Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis City Council weighs new tobacco rules, including $15 minimum price for cigarettes
The Minneapolis City Council is considering adding new rules and restrictions on sales of tobacco products, including a minimum price for cigarettes and other products that could be the highest in the nation.
The changes under consideration include a minimum price of $15 per pack of cigarettes or package of four or more cigars, or for certain-size packages of snuff or snus.
The changes to the city’s existing tobacco products ordinance also would bar price discounts or coupons for tobacco products, and — starting Dec. 1 — ban free samples of tobacco products, and ban smoking of “samples” inside any retail establishment licensed to sell tobacco products.
The changes would also increase the penalties for businesses that violate the ordinance — including moving from a $200 fine to a $500 fine for a first violation.
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone – free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The proposal was forwarded by the council’s Business, Housing and Zoning Committee on Tuesday without recommendation. The full council is set to consider the measure next week.
Evalyn Carbrey with city’s health department told council members at Tuesday’s public hearing that, based on the department’s research, a minimum price of $15 per pack of cigarettes would appear to be the highest in the nation.
Carbrey clarified that the minimum price is not a tax.
“So the extra income will go back to the store, which we believe is helpful because it can soften the blow to retailers if they might potentially be losing some sales with a minimum price floor,” Carbrey said. “Any extra revenue goes back to the retailer.”
Backers of the changes say the higher minimum price and ban on discounts will be an incentive for current smokers to quit, and for youth to not start smoking. In 2021, the St. Paul City Council passed tobacco restrictions that set a minimum $10 price on a pack of cigarettes.
But the latest proposal in Minneapolis — specifically the ban on sampling — also drew speakers in opposition at Tuesday’s public hearing. Some raised concerns that barring indoor smoking at cigar bars or hookah bars would harm important community gathering places.
And the owner of two stores that sell tobacco in Minneapolis raised concerns that a higher minimum tobacco price in the city would send customers to retailers in other cities.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Officers Awarded Medals for Rescuing Child from Icy Pond
Two Minneapolis police officers were awarded the MPD Medal of Valor on Tuesday for saving a young boy’s life last year.
Sgt. Jeremy Depies and Officer Ashley Bergersen were both working on Sunday, Nov. 26 when a call came in that a young child had fallen through the ice.
“I didn’t think it was real at first,” said Bergersen, who was working as a field training officer that day.
She rushed to Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, where Sgt. Depies was already running towards the water.
“I went down to the ice, ran down there and I saw his snow pants sticking up out of the water,” he said. “I knew he was in there longer than he’d ever be able to hold his breath.”
Depies ran into the water with Bergersen right behind him.
Bergersen carried the little boy—just four years old—out of the water and handed him off to her partner, who raced him to the pavement. They started CPR and called for an ambulance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2_hEZgvE1k
The four-year-old survived.
Minneapolis, MN
Dublin Airport Resumes Aer Lingus Direct Flights to Minneapolis
Dublin Airport Reintroduces Aer Lingus Flights to Minneapolis
Dublin Airport has officially reinstated Aer Lingus’ direct service to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, a route that will now operate four times weekly. This relaunch is part of the airport’s broader initiative to expand its North American flight offerings and bolster connections between Ireland and the United States.
Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, expressed enthusiasm about the route’s return, highlighting its benefits for tourism and economic engagement. “The reintroduction of the Minneapolis-St. Paul service not only strengthens our transatlantic network but also reaffirms our commitment to enhancing tourism and trade with the US. This is a key development in our ongoing partnership with Aer Lingus to grow its presence in North America,” McLean stated.
The route provides direct access to Minneapolis-St. Paul, known for its dynamic cultural scene, stunning lakes, and exceptional dining experiences. Additionally, the city serves as a convenient gateway for travelers looking to explore further into the UK, Europe, and other North American destinations.
An added advantage for passengers traveling from Dublin to Minneapolis-St. Paul is the availability of US Pre Clearance facilities at Dublin Airport. This allows travelers to complete all necessary immigration and customs checks before departure, ensuring a smoother and quicker entry into the United States, where the only remaining queue is for a taxi to their final destination.
The renewed service is set to enhance the travel experience for passengers and further develop the strong cultural and economic ties between Ireland and the United States.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis police award Medal of Valor to officers for water rescue
Minneapolis police officers awarded medal of valor for water rescue
Two Minneapolis police officers were awarded the MPD Medal of Valor on Tuesday for saving a young boy’s life last year.
Sgt. Jeremy Depies and Officer Ashley Bergersen were both working on Sunday, Nov. 26 when a call came in that a young child had fallen through the ice.
“I didn’t think it was real at first,” said Bergersen, who was working as a field training officer that day.
She rushed to Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, where Sgt. Depies was already running towards the water. He’d been doing a ride-along, showing a civilian city parks, when he got the call.
4-year-old boy in critical condition a day after water rescue at Minneapolis park
“I was in the right place at the right time and just arrived on scene at the moment I needed to be there,” he said.
Depies told us he arrived to the scene within 30 seconds, where a little girl told him her brother was in the water.
“I went down to the ice, ran down there and I saw his snow pants sticking up out of the water,” he said. “I knew he was in there longer than he’d ever be able to hold his breath.”
Depies ran into the water with Bergersen right behind him.
“I told myself to feel light as a feather on that ice because I could see that the ice was not thick at all, might have been an inch, if that,” she said. “I just ran as fast and as far as I could to the hole to get Eli.”
Bergersen added, “[I thought] we gotta get him out now or he’s not going to survive.”
Instinct took over for both of them.
“This isn’t anything that either one of us has been trained to do,” said Depies. “In that moment, it didn’t matter, I had to figure out a way to get Eli out of the water.”
Bergersen carried the little boy out of the water and handed him off to her partner, who raced him to the pavement. They started CPR and called for an ambulance.
Bergersen went with the four-year-old to the hospital, where she met his mother.
“The first thing I did when I saw her was I knelt down next to her and gave her a hug,” she said.
After speaking with the child’s mother, she determined he’d been in the water for about six minutes before they arrived.
The four-year-old survived and met his heroes in the weeks that followed.
“Eli’s a fun-loving kid and super great to spend time with,” said Depies
“Amazing to see him walking and talking now, it’s surreal,” said Bergersen. “I am glad that I was working that day, that I was able to respond to that specific call and that I had enough courage to jump into that pond. It was an instinct. I just thought if that was my son, I sure hope someone would go in and save them.”
-
Education1 week ago
Video: Dozens of Yale Students Arrested as Campus Protests Spread
-
News7 days ago
Larry Webb’s deathbed confession solves 2000 cold case murder of Susan and Natasha Carter, 10, whose remains were found hours after he died
-
World6 days ago
Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns, transitional council takes power
-
Politics1 week ago
Fetterman hammers 'a–hole' anti-Israel protesters, slams own party for response to Iranian attack: 'Crazy'
-
World1 week ago
Period poverty still a problem within the EU despite tax breaks
-
World7 days ago
US secretly sent long-range ATACMS weapons to Ukraine
-
News6 days ago
First cargo ship passes through new channel since Baltimore bridge collapse
-
World1 week ago
Turkey’s Erdogan meets Iraq PM for talks on water, security and trade