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Minneapolis, MN

City of Minneapolis looks to hire security for encampments

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City of Minneapolis looks to hire security for encampments


The City of Minneapolis is looking to hire round-the-clock security for homeless encampments, as well as for sites that have the potential to become encampments, as homeless advocates say they were not consulted on the plan.

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In a Request for Proposals posted by the City of Minneapolis this past Friday, the Regulatory Services Department says it is seeking a security company to start working at sites across the city starting March 25.

According to the proposal, the duties of the security person include monitoring encampment activities, maintaining communication with city staff, providing real-time updates to police, and deterring non-encampment residents from entering.

The move comes after the Nenookaasi camp in the Phillips and East Phillips neighborhoods was evicted multiple times this winter, only to have it move elsewhere. City officials say drug use, overdoses, assaults, and even a deadly shooting make the camp a health and safety risk.

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Christin Crabtree, an organizer with Camp Nenookaasi told FOX 9 Tuesday that while they care about safety at the camps they question the city’s motive.

“I’m curious why outreach, residents, and organizers have not been engaged in dialogue regarding what we need and what would keep us safer,” said Crabtree. “Unhoused residents, service providers, and organizers need a seat at the table to make an effective plan if their interests are truly in the name of safety.”

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All proposals need to be submitted by March 8, with the city saying they would like to have security officers in place by March 25.

The city set the funding level for the security project at $175,000, which means it doesn’t require city council approval.

In a statement, a city spokesperson said, “We are working to simultaneously address encampments now in place, limit the formation of new ones and help fill gaps within the continuum of care. This security contract will help us secure City lots where encampments could form and help keep everyone safe within and surrounding encampments. It will also help the City align with the County’s approach to encampment closures, which does not have a heavy reliance on law enforcement.”

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Minneapolis, MN

What is a data center?

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What is a data center?


What exactly is a data center and why are so many being proposed across Minnesota? Professor Manjeet Rege, chair of Software Engineering and Data Science and director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, joins us to explain how these massive facilities store and process the world’s data and what the economic, environmental, and infrastructure questions are as Minnesota considers hosting more of them.



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Ranked Among U.S. Cities With The Most People In Financial Distress

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Minneapolis Ranked Among U.S. Cities With The Most People In Financial Distress


MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis is ranked among the American cities with the most people in financial distress nationwide, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub.

The personal finance website, which defines financial distress as having a credit account in forbearance or with deferred payments, looked at the country’s 100 largest cities without data limitations across nine metrics, including average credit score, change in bankruptcy filings year-over-year, and share of people with accounts in distress.

Minneapolis came in 44th on the list, between Stockton, California, at 43rd and Fresno, California, at 45th, according to the ranking.

Nationwide, the cities with the most people in financial distress were Chicago at No. 1, Houston at No. 2 and Las Vegas at No. 3, the ranking said.

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“Getting out of the downward spiral of financial distress is no easy feat,” according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

“You may get temporary relief from your lenders by not having to make payments, but all the while interest will keep building up, making the debt even harder to pay off. People who find themselves in financial distress should budget carefully, cut non-essential expenses, and pursue strategies like debt consolidation or debt management to get their situation under control.”

Read more from WalletHub.





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Minneapolis, MN

Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis

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Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis


The Whitefish City Council in February presented and signed a proclamation expressing solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis.

The proclamation states that Whitefish mourns the loss of life that occurred in Minneapolis and stands in solidarity with its residents.

It reaffirms the city’s commitment to equal treatment under the law and emphasizes that peaceful protest is a fundamental American right.

The proclamation was supported by five of the six council members.

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Mayor John Muhlfeld said the action was meant to reaffirm the city’s values.

“A mayoral proclamation that is supported by five of six City Council members supporting solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and reaffirming our supportive, just, equal and welcoming community,” Muhlfeld said. “I think this is somewhat overdue. Our town’s been through a lot over the years, This is more importantly to reaffirm our values as a council with our community because we care deeply about you.”

Over the last year, Whitefish has faced criticism amid rising tensions surrounding the Department of Homeland Security.

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View the full proclamation below.



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