Minneapolis, MN
High speed, hands on learning: Lakeville, Minneapolis students launch go kart build-off under watchful eye of racing legends
Sparks shot across the Lakeville North High School machine shop as senior Ryan Lowell welded the back end of a small race car Thursday morning. A former NASCAR crew chief kept watch of Lowell’s work, while the grandson of racing legend Richard Petty also looked on.
Not exactly a typical day in third period.
Lowell and several of his Lakeville North classmates are currently competing in a rat rod go-kart build off with a group of students from Minneapolis Public Schools, a contest in which advanced technology education students plan, sketch, and build a go-kart to be raced next fall. The build off is part of the Tools for the Trades program with Burnsville-based Northern Tool and Equipment.
Northern Tool and Equipment started the Tools for the Trades program in 2021 in order to foster growth in career and technical education programs, ideally placing students in real-life situations to expose them to potential careers.
The build-off was announced last June, with the Northern Tool-donated 740cc NorthStar engines delivered to the schools in September. Since the start of school, the kids have gone step by step — first, brainstorming potential go-kart designs, then researching those ideas, and presenting the plans to the class. Next, they chose a potential design and learned about car frame geometry. That was before getting to the shop, picking up tools and, now, manufacturing their cars.
“I love all of it,” Lowell said, taking a break from the welding torch. “We’re welding, fabricating, we’re talking with each other about what to do. We’re all friends, so we talk it out. I hope (schools) can continue things like this. It’s such a great experience.”
The four-stroke, twin cylinder engines have roughly 20 horsepower, with these karts potentially racing down the track at more than 50 mph.
Alongside the Lakeville North students in the classroom on Thursday were two racing experts: Greg Steadman, former Petty Enterprises crew chief and current chief operating officer of Petty’s Garage; and Thad Moffitt, professional race car driver and grandson of legendary driver Richard Petty.
The Minneapolis Public Schools students have mentor Billy Lane, celebrity motorcycle builder and founder of Choppers, Inc., checking their work.
Steadman met with the students several times over Zoom, and he said meeting them in class clearly provided some better connections between the racing expert and the students. The high schoolers were particularly thoughtful in terms of the design and making potential changes, he said, and Steadman enjoyed showing them how those small changes could ripple throughout the entire design.
The program drew high marks from the educators.
At Minneapolis Public Schools, teacher Luther Kominski called the program a “breath of fresh air,” while his colleague Zach Humphrey said these skills will be life changing for his students.
“This is a transformational skill set that no one can take from you, that one day you can use to better your own circumstances,” Humphrey said.
At Lakeville North, technology education instructor Kevin Baas said his goal is to open up as many doors as possible for his students, which this program does through hands-on, real world experience working with local businesses. A particular focus for Baas is helping his students find an eventual career they can enjoy for years, rather than a job they eventually dread.
“We want to find out what you like, and also what you don’t like,” Baas said. “Northern Tool knows this is the future workforce. There are ‘help wanted’ signs in front of every manufacturing company in our area, and here, our kids are getting real world experience, learning lifelong skill sets.”
Indeed, many of the students said they hope to continue their education in the automotive, engineering, or manufacturing industries.
After high school, Lakeville North junior Tim Plante hopes to continue on to mechanical engineering. He spent a lot of time on Thursday working on the kart’s steering column.
“Having this opportunity is amazing,” Plante said. “It lets me do everything (in the industry).”
His classmate, Ryan Lowell, is considering an automotive career focusing on collision body work.
The finished cars are set to be displayed in June at the Minnesota Street Rod Association Back to the 50’s event at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, with a race scheduled next October in Florida, as part of Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed racing series.
“This program is a dream come true,” Baas said.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis salon is turning heads by mixing rock and roll with haircuts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers.
A salon where music and haircuts go hand in hand
What we know:
HiFi Hair and Records sits on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, marked by a leopard print awning and a vibe that’s all about community through music.
“I tried to model it after a barbershop,” said Jonny Clifford, owner of the salon.
Clifford opened the shop in 2011, inspired by his father who introduced him to music and was battling terminal cancer at the time.
The salon brings together the hum of blow dryers and the sounds of rock and roll, with Clifford saying, “Music is the uniter. Most everyone who is alive today grew up on rock and roll.”
He added a record store the following year, letting customers browse new and used vinyl and CDs while waiting for their appointment.
“I jokingly refer to it as the coolest waiting room in the city,” said Clifford.
The shop is filled with memorabilia from music legends like Elvis, David Bowie and The Monkees. There’s even a wall dedicated to Minnesota’s local music scene.
Clifford said, “We’ve got Bobby V who I think never gets enough credit for his contributions to music in Minnesota.”
Clifford’s journey from punk haircuts to community hub
Why you should care:
Clifford started cutting hair in the early 1980s because he and his friends in southwest Minneapolis couldn’t afford the punk haircuts they wanted.
Now, he not only looks the part—”Ronny Wood, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, I’m always like old Keith Richards or young Keith Richards”—but he helps others feel like rock stars too.
“People are like make me look like a rock star and that is sort of a universal term right. Everyone wants to look like a rock star,” said Clifford.
His goal is simple:
“If I can make a living and raise my family, pay my bills, have a business and be a part of a community, that is important to me. I win. That’s everything,” said Clifford.
He is passionate about giving a boost to local musicians, saying, “I think they need it more. I love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, but they are doing fine. Our local people haven’t made it national yet. They could use a voice. They could use a boost, and they need to be heard.”
The salon’s rhythm is all about joy, music and community, and Clifford plans to keep it going.
“Til I kick over. I’ll probably be back standing behind the chair. And someone will complain I didn’t finish their haircut,” said Clifford.
HiFi Hair and Records continues to be a place where music and style meet, giving Minnesota’s music scene a little extra volume.
EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A deadly shooting in Edina sparked a massive police response and forced a lockdown at nearby businesses at Southdale Mall on Wednesday as police are searching for the suspects.
Deadly Edina shooting
What we know:
Edina police responded around 12:30 p.m. to the report of a shooting along West 66th Street near Southdale Mall.
At the scene, officers found one victim with a gunshot wound. Officers tried to revive the victim but say they ultimately died from their wounds.
Local perspective:
Police say the suspects ran from the scene. As a precaution, they advised nearby businesses to go into lockdown. FOX 9 learned that MHealth Fairview also went into lockdown procedures as a precaution.
Aerial video from the scene showed the investigation appeared to be focused around an apartment building across from the mall. Police say the apartment building is described as a transitional housing.
Avoid the area
Big picture view:
Police are asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation is underway. Officers have blocked off West 66th for the time being.
Police say they are looking for more than one suspect involved in the shooting.
What we don’t know:
Police say some people were taken into custody at the scene but it’s unclear what their role was in relation to the shooting.
Law enforcement near the 3300 block of W. 66th Street in Edina. (FOX 9)
Minneapolis, MN
Ellison, Minneapolis, St. Paul update lawsuit against Operation Metro Surge with new data
(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis and Saint Paul updated their lawsuit over Operation Metro Surge with new survey data on economic harm.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted two surveys tied to the amended lawsuit. The lawsuit says the federal operation violated the Constitution and caused lasting economic damage.
The first survey was done between February and March and included nearly 1,400 residents. It found workers lost more than $240 million in wages during the operation.
A separate newly released survey of about 900 businesses found more than $600 million in lost revenue. The updated lawsuit from Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul adds that new data to its claims.
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