Minneapolis, MN

Smith Foundry in Minneapolis to shut down in August

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2024

Smith Foundry in Minneapolis to shut down in August

Mpls community meeting discusses pollution

A community meeting was held in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis on Monday to discuss pollution coming from a Smith Foundry building that’s in violation of the Clean Air Act.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Smith Foundry in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis announced it would close its doors after issues with air quality standards with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The full closure is set to happen by August 15, ending more than a century of operations at that location. Furnace melting and core making operations ended on Friday, according to Smith Foundry officials.

What we know

Smith Foundry leaders decided to shut the operation down after getting an ultimatum from MPCA. The foundry was told it must demonstrate that the company can meet federal standards set by the Clean Air Act or forgo an air quality permit.

The closing of the foundry brings about the end of a dispute between government regulators and Smith Foundry that spilled into public view last year.

Read more: Smith Foundry ordered to end some operations by EPA

Some people living in the East Phillips neighborhood made clear during community meetings that they wanted the foundry shut down.

What they’re saying

Smith Foundry officials say they were left with no choice because of the “unreasonable” demands made by MPCA related to the air permit.

President Smith Foundry Adolfo Quiroga released a statement on the foundry’s closing:

“”The MPCA had a chance to make these air permitting demands from the previous owner, Neil Ahlstrom, for decades which would have shut down the foundry a long time ago, but they didn’t. And then, when Zynik purchased Smith Foundry, the MPCA approved the transfer of the existing air permit without a single question and without expressing any concerns. They never informed us they had any concerns about the foundry, its operations, or its existence in the neighborhood, which has operated in Minneapolis for over one hundred years,” said Quiroga.

“Now, for reasons the MPCA did not provide and despite our compliance with all environmental laws and regulations and our commitment to alter our operations, significantly reduce emissions and save jobs in East Phillips, Minneapolis, and Minnesota, the MPCA is making unreasonable and unjustified demands through their arbitrary and opaque air permitting process that are essentially forcing us to close the furnace sooner than expected. They are in essence rejecting our agreement with the EPA. We are left with no other choice but to shut down the foundry. Unfortunately, our employees and their families will be impacted the most by this closure, which I deeply regret. I wish there was more we could do.”

The MPCA also released a statement regarding the closure:

“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s long-standing focus is to protect the environment and ensure the health and wellness of all Minnesotans, and we expect all companies in Minnesota to follow our environmental laws.

“The MPCA supported the EPA’s enforcement action with Smith Foundry and agreement, which requires the company to obtain a new air permit from the MPCA. Smith Foundry is located in an area of the state that demands additional information demonstrate that the company could operate while meeting air quality standards set by the Clean Air Act in order to receive an air quality permit. The company informed the agency today that it will shut down all operations by August 15, 2024, rather than provide information necessary for an operating air permit.

“The MPCA is committed to protecting the environment, health of Minnesotans, and the economic vitality of our neighborhoods and businesses. The agency regulates 55,000 facilities who hold environmental permits, including 2200 that hold air permits, that adhere to Minnesota’s strong environmental laws.”

Read more: Residents sound off at community meeting about Smith Foundry

During a community meeting co-hosted by the Minneapolis Pollution Control Agency and the East Phillips Improvement Coalition in November, a resident said “No matter what they are emitting, it’s killing us. It’s killing our children. You are supposed to be the one to help us and prevent this from happening and you are failing at your job.”

Background

Air quality concerns drove public outcry in November when residents complained about fumes and smoke plumes in the East Phillips neighborhood.

EPA officials said that after a surprise May 2023 inspection, they found the foundry violated the Clean Air Act by emitting fine particulates at twice the amount allowed since 2018. However, the MPCA rejected the EPA’s reported findings and said it hadn’t found any violations at the state or federal level.

The Smith Foundry later reached an enforcement agreement in June with the EPA that included ceasing some of its operations and paying an $80,000 fine.

Smith Foundry, which manufactures castings while providing geometric design and engineering services along with finishing work, has been operating in Minneapolis since 1923 and was purchased by Zynik Capital Corporation in December 2022.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill

WCCO Staff

March 2, 2026 / 4:26 PM CST
/ CBS Minnesota

A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.

