Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis' new strategy to thwart copper thieves targeting street lights

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis' new strategy to thwart copper thieves targeting street lights

Thieves dismantle, sell streetlight copper

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have been dealing with streetlights going dark due to thieves stealing copper from them.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Carole Anne Broad walks her dog Chloe along West River Parkway in South Minneapolis at least once a day.

But for the past few months, she’s noticed the streetlights have been out, thanks to copper thieves.

“It’s been very dark and as I walk my dog, I see the wires just hanging out. At night, driving is a little bit like could really use some light on this road,” said Broad.

City officials say Minneapolis spent $250,000 last year to replace copper wires stolen from light posts.

And when city crews replace them, thieves frequently steal the copper wires again.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had that happen when our crews get out there quickly, and we replace the missing copper and then within a few days, the thieves have hit the same area, which I know is really frustrating for the residents as well,” said Allan Klugman, Director of Traffic and Parking services for the City of Minneapolis.

So the city bought 5 miles of aluminum wiring to use in place of the copper wiring in about 125 light poles to deter people from stealing it.

City officials say aluminum is only worth about a quarter of copper’s value on the salvage market and weighs about half as much, meaning it would fetch far less money because scrapyards pay by the pound.

“The aluminum is much less expensive on the resale or salvage market. so who’s ever taken these wires? We want them to know that it’s really not going to be worth their time to address these new ones,” said Klugman.

City officials say if this test run along West River Parkway goes well, they could add aluminum wiring to streetlights in other parts of the city as well.

“I think it’s a great idea. I think lights deter riffraff, maybe. I can certainly tell who’s coming,” said Broad.

Source link

Click to comment

Minneapolis, MN

1 dead, 2 injured in Minneapolis shooting early Saturday morning

Published

10 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

1 dead, 2 injured in Minneapolis shooting early Saturday morning

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. (Valley News Live) – One person is dead and two others are injured after a shooting in the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis overnight.

One of the men who was injured was a University of Minnesota student, according to school officials.

According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, officers heard bursts of automatic gunfire around 2:30 a.m. Saturday near 13th Avenue Southeast and Fifth Street Southeast.

The officers found two men, and later found a third, all suffering from gunshot wounds.

One of the men died at the scene, O’Hara said. The other two who were taken to the hospital are expected to survive.

Source link

Minneapolis, MN

Happy Halloween in the Twin Cities

Published

2 days ago

November 1, 2025

Press Room

Despite rainy conditions and temperatures in the 40s, many families braved the weather to continue on their Halloween traditions. FOX 9’s Rob Olson checks in with a few donning costumes as they make their rounds.

Posted October 31, 2025 7:07pm CDT

Source link

Minneapolis, MN

A look at teacher salaries as negotiations in Minneapolis continue

Published

3 days ago

October 31, 2025

Press Room

A look at teacher salaries as negotiations in Minneapolis continue

The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers is negotiating for higher wages with Minneapolis Public Schools.

Minneapolis teachers union approves strike as mediation with MPS continues

Earlier this week, the union president told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS teachers could make thousands of dollars more across the river.

A report from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shows the average teacher salary in Minneapolis is $82,859 per year, while it’s $93,366 per year for St. Paul Public Schools teachers.

St. Paul is among the highest 10 paying districts in the state, which also includes Wayzata Public Schools, Stillwater Area Public Schools and Sleepy Eye Public Schools, according to the report. It shows salaries across the state vary widely. Some are in the $40,000 range, while others are six figures.

“Teachers deserve a fair salary,” said Chelda Smith Kondo, a University of St. Thomas associate professor of education. “When you have areas, such as suburban areas, where you have a lot of home ownership, you have a larger tax base. That tax base is going to provide a lot more funds to the school district there, so that will allow the school district to pay more to their teachers.”

Kondo told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that teacher salaries can play a role in graduation rates and test scores.

“The way it does is in retention,” she said. “The more that an educator feels they are fairly compensated for the work that they do, and with teachers, the impact they have, the more likely they are to stay in the profession, which directly benefits students.”

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS analyzed data from the Minnesota Report Card. It showed SPPS had a 76.5% graduation rate last year. At least half of the other 10 highest-paid districts were above 90%. Lower-earning districts, however, also reported high graduation rates.

Kondo said there are many variables that affect graduation rates, from attendance to whether a child’s basic needs are met. Overall, rates are improving statewide across all demographics.

“Last year in 2024, we had record graduation rates at 84%,” said Kondo. “Of course, that 84% doesn’t represent everyone; some are higher, others are a little bit lower. Overall, it shows our high schoolers are graduating.”

Source link