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Minneapolis park workers approve new contract

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Minneapolis park workers approve new contract


Minneapolis park workers approved a new contract with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Thursday after striking for 22 days. 

What’s in the new contract?

According to a press release from LIUNA Local 363, the union that represents the park workers, union members voted “overwhelmingly” to approve the new contract. 

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Here is what is included in the new contract: 

Wages

  • 10.25% cost-of-living adjustment over three years.
  • $1.75/hour market adjustment.
  • $2 million in wages for workers.
  • Wages will increase by $5.42 an hour or $11,302 a year on average by 2026.
  • Preserved automatic step increases.

Workers rights

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  • Protected existing steward rights.
  • Kept full negotiating rights.
  • Maintained grievance process.
  • Kept existing drug testing standards.

Benefits for workers

  • Expanded contract rights around sick and bereavement leave.
  • Protected fair overtime distribution.
  • Kept Forestry transfer rights.

Safety

  • “Harmful” language taken out.
  • Workers are protected from reporting requirements and targeting.

Seasonal employees

  • Kept union rights for all seasonal workers.
  • Doubled comp time benefits.
  • Guaranteed permanent positions nearly doubled.
  • Protected seasonal full-time schedules.

The MPRB is expected to officially approve the new contract at the Aug. 7 board meeting. 

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What they’re saying

LIUNA Local 363 Business Manager AJ Lange released the following statement regarding the new contract: 

“Our members’ sacrifices and solidarity yielded more than improved wages and benefits. We reaffirmed that Minneapolis is a union town. This victory extends beyond our union, demonstrating the power of working people when they stand united.

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“We stood up against anti-worker, union busting at the Park Board and sent a clear message all workers deserve dignity and respect.

“Our members’ courage and resilience is truly inspiring and I’m proud to stand beside them. Their sacrifice and solidarity carried this fight.

“This contract fight is only part of our shared struggle for dignity and justice for the working class. Together, we’ll build on this momentum to create stronger, more equitable workplaces for fellow working people.

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“To everyone who supported us—joining picket lines, contacting commissioners, signing our petition, and donating to our hardship fund—your solidarity made a crucial difference. This victory belongs to all who stood with us.”

MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura said in a statement, “The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to move forward and continue providing great service to our park users and residents of Minneapolis. Parks are about people, and we have always counted on hard working employees. We are glad resolution was reached and we can move forward.” 

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Background

The union representing more than 300 park maintenance workers announced the strike just ahead of the Fourth of July holiday and extended the strike after saying the initial offer from MPRB wasn’t enough. 

Read more: Minneapolis park workers extend strike ‘indefinitely’, demand negotiations

The strike was reportedly authorized by 94% of union members back in June. 

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Minneapolis, MN

Truck driver dead after crash sends Metro Transit bus into home in south Minneapolis

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Truck driver dead after crash sends Metro Transit bus into home in south Minneapolis


It happened early Monday morning in Minneapolis.

One person is dead and another is hospitalized after an early-morning crash in south Minneapolis on Monday that sent a Metro Transit bus into a home.

It happened at around 4 a.m. at 10th Avenue South and East 38th Street, just a few blocks east of George Floyd Square.

A spokesperson for Metro Transit police tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that a truck was speeding down 10th Avenue when it hit the back of the bus, ripping a tire off the bus and sending it into the front of a home.

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The driver of that truck died, according to Metro Transit police, while the driver of the bus was taken to a hospital but is expected to be OK.

Officials say nobody besides the driver was on the bus at the time, and the home the bus hit was also empty at the time.

Investigators are still at the scene, working to clean up all of the debris and determine exactly what led up to the crash.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is at the scene and working to learn more. Download the KSTP app and follow 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on social media for the latest updates.

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Atlanta Dream survive thriller in Minneapolis, edge Lynx 91-90 to open 2026 WNBA season

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Atlanta Dream survive thriller in Minneapolis, edge Lynx 91-90 to open 2026 WNBA season


The Atlanta Dream trailed by double digits, fought back twice and still needed Angel Reese’s game-saving block in the final seconds to survive. 

