court over fate of homeless encampment
A U.S. District Court judge is again considering residents' plea for a restraining order against encampment closures by the city.
Charges: Bottineau Park employee stabbed teen inside northeast Minneapolis recreation center
The 53-year-old employee of the Minneapolis Park Board was charged with second degree assault with a dangerous weapon in the stabbing, which allegedly took place after he became upset with the teen for swearing.
Mpls. Park Board discloses more warm-winter ice rink expenses; cost per day tops $100K
Despite dogged efforts to keep Minneapolis parks' iconic neighborhood ice rinks frozen, an exceptionally warm winter wasted money, labor and water.
Community garden dispute could land before Minneapolis Park Board this month
Hennepin County wants to build an ADA-compliant bike ramp through a community garden; the gardeners want other locations considered.
Minneapolis City Council blocks November ballot question on voter referendum
Council Member Robin Wonsley had proposed changing the city charter to allow voters to create or repeal legislation, following the examples of St. Paul, Duluth, Brooklyn Park and Bloomington.
Weirdly warm winter cost Minneapolis parks $750,000 for one week of outdoor ice rinks
Some park commissioners and community groups want more consideration of climate data and changing climate patterns in planning for park ice rinks.
Minneapolis Parks Foundation aims to raise $20 million for North Commons Park
Renovating the flagship north Minneapolis neighborhood park is expected to cost $35 million.
Minneapolis could save 2040 Plan with environmental review. Here's why it isn't interested.
Rather than submit to environmental review, Minneapolis hopes to change state law to overcome the legal challenge that suspended its citywide development plan.
EPA: Only one house left to clean up at Minneapolis arsenic Superfund site
Chemical contamination of working-class south Minneapolis neighborhoods has taken decades to remediate.
Minneapolis awards $1M contract to house encampment residents
The city hired Helix to rapidly house people living in one of its largest homeless encampments, using strategies that differ from Hennepin County's approach.
Minneapolis Park Board explores building new bridge spanning the Mississippi River
Cyclists and park advocates have long pushed for a bridge to connect the north and northeast Minneapolis sections of the Great Northern Greenway trail.
Hennepin County property tax collections are lowest in decades
When large commercial properties fail to pay their taxes, ordinary residents have to make up the difference to fund city, school and park services.
Minneapolis man cited for home lumberyard fighting to legalize wood recycling model
Jeremy Marshik, owner of LumberStash, made a growing business of saving old wood from the landfill. But it's not legal.
Minneapolis picks independent evaluator for policing reforms
The city has entered a court-enforceable settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and continues to negotiate a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Struggle with unlicensed north Minneapolis rental house highlights challenges for renters with limited options
The house at 5049 Vincent Av. N. has broken windows and mold on the walls, according to the city, and it can't legally collect rent.
U.S. Supreme Court will review homeless encampment case
Western cities overwhelmed with homelessness have asked the court to make it easier to break up encampments across the nation.
Organized labor, Minneapolis officials renew commitment to create a Labor Standards Board
The Service Employees International Union also released a report with recommendations to revitalize downtown from the perspective of workers.
Hospitality group launches campaign to oppose new regulations for Mpls. businesses
A Labor Standards Board that would recommend new laws across all industries may take shape this year.
Three groups vying to monitor Minneapolis' consent decrees flaunt their credentials
At two community events this week, three out-of-state police evaluation organizations presented themselves for community approval.
Minneapolis 'missing middle' housing developers suspended in legal limbo
A judge on Monday officially rejected the city's request to reinstate the 2040 Plan while its appeal pends.
U.S. Supreme Court could take up encampment case, with repercussions for Minnesota
Cities across the country are asking the court to review whether it is unconstitutional to criminalize homelessness.
Minneapolis' 'Nenookaasi' homeless encampment packs up — and moves three blocks south
The city of Minneapolis ordered its largest homeless camp to vacate a plot of land meant for a future art center by Thursday.
Judge: Closure of Minneapolis encampment can continue as planned
A judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order that would have barred the city from clearing its largest homeless encampment on Thursday.
South Minneapolis encampment residents file emergency lawsuit in hopes of halting sweep
The suit argues it is cruel and unusual to force homeless people out of an encampment if they have nowhere else to go; the city plans to close Camp Nenookaasi on Thursday.
Minneapolis charter changes propose clipping City Council power
The changes would remove council's ability to approve key staff appointments and enforce ethics violations.
New Lake Street medical clinic to replace former Family Dollar destroyed in 2020 Minneapolis riots
The One Southside medical center will bring primary care to underinsured patients.