It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.

Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.

Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.

One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”

“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”

This story will be updated.

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Minneapolis, MN

Man on Conditional Release Now Charged in Minneapolis Murder — MNCRIME.com

Published

17 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Man on Conditional Release Now Charged in Minneapolis Murder — MNCRIME.com

A man is now charged with murder after prosecutors say a robbery inside a Minneapolis apartment building ended in a fatal shooting.

Prosecutors say the man was on conditional release after being charged with first-degree armed carjacking for an incident in Minneapolis last September.

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The killing happened Feb. 24 inside the Abbott Apartments lounge area on the 100 block of East 18th Street, where police found an adult man dead from gunshot wounds after reports of a shooting.

Court documents state the victim and a friend went to the building to meet 20-year-old Abdirahman Khayre Khayre. A witness stated Khayre left the room several times and appeared to be stalling before three armed men entered and demanded property. The men were described as carrying two Glock-style handguns with extended magazines and an AR-style rifle. During the robbery, the suspects demanded a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to the victim. When the victim resisted, a struggle broke out. The witness stated that two guns were taken from him during the robbery.

The witness told investigators Khayre was handed one of the stolen guns and then pointed it at him, causing him to flee into the lobby. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard. The witness returned and found the victim shot. Surveillance footage from other areas of the building reportedly corroborated key parts of the account, and the witness later identified Khayre in a photo lineup, according to the complaint.

PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot and Killed Inside Minneapolis Apartment Building

Authorities say Khayre was on conditional release at the time of the killing in a separate Hennepin County case involving a September 2025 armed carjacking.

READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage

In that earlier case, prosecutors alleged Khayre and others confronted a woman in a garage near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, pointed handguns at her and forced her to give up the keys to a Dodge Challenger before fleeing in the stolen vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested multiple suspects, including Khayre, who was identified as the driver.

Court records show Khayre posted a $75,000 non-cash bond and was released under conditions requiring him to remain law-abiding, have no possession of firearms or ammunition, avoid alcohol and controlled substances and complete treatment.

Khayre is now charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree aggravated robbery. He made an initial court appearance Friday, where a judge set bail at $1 million. If convicted of second-degree felony murder, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.

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Minneapolis, MN

Man killed over Louie Vuitton bag, suspect was on bond for suspected carjacking, charges say

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man killed over Louie Vuitton bag, suspect was on bond for suspected carjacking, charges say

article

Minneapolis police are investigating a homicide on Feb. 24, 2026. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A man is dead after a witness said he refused to give up a Louis Vuitton bag while being robbed by multiple men at gunpoint.

Abdirahman Khayre Khayre, 20, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery for the incident that happened on the evening of Feb. 24 in Minneapolis.

READ MORE: Man fatally shot in south Minneapolis apartment building

Fatal Minneapolis shooting after robbery

The set-up:

Minneapolis police responded around 10:42 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Abbott Apartments, located on the 100 block of East 18th Street in the Stevens Square neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Officers then found a dead man in the lobby who had been shot multiple times.

A witness to the shooting said he and the victim arrived at the apartments to “hang out” with Khayre, according to the criminal complaint.

The witness said he became suspicious when Khayre he left the room multiple times and “appeared to be stalling.”

The robbery:

The complaint states the witness reported three men then came into the room and yelled “Give me everything.” The men were armed with Glock handguns that had extended magazines as well as an AR-style rifle.

They then stole two guns from the witness, and one of them was handed to Khayre.

When the men demanded a Louis Vuitton bag from the victim, he refused, leading to a fight between them all.

The shooting:

The witness said when he walked toward them, Khayre pointed the witness’ stolen gun at him and racked it.

The witness then got out of the room, ran toward the lobby and heard multiple gunshots. He then saw two of the men flee out the back of the building, but didn’t see what direction they went in.

The victim was then found dead.

The aftermath:

Khayre was then identified by the witness in a photo lineup, according to the criminal complaint.

Police say video footage corroborated much of what the witness reported.

Khayre was on conditional release for a suspected carjacking at the time of the shooting, according to the complaint.

The Source: This story uses information gathered from a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County and previous FOX 9 reporting.

Crime and Public SafetyMinneapolis

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