Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis kids ‘are not alright’ says frustrated mom over city’s recent events
In a viral video, a Minneapolis mom says kids here “are not doing okay.” This comes after she heard a conversation between two sixth graders about some of Minnesota’s more recent traumas.
“God, it was so [exploitative] sad,” said Betsy Bissonette, a Minneapolis mom of two, while sharing vulnerability and tears. “There are these big girls, probably sixth graders, playing hot lava monster. I was overhearing their conversation. They were so cute.”
Bissonette describes overhearing the conversation between the two young girls at a park. One girl telling the other that she attends Annunciation, describing it as ‘the one with the school shooting.’
“She goes, ‘yeah, we don’t really like to talk about it. I’m sorry for being a downer. It was really scary.’ The other kid goes, ‘I understand scary. ICE took my dad away,’” said Bissonette in the video.
“We’ve just like failed the children,” she told WCCO.
Bissonette adds that she’s received a variety of messages since.
“Stories from moms from Annunciation and teachers from Saint Paul or Minneapolis saying this is the exact conversation I’m hearing every day on the playground.”
We spoke with a child psychiatrist to put this into perspective.
“The kids in Minneapolis are doing the very best they can under really complicated circumstances. My general answer is kids are not okay. They’re not,” said Jenny Britton, Chief Clinical Officer for Washburn Center for Children.
Washburn is an agency that’s been boots-on-the-ground for kids for years. Britton says this past year has changed and challenged them.
“There’s the settling in of what happened afterwards. That’s where kids are right now,” said Britton.
If you’re wondering what you should do, Britton says, “The honest truth is, you have to talk about it. You have to find a way to find out what’s going on. Authenticity as a parent is one of the best things you can do.”
She suggests keeping the three aspects of parenting in mind:
- Laugh and play with kids
- Owning when there’s a rupture, making sure you repair when you act out of place.
- Help kids know when to ask for help.
“One of the hardest questions for kids to answer is ‘how are you doing?’ We’ve been trying to tell adults like ‘I’m so glad you’re here,” said Britton.
“I wanted to hug those kids so badly. Instead I said, ‘hey can I be the scary lava monster,’” Bissonette added in her video.
“I love how she responded. Went in and played lava monster,” said Britton.
“What we do in Minnesota is we keep us safe and we move forward together,” said Bissonette. “I did one tiny drop in the bucket. But if we all do one tiny act when we can, when we see it, I think that’s the only way forward.”
Bissonette says she recognizes being shocked by that interaction is a privilege and many children have to face traumas regularly. Britton says it’s healthy that the girls on the playground were talking about these tough topics.
Minneapolis, MN
Bruce Springsteen Releases Protest Song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ – Minneapolis Today
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Bruce Springsteen has released a new protest song titled “Streets of Minneapolis” that sharply criticizes the Trump administration and federal immigration enforcement agents. The song pays tribute to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two civilians who were killed in recent incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol in Minneapolis. Springsteen uses the track to express outrage over the ongoing presence and actions of ICE in the city, referring to Trump and his agents as a “private army” responsible for “state terror.” The lyrics directly address the fear felt by immigrant communities and even U.S. citizens under the current administration.
Why it matters
Springsteen’s protest song reflects the widespread anger and fear within communities about the treatment of immigrants and legal residents under the Trump administration. The track adds to the growing chorus of voices, including politicians and public figures, demanding the removal of ICE from Minneapolis and other areas. As the national debate over immigration policy continues, Springsteen’s use of his platform to advocate for social justice raises questions about the role of artists in driving political and social change.
The details
In the song, Springsteen refers to Trump and his agents as “federal thugs” responsible for the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Good, a mother of three, was killed by ICE agents on January 7, and Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot by Border Patrol agents on January 24. These incidents have sparked protests nationwide. Springsteen’s lyrics poignantly reference both victims, including the lines: “And there were bloody footprints / Where mercy should have stood / And two dead left to die on snow-filled streets / Alex Pretti and Renee Good.” The song also features prominent chants of “ICE out,” mirroring the collective call for the removal of ICE from Minneapolis and other areas.
- Springsteen wrote the song on Saturday, April 6, 2026.
- The song was recorded and released on Sunday, April 7, 2026.
The players
Bruce Springsteen
A legendary American singer-songwriter known for his socially conscious lyrics and vocal criticism of the Trump administration.
Renee Good
A mother of three who was killed by ICE agents on January 7, 2026 in Minneapolis.
Alex Pretti
An ICU nurse who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis.
Kristi Noem
The current head of the Department of Homeland Security.
Stephen Miller
The current homeland security advisor to the Trump administration.
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What they’re saying
“I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”
— Bruce Springsteen
“The Trump Administration is focused on encouraging state and local Democrats to work with federal law enforcement officers on removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from their communities — not random songs with irrelevant opinions and inaccurate information. The media should cover how Democrats have refused to work with the Administration, and instead, opted to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegals.”
— Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson
What’s next
Springsteen is expected to perform the song live at upcoming tour dates, further amplifying his message and drawing attention to the ongoing issues surrounding immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and across the country.
The takeaway
Springsteen’s protest song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ underscores the vital role that artists can play in using their platforms to advocate for social justice and challenge the narratives of the current administration. As the national debate over immigration policy continues, this track adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding accountability and change.
Minneapolis, MN
Water Main Break Floods Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis – Minneapolis Today
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A water main break at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in south Minneapolis sent water pouring through multiple floors on Thursday, disrupting normal operations and forcing delays and cancellations of some scheduled surgeries. Hospital staff and utility crews worked quickly to contain the leak and assess the damage in clinical areas.
Why it matters
As a major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis, any disruption to Abbott Northwestern’s operating rooms and emergency services is significant, especially given the hospital’s heavy surgical caseload. The incident comes as Allina Health is in the midst of a campus revitalization project to boost operating capacity later this year.
The details
According to KARE 11, water flowed through three floors of the hospital and ‘the issue is impacting portions of the ER and OR,’ with some scheduled surgeries delayed or canceled. Crews were on site working on repairs, but it was not yet clear how long those repairs might take or whether any patient care had been moved off-site.
- The water main break occurred on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The players
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
A major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis that handles a heavy load of surgical cases.
Allina Health
The healthcare system that owns and operates Abbott Northwestern Hospital, which is in the midst of a campus revitalization project to boost operating capacity.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What’s next
Further updates are expected as repair work continues and damage assessments wrap up. KARE 11 reported that it has reached out to Abbott Northwestern and plans to share additional details once they are available.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining a hospital’s infrastructure, as even an unseen water main break can disrupt vital medical services and patient care. It also underscores the need for healthcare systems to invest in resilient facilities that can withstand unexpected infrastructure failures.
The world-famous Michelin Guide will feature Minneapolis in its next edition, but the inclusion isn’t free.
The city will pay Michelin Guide $750,000 — $250,000 per year over three years — Meet Minneapolis confirmed.
Officials with the tourism and market organization said the deal, which runs from 2027-2029, is an initiative of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District, a hotel-led group focused on attracting more visitors to the city. MTID’s website says it generates roughly $7 million per year for supplemental tourism marketing and events.
‘Defining moment’: Minneapolis earns seat at culinary table with Michelin Guide inclusion
Minneapolis is one of six cities to join the next “American Great Lakes” edition from Michelin Guide, the organization revealed Wednesday.
Meet Minneapolis called the announcement “a defining moment” for the city that can move the City of Lake from a “best-kept secret” to a part of the international food scene.
Michelin says its anonymous inspectors have already started scouting throughout Minneapolis city limits and will reveal its inaugural selections in 2027.
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