MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council continue deliberations on its 2024 city budget, setting its sights on historic investments in community safety, climate change and housing.
The Council discussed a total of 49 proposed amendments to Mayor Jacob Frey’s $1.8 billion spedning package on Friday.
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Of the changes proposed, 47 of the amendments were approved, totaling an additional $30 million, according to a press release sent by the City Council following its Budget Committee hearing.
The approved amendments create new pilot programs, including ‘safety ambassadors’ for seven cultural districts throughout the city in an effort to increase safety and connect residents to social services and resources.
Another pilot program is sidewalk snow and ice removal for designated sidewalks and transit stops. It will also include increased enforcement to property owners with repeated violations and sidewalk clearing for seniors.
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One of the amendments includes creating an Interim Safety Center for 3rd Precinct residents to file police reports, get information and connect with the city’s public safety system. The City will also be increasing domestic violence navigators and resources for survivors.
A culturally specific opioid recovery and harm reduction services would also be adopted, adding funds to provide resources and services to immigrant, refugee and senior community members.
A controversial talking point last summer, the new budget would establish funding to continue the Open Streets events programming.
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“I am proud to have led the Budget Committee through what has been a historic budget process characterized by communication, collaboration, and consensus,” Minneapolis City Council Budget Chair Emily Koski said in a statement. “As a result, we have an amended 2024 City Budget that reflects and invests in our shared priorities.”
The newly revised package will face another Budget Committee hearing on Dec. 5, before potentially being approved by a full council vote on Dec. 7.
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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