Minneapolis, MN
Milestone for Kobi Co. as it celebrates 2 years at brick-and-mortar location
MINNEAPOLIS — A young business owner is about to celebrate a milestone at her downtown Minneapolis store. Kobi Gregory will soon mark two years in her brick-and-mortar location downtown, after starting “Kobi Co” during the pandemic.
From the outside of her storefront on S. 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis, you can smell the goodness awaiting you inside.
A space helping people create moments of self-care.
“If you are looking for a little bit of warmth a little bit of love and a lot of vibes we got it here,” said Gregory.
Gregory was a 17-year-old high school student when COVID 19 hit. Forced to live life online, Gregory struggled like many young people did.
“While I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression and just new feelings coming about,” said Gregory.
Gregory and her mother, Tasha Harris, had just finished taking a candle making class together.
It inspired them to start a business.
“Working on these candles and Kobi Co really helped me come out of whatever I was in,” said Gregory.
Gregory and Harris began selling their product at local markets and street fairs. Mom quit the corporate job she had for 20 years and began securing partnerships. After three years of working off tabletops, they made this downtown Minneapolis retail spot a reality.
“I would not be able to do it without my mom or without the fact that this whole thing is about loving yourself and taking care of yourself.”
Each candle comes with its own soothing sounds to set the vibe.
“The music was a huge component of my self-care practice which is why we were so excited about adding them to the candles,” said Gregory. “Spotify QR codes and so that’s how we connect our playlist to each and every one of the candles they are all different curated towards each and every theme and scent.”
It’s not just candles. Kobi Co. sells bath bombs, salts and room sprays in their signature scents.
“Champagne scents, floral scents, we love lemon, jasmine all these different scents that we have.”
Mom and daughter, both from born and raised in Minneapolis, have care for community integrated into the foundation of this business.
“Giving back is super important to me,” said Gregory.
Kobi Co offers scholarships to young BIPOC women, and a portion of sales created from the Black Lives Matter collection, goes to families affected by gun violence.
“Just the amount of love and recognition that we’ve received in a short amount of time and that we’ve been in business really blows me and my mom away.”
That hard worked helped land national attention for this local business. Both Essence and Cosmopolitan magazines recognized Kobi Co.
Kobi Co also offers workshops where people can make scents unique to them. Gregory and Harris celebrate two years in the downtown location this spring.
Minneapolis, MN
An early look at what’s in the tentative agreement with the U.S. DOJ mandating police reforms in Minneapolis
Rank-and-file officers would have to use the lowest level of force needed to ensure their safety, stop an attack, make an arrest or prevent escape. They must consider before using force whether any non-compliance stems from a person’s age, size, physical condition, mental impairment, or language barrier.
Neck restraints and chokeholds are prohibited.
Any officer who carries a firearm must also carry at least one less-lethal weapon they have been trained on — whether in uniform or plainclothes. Chemical irritants should not be used on a person in a vehicle unless an imminent danger exists.
Federal oversight would require more rigorous use-of-force reporting by officers, who are expected to document specific details on every interaction in which they display or fire a weapon or cause physical injury.
MPD must create a Use of Force Board, chaired by the chief or top deputy, to review higher-level incidents, discuss trends and adopt new policy. A new Force Investigations Team (FIT), made up of supervisors and trained civilians, will be tasked with responding to the scene of critical encounters and conducting a thorough investigation.
Any officer who discharges their service pistol in the line of duty is required to provide a statement to their supervisor “as soon as possible” and won’t be permitted to leave the scene until they do so, unless it’s to receive medical care.
Minneapolis leaders will meet Monday morning to review a tentative agreement on a federal consent decree.
The consent decree — a federal tool for oversight of police — will likely mandate extensive reforms to the Minneapolis Police Department. City officials have been working with the Department of Justice to reach an agreement since June 2023, when a federal investigation found patterns of racism and excessive force in MPD.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last week scheduled Monday morning’s special city council meeting. The council, mayor and city attorney are expected to hold a closed-door briefing on the agreement, followed by a public vote. If approved, the agreement will be filed in federal court.
The Department of Justice opened its investigation in 2021 after the police murder of George Floyd the previous year. After extensive interviews with members of the community and department personnel, it concluded that MPD used dangerous techniques and weapons against people unnecessarily, and treated residents differently based on race. It also alleged the department mishandles complaints and accountability for officers.
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Marcia Howard, a local teacher and activist, takes notes during a June 2023 community morning meeting to discuss the findings of a comprehensive investigation into the city’s police department.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News
The report recommended a revamp to use-of-force policies, training and reporting. Those are changes that could be mandated in a consent decree.
Other consent decrees in cities including New Orleans, Seattle, Portland and Cleveland have mandated a variety of reforms, such as civilian oversight of police, altered use-of-force policies and new training on weapons use and engaging with people with mental illness.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has experience administering a consent decree. He came to Minneapolis from Newark, which has been under a consent decree since 2016.
Addressing Minneapolis officers last week, O’Hara said he’ll remain committed to improving staffing levels and supporting officers’ safety and mental health, as the department prepares to take on the change likely required by a consent decree.
“When we focus on the right priorities, supporting one another, engaging with our community and remaining committed to our shared values, we can and we will navigate this process successfully and emerge stronger,” O’Hara said.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara speaks at a press conference on Aug. 7, 2023.
Jon Collins | MPR News
The decree would remain in place until an independent monitor determines the city has met all the requirements — likely several years later.
If enacted, Minneapolis would be the first city in the nation under both federal and state consent decrees. A state-level settlement agreement was reached in 2023, after an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights also found a pattern of racism in the department.
The department is approaching March deadlines under the state agreement. It will need to have new policies governing use of force, body camera use and interactions with minors. It’s also required to make substantial progress on a backlog of complaints against officers.
Advocates for a consent decree are hoping to see it finalized before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who opposed federal oversight of police departments during his first term in office.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota is known as the state of hockey, but some Twin Cities cinnamon rolls are also putting the state on the map.
Sweet lovers happily waited in line outside of Isles Bun and Coffee in Minneapolis.
They were voted by “World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls” as having the world’s best for 2024.
The award comes after thousands of submissions and a visit by the website. Fans say even in frigid temps, it’s worth the wait.
“These days any time you find a bakery thats making it in house with such high quality ingredients, it’s a delicious product you can tell it’s fresh,” said Stacy Carlson.
“We’re cinnamon roll fans, but we typically only eat Pillsbury so this is about to change our life, right?” said Emily Pease.
However, World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls says the unsung hero at Isle Buns are the puppy dog tails. They’re made with the ends of cinnamon roll dough.
The organization has been naming the World’s Best Cinnamon Roll since 2018.
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