Atlanta opened the 2026 WNBA season with a 91-90 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night, powered by Allisha Gray’s 24 points, Te-Hina Paopao’s pull-up jumper with 12 seconds remaining, and a performance that left little doubt about what this team intends to do this season.

Reese’s block on Emese Hof’s layup attempt in the closing seconds sealed one of the most dramatic opening-night wins before 10,821 fans at Target Center.

When Minnesota pushed its advantage to 13 points in the second quarter and the Dream looked like they were in serious trouble, Allisha Gray took over. The veteran guard finished with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-18 shooting, going a near-perfect 9-of-11 from the free throw line to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

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Gray’s ability to get to the line and convert kept Atlanta within striking distance throughout a game that could have spiraled out of control multiple times. She scored 11 points in the third quarter alone as the Dream chipped away at Minnesota’s lead.

Rhyne Howard was equally important on both ends, finishing with 15 points, five assists and three steals. Jordin Canada ran the offense efficiently with 12 points and six assists, and Paopao added six points and four assists in a composed performance off the bench.

With Atlanta trailing 85-87 and the clock winding down, Naz Hillmon stepped back and drained a 22-foot three-pointer with 2:44 left to tie the game and silence the fans in the Target Center. It was the shot of the night, and arguably the play that won Atlanta the game.

Hillmon finished with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-10 from the field, adding seven rebounds in 33 minutes. She was the Dream’s most reliable scorer off the bench and delivered her best basketball when Atlanta needed it most.

Rookie Madina Okot also impressed in her WNBA debut, scoring eight points on 3-of-6 shooting with four rebounds in just 10 minutes, showing the poise and physicality that earned her a roster spot out of training camp.

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Angel Reese’s first game in a Dream uniform was complicated. She shot 4-of-11 from the field, committed five turnovers and picked up a first-quarter technical foul that gifted Minnesota a free point. At one point in the first half, she missed three consecutive shots on the same possession.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 09: Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream blocks a shot attempt by Emese Hof #25 of the Minnesota Lynx during the fourth quarter at Target Center on May 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Ellen Schmidt / Getty Images


But Reese also grabbed 14 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass, blocked three shots, came up with two steals, and made the most important play of the game when it mattered most. Her block on Hof’s layup in the final seconds was the kind of athletic, instinctive play that changes games and defines seasons.

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That is the player Atlanta acquired this offseason. On opening night, in the most pressure-packed moment of the game, she showed exactly why.

Minnesota had every opportunity to win this game and couldn’t finish it. Olivia Miles finished with 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting and eight assists to go along with eight free throws made. Kayla McBride scored 20 points and hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:11 left that looked like it might be the dagger.

Courtney Williams added 14 points and six assists, and the Lynx shot 50 percent from the field, a number that should have been good enough to win.

But 15 turnovers and an inability to execute in the game’s final minute proved too costly. Minnesota had chances to put Atlanta away in the fourth quarter and couldn’t. The Dream made them pay every time.

Atlanta continues its opening road trip Tuesday against the Dallas Wings before returning home for the May 17 opener against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at State Farm Arena. Minnesota hosts Atlanta again on May 27.

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Woman dead after argument leads to shooting in Minneapolis

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Woman dead after argument leads to shooting in Minneapolis


A shooting in south Minneapolis left a woman dead Saturday night. 

Fatal shooting on Pillsbury Avenue South

What we know:

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According to Minneapolis police, officers responded to a report of gunfire near Pillsbury Avenue South and West 25th Street around 5:30 p.m. 

A woman was found at the scene with life-threatening gunshot wounds. She was taken to the hospital where she later died. 

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Police believe that an argument inside an apartment led to gunfire. 

The suspected shooter fled the scene before police responded. 

What we don’t know:

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Police did not say what led up to the shooting or if they made any arrests. 

The woman has not yet been identified. 

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What you can do:

Anyone with information on the shooting can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or click here to submit a tip. 

The Source: A press release from the Minneapolis Police Department. 

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Crime and Public SafetyMinneapolis



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