Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis council member curses at activist during meeting
Mpls council member curses at activist
A heated council meeting boiled over on Thursday when Council Member Jeremiah Ellison swore at an activist.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Tempers at a Minneapolis City Council meeting on Thursday boiled over as a council member swore at an activist.
Ward 4 Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison directed the curse word at longtime community advocate Al Flowers, telling Flowers to “shut the f— up.”
The incident unfolded during a vote to approve a liquor license for Merwin Liquors store at Broadway and Lyndale, a heated issue in the community. Historically, the area around Merwin’s has been a hot spot for violence. The measure had been opposed by Flowers and other community members.
The audio is difficult to hear, but it appears Flowers said, “We lost again, Jeremiah” to which Ellison responded with an expletive.
Ellison was then escorted out of the chambers by Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, and the council subsequently went into recess. Vetaw later went to the hallway to speak with Flowers, when FOX 9 caught up to her.
“Of course, he was out of line, absolutely,” Vetaw said when asked about Ellison’s outburst. “I’m pretty sure he would tell you he was out of line.”
FOX 9 is told Ellison followed up with text messages to Flowers. In the messages, Ellison addressed the liquor license issue and then insulted Flowers, calling him a “lying sack of s***.” Flowers replied in disbelief, and Ellison further accused him of being a liar and a bigot, claiming that Flowers attacked his religion, adding “I’m letting everybody know about your hate for Muslims.”
In the council chambers, it appears Flowers implied that Ellison, being Muslim, should oppose the liquor store, but the specifics of his statement remain unclear. Flowers told FOX 9 that he is not anti-Muslim. It is clear that several people were rattled by the confrontation.
Bridgette Stewart from the Agape Movement in Minneapolis commented on the impact of the exchange, saying, “It’s heartbreaking because what you’re witnessing right now with [Flowers] walking away, that is every black man in our community right now.”
“Two Black men that I love, we come from the same community,” added Vetaw. “We work on all these issues. And to see them divided like that, to see Jeremiah speak to him like that… It’s not okay. And I told Jeremiah that.”
FOX 9 texted Ellison for a response about the incident and his subsequent texts to Flowers. Ellison replied, “I’m sure it’ll make a nice little story.” However, he did not respond to further inquiries regarding what he found offensive in the situation.
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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