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Minneapolis, MN

Should smoking marijuana be allowed in Minneapolis parks? Residents can now weigh in

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Should smoking marijuana be allowed in Minneapolis parks? Residents can now weigh in


Minnesota college sees success with first-of-its-kind cannabis certificate program

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Minnesota college sees success with first-of-its-kind cannabis certificate program

01:53

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MINNEAPOLIS — Smoking cannabis or THC products would not be prohibited under a newly-proposed Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board policy.

The board published the two draft policies on Monday covering cannabis and THC consumption as well as THC product sales. Both drafts are open to public comment for the next 60 days. 

The cannabis policy, which is an update to the currently-existing tobacco policy, limits the use of cannabis or THC products that “produce vapor or smoke in any form.” The products would be banned at playgrounds, athletic fields, beaches, trails and all facilities operated by the park board.

Park police would warn and then ask those who are violating the policy to leave the park or facility, the draft says.

In the THC policy, the board permits beverages and edible products that contain 5mg of THC or less. The THC products can also be served and sold as long as vendors have a contract with the park board. Cannabis flower, however, cannot be sold.

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State law permits smoking and vaping of cannabis or THC products on public property, though it can be prohibited by local jurisdictions. Currently in Minneapolis, smoking or vaping cannabis is allowed outside, including in parks, on sidewalks and outside restaurants or bars.

Duluth banned the smoking of recreational marijuana in city parks shortly after cannabis was legalized in Minnesota. The St. Paul City Council also voted to ban smoking cannabis in public, as well as public parks in 2023.

Note: The above video was first published on Sept. 12, 2024.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis director of Neighborhood Safety resigns

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Minneapolis director of Neighborhood Safety resigns


Luana Nelson-Brown, who was in charge of the city’s violence prevention department, announced her resignation this week.

Nelson-Brown was appointed director of the Neighborhood Safety Department, formerly known as the Office of Violence Prevention, in 2023. That office coordinates Minneapolis’ safety-beyond-policing efforts, including boots-on-the-ground violence interrupters and the city’s once-lauded Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program.

The GVI program has suspended interventions with individuals involved in group violence since 2023, and the program manager running it has recently separated from the city as well. In recent months, Nelson-Brown has been under increasing scrutiny from City Council members wanting to know why her department hasn’t deployed violence interrupters to crime hotspots in their neighborhoods and why work that Neighborhood Safety previously did has gone dormant.

Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette informed council members on Tuesday that Nelson-Brown had accepted a new job outside the city and will be leaving her position on Saturday.

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In a statement, Barnette praised her work. “During her tenure, Director Nelson-Brown worked to strengthen the organizational structure of the department and improved key processes and procedures. Several key positions have been filled in the past few months and under her leadership, the new team continues to refine organizational procedures that strengthen the department’s mission of neighborhood and community safety. … I thank Director Nelson-Brown for her service to NSD and wish her all the best as she begins a new endeavor.”

Barnette said he would serve as the interim director of neighborhood safety starting Sunday.

In a statement, Nelson-Brown said, “It has been an incredible privilege to lead the transformation of this department, building it from a collection of programs into a fully functional entity with strengthened processes and procedures that align with the City’s mission of prevention, response, and restoration. I am confident that the strong relationships we’ve established with our safety partners will continue to carry forward in this important work.”



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis police working to determine if 2 late-night shooting deaths are connected

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Minneapolis police working to determine if 2 late-night shooting deaths are connected


Minneapolis police need your help in finding who is responsible for the deaths of two men who were found shot late Monday night as they work to determine if the deaths are related to one another.

According to police, officers were first called to the 3400 block of 3rd Avenue South around 9 p.m. for a report of shots being fired.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man who had at least one life-threatening gunshot wound and gave him aid. However, the man died at Hennepin Healthcare.

Roughly 10-15 minutes later, police were called to an alley on the 3100 block of Harriet Avenue for reports of a body being dumped from a vehicle. There, officers found a man in his 30s, who they say had multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds. That man also died at Hennepin Healthcare.

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While Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the two men were shot in separate incidents, he says investigators are still working to determine if the shootings are related to one another.

No other details about the men or how they died were immediately provided. If you have information that may help police, you’re asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by CLICKING HERE. You may also leave a voicemail at 612-673-5845 or send a message to THIS ADDRESS.



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Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis faces another setback after glass-throwing incident

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Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis faces another setback after glass-throwing incident


MINNEAPOLIS — Acadia Cafe, the historic Cedar-Riverside music venue in Minneapolis, is no stranger to adversity. After 17 months of rebuilding from a bus crashing through its front window, the business is now facing another challenge. 

Forrest Welliver, the manager of Acadia Cafe, said on Saturday night, a customer, upset over a cover charge, threw a soda bottle through the window. The cold temperatures combined with scattered broken glass forced the venue to cut the night short.

“We were on pace to have a very successful evening, and unfortunately, it was just derailed,” Welliver said. “In their frustration, they decided to throw a soda bottle through the window, and that kind of cut the night short.”

For now, the window is covered as they await permanent repairs. In 2022, a University of Minnesota bus crashed through the building, causing significant damage. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, but it took months for the business to reopen. 

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Despite these challenges, Welliver is focused on rebuilding Acadia’s business and ensuring the venue remains a staple of the local music scene. 

“It’s definitely been difficult to get that regular routine business. So many of our fan favorites, because we were closed for so long, have moved to greener pastures,” he said.

Acadia Cafe has a new bar, an updated menu and live shows nearly every night. 

“Music venues and small stages are closing more than they are opening, so we’re doing everything we can to keep the music alive, keep the community engaged, and build a sense of camaraderie,” