Minneapolis, MN
Maintenance crews encounter unique challenges in keeping Webber Natural Swimming Pool open
The Webber Natural Swimming Pool in north Minneapolis is back open after it was closed for nearly two weeks because someone threw an unknown substance into the water.
Over the years, the pool has had issues with staying open — usually because of high levels of bacteria in the water — and that’s something the staff at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has been hard at work trying to solve.
Staff say they face new challenges because of just how unique this pool is, the only natural public swimming pool in the United States.
“It’s hard to say what’s coming next because we’ve had a lot of unusual challenges,” said Rachael Crabb, water resources expert with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Crabb says because the pool is treated using a natural process instead of chlorine, they get plenty of unwanted visitors like waterfowl.
“They’re a big source of bacteria for us,” Crabb said.
But if you take a look around you can see several steps they’ve taken to keep them out like black netting on the fence outside the pool. They’ve also removed nests in the spring. But this summer, it’s the turtles causing problems.
“These turtles were born in old Webber pond and when they are old enough to reproduce they try to come back to where they were born and nest,” Crabb said.
Flooding along Webber Parkway used to be an issue, but they’ve since built a floodwall.
“If that water gets in the pool and the [regeneration area], we would definitely be closed because stormwater is very dirty,” Crabb said.
So why not just convert it to a chlorine pool? Crabb stresses it’s not that simple.
“There would need to be some significant redesign, and it would be a significant cost to do that,” Crabb said.
Crabb agrees it’s no fun closing for high levels of bacteria, but she fully believes the work they put in greatly reduces the days they are forced to close.
“Every year is different and when we find problems we figure out ways to solve them,” Crabb said.
Webber Natural Swimming Pool will shift to modified hours on Aug. 19 and close for the season after Labor Day.
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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