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Monterey Regional Airport to welcome flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul

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Monterey Regional Airport to welcome flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul


MONTEREY – Another nonstop flight will make its debut this summer expanding on the Monterey airport’s ability to directly reach a metropolitan area, this one in the Midwest.

Sun Country Airlines will begin offering seasonal service between Monterey Regional Airport – MRY – and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport – MSP – from Aug. 8 through Nov. 3 with flights on Thursday and Sunday. MSP is the base for hometown carrier Sun Country Airlines and is Delta Air Lines’ second largest hub.

Sun Country’s MSP-MRY route stands to expand leisure and business travel to the Central Coast and the Midwest with flights between the two points twice a week providing access to both for extended stays.

Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Mike La Pier said discussions with Sun Country have been ongoing for about three years. He said that the Monterey airport talks to a lot of airlines regularly at gatherings where multiple airlines and airport leaders meet.

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“This is an opportunity to open up the Midwest and a good move for us,” said La Pier. “Minnesota generates more golf rounds than any other state in the union on a per capita basis.”

La Pier described Sun Country as “a good mix of a quality carrier and low air fares.”

But another reason to take note of this new route is the fact that MPS serves a region that includes headquarters for corporations such as Target, Best Buy and Kohl’s which could benefit Monterey County’s conference and business group travel.

“Connecting Minneapolis/St. Paul and Monterey County is a tremendous opportunity for both leisure and business travelers,” said Rob O’Keefe, president & CEO of See Monterey, in a press release. “The connection creates an easy getaway for travelers who want to explore places like Big Sur, Pebble Beach and Salinas Valley. Plus there are a significant number of Fortune 500 corporate hubs such as Best Buy and Target which can benefit from incredibly inspiring meetings and conferences in our destination.”

On the flip side, the state and specifically the twin cities of Minnesota – Minneapolis and St. Paul – offer many outdoor activities and a bustling metropolitan area. The state is also known as the “Land of Ten Thousand Lakes.”

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“If you’ve never been to Minnesota and sat quietly in a canoe on a lake, it is one of the most relaxing experiences … the outdoor opportunities are phenomenal,” said La Pier.

The beginning of the direct link between MRY and MPS will be seasonal, with flights twice a week from August to November. Just as travelers from Minnesota are seeing their weather turn colder, Monterey County is experiencing what is arguably its best weather of the year. Midwesterners can experience Monterey County’s temperate climate and scenic beauty while people from the Central Coast can enjoy Minnesota’s late summer offerings, fall colors and crisp temperatures.

“Minnesotans will be eager to visit Monterey for the scenic California coastline and access to picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea, the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, and golfers’ course bucket list Pebble Beach,” said Grant Whitney, Sun Country Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer in the release. “Sun Country and our Minneapolis-St. Paul community will warmly welcome visitors from Monterey to Minnesota, where you’ll experience great fall weather, scenic lakes throughout the city, outdoor activity, pro sports and a terrific entertainment and restaurant scene.”

The seasonal route will be a sort of trial run for what has the potential to become an expanded service allowing for a proving ground for the market to see if it can be supported, said La Pier.

The MSP-MRY flights will be on Sun Country’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft. (Sun Country Airlines)

“Every carrier goes through a ‘prove it or lose it’ period to see if the service does well financially,” he said. He added that he is confident that Sun Country will do well in this market.

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Last October, the Monterey Regional Airport announced it had been awarded a $750,000 grant to help it develop its focus on Chicago, which would provide access to another gateway to the Midwest, East Coast and international destinations, while improving access to Monterey County.

“Chicago is going to be a marathon, not a sprint,” said La Pier.

In conversations with American Airlines and United Air Lines, La Pier said the Monterey Regional Airport is on those carrier’s radar as Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is a hub for both American Airlines and United Airlines – two of the four major domestic airlines that serve more than 400,000 passengers a year at the Monterey airport. The other two are Alaska Airlines and Alegiant, and starting this summer, the number of domestic airlines servicing Monterey airport will increase to five to include Sun Country.

La Pier said he is confident service to Chicago will happen but he cannot say exactly when that will be.

The $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Small Community Air Service Development Program will support Monterey airport’s goal of non-stop service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

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La Pier said the grant is good for five years and he is confident that within that timeframe the Monterey Regional Airport will have service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.



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Minneapolis, MN

Water Main Break Floods Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis – Minneapolis Today

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Water Main Break Floods Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis – Minneapolis Today


A hospital’s hidden plumbing system exposed through X-ray photography reveals the unseen vulnerabilities that can disrupt vital medical services.Minneapolis Today

A water main break at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in south Minneapolis sent water pouring through multiple floors on Thursday, disrupting normal operations and forcing delays and cancellations of some scheduled surgeries. Hospital staff and utility crews worked quickly to contain the leak and assess the damage in clinical areas.

