Minneapolis, MN
A look at teacher salaries as negotiations in Minneapolis continue
The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers is negotiating for higher wages with Minneapolis Public Schools.
Minneapolis teachers union approves strike as mediation with MPS continues
Earlier this week, the union president told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS teachers could make thousands of dollars more across the river.
A report from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shows the average teacher salary in Minneapolis is $82,859 per year, while it’s $93,366 per year for St. Paul Public Schools teachers.
St. Paul is among the highest 10 paying districts in the state, which also includes Wayzata Public Schools, Stillwater Area Public Schools and Sleepy Eye Public Schools, according to the report. It shows salaries across the state vary widely. Some are in the $40,000 range, while others are six figures.
“Teachers deserve a fair salary,” said Chelda Smith Kondo, a University of St. Thomas associate professor of education. “When you have areas, such as suburban areas, where you have a lot of home ownership, you have a larger tax base. That tax base is going to provide a lot more funds to the school district there, so that will allow the school district to pay more to their teachers.”
Kondo told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that teacher salaries can play a role in graduation rates and test scores.
“The way it does is in retention,” she said. “The more that an educator feels they are fairly compensated for the work that they do, and with teachers, the impact they have, the more likely they are to stay in the profession, which directly benefits students.”
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS analyzed data from the Minnesota Report Card. It showed SPPS had a 76.5% graduation rate last year. At least half of the other 10 highest-paid districts were above 90%. Lower-earning districts, however, also reported high graduation rates.
Kondo said there are many variables that affect graduation rates, from attendance to whether a child’s basic needs are met. Overall, rates are improving statewide across all demographics.
“Last year in 2024, we had record graduation rates at 84%,” said Kondo. “Of course, that 84% doesn’t represent everyone; some are higher, others are a little bit lower. Overall, it shows our high schoolers are graduating.”
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis construction workers call on developers to take stand against ICE
Minneapolis, MN
Fan behind Anthony Edwards’ orange bracelet has beaten cancer
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The story behind Anthony Edwards wearing a bright orange bracelet since last season has received a positive development, after Timberwolves fans learned Luca Wright has beaten leukemia.
Anthony Edwards, Luca Wright connection
What we know:
Last January, the 6-year-old Minnesotan met “Ant” for the first time following a game against the Detroit Pistons, proclaiming him to be his favorite player, and asking him to wear a bracelet that symbolizes leukemia awareness, resilience and support for those affected. During the interaction, the fan had created a sign with a to-do list: “1. Beat Cancer. 2. Be The Next MJ.”
Leukemia is a type of cancer that spreads throughout the bloodstream, infecting bone marrow and a person’s lymphatic system by rapid production of abnormal white blood cells that can’t fight infection.
Since then, the Wolves’ MVP has worn a bracelet that proclaims, “Love Like Luca” on it for every game he has played, vowing to wear it “until he hangs up his sneakers.”
Ant has gone on to explain how the gesture connected with him given that he lost both his mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley, to cancer when he was 14 years old. The No. 5 jersey he wears currently is a tribute to them both.
Luca bracelet latest
Dig deeper:
More than a year later, Wolves fans have received the update they hoped for – now 7-year-old Luca has beaten his cancer.
What’s next:
Ant has since responded to the news with his own social media video, calling it “God’s gift” and saying, “Let’s do this Luca.”
No word yet on whether he intends to keep wearing the bracelet, though he’s previously said he has a stash of replacements near the team bench should one ever be broken.
The Source: Information provided by the Minnesota Timberwolves public relations department.
Minneapolis, MN
Family of Minneapolis brothers killed by cousin says their deaths were preventable:
A Minneapolis family is struggling to make sense of a tragedy that has left them heartbroken.
Family tells WCCO 14-year-old Xavier Barnett and 23-year-old Akwame Stewart were killed Monday.
The brothers were very different, but equally loved. Barnett was a good student and athlete. Stewart was a painter, creative and thoughtful. Two brothers, loved and full of promise, gone.
Police say the accused shooter is their cousin, 23-year-old Eddie Duncan.
Court records show Duncan was released on bail Monday on charges of fleeing law enforcement and possession of a gun modified with an “auto sear switch.”
Court records also show Duncan was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation, but not until next month, on March 24.
Deasia Freeman, Barnett and Stewart’s sister, says this loss could have been prevented.
“They all failed us. We got two innocent lives gone for no reason. Didn’t do nothing to nobody,” Freeman said.
Family members say the system and Duncan’s family let them down.
Freeman says Duncan’s family saw the warning signs and still bailed him out
“If you knew this man was thinking like this, y’all should have kept him in there and he should not even have bail,” she said.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says they noted Duncan was a public safety risk and asked for a high bail, much higher than a typical request.
“In Minnesota, there is a constitutional right to bail, and the bail amount is set by the Court. Our office noted a public safety risk with Mr. Duncan and asked the judge to set bail at $70,000, or $35,000 with conditions; both of which are higher than we would typically request in this scenario. The judge set bail in that amount. Mr. Duncan posted $35,000 bail with conditions of release, as is allowed under the Minnesota Constitution, and was released from custody. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by yesterday’s violence. This was a terrible tragedy for this family and our community,” a spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said.
For Freeman and her family, the hardest part isn’t just the legal process but living each day without their brothers.
Even in the heartbreak, she says the memories of the good days, the laughter and love they shared will carry them through.
“I wish I could get just one more phone call from them asking me where I’m at,” Freeman said as tears rolled down her face.
Court records confirm Duncan left the scene of the crime and fled to nearby Brooklyn Center. There, a search warrant says Duncan “fired a gun at officers, striking two squads,” when police arrived. That’s when officers returned fire, shooting and killing him.
Three officers have been placed on critical incident leave as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension leads the investigation into Duncan’s fatal shooting.
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