Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis budget could lead to spendier settlement agreement
Minneapolis budget could lead to spendier settlement agreement
Minneapolis faces challenges in funding a project that community safety leaders deem necessary for reform.
An amendment in the city’s new budget has redirected $5.5 million from a proposed Public Safety Training and Wellness Center to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. This change has brought the project back to the drawing board and could jeopardize millions in state bonding dollars intended to help fund it.
“You hit this snag, hit this bump in a road, and it does get frustrating,” said Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette.
Despite the setback, Barnette remains hopeful.
“I think our first responders deserve that,” Barnette said, emphasizing the need for a new center to improve training and address mental health for first responders.
The project is estimated to cost $38 million, with half expected from the city and the other half from state bonding dollars.
Barnette explained that the center is necessary to meet reform requirements under a settlement agreement with the state — he also said it’s not just for police officers, but everyone under the Office of Community Safety umbrella, including firefighters and those in the 911 call center.
“Is there no other place to take care of this training and this wellness right now?” 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Ben Henry asked.
“If you look at the facilities assessments that were done there, none of our facilities are adequate,” Barnette replied.
Council member Robin Wonsley has expressed concerns about the planning process, stating, “This body should not approve this project.” The council later diverted $5.5 million from the training center to pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the 2026 budget.
“These dollars are better invested into things we do know will have a measurable benefit for the public, like making investments into our traffic calming programs,” Wonsley said.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS attempted to contact Wonsley for further comments on the traffic projects and concerns about potential cost increases due to delays, but did not hear back.
Commissioner Barnette is worried about the risk to state dollars. “We’re trying to offset the things that we’re doing, and so you’re going to see increase in probably property tax,” he said.
The settlement agreement does not specifically mandate a new training facility or detail officer training methods, but requires the city to support the department’s efforts if current facilities are inadequate.
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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