Why it matters

As a major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis, any disruption to Abbott Northwestern’s operating rooms and emergency services is significant, especially given the hospital’s heavy surgical caseload. The incident comes as Allina Health is in the midst of a campus revitalization project to boost operating capacity later this year.

The details

According to KARE 11, water flowed through three floors of the hospital and ‘the issue is impacting portions of the ER and OR,’ with some scheduled surgeries delayed or canceled. Crews were on site working on repairs, but it was not yet clear how long those repairs might take or whether any patient care had been moved off-site.

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  • The water main break occurred on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Abbott Northwestern Hospital

A major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis that handles a heavy load of surgical cases.

Allina Health

The healthcare system that owns and operates Abbott Northwestern Hospital, which is in the midst of a campus revitalization project to boost operating capacity.

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What’s next

Further updates are expected as repair work continues and damage assessments wrap up. KARE 11 reported that it has reached out to Abbott Northwestern and plans to share additional details once they are available.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining a hospital’s infrastructure, as even an unseen water main break can disrupt vital medical services and patient care. It also underscores the need for healthcare systems to invest in resilient facilities that can withstand unexpected infrastructure failures.

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Price of prestige? Minneapolis paying $750K for Michelin Guide spot

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Price of prestige? Minneapolis paying 0K for Michelin Guide spot


The world-famous Michelin Guide will feature Minneapolis in its next edition, but the inclusion isn’t free.

The city will pay Michelin Guide $750,000 — $250,000 per year over three years — Meet Minneapolis confirmed.

Officials with the tourism and market organization said the deal, which runs from 2027-2029, is an initiative of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District, a hotel-led group focused on attracting more visitors to the city. MTID’s website says it generates roughly $7 million per year for supplemental tourism marketing and events.

‘Defining moment’: Minneapolis earns seat at culinary table with Michelin Guide inclusion

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Minneapolis is one of six cities to join the next “American Great Lakes” edition from Michelin Guide, the organization revealed Wednesday.

Meet Minneapolis called the announcement “a defining moment” for the city that can move the City of Lake from a “best-kept secret” to a part of the international food scene.

Michelin says its anonymous inspectors have already started scouting throughout Minneapolis city limits and will reveal its inaugural selections in 2027.

READ MORE: Minnesota hospitality industry ‘needs major reform’ to survive, report says

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Minneapolis nightclub shooting: Mother seeks answers in son’s unsolved murder

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Minneapolis nightclub shooting: Mother seeks answers in son’s unsolved murder


The family of Gabriel Mendoza is still searching for justice more than three years after he was killed while working security outside a nightclub in Uptown.

Remembering a night that changed everything

What we know:

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Mendoza was working security outside the Firehouse Restaurant and Lounge in Uptown when he was shot just before midnight on a Saturday in October 2022. 

He was in the back of the building, surveying the area and making sure things were safe when shots were fired.

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“He’s surveying the ground making sure things are safe and secure, gets caught in crossfire, gets hit in the neck and is still able to usher people inside who were out here into safety,” said Katrina Mendoza, Gabriel’s mother. “That’s what I believe, I don’t know for sure though.”

Police and Mendoza’s family believe there were many people outside the club that night who may have seen or heard something important. 

Investigators think it’s possible some witnesses have not come forward, either because they believe their information is not significant or they assume someone else has already spoken to police.

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The club where Mendoza worked is no longer there, but for his mother, returning to the area is still painful. 

“I get a physical reaction when I come into this area like right now as I’m talking to you I feel completely nauseous. This is where somebody took my son’s life, and he was such a light in the world, not just our family but in the community,” said Mendoza.

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A mother’s determination and community outreach

Why you should care:

Mendoza’s family has never stopped seeking justice. His mother, Katrina, has rented an LED billboard in hopes of getting answers and calls the investigator on the case weekly. She has also started a nonprofit called The Blue House to help other families dealing with unsolved murders find support and resources.

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“I’m hoping the reason that people haven’t said anything is because they don’t think they have enough information, but they might have the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Mendoza.

When asked about her determination to find justice for her son, Mendoza said, “Until my last breath. I’ll be out here telling his story.”

Gabriel Mendoza was known for his serious, protective energy at work, but those who knew him personally remember his sense of humor, love for break dancing and music, and his talent in sports. He was a protector, especially for those who needed it most.

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Mendoza’s family and police continue to ask anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Callers can remain anonymous, and every detail could help bring closure to a family and a community still searching for answers.

What we don’t know:

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Police have not identified any suspects, and it’s still unclear who fired the shots that killed Mendoza. 

It’s also unknown if any new leads have come in as a result of the billboard or nonprofit outreach.

The Source: This story uses information gathered by FOX 9’s Karen Scullin. 

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Crime and Public SafetyMinneapolis



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