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.

READ MORE: Minnesota hospitality industry ‘needs major reform’ to survive, report says

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The family of Gabriel Mendoza is still searching for justice more than three years after he was killed while working security outside a nightclub in Uptown.

Remembering a night that changed everything

What we know:

Mendoza was working security outside the Firehouse Restaurant and Lounge in Uptown when he was shot just before midnight on a Saturday in October 2022. 

He was in the back of the building, surveying the area and making sure things were safe when shots were fired.

“He’s surveying the ground making sure things are safe and secure, gets caught in crossfire, gets hit in the neck and is still able to usher people inside who were out here into safety,” said Katrina Mendoza, Gabriel’s mother. “That’s what I believe, I don’t know for sure though.”

Police and Mendoza’s family believe there were many people outside the club that night who may have seen or heard something important. 

Investigators think it’s possible some witnesses have not come forward, either because they believe their information is not significant or they assume someone else has already spoken to police.

The club where Mendoza worked is no longer there, but for his mother, returning to the area is still painful. 

“I get a physical reaction when I come into this area like right now as I’m talking to you I feel completely nauseous. This is where somebody took my son’s life, and he was such a light in the world, not just our family but in the community,” said Mendoza.

A mother’s determination and community outreach

Why you should care:

Mendoza’s family has never stopped seeking justice. His mother, Katrina, has rented an LED billboard in hopes of getting answers and calls the investigator on the case weekly. She has also started a nonprofit called The Blue House to help other families dealing with unsolved murders find support and resources.

“I’m hoping the reason that people haven’t said anything is because they don’t think they have enough information, but they might have the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Mendoza.

When asked about her determination to find justice for her son, Mendoza said, “Until my last breath. I’ll be out here telling his story.”

Gabriel Mendoza was known for his serious, protective energy at work, but those who knew him personally remember his sense of humor, love for break dancing and music, and his talent in sports. He was a protector, especially for those who needed it most.

Mendoza’s family and police continue to ask anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Callers can remain anonymous, and every detail could help bring closure to a family and a community still searching for answers.

What we don’t know:

Police have not identified any suspects, and it’s still unclear who fired the shots that killed Mendoza. 

It’s also unknown if any new leads have come in as a result of the billboard or nonprofit outreach.

In March 2027, the eyes of the college basketball world could be focused on Minneapolis as both the men’s and women’s national tournaments could be played in Minnesota.

We already know for certain that the Target Center will host the first two rounds of the 2027 men’s NCAA Tournament, which is officially set to take place March 19-22, 2027.

Meanwhile, the women’s tournament will be taking place at the same time. And if next year is anything like this year, then Dawn Plitzuweit’s Gophers will be heading into the tournament with a top-16 seed, meaning Williams Arena would once again be hosting first- and second-round games for four teams.

Williams was home to three games in the Round of 64 and the Round of 32 this year, as the Gophers landed a top-16 seed and a No. 4 seed in the tournament. They used the home-court advantage to defeat Green Bay 75-58 in the first round, and then No. 5 Ole Miss 65-63 in the second round. The Barn was also the site for a first-round game between Ole Miss and Gonzaga.

With several key players returning and several highly-rated high school recruits incoming, there’s a decent chance that Minnesota will again be good enough to land a top-16 seed in the tourney and host games on the opening weekend next March.

In fact, Minnesota Star Tribune is reporting that the University of Minnesota has already reserved Williams Arena for the weekend of the first two rounds, currently scheduled from March 19-22.

While hosting games would be great for Minnesota, it would put the Minnesota State High School League in a bit of a pinch since the MSHSL is planning to host the annual girls’ basketball tournament March 17-20.

This year’s girls’ hoops tourney was played at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion, so if the Gophers wind up hosting the NCAAs again, it would force the MSHSL to find a different venue or change the dates.

The likeliest candidate if a venue change is required is the University of St. Thomas’ Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul. However, the Wild’s Grand Casino Arena could also be an option, though the Minnesota Wild are already pushed out of town every year for a stretch as the arena serves as the site for the boys’ and girls’ state hockey tournaments, as well as the state high school wrestling tournament.

Grand Casino Arena has hosted basketball in the past, when the Minnesota Lynx played the 2016 playoffs and the 2017 season at the arena while Target Center was being renovated.