Controversial new north Minneapolis bar is gearing for launch
Licensing has been a rollercoaster for the former gas station on Lowry Avenue.
After 40 years, St. Louis Park program for mothers is cutting programs amid financial crisis
Perspectives, a home for women in recovery, ended support programs and slashed most of its staff this week.
Warm temperatures mean short season for Minneapolis ice rinks
With delays caused by a noncommittal winter, the earliest Minneapolis' neighborhood park ice rinks can open, optimistically, is January.
Minneapolis' largest homeless camp marked for closure to make way for development
Led by a sobriety coach, the camp offered a semblance of stability to those seeking shelter. But some neighbors, sick of trash and crime, say it's time to move on.
Three finalists selected for independent monitor overseeing Minneapolis' consent decrees
The public will have a chance to hear from each group during scheduled community presentations in mid-January.
Judge exonerates Marvin Haynes in 2005 Mpls. murder conviction
There was no physical evidence linking Haynes to the crime scene, the Great North Innocence Project argued.
In Minneapolis election, big money didn't translate to political power
The centrist political fund All of Mpls outspent progressive Minneapolis for the Many four to one, yet the latter's slate took over the City Council.
'Serious deficiencies,' break-ins at south Minneapolis elder housing spark protests
Owners CommonBond Communities and the American Indian Community Development Corporation say they are operating the building in East Phillips at an unsustainable deficit.
Metro Inn Motel in south Minneapolis will soon reopen as permanent affordable housing
Agate Housing will own and operate the 38-unit apartment building, half of which will be reserved for people moving straight from homelessness.
Charles Rucker will fill vacant Minneapolis Park Board seat
The Minneapolis firefighter will replace former commissioner Alicia Crudup, who resigned on Oct. 30.
Minneapolis 2023 City Council election results: What do they mean?
Progressives took control of the Minneapolis City Council. The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Ward races were called on Wednesday morning after being too close to tell on Election Night.
East Phillips environmental activists raise $3.7 million to buy Roof Depot for urban farm
After a decade-long fight with the city of Minneapolis, the East Phillips Indoor Farm project surmounted a major hurdle on the way to fruition.
It's Election Day: Who's running and what's on the ballot
Minneapolis and St. Paul will pick City Council members; schools have board members and tax requests before voters.
Minneapolis, developers to lose millions without 2040 Plan under judge's order
The groups that sued the city for an environmental study of its up-zoning comprehensive plan say the damage is self-inflicted.
Early voting down 50% from last Minneapolis city elections, but higher numbers expected on Election Day
In St. Paul, early voting is down 30% from this point in 2021, the last municipal election year.
South Minneapolis neighbors rally to save beloved playground as school district shrinks
As families move out of the city, Minneapolis Public Schools has found itself without money to repair the well-worn playground at long-closed Cooper Elementary School.
Ninth, 10th Ward City Council contenders focus on commercial districts, homelessness
Two young, first-term progressives in Minneapolis are fending against challengers coming from the right on public safety.
Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner Alicia Crudup resigns, effective immediately
Alicia Crudup was the Minneapolis Park Board's vice president and only person of color serving on the board.
Minneapolis to investigate landlords for Section 8 rental discrimination
For now, the city can enforce its ordinance prohibiting landlords from rejecting tenants because they receive welfare — but landlords are continuing to sue.
Two Minneapolis neighborhood associations to merge amid diminished funding
Beltrami and Northeast Park are entering uncharted territory hand-in-hand in a new era for neighborhood associations. Two others decided not to join them.
Suspect arrested after exchanging gunfire with police near Lake Harriet in Minneapolis
A 24-year-old man is in custody after a shootout with police late Tuesday. No injuries were reported.
Mpls. council gives public safety nominee Barnette a green light
Following a public hearing, council members grilled Barnette before voting to approve his nomination. Full confirmation requires another vote on Thursday.
North Minneapolis residents seeing uptick in crime displaced from Merwin Liquors, Winner gas station
As officials celebrated efforts reducing gun violence and drug activity around a liquor store and gas station, residents and businesses say trouble migrated their way.
Candidates' identities playing critical role in Minneapolis' Sixth, Eighth ward council races
Council President Andrea Jenkins is defending her Eighth Ward seat against a challenger who beat her for the DFL endorsement.
Funding woes force Park Board to tone down ambitious redesign of north Minneapolis park
Despite the Minnesota Legislature's year of historic spending, the North Commons project got nothing, forcing park officials to walk back grand ambitions.
A weakened Minneapolis City Council is still learning to stand
Voters approved an "executive mayor-legislative council" form of government in 2021. Adapting to the new power dynamics has been a thorny process.
