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 City Council votes to extend eviction notice period
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to temporarily extend the eviction notice period for renters in an effort to help support residents impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
Under the ordinance, which was approved 7-5, landlords would need to wait 60 days — not the typical 30 — before bringing an eviction notice to a renter. If approved by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the 60-day requirement would stay in effect until Aug. 31.
Supporters of the ordinance said Operation Metro Surge left residents out of work and relying on mutual aid networks to pay rent.
“Preventing eviction is always more cost-effective than trying to re-house someone who has been evicted,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley, who represents Ward 2.
Wonsley, alongside members Elliott Payne, Jamal Osman, Aisha Chughtai, Soren Stevenson, Jason Chavez and Aurin Chowdhury voted in favor of the resolution. Council member Jamison Whiting abstained from voting.
The city estimates Operation Metro Surge led to an additional $15.7 million in monthly need for rental support. Last month, council members approved $1 million in rental assistance for Hennepin County to help families impacted by the surge.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis man arrested in Manchester after allegedly trying to meet minor for sex
MANCHESTER, Iowa — A Minnesota man has been arrested in Manchester after police say he attempted to meet someone he believed was a minor for sexual activity.
The Manchester Police Department said Robert Fenn Eselby III, 23, of Minneapolis was arrested Feb. 27 following an undercover investigation.
According to police, Eselby contacted an undercover officer posing as a juvenile through several social media platforms. Authorities said he was informed multiple times that the person he was communicating with was underage.
Investigators say Eselby sent explicit photos and videos and later arranged to travel to Manchester to meet the supposed minor for sexual activity.
Police said Eselby was taken into custody immediately after arriving in Manchester and was transported to the Delaware County Jail.
Authorities also said Eselby allegedly attempted to ask an arresting officer out on a date during the booking process.
Eselby faces one count of grooming, a Class D felony, and one count of disseminating obscene material to a minor, a serious misdemeanor.
Court records show he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Minneapolis, MN
What is a data center?
What exactly is a data center and why are so many being proposed across Minnesota? Professor Manjeet Rege, chair of Software Engineering and Data Science and director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, joins us to explain how these massive facilities store and process the world’s data and what the economic, environmental, and infrastructure questions are as Minnesota considers hosting more of them.
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling