Minneapolis, MN
Lyft promises to leave Minnesota entirely after state ride-hailing 'compromise'
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After Minnesota state legislators and Minneapolis council members announced a compromise on wage legislation for Uber and Lyft drivers, Lyft says it now plans to pull out of Minnesota entirely.
In a statement, Lyft says if the compromise legislation the company will leave the entire state — not just Minneapolis.
“Lyft continues to support a minimum earnings standard for drivers,” a statement from a Lyft spokesperson reads. “However, as was the case with the extremely-flawed Minneapolis ordinance, the proposed rates in the state bill would be incredibly damaging for both riders and drivers. Rides would become unaffordable for most across the state, not just in Minneapolis, and drivers would earn even less. It would make the service unsustainable in Minnesota, and we would be forced to shut down throughout the state, should it pass.”
The state bill will raise ride-hailing driver wages to $1.27 per mile and 49 cents per minute. That’s lower than the wages in the Minneapolis ordinance, $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute, but below the numbers Uber and Lyft have said they would support: 89 cents per mile and 49 per minute – which were the rates recommended by a state report.
Rideshare compromise eyed by Minnesota lawmakers
A week after the Minneapolis City Council extended the enactment of an ordinance that would raise wages for drivers – a move that led Uber and Lyft to threaten to leave if approved – Minnesota legislators are hoping to create a policy that would guide the rideshare industry for the entire state.
That state report found that Uber and Lyft drivers on average made below minimum wage after accounting for expenses.
Previously, Lyft had only threatened to leave Minneapolis, once the pay raise ordinance went into effect, but had planned to continue service in the rest of the metro and state. Uber had said it would leave Minneapolis and potentially the entire metro because of the ordinance. Uber has not yet reacted to the latest proposal.
Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) says the newly agreed-upon rates match rates in other states and are below rates in Washington state — where both Uber and Lyft still operate.
When asked, Rep. Long said he believes Lyft’s threats are a bluff by the company to negotiate a better deal.
“We know the companies have said the same thing in other states,” Rep. Long said. “They’ve said that they’d leave at certain rates, and they’ve stayed and been able to operate profitably.”
Rep. Long says he spoke with both Uber and Lyft on Monday but did not consult the companies before reaching a deal on the rates in the current bill. He believes he has enough votes to get the bill through the state legislature. Long says the Minneapolis council members have agreed to drop their rate to match the state legislation.
Minneapolis delayed putting its ordinance into effect until July 1.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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