Minneapolis, MN
Celebrate MLK Day with these Twin Cities events
Minnesota is celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a variety of ways this year with plenty of free, family-friendly events to choose from.
St. Paul area
MLK Community Conference: ‘One Dream. One Minnesota.’
This second annual conference is in partnership with the State of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Metropolitan State University Founders Hall, 700 E. Seventh St., St. Paul. The event includes speakers, an interactive workshop, networking, resource booths and food. Spots are limited. To register and for more information, visit mn.gov/oeoa.
39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: ‘One Dream. One Minnesota.’
This free, state-supported event, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Jan 20, is hosted at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. The event features community conversations and performances by Billy Steele and Fellowship Baptist Church, Jamecia Bennett, and Known MPLS. Dr. Yohuru Williams will MC and host a fireside chat by Josie R. Johnson and Reatha Clark King. The event will also be live-streamed on TPT.org. Spots are limited. To register and for more information, visit mn.gov/oeao.
MLK Jr. Day of Service
St. Clement’s and St. John’s Episcopal Churches host a morning of service for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Jan 20, at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 901 Portland Ave., St. Paul. The free event will include service projects and “engagement with racism and justice through a faith lens.” Food will be provided, as well as a caregiver’s lounge with coffee and WiFi for adults. For more information, visit saintmarysepiscopal.org.
Conceive Believe Achieve photo gallery
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, local nonprofit Conceive Believe Achieve is displaying a 30-foot photo gallery display on Dr. King’s life. For more information, visit conceivebelieveachieve.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Morning of Service
This event is free and open to the public, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Two Rivers High School South Gym at 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights. Attendees will participate in multiple volunteer opportunities. Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page will also visit the site. For more information, visit isd197.org/news/mlk-day.
Hamline’s MLK 2025 Observation
From 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, Hamline University hosts a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration in Anderson Rooms 111 and 112, 1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul. Hot beverages and light food will be provided at this free event. A keynote address will be given by Hamline alum and St. Paul City Council Member Anika Bowie, as well as performances by Afro Contigbo, gospel singer Sherri Orr, and a presentation of the 2025 Beloved Community Awards. For more information, visit hamline.edu/news.
Minneapolis area
10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday of Service: Upholding our beloved community, build comfort pies, stronger ties
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie hosts a celebratory event in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley. The event will feature 96 sweet potato pies (representing Dr. King’s age) to be given to those determined most deserving, a vocal performance by Jamela Pettiford and GQ Unit, Saxophonist Jerome Richardson and Heart and Soul Drum Academy, led by Baba Jesse Buckner. For more information, visit sweetpotatocomfortpie.org.
44th Annual U of M Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert
The free concert is hosted and curated by the University of Minnesota, 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis. U of M alum G. Phillip Shoultz III of VocalEssence will weave the words of Dr. King with reflections and musical performances from Kamoinge Strings of Walker West Music Academy, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age, Jornae Dance Collective led by U of M alum Suzette Jornae Gilreath, Youth Speakers mentored by Joe Davis Poetry, and more. For more information, visit diversity.umn.edu/MLKTribute.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast
The 35th annual breakfast, which host General Mills says is one of the largest in the country, will be held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (doors open at 7 a.m., with pre-event programming starting at 7:30 a.m.) Monday, Jan. 20, at the Minneapolis Convention Center,1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis. The event will feature keynote speaker Michele Norris and multiple musical and art performances. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MLKBreakfast.com.
MLK Jr. Resale Select Treasure Hunter
At this free event, volunteers can help the Resale Select store sort through and find items to put on the shelves, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Interfaith and Outreach Community Partners, 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth. Volunteers are asked to wear comfortable shoes and clothing as they will be standing for the majority of the time. To sign up and for more information, visit handsontwincities.org.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
The Powderhorn Park Association and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board host this 27th annual celebration, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Powderhorn Park recreation center. The free artist showcase features storytellers, visual art, performance art, art activities, lunch and giveaways. For more information, visit ppna.org/mlkcelebration.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
The free event hosted by Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis includes a keynote address from Dr. Betty Jo Webb. Derreck Robinson will receive the “Living the Dream Award,” which “honors someone who embodies Dr. King’s message of justice for all and commitment to community, and their actions reflect his teachings and legacy.” There will also be performances by Lyrical Youth Dance Group and songs by Nunnabove. For more information, visit minneapolisparks.org.
Unity in Colors: An MLK Commemoration
This free “drop-in” program, 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Sibley Recreation Center, 1900 E. 40th St., Minneapolis, invites people of all ages and backgrounds to contribute to creating a collective piece of art. The hope is to “embrace the spirit of unity, equality and diversity as you express your creativity through coloring pieces of art that will come together to form a stunning commemorative board dedicated to Dr. King’s vision of a harmonious and inclusive society,” according to the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. To register online and for more information, visit minneapolisparks.org.
Originally Published:
A Minneapolis woman is being recognized with a national lifesaving award after rescuing a toddler who slipped into Bde Maka Ska last Mother’s Day.
Karmen Black, a licensed social worker and Minneapolis resident, received the Heroic Act Award from the United States Lifesaving Association on Monday during a ceremony at Minneapolis Fire Station 5. The award is the highest honor the organization gives to a bystander who is not a lifeguard or first responder.
The rescue happened while Black was walking around the lake with a friend.
“I love walking the lake,” Black said. “We had went around once, and then I convinced my friend to, ‘let’s go around a second time.’”
During the second lap, Black noticed a man walking ahead with his children. One child, she said, was trailing far behind.
“There was a third child lagging behind. I would say, like 30 yards behind him,” Black said. “And I said, ‘Gosh, he’s pretty far behind his father, especially to be so close to the lake.”
Moments later, the situation escalated.
“The little boy turned,” Black said. “He literally turned and saw the water. Eyes lit up, and I said to my friend, ‘No, he’s not going to.’ And he a-lined to the lake and just threw himself.”
Black said the location made the situation especially dangerous.
“If the father would have turned and looked down the path, just because of the way of the incline going down to the lake, he would have never known his son was literally over the edge, drowning,” she said.
Black ran into the water fully clothed and pulled the child out. The boy was reunited with his father moments later and was not seriously hurt.
Minneapolis Interim Fire Chief Melanie Rucker said Black’s quick action prevented a much more serious emergency.
“With Carmen’s quick thinking and reaction, that saved a life,” Rucker said. “That saved a rescue that we didn’t even have to respond to.”
Dr. Ayanna Rakhu, founder of Sankofa Swim International, presented the award and said the rescue highlights how quickly drowning incidents can happen.
“Drowning happens quickly and it happens silently,” Rakhu said. “Awareness is a big thing.”
Rakhu said the incident underscores the importance of swim education not just for children, but for adults as well.
“It’s important for kids and adults, and parents and aunts and uncles to learn how to swim,” she said. “Because we end up in these situations.”
Black said the experience stayed with her long after the rescue.
“I was traumatized for like a month,” she said, adding that she goes to the lakes almost every day in the summer.
Despite the national recognition, Black said she does not see herself as extraordinary.
“I just feel like this should be normal,” she said. “You would hope that this is just what anybody would do.”
Minneapolis, MN
Northstar line’s farewell ride departs downtown Minneapolis after Vikings’ season-closing win
Sixteen years of commuting came to a close on Sunday afternoon.
The Northstar Commuter Rail made its final ride after the Vikings-Packers game to get fans home safely to the northern Twin Cities suburbs.
“Last time I was on it, people were so sad. So many people were sad this was not going to continue,” Patty Fernandez, a regular Northstar rider, said.
It was Meghan Gause’s first time taking the Northstar line to a Vikings game from Coon Rapids, and she’s disappointed it won’t be an option going forward.
“I think it’s kind of crazy because it’s really convenient for people to take this and not drive through the traffic along with all the other people,” Gause said.
As a Vikings season ticket holder, Fernandez captured the grand finale departure with her granddaughter.
“This is the only way I get to the games. If it’s not with my son, it’s the train,” Fernandez said.
The Northstar first launched in 2009 as a 40-mile-long rail line between Target Field in downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake with stops throughout the northern suburbs.
In 2018, annual ridership peaked at more than 780,000 passengers. There was a dramatic drop during the pandemic, with an all-time low of just over 50,000 riders in 2021. That number didn’t improve enough in 2024 (approx. 127,000 riders) and 2025 (approx. 113,400 riders) to keep operating efficiently.
“The subsidy, or what it costs us to support each one of the rides, was more recently over $100 per rider,” said Brian Funk, the chief operating officer for Metro Transit.
Funk says plans for the future of this infrastructure are still being determined, but they will work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway over the next year to figure out what parts can be repurposed.
“We’re going to hold onto this, at least for the short term,” Funk said. “It’s a great location right next to the ballpark.”
In the meantime, public transit riders are left to rely on bus routes to downtown.
“I have to. I will not drive over here, it’s ridiculous and the parking is ridiculous,” Fernandez said.
TWIN CITIES, MN — A wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet is expected to create slick travel conditions across the Twin Cities metro and surrounding areas Sunday afternoon, prompting a Winter Weather Advisory that remains in effect until 4 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service, precipitation will develop late Sunday morning and continue through the afternoon. In much of central and east-central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, a brief period of sleet is expected before transitioning to freezing rain.
Ice accumulations are expected to remain light, generally limited to a glaze, with sleet accumulations up to one tenth of an inch.
Find out what’s happening in Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Despite the minor accumulations, roads, sidewalks, bridges and overpasses could become slippery, especially on untreated surfaces. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s, allowing freezing rain to create icy conditions during the afternoon travel period.
The Winter Weather Advisory covers much of the metro area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Woodbury, and surrounding communities, along with parts of central and southeast Minnesota.
Find out what’s happening in Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The NWS urges drivers to slow down and use caution while traveling. Motorists can check current road conditions by calling 511 or visiting 511mn.org.
Looking ahead, forecasters are also monitoring another potential round of freezing rain late Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Temperatures are expected to be close to freezing, and even small changes could determine how impactful that next system is for travel across the Twin Cities.
Here’s the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:
Today: Freezing rain likely between 1pm and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 31. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Monday: Patchy fog after 5pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog after 8pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 31. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Tuesday: A chance of freezing rain before 10am, then a chance of rain between 10am and 3pm, then a slight chance of snow after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
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