Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis smokers to pay some of the highest cigarette prices in US with a $15 per-pack minimum

Published

8 months ago

April 26, 2024

Minneapolis smokers to pay some of the highest cigarette prices in US with a per-pack minimum

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Smokers in Minneapolis will pay some of the highest cigarette prices in the country after the City Council voted unanimously Thursday to impose a minimum retail price of $15 per pack to promote public health.

The ordinance not only sets a floor price. It prevents smokers and retailers from getting around it by prohibiting price discounts and coupons, which several tobacco companies circulate online to lure customers and reinforce brand loyalty. The minimum price also applies to four-packs of cigars. Distribution of free samples is prohibited.

Consumer prices are expected to run even higher after taxes are figured in. While retailers will get to keep the extra money paid by smokers, the higher prices are expected to snuff out at least some of their sales. E-cigarettes, which have grown in popularity, were left out because their prices vary too widely.

The minimum price will be effective as soon as Mayor Jacob Frey signs the measure, which he’s expected to do within the next few days.

Evalyn Carbrey, a senior public health specialist with the city, said at a committee hearing last week that staff research indicates that Minneapolis’ minimum will be the highest in the country. Staff determined that cigarettes typically had been selling in Minneapolis for $11 to $13.50 a pack. The change puts Minneapolis ahead of New York City, which set its minimum at $13 in 2018.

“I’m excited that this council is taking this public health crisis seriously because that’s what it is,” said the author of the ordinance, Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw.

Council President Andrea Jenkins said the price of cigarettes was one reason why she quit smoking eight years ago, and that she hopes the new minimum will encourage more people to stop or never start.

“If you travel around the country, New York City — you can’t buy your pack of cigarettes for under $18. Chicago, $17. Some places, Los Angeles, I think they’re up to 20 bucks,” Jenkins said.

Penalties will range from a $500 fine for a first violation to license suspensions and revocations for repeat offenders.

“If it helps even one person stop using tobacco, one person use less tobacco, or one person stopped from starting tobacco use, that’s worth it to me,” Council Member Linea Palmisano said. “I know it’s easy for me to sit up here and say that, as a nonsmoker, but it’s the truth. The only way we’re going to break our dependence on tobacco is if we make some really hard changes.”

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POSTED BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Minneapolis, MN

Isles Bun and Coffee in Minneapolis named as having “world’s best cinnamon rolls”

Published

5 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Isles Bun and Coffee in Minneapolis named as having “world’s best cinnamon rolls”

Isles Bun and Coffee honored for having “World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls”

00:56

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota is known as the state of hockey, but some Twin Cities cinnamon rolls are also putting the state on the map.

Sweet lovers happily waited in line outside of Isles Bun and Coffee in Minneapolis.

They were voted by “World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls” as having the world’s best for 2024.

The award comes after thousands of submissions and a visit by the website. Fans say even in frigid temps, it’s worth the wait.

“These days any time you find a bakery thats making it in house with such high quality ingredients, it’s a delicious product you can tell it’s fresh,” said Stacy Carlson.

“We’re cinnamon roll fans, but we typically only eat Pillsbury so this is about to change our life, right?” said Emily Pease.

However, World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls says the unsung hero at Isle Buns are the puppy dog tails. They’re made with the ends of cinnamon roll dough.

The organization has been naming the World’s Best Cinnamon Roll since 2018.

WCCO Staff

The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

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Minneapolis, MN

Vikings buy fans nearly $2 million worth of tickets for Lions game

Published

12 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Vikings buy fans nearly million worth of tickets for Lions game

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Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Some Minnesota Vikings fans are getting a chance to see them face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field Sunday night for a significantly lower price after the Vikings’ ownership group made a big purchase.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: “I won’t be able to sleep Saturday’

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson spoke Thursday from TCO Performance Center about facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday for the NFC North Division title and No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Vikings buy tickets for fans

What we know: Vikings season ticket holders, some staff and stake-holders got an email on Thursday announcing the opportunity to pick up some discounted tickets for the Vikings versus Lions game in Detroit Sunday night.

The email said, “We’re excited to share that a limited number of tickets are now available for the Vikings vs. Lions game this Sunday, January 5, in Detroit! As a valued Season Ticket Member, we want to offer you the opportunity to purchase lower level seats for Sunday night’s game.”

The message then explains that the limited number of seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, before adding that the tickets “are intended to be used by Vikings fans and not to be positioned for resale or sold on the secondary market.”

Sources confirmed that in the days leading up to the game, the Vikings bought about 1,900 tickets on the secondary market for about $1,000 each, for a total just under $2 million, according to Sports Illustrated.

The Vikings then offered a significantly lower price to season ticket holders, with some sold for as little as $200.

READ MORE: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: ‘I won’t be able to sleep Saturday’

Sports Illustrated writer Albert Breer reports the Lions contacted league officials and were told “that the Vikings didn’t break any rules in the process of pulling this off.”

The tickets are also reportedly for seats that are behind the visiting team bench zone at Ford Field, cutting into the number of Detroit fans in the stadium and potentially helping the Vikings communicate on the sideline.

What they’re saying: Minnesota Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson shared this statement: “Given the uniqueness of this game, we wanted to offer our stakeholders – staff, family, Season Ticket Members and team partners – an opportunity to attend.”

Secondary ticket market

The other side: Sports Illustrated reported one instance that “got the Lions’ attention” when one ticket holder sold their seat on the secondary market for $724.

That buyer then sold the ticket to Advantage Tickets, which is a company that reportedly worked with the Vikings, for $1,200. The Vikings then sold the ticket to a season ticket holder for $300, who then sold it on the secondary market for $690. Sports Illustrated said the buyer could be a broker, because the ticket was back on the market on Saturday.

Pivotal game ahead

Why it matters: Whoever wins the game Sunday night will win the NFC North title and secure the No. 1 seed as well as home-field advantage through the playoffs. The loser is the No. 5 seed with a 14-3 record, and will be on the road for Wild Card Weekend.

The Source: Statements and emails from the Minnesota Vikings and a report from Sports Illustrated.

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Minneapolis, MN

Ohio State visits Minnesota after Garcia’s 20-point game – WTOP News

Published

20 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State Buckeyes (9-5, 1-2 Big Ten) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-6, 0-3 Big Ten) Minneapolis; Monday, 9 p.m. EST…

Ohio State Buckeyes (9-5, 1-2 Big Ten) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-6, 0-3 Big Ten)

Minneapolis; Monday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota hosts Ohio State after Dawson Garcia scored 20 points in Minnesota’s 81-61 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers.

The Golden Gophers are 8-3 on their home court. Minnesota has a 2-2 record in one-possession games.

The Buckeyes are 1-2 in conference matchups. Ohio State is seventh in the Big Ten scoring 81.3 points per game and is shooting 49.5%.

Minnesota scores 67.4 points per game, 2.4 fewer points than the 69.8 Ohio State gives up. Ohio State has shot at a 49.5% clip from the field this season, 6.9 percentage points higher than the 42.6% shooting opponents of Minnesota have averaged.

The Golden Gophers and Buckeyes meet Monday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Lu’Cye Patterson is averaging 10 points and 3.9 assists for the Golden Gophers.

Bruce Thornton is averaging 16.9 points and 4.6 assists for the Buckeyes.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Gophers: 5-5, averaging 68.6 points, 30.8 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 5.7 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.0 points per game.

Buckeyes: 6-4, averaging 83.3 points, 30.0 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 50.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.0 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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