Minneapolis, MN

One click to help Minneapolis STEM school win Esports classroom

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2024

One click to help Minneapolis STEM school win Esports classroom

Mpls teacher a finalist for classroom makeover

Minneapolis teacher a finalist for classroom makeover competition, as Hall STEM Academy is hoping to win a Wisconsin company’s contest to earn $40,000 in new furniture.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Esports craze could soon reach a budget-constrained Minneapolis elementary school, with the help of a click of your finger.

“So this is where the magic happens,” said Hall STEM Academy physical education teacher Rachel Stewart.

Magic in sports

Hula-hoops and tennis rackets are magicians’ tools in Stewart’s gym class.

Dig deeper into her class closet, and you’ll find pickleball equipment — the first sign that this isn’t the same P.E. class from a generation ago.

“My goal for our kids is to expose them to the things that they normally wouldn’t be exposed to,” Stewart said.

Most students, 92%, at Hall come from low-income families, but they have cross-country skis ready for winter, and bikes to ride all year.

Pedaling towards success

Stewart is getting elementary school students ready to push for brighter futures.

“She’s always been about the kids, always been about how do we provide amazing opportunities for our students,” said Jesse Ross, a community partner to the school.

Her next innovation could move P.E. to a computer lab, but only if she wins a Wisconsin furniture company’s giveaway.

If you take the school’s old, unused computer lab, and you add $40,000 worth of new furniture, what you get is a state-of-the-art Esports classroom.

Why Esports?

Esports is a billion-dollar-a-year industry with a high barrier to entry because it often requires fairly expensive equipment.

“That’s the benefit of the Esports classroom because it evens the playing ground, and it gives all kids a chance to be leaders and to be successful,” Stewart said.

And not just in gaming.

Stewart is hoping to connect the P.E. class with some of the STEM lessons, so kids can see the connection between coding and game design.

Creative finances

But with Minneapolis public school budgets shrinking this year, the school had to get creative to find funding.

“If we have challenges, and we have barriers, whether it’s financial or otherwise, we still believe in the purpose of providing the best education for our students,” said Hall STEM Academy principal Sherrill Lindsey. “And so we are constantly trying to find other resources.”

Stewart’s design was picked as one of 12 finalists out of more than 500 from teachers across the country.

How to help

You can help Hall make this dream a reality by casting your vote in the contest here.

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Minneapolis, MN

Car fans flock to Minneapolis for Twin Cities Auto Show

Published

4 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

Car fans flock to Minneapolis for Twin Cities Auto Show

Updated on: January 3, 2026 / 6:19 PM CST
/ CBS Minnesota

At the Minneapolis Convention Center, it’s horns honking, engines revving and car gurus gathering under one big roof.

The Twin Cities Auto Show began on Saturday. This year, it’s running earlier than normal.

“I like the old stuff, you know, the older vehicles. I love ’em,” said Mickey Strickler of Minneapolis.

The show welcomes everyone under the sun to “lookie-loo” or wander in with a purpose. Chris Leeman of Zimmerman is getting a look at possible future rides for his wife.

“We came here just to get kind of an all-around fit and feel of what she might like in the next year or two,” Leeman said. “The Toyota cars right now ain’t quite to the standard that I think I want my wife to be in.”

There’s more than 325 vehicles inside the convention center. Nobody is able to sell or haggle on the showroom floor.

“The show reflects the car business in a lot of ways,” said Scott Lambert, president of the Twin Cities Auto Show. “Electric vehicles are in a big reset right now.”

WCCO spoke to some attendees who gave their opinions of the automotive industry’s current state.

“I think it sucks,” Strickler said. “It’s not like it used to be. It’s hard to find good vehicles now.”

“I like the Mazda 90 because of the inline-six engine,” said Laun Aiken of Sauk Rapids. “I’m old school. I grew up driving inline-six vehicles, and so for them to reintroduce it into their line is kind of interesting.”

The show runs now through Jan. 11. Tickets can be purchased online. First responders get in for free.

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Minneapolis, MN

Teenager dead after shots fired into Minneapolis home, police say

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

Teenager dead after shots fired into Minneapolis home, police say

Nick Lentz

Updated on: December 28, 2025 / 10:43 PM CST
/ CBS Minnesota

A 17-year-old boy is dead after shots were fired into a Minneapolis home where he was on Sunday evening.

Police said officers responded to the shooting on the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North around 6:26 p.m. They found the boy, who was suffering from an “apparent life-threatening gunshot wound.”

The officers provided him with medical aid before he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a written statement that his agency will “devote every available resource to bring justice” for the boy and his family.

Investigators are working to learn the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to email Minneapolis police or leave a voicemail for them at 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, or called in to them at 1-800-222-8477.

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Minneapolis, MN

MN weather: Minneapolis, other cities declare snow emergencies

Published

6 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

MN weather: Minneapolis, other cities declare snow emergencies

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Sunday’s winter storm is making travel difficult and not advised across most of southern Minnesota.

Several Twin Cities communities have already declared snow emergencies as the metro is expected to get between four and seven inches of snow, depending on where you live.

Minneapolis Snow Emergency

What we know:

The City of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency Sunday, going into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday.

Residents must get their vehicles off city streets, or they’re at risk for getting towed. Here are the rules for this snow emergency:

9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 to 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 1)Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency route until 8 a.m., or the street is fully plowed.
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 2)Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed, or on EITHER side of a parkway until 8 p.m., or the parkway is fully plowed.
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 (Day 3)Do not park on the ODD numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed.

Other snow emergencies

Timeline:

Here are other cities that have also declared snow emergencies. Check your city’s web site for what the parking rules are in the event of a snow emergency so plows can clear streets, and you won’t be fined and/or towed.