Minneapolis, MN
City of Minneapolis says to be aware of bats with rabies
File photo of a bat. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) are reminding the community to be aware of bats, report bat exposure and be wary of the rabies risk that comes with bats.
MACC is saying they have received “several reports of bats in homes every day”, with some that tested positive for rabies.
Pets and bat exposure
MACC recommends that all pets should be vaccinated against rabies, as it is 100% fatal if pets aren’t vaccinated.
“Pets are like young children. They’re vulnerable and can’t speak to tell us if they come close to a bat or just see it from across a room,” said Tony Schendel, MACC director. “They need to be vaccinated to help prevent this horrible disease. Rabies is 100 percent fatal in pets if they’re not protected.”
Here’s what is recommended if your pet is exposed to a bat or bit:
- Pets should be taken to a veterinary office or clinic for a rabies booster within 72 hours of exposure or bite, even if your pet is already vaccinated against rabies.
- MACC says the pet could have a time of confinement and/or quarantine, with lengths varying.
- If your pet is not vaccinated and exposed to a bat, MACC will impound it until the bat has been tested and tests negative.
MACC is going to offer low-cost vaccine appointments on-site and will be made available in the next few months.
These Minneapolis clinics can also provide rabies vaccines for pets:
- Creekview Recreation Center, 5001 Humboldt Avenue North, has walk-up appointments from 9 a.m.- noon on the third Sunday of each month.
- VeTouch, 2501 Minnehaha Avenue, has appointments available on the first Sunday of each month. To make an appointment email vetouch@umn.edu.
Humans and bat exposure
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says rabies in humans is rare, but there are steps to be taken if you are exposed to or bitten by a bat:
- After being bitten or having a “low-risk exposure like waking up to a bat in your bedroom”, MDH says it‘s safe to wait one or two days for the rabies test results to come back to take any further action.
- If you are bitten on the face or head, it could be more urgent, and MDH encourages you to consult them by calling 651-201-5414.
- But if the bat can’t be tested, you should get the rabies shots.
“Bats can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so people can help keep bats out of their homes by plugging up exterior openings, gaps around utility lines and spaces between a window and an air conditioning unit,” said Carrie Klumb, senior epidemiologist and rabies surveillance coordinator with the MDH. “People can also have a bat removal specialist out to their homes to help them.”
How to handle and report a bat
MACC asks people to safely capture the bat, to learn how to do so, watch this video. After capturing the bat, call 911 and have a professional collect the animal.
According to officials, a bat should be tested if:
- A person was bitten or had any physical contact with the bat.
- Waking up and finding a bat in the bedroom.
- A bat that was in a room with a young child or a person who can’t reliably report what happened.
Any questions about bats or need assistance from MACC, call 612-673-6222. You can also call the Minnesota Animal Bites and Rabies Hotline at 651-201-5414.
When are bats more common?
MDH says that July through mid-September is the busiest time of year for bats, as they seek shelter in warmer places, like homes, as temperatures get colder.
Bats are the most common animal to carry rabies, the Centers for Disease and Control said.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis crews rewire 700 streetlights with aluminum in effort to stop copper theft
Minneapolis is shining brighter this spring. Crews have spent the last year fixing more than 700 broken streetlights.
For years, the sight of a dark streetlight was all too common in the city. Thieves stole the copper wire inside them for scrap metal money.
“It’s crazy. It just blows my mind,” Minneapolis resident Amanda Olson said.
Scrappers, at one point, took out lights near Olson’s south Minneapolis home. She said the theft happened nearly six times.
Olson added that when the lights were out, cars on the street would be broken into. She said the safety concerns are why neighbors pushed for the lights to be turned back on as soon as possible.
City officials said, in total, they’ve swapped 700 lights from copper wiring to aluminum. Olson said she isn’t sold on the effort.
“If someone’s going to steal something, they’re going to steal it regardless of what kind of material it is. That’s just how I feel about it anyways,” she said.
Minneapolis leaders say most of the lights that have been replaced across the city are along parkways and that a small number still need to be fixed.
Minneapolis, MN
Bruce Springsteen Releases Protest Song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ – Minneapolis Today
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Bruce Springsteen has released a new protest song titled “Streets of Minneapolis” that sharply criticizes the Trump administration and federal immigration enforcement agents. The song pays tribute to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two civilians who were killed in recent incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol in Minneapolis. Springsteen uses the track to express outrage over the ongoing presence and actions of ICE in the city, referring to Trump and his agents as a “private army” responsible for “state terror.” The lyrics directly address the fear felt by immigrant communities and even U.S. citizens under the current administration.
Why it matters
Springsteen’s protest song reflects the widespread anger and fear within communities about the treatment of immigrants and legal residents under the Trump administration. The track adds to the growing chorus of voices, including politicians and public figures, demanding the removal of ICE from Minneapolis and other areas. As the national debate over immigration policy continues, Springsteen’s use of his platform to advocate for social justice raises questions about the role of artists in driving political and social change.
The details
In the song, Springsteen refers to Trump and his agents as “federal thugs” responsible for the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Good, a mother of three, was killed by ICE agents on January 7, and Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot by Border Patrol agents on January 24. These incidents have sparked protests nationwide. Springsteen’s lyrics poignantly reference both victims, including the lines: “And there were bloody footprints / Where mercy should have stood / And two dead left to die on snow-filled streets / Alex Pretti and Renee Good.” The song also features prominent chants of “ICE out,” mirroring the collective call for the removal of ICE from Minneapolis and other areas.
- Springsteen wrote the song on Saturday, April 6, 2026.
- The song was recorded and released on Sunday, April 7, 2026.
The players
Bruce Springsteen
A legendary American singer-songwriter known for his socially conscious lyrics and vocal criticism of the Trump administration.
Renee Good
A mother of three who was killed by ICE agents on January 7, 2026 in Minneapolis.
Alex Pretti
An ICU nurse who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis.
Kristi Noem
The current head of the Department of Homeland Security.
Stephen Miller
The current homeland security advisor to the Trump administration.
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What they’re saying
“I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”
— Bruce Springsteen
“The Trump Administration is focused on encouraging state and local Democrats to work with federal law enforcement officers on removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from their communities — not random songs with irrelevant opinions and inaccurate information. The media should cover how Democrats have refused to work with the Administration, and instead, opted to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegals.”
— Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson
What’s next
Springsteen is expected to perform the song live at upcoming tour dates, further amplifying his message and drawing attention to the ongoing issues surrounding immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and across the country.
The takeaway
Springsteen’s protest song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ underscores the vital role that artists can play in using their platforms to advocate for social justice and challenge the narratives of the current administration. As the national debate over immigration policy continues, this track adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding accountability and change.
Minneapolis, MN
Water Main Break Floods Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis – Minneapolis Today
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A water main break at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in south Minneapolis sent water pouring through multiple floors on Thursday, disrupting normal operations and forcing delays and cancellations of some scheduled surgeries. Hospital staff and utility crews worked quickly to contain the leak and assess the damage in clinical areas.
Why it matters
As a major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis, any disruption to Abbott Northwestern’s operating rooms and emergency services is significant, especially given the hospital’s heavy surgical caseload. The incident comes as Allina Health is in the midst of a campus revitalization project to boost operating capacity later this year.
The details
According to KARE 11, water flowed through three floors of the hospital and ‘the issue is impacting portions of the ER and OR,’ with some scheduled surgeries delayed or canceled. Crews were on site working on repairs, but it was not yet clear how long those repairs might take or whether any patient care had been moved off-site.
- The water main break occurred on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The players
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
A major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis that handles a heavy load of surgical cases.
Allina Health
The healthcare system that owns and operates Abbott Northwestern Hospital, which is in the midst of a campus revitalization project to boost operating capacity.
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What’s next
Further updates are expected as repair work continues and damage assessments wrap up. KARE 11 reported that it has reached out to Abbott Northwestern and plans to share additional details once they are available.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining a hospital’s infrastructure, as even an unseen water main break can disrupt vital medical services and patient care. It also underscores the need for healthcare systems to invest in resilient facilities that can withstand unexpected infrastructure failures.
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