MINNEAPOLIS – Three new officers were sworn into Metro Transit Police as the department continues its work to make light rail trains and platforms safer.
Just this past weekend, a man was shot in the head at the Lake Street Station in Minneapolis.
Riders have told WCCO they would like to see more consistent ticket checks to hopefully prevent incidents like what happened to Guy Davis on his way to the Twins game Wednesday.
“A guy on drugs was verbally assaulting everybody, and he saw me, and he took a swing at me,” Davis said.
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WCCO cameras capture flagrant drug use on Metro Transit light rail trains
Davis rode the green line to Target Field from the Snelling and University stop in St. Paul. He says he won’t let himself be intimidated from riding though. Other riders to the game WCCO spoke to said they felt safe.
“I definitely think it has gotten better,” said Nathan Ratner, who lives in downtown Minneapolis. “There’s a few causes for that but I do think [it’s] the increased attention and the presence of Metro Transit police.”
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MTPD is up to 109 officers, including the three sworn in Wednesday, according to Chief Ernest Morales III.
Crime on buses and trains was up 66% in the first three months of this year, compared to the same months last year.
Metro Transit PD chief helps woman struggling with mental health issues while WCCO camera rolls
Morales says police need more help from prosecutors.
“We have to hold people accountable for their behavior,” Morales said. “We are arresting the same people time and time again.”
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State legislators have taken notice of the issues, too. A transit safety bill still alive in the Minnesota House includes adding social workers.
“Let the police do their job,” said Rep. Hodan Hassan, DFL-Minneapolis. “Police’s job is not to respond to mental health crisis or people who are unhoused or people having an opioid crisis ODing.”
Hassan’s district includes the Lake Street station where this weekend’s shooting happened. Metro Transit says the victim is recovering.
Metro Transit’s Homeless Action Team working to make buses, light rail safer
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David Schuman
David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
MINNEAPOLIS — The menu offers plenty of options, but fans of the Red Dragon say they’ll miss how the restaurant really nourished their souls.
“It feels like family,” patron Kathleen Spitzer told WCCO. “Everybody — the servers and bartenders — are so nice. It feels like a home away from home.”
Red Dragon’s current owner, Phil Wong, said the restaurant and bar will shut down on Sunday after nearly 50 years in business; it first opened on Dec. 29, 1976.
“People love this place. They like to come here and drink and hang out,” Wong lamented. “I love them all. They show a lot of love to us and they enjoy our establishment.”
The Red Dragon restaurant on March 18, 1994.
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According to Wong, 73, finances and his longevity were contributing factors. The former engineer took over the business from his brother in 2007.
“It costs a little bit more — the food, the meat, the vegetables,” he added. “Minneapolis, too, the minimum wage went up.”
Still, Wong said he leaves with no regrets.
“I feel good about it. I think it’s time to move on,” he said. “We’re ending on a good note.”
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Red Dragon is the latest of several Twin Cities eateries to shutter in 2024, including the St. Paul staple Tavern on Grand. Even newer restaurants, like Kim’s from award-winning chef Ann Kim, also in Uptown, could not survive.
Jonah Kaplan
Jonah Kaplan is WCCO and CBS News Minnesota’s investigative reporter and has built a strong reputation for his balanced and in-depth coverage of high-impact issues including the economy, immigration, education, public safety, and the military, among others.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Dozens of flights were delayed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday morning.
Dozens of flights delayed
By the numbers: According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 11:51 a.m., two departures were canceled and 36 were delayed. Meanwhile, 11 arrivals were canceled and 16 were delayed.
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FlightAware says there have been more than 19,000 delays and 525 cancelations globally, while there have been more than 3,400 delays and 525 cancelations within, into or out of the United States as of 11:57 a.m. on Thursday.
The weather forecast: This comes as a dense fog advisory is in effect until noon on Friday across Minnesota, and rain is expected for much of Friday and Friday night. There are also storms on the east and west coasts that could cause some travel problems.
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Several airports across the United States have ground delays due to weather, according to the FAA’s website.
Increased travel at MSP Airport
What they’re saying: The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) expected a 6% year-over-year increase in screened passengers between Dec. 20, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025. Thursday, Dec. 26, was expected to be the busiest day during the stretch, with nearly 50,000 people expected to pass through security at MSP.
This week’s Fab Five photo display includes highlights from Minneapolis South’s 88-84 boys basketball victory over Minneapolis North on Wednesday, December 11.
The photos include two South players who led them with 22 points each (DeAmontre Scott and Eugene Brown), the player who scored 22 points to lead North (JMarion Sanders), North’s point guard who scored 14 points (Allen Hill), and a former Marshall University High School and Augsburg University great officiating the game (Ronnie Henderson).
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
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