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Minneapolis working towards speed, red light cameras to reduce deadly crashes

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Minneapolis working towards speed, red light cameras to reduce deadly crashes


Minneapolis working toward speed/red light cameras, privacy concerns addressed

Minneapolis is working towards adding cameras to reduce traffic deaths.

The ‘traffic safety cameras’ would capture speeding drivers and those who roll through red lights. While it’s early in the planning process, city and state leaders behind this push say privacy concerns will be addressed.

“[There were] 26 people killed in traffic crashes in Minneapolis just last year,” Ethan Foley, coordinator for Minneapolis’ Vision Zero program, said, later adding: “All these deaths are unacceptable.”

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Monday, Foley led an in-person open house for people to learn more about the cameras.

At first, there would be around a dozen cameras set up throughout the city, with the goal of making drivers more conscious of their driving habits. If caught speeding or driving through a red light, the first offense is a warning and the next is a $40 ticket.

No matter who is driving, the owner of the vehicle would receive the notices – that’s because the cameras would only capture the back of the vehicle and its license plate.

But, before a single camera can go up, state legislation needs to pass.

Leading the way at the capitol is DFL-Minneapolis Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura.  

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“We know this is a controversial piece of legislation,” Rep. Sence-Mura said about the added cameras.

“The only thing that is captured is your license plate and it is only used for the purpose of speed safety cameras, and so it can’t be used by police for any other reason,” Sence-Mura added.

In fact, the city of Minneapolis says its police department would have nothing to do with the traffic safety camera and that citations would be issued by a different department.

One Minneapolis resident at the open house, Kyle Jones, said when he moved to the city, he got rid of his car.

“I see people all the time running red lights,” Jones said, adding he’s in support of the added cameras.

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“There’s cameras already everywhere, so the way I see it, if we can get people to obey the law without the law having to be involved or get involved with law enforcement, I think it’s a great idea.”

The city said it’s too early to have specific possible locations and that pending the legislation passing, cameras wouldn’t go up until sometime in 2025.



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Minneapolis, MN

Fringe review: ‘Good Ones’ skewers ‘Minnesota nice’ and Minneapolis liberalism

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Fringe review: ‘Good Ones’ skewers ‘Minnesota nice’ and Minneapolis liberalism


Must see

What’s the point of a social conscience if there isn’t an audience to parade it in front of? Inspired by French bouffon-style comedy, three clownishly colorful friends embrace extreme virtue signaling in a series of short, irreverent, high-energy sketches that skewer “Minnesota nice” and satirize Minneapolis liberalism. Two white homebuyers in North Minneapolis fret they might be gentrifiers — until they put up a “science is real/love is love” yard sign that seemingly exonerates them. Unwilling to intervene without knowing his politics, a pair of kayakers debate saving an injured man wearing a “Trump ’24” hat and “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt. The creators, each boosted by professional training in physical theater, bring high energy to an otherwise minimalist set with topics ranging from the fundamentally uncomfortable to the delightfully cringe-worthy. Not for kids.

Presented by Shambles Theatre Company at HUGE Improv Theater; 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Aug. 5, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8

Still trying to decide what to see? Check out all our Fringe reviews at twincities.com/tag/fringe-festival, with each show rated on a scale of Must See, Worth Considering, Could Be Worse or You Can Skip.

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is presenting more than 100 hourlong stage acts from Aug. 1–11 around Minneapolis. Visit MinnesotaFringe.org for ticket and show information.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis parks employees approve new contract

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Minneapolis parks employees approve new contract


Minneapolis park workers represented by LIUNA Local 363 approved a new contract on Thursday.

Negotiators for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the union reached a tentative deal last week, putting an end to a historic 22-day labor strike, the first in the MPRB’s 141-year history.

The contract nets union members a 10.25% cost of living wage adjustment over the next three years in addition to an immediate $1.75 per hour raise and expanded benefits.

“Our members’ sacrifices and solidarity yielded more than improved wages and benefits. We reaffirmed that Minneapolis is a union town,” LIUNA Local 363 Business Manager AJ Lange said in a statement. “This victory extends beyond our union, demonstrating the power of working people when they stand united.”

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The full Park Board is expected to approve the contract at its Aug. 7 meeting.

“The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to move forward and continue providing great service to our park users and residents of Minneapolis,” MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura said in a statement. “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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Minneapolis, MN

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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