As the gym teacher at Ascension Catholic School in North Minneapolis, Noah Emmes educates students about how to stay active. But he’s the one who’s really getting a kick out of exploring a new profession.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – As the gym teacher at Ascension Catholic School in North Minneapolis, Noah Emmes educates students about how to stay active. But he’s the one who’s really getting a kick out of exploring a new profession.
Advertisement
“It’s surreal, you know? I didn’t think I’d be back here. I’m glad I am back here,” said Emmes.
Emmes attended Ascension from kindergarten through 8th grade, just like his mother and uncles did before him. After graduating from DeLaSalle High School, Emmes says he felt lost working at a local grocery chain, so he became an educational assistant at his old elementary school.
Advertisement
But when the physical education teacher position opened up, Noah’s former gym teacher, Ms. Jean, encouraged him to apply for the job, even though he didn’t have his teaching license.
“So the kids, a lot of them are North Siders like me. So, I was in their shoes at one point and I want to make a positive impact,” said Emmes.
Ascension’s principal says over the last couple of years, 10 to 15 percent of the school’s teaching and specialist positions have been filled by people who have worked in education but don’t have a teaching license.
Advertisement
He says it has been a creative way to address the ongoing teacher shortage, but while a license isn’t required to teach at a private school, it is preferred.
“As an accredited school, we want as many of our teachers to be licensed, and that’s the ultimate goal. We understand that that path looks a little bit different in terms of whatever their starting point is. But the end goal being that we do want to help them obtain their licensure,” said principle Benioto Matias.
Advertisement
Emmes plans to pursue a two-year college degree to eventually get his teaching license, so maybe one day he can inspire one of his students to follow in his footsteps, like his former gym teacher inspired him.
“I would love to be the gym teacher for a long time,” said Emmes.
MINNEAPOLIS — The menu offers plenty of options, but fans of the Red Dragon say they’ll miss how the restaurant really nourished their souls.
“It feels like family,” patron Kathleen Spitzer told WCCO. “Everybody — the servers and bartenders — are so nice. It feels like a home away from home.”
Red Dragon’s current owner, Phil Wong, said the restaurant and bar will shut down on Sunday after nearly 50 years in business; it first opened on Dec. 29, 1976.
“People love this place. They like to come here and drink and hang out,” Wong lamented. “I love them all. They show a lot of love to us and they enjoy our establishment.”
The Red Dragon restaurant on March 18, 1994.
Advertisement
Getty Images
According to Wong, 73, finances and his longevity were contributing factors. The former engineer took over the business from his brother in 2007.
“It costs a little bit more — the food, the meat, the vegetables,” he added. “Minneapolis, too, the minimum wage went up.”
Still, Wong said he leaves with no regrets.
“I feel good about it. I think it’s time to move on,” he said. “We’re ending on a good note.”
Advertisement
Red Dragon is the latest of several Twin Cities eateries to shutter in 2024, including the St. Paul staple Tavern on Grand. Even newer restaurants, like Kim’s from award-winning chef Ann Kim, also in Uptown, could not survive.
Jonah Kaplan
Jonah Kaplan is WCCO and CBS News Minnesota’s investigative reporter and has built a strong reputation for his balanced and in-depth coverage of high-impact issues including the economy, immigration, education, public safety, and the military, among others.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Dozens of flights were delayed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday morning.
Dozens of flights delayed
By the numbers: According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 11:51 a.m., two departures were canceled and 36 were delayed. Meanwhile, 11 arrivals were canceled and 16 were delayed.
Advertisement
FlightAware says there have been more than 19,000 delays and 525 cancelations globally, while there have been more than 3,400 delays and 525 cancelations within, into or out of the United States as of 11:57 a.m. on Thursday.
The weather forecast: This comes as a dense fog advisory is in effect until noon on Friday across Minnesota, and rain is expected for much of Friday and Friday night. There are also storms on the east and west coasts that could cause some travel problems.
Advertisement
Several airports across the United States have ground delays due to weather, according to the FAA’s website.
Increased travel at MSP Airport
What they’re saying: The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) expected a 6% year-over-year increase in screened passengers between Dec. 20, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025. Thursday, Dec. 26, was expected to be the busiest day during the stretch, with nearly 50,000 people expected to pass through security at MSP.
This week’s Fab Five photo display includes highlights from Minneapolis South’s 88-84 boys basketball victory over Minneapolis North on Wednesday, December 11.
The photos include two South players who led them with 22 points each (DeAmontre Scott and Eugene Brown), the player who scored 22 points to lead North (JMarion Sanders), North’s point guard who scored 14 points (Allen Hill), and a former Marshall University High School and Augsburg University great officiating the game (Ronnie Henderson).
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25629514/247277_Buying_Guide_Apple_Watch_CVirginia.jpg "How to choose an Apple Watch")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
