Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis offers $2 million a year to host the Sundance Film Festival
The city of Minneapolis is vying for the chance to host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027 and beyond, and has pledged $2 million in annual support to back it up.
“With our thriving arts and entertainment scene, diverse cultural heritage and passionate film community, Minneapolis is the ideal backdrop for the Sundance Film Festival,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in a news release. “There is no city that embraces the arts quite like we do — and Minneapolis already has a long history of supporting independent filmmakers and their art of storytelling. Sundance would be a welcome addition to our theater community, and we’re excited to throw our hat in the ring to host this world-renowned festival.”
In April, Sundance organizers announced they were looking for a new location for the festival, which has called Utah home since its founding in 1985. The festival has faced leadership and sponsorship problems as well as declining attendance in recent years. The Minneapolis City Council unanimously moved to bid for the festival and the city submitted its proposal on June 21.
The CEOs from Target, Best Buy and U.S. Bancorp have committed to provide $2 million each year to sustain and grow the festival. “Everybody wants to be a part of this,” said Film North executive director Andrew Peterson.
In its pitch, Minneapolis touted its “unparalleled private sector, philanthropic and governmental support for the festival, combined with robust existing infrastructure, a nation-leading arts and culture scene, and its welcoming and inclusive community.”
According to Deadline, Sundance will send a search committee to potential new home cities over the next few months. A decision is expected to be made public during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, which will take place in late January. San Francisco, Chicago, Boulder, Atlanta, Buffalo and Santa Fe have also expressed interest in hosting the festival.
Founded in 1978 by the head of Robert Redford’s production company, Sundance set out to showcase American-made films, highlight the potential of independent film and increase visibility for filmmaking in Utah.
Quentin Tarantino, David O. Russell, Paul Thomas Anderson, Steven Soderbergh, Darren Aronofsky, Kevin Smith and Robert Rodriguez are among the many directors who earned vital early exposure through the festival.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis man dies of fatal stab wound near bus shelter, suspect arrested
MINNEAPOLIS — A man is in custody after allegedly stabbing another man to death in Minneapolis.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, officers arrested a 58-year-old man for a fatal stabbing that occurred near a bus shelter at Nicollet Avenue and South Fifth Street.
A criminal complaint says that on Monday at approximately 11:52 p.m., Minneapolis police officers located a man described to be in his 30’s on the ground and bleeding from potentially life-threatening stab wounds.
Despite offering aid at the scene, the man later succumbed to his injuries on Friday at Hennepin Healthcare.
Police say they tracked the suspect’s movements on camera until he was located and arrested near Colfax Avenue an Lake Street at approximately 12:21 a.m.
The man as taken to Hennepin Healthcare for evaluation of an injury he sustained prior to his arrest. The man was booked into the Hennepin County Jail and later released pending charges from jail on Thursday.
Then, on Friday, the man was formally charged with first-degree assault and an arrest warrant was issued, said a criminal complaint. The man was arrested later that day and remains in police custody.
“I am grateful to the officers and investigators who worked quickly to bring justice for the victim and his family,” said O’Hara. “While nothing can bring back this man, I hope that our work brings some sense of justice for his family during this difficult time.”
Police are still investigating the cause of the stabbing.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis crash: Teniki Steward charged over fatal incident | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
A devastating high-speed collision in Minneapolis has led to the deaths of two women and injuries to two others, prompting serious charges against Teniki Steward, a 38-year-old Minneapolis resident. The incident, which unfolded at the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and 26th Avenue North, has left the community grappling with the tragic loss and a renewed focus on road safety.
Details of the Incident
According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Steward was behind the wheel of a Buick Enclave, allegedly traveling at excessive speeds and running multiple red lights before the fatal crash. Authorities report that she narrowly avoided a collision earlier at Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North. Tragically, moments later, her vehicle struck a Ford Explorer, killing both of its occupants:
- Ester Jean Fulks, 53 years old
- Rose Elaine Reece, 57 years old
The crash also injured a 17-year-old pedestrian waiting for a school bus and a passenger in Steward’s vehicle. Steward herself sustained injuries in the crash.
Background and Charges
Court documents reveal that Steward’s driver’s license had been revoked in November 2023 due to a failure to provide proof of insurance. At the time of the crash, she was operating a vehicle without a valid license, as confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty addressed the case, emphasizing the preventable nature of the tragedy. “This is another completely avoidable incident of a car being driven irresponsibly with disastrous consequences,” she stated.
Steward is now in custody and faces the following charges:
- Two counts of criminal vehicular homicide
- Two counts of criminal vehicular operation
If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison per count and fines of up to $20,000.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The crash has reignited discussions about reckless driving and public safety in Minneapolis. Local authorities and community leaders are urging drivers to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic laws to prevent similar tragedies.
The medical conditions of the injured victims have not been disclosed, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
A Call for Action
This heartbreaking incident underscores the devastating consequences of reckless driving. As the legal process unfolds, the Minneapolis community mourns the loss of two lives and hopes for justice and healing for all those affected.
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Minneapolis, MN
Red Dragon, beloved Uptown Minneapolis restaurant, closing after nearly half a century
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.”
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.”
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.
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