According to Christopher Ingraham at the Minnesota Reformer: Dozens of Minnesota schools have entire classes that are failing to meet minimum state proficiency standards. “In 2023, there were 78 public schools in Minnesota where zero students in at least one entire grade level were rated ‘proficient’ in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests in reading or math, according to Department of Education data analyzed by The Reformer.”
From Kyle Stokes at Axios Twin Cities: Lyft and Uber both are warning they’ll leave Minneapolis if a new rideshare ordinance passes. “The council’s latest proposal would require rideshare companies to pay drivers a minimum of $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute while transporting a passenger within city limits.”
From Dana Thiede at KARE11: A gun connected to the killing of two Burnsville police officers and an EMS paramedic was purchased at an area gun shop. “John McConkey, owner of The Modern Sportsman, told KARE 11 in an email that an AR-15 ‘lower receiver’ was purchased from an out-of-state online retailer, who shipped it to his shop for transfer to the buyer. McConkey says the person who purchased the weapon passed a background check and took possession of the AR-15 on Jan. 15, 2024.”
From Andrew Hazzard at the Sahan Journal: “A surprise federal inspection uncovered alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at a metal foundry in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood.
“St. Paul Brass and Aluminum is involved in two ongoing civil enforcement actions with the Environmental Protection Agency stemming from an unannounced inspection in July 2022. The metal casting factory has been active for more than 60 years on West Minnehaha Avenue near Lexington Parkway North.”
Jay Kolls at KSTP reports: A Minnesota state senator is facing questions about possible conflict of interest regarding approved funding for a company.
“In 2023, Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, authored a bill in the Human Services Committee – a committee he chairs – seeking $3 million for a company called Pathfinders Solutions. Hoffman started a nonprofit in 2021 that helped people dealing with addiction called Begin Anew. The vice chair of the Begin Anew board of directors is Joe Morris, who is also the co-founder of Pathfinder Solutions.”
From Eder Campuzano at the Star Tribune: Minneapolis residents are lonely. “Minnesota’s largest city ranks among the nation’s ‘loneliest,’ according to a new report that analyzes the percentage of single-occupancy residences in the U.S. The Chamber of Commerce, a company that writes guides for small business owners, found that nearly 44% of Minneapolis residents live alone ranked the city ninth on its index.”
