Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis ordinance changes way city addresses homelessness
MINNEAPOLIS — The city of Minneapolis is making changes in the way it handles homeless encampments.
An ordinance proposes more transparency when it comes to tracking locations and resources being offered to people living there.
Encampments are popping up all over and when they are closed it costs the city thousands of dollars and the impact on the lives of people living there cannot be measured.
“I’m appalled to live in a city where my tax dollars pay for bulldozers evicting and re-traumatizing the same group of residents over and over again and that we don’t have the transparency the oversight and the accountability we need to show that any of this is working,” Elizabeth Anderson said.
The City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee heard testimony on a proposed ordinance focusing on transparency, accountability and oversight for encampment removals.
“I’ve been out here I think two-and-a-half, almost three years,” April said.
April calls these encampments home. She says she needs more than talk.
“All we hear is just everyone saying this and that and they are trying to help but basically, they are just kicking us out and where are we going to go next,” April said.
Councilmember Andrea Jenkins is putting together an encampment and unhoused community think tank.
“I totally understand this person and so, consequently, we’re going to be saying what are immediate actions we can take now and what are some long-term actions we can take to be more sustainable,” Jenkins said.
Members with lived experiences and stakeholders will meet three times and have a facilitated conversation.
“If they put in more action than just say the year, I think it will help. Because out here it’s hard. It’s scary sometimes. We just need a direction on where to go, you know, other than just you got to pack up you got to go,” April said.
April is optimistic and just hopes it happens fast to keep this growing problem from getting worse.
“Help us instead of trying to kick us out show us something that you do care about the people,” April said.
An amended version of the ordinance passed focuses on the cost of removing encampments and tracking the outcome of those displaced.
Think tank meetings begin next week.
MINNEAPOLIS — Authorities are seeking the public’s help locating a Minnesota woman who has not been seen since last year in the metro area.
According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 36-year-old Marina Dougall was last seen in Minneapolis in September 2023. She was reported missing in May.
The BCA says Dougall stayed in the south Minneapolis area, and frequented Anoka County and other parts of the Twin Cities metro area. Investigators say they believe she may have been in the Burnett County, Wisconsin area in late September 2023 and then dropped off at the Norwood Inn in Roseville.
Dougall has a medical condition that could lead to medical complications or death without medication, according to the BCA, as well as a history of mental health issues and substance abuse.
Dougall is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. The BCA says she has a chipped front tooth, flower tattoos on her right hand and left shoulder, a snowflake tattoo on her right abdomen and a large back tattoo. She was born in Russia and has a slight accent.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office at 763-324-5209.
MM weather: Staying warm, hazy sky on Wednesday
Wednesday is another warm summer-like day with temperatures in the mid-80s. While the day will have plenty of sunshine, wildfire smoke from the western U.S. is creating hazy conditions for much of the state. FOX 9’s meteorologist Jared Piepenburg has your forecast.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Wednesday brings another summer-style day with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s, accompanied by hazier skies.
Wednesday’s forecast
The Twin Cities metro and much of Minnesota will experience another warm, hazy, and dry day. Expect fewer clouds on Wednesday, but the haze from the wildfires burning in the western U.S. continues to linger, making for hazy conditions.
Temperatures will start in the low 70s and rise to a comfortable daytime high of 86 degrees in the metro area. It will be a warm, summer-like day with light southwest winds ranging from 5-15 mph, making for a pleasant but warm afternoon.
Overnight remains pleasant and quiet with a few passing clouds and temperatures in the 60s.
Looking ahead
Thursday continues the trend of warm, sunny weather with temperatures reaching the mid-80s. As we approach the weekend, Saturday will be slightly cooler, with a high of 80 degrees, still above the seasonal average of 75 degrees. While a stray shower may pop up, the day will generally be mild and quiet, with partly sunny skies.
Sunday sees a slight uptick in temperature and humidity, reaching a high of 82 degrees in the metro, along with light winds. As we move into the week ahead, expect temperatures to stay steady in the 80s.
Here’s a look at your seven-day forecast:
Hennepin County Jail overcrowded, 180 inmates to be moved
The Hennepin County jail has a functional capacity of 755 inmates.
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the jail is now overcrowded and exceeds that limit. Officials are currently in the process of moving 180 inmates to two other jails in separate counties.
Witt said the inmate transfers are necessary to keep inmates and jail staff safe.
“You know, in terms of overtime and running at minimums, that’s not good for anyone. It’s not good for our incarcerated population. It’s not good for our people that are working in the jail day in and day out,” said Witt.
Witt said that if the current inmate trend continues, she would seek to build a new jail outside Minneapolis.
“So, if somebody asked me today, ‘Hey, what do you need?’ I would say we need a bigger jail and we would need to not be in downtown Minneapolis,” said Witt.
Witt also said she does not support releasing inmates to ease the overcrowding because 84% of the inmates have a violent criminal history.
“We have to have answers. But, I can tell you what, the answer shouldn’t be to allow people to terrorize the neighborhood because our jail is overpopulated,” said Witt.
Witt said Wright and Scott counties have agreed to accept some inmates but at least two more jails in other counties are still needed.
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