Minneapolis, MN
‘It’s devastating’: Minneapolis health officials cancel vaccine clinics after loss of federal funding
Minneapolis health officials say they’re worried about vaccination rates falling, after federal funding cuts prompted the end of a city vaccine clinic program.
The Minneapolis Health Department canceled several upcoming community vaccine clinics, after the loss of federal funds. Officials said the city had about $1.5 million left in its grant for vaccine clinics.
That money allowed the city to partner with local organizations to host free “pop-up” clinics. Residents could get vaccinated against COVID-19, flu, Mpox and measles — all without an appointment, and without insurance.
Health department staff said the pop-up clinics got vaccines to people who might not have scheduled appointments at a standard clinic, with a focus on offering resources in underserved communities.
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Luisa Brandao is the director of public health initiatives at the Minneapolis Health Department.
“These community clinics are providing an opportunity for parents to bring their children to get caught up — if they don’t have insurance, if they didn’t have a primary medical home, to at least have the child come and get up-to-date,” Brandao said at a news conference Wednesday.
The city reports 30 percent of 6-year-olds in Minneapolis are missing some of the standard childhood immunizations — more than the number who were missing vaccines before the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, a measles outbreak in the city affected mostly school-aged kids. The city’s clinics had partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools to try to close the gap.
The Trump administration cut billions in COVID-19-related funding in March, saying the money was going to waste now that the public health emergency is over.
Brandao said she takes issue with that.
“One, COVID isn’t over, and two, there were a lot of fallouts from COVID that we still need to be addressing,” Brandao said.
The department’s federal funds had been scheduled to expire over the course of the next year. Staff said they weren’t prepared to lose the money now, several months ahead of schedule.
The funding cuts affected three staff members who had been working on the clinics; they’re still with the health department working on other projects.
Sebastiana Cervantes was one of the clinic staff. She said she’s working with former clinic partners to keep up vaccine education projects, now that she can’t plan clinics.
“It’s devastating to see how quickly those resources were taken from our community,” Cervantes said. “It’s just been a whirlwind.”
Staff said they’re looking for resources to supplement the federal funding — and making backup plans for other programs funded by federal dollars.
Health officials statewide are scrambling after the federal cuts. Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health announced layoffs for 170 employees.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis salon mixes rock and roll with haircuts: Inside HiFi Hair and Records
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis salon is turning heads by mixing rock and roll with haircuts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers.
A salon where music and haircuts go hand in hand
What we know:
HiFi Hair and Records sits on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, marked by a leopard print awning and a vibe that’s all about community through music.
“I tried to model it after a barbershop,” said Jonny Clifford, owner of the salon.
Clifford opened the shop in 2011, inspired by his father who introduced him to music and was battling terminal cancer at the time.
The salon brings together the hum of blow dryers and the sounds of rock and roll, with Clifford saying, “Music is the uniter. Most everyone who is alive today grew up on rock and roll.”
He added a record store the following year, letting customers browse new and used vinyl and CDs while waiting for their appointment.
“I jokingly refer to it as the coolest waiting room in the city,” said Clifford.
The shop is filled with memorabilia from music legends like Elvis, David Bowie and The Monkees. There’s even a wall dedicated to Minnesota’s local music scene.
Clifford said, “We’ve got Bobby V who I think never gets enough credit for his contributions to music in Minnesota.”
Clifford’s journey from punk haircuts to community hub
Why you should care:
Clifford started cutting hair in the early 1980s because he and his friends in southwest Minneapolis couldn’t afford the punk haircuts they wanted.
Now, he not only looks the part—”Ronny Wood, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, I’m always like old Keith Richards or young Keith Richards”—but he helps others feel like rock stars too.
“People are like make me look like a rock star and that is sort of a universal term right. Everyone wants to look like a rock star,” said Clifford.
His goal is simple:
“If I can make a living and raise my family, pay my bills, have a business and be a part of a community, that is important to me. I win. That’s everything,” said Clifford.
He is passionate about giving a boost to local musicians, saying, “I think they need it more. I love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, but they are doing fine. Our local people haven’t made it national yet. They could use a voice. They could use a boost, and they need to be heard.”
The salon’s rhythm is all about joy, music and community, and Clifford plans to keep it going.
“Til I kick over. I’ll probably be back standing behind the chair. And someone will complain I didn’t finish their haircut,” said Clifford.
HiFi Hair and Records continues to be a place where music and style meet, giving Minnesota’s music scene a little extra volume.
Minneapolis, MN
Edina shooting leaves 1 dead, suspects on run
EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A deadly shooting in Edina sparked a massive police response and forced a lockdown at nearby businesses at Southdale Mall on Wednesday as police are searching for the suspects.
Deadly Edina shooting
What we know:
Edina police responded around 12:30 p.m. to the report of a shooting along West 66th Street near Southdale Mall.
At the scene, officers found one victim with a gunshot wound. Officers tried to revive the victim but say they ultimately died from their wounds.
Local perspective:
Police say the suspects ran from the scene. As a precaution, they advised nearby businesses to go into lockdown. FOX 9 learned that MHealth Fairview also went into lockdown procedures as a precaution.
Aerial video from the scene showed the investigation appeared to be focused around an apartment building across from the mall. Police say the apartment building is described as a transitional housing.
Avoid the area
Big picture view:
Police are asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation is underway. Officers have blocked off West 66th for the time being.
Police say they are looking for more than one suspect involved in the shooting.
What we don’t know:
Police say some people were taken into custody at the scene but it’s unclear what their role was in relation to the shooting.
Law enforcement near the 3300 block of W. 66th Street in Edina. (FOX 9)
Minneapolis, MN
Ellison, Minneapolis, St. Paul update lawsuit against Operation Metro Surge with new data
(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis and Saint Paul updated their lawsuit over Operation Metro Surge with new survey data on economic harm.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted two surveys tied to the amended lawsuit. The lawsuit says the federal operation violated the Constitution and caused lasting economic damage.
The first survey was done between February and March and included nearly 1,400 residents. It found workers lost more than $240 million in wages during the operation.
A separate newly released survey of about 900 businesses found more than $600 million in lost revenue. The updated lawsuit from Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul adds that new data to its claims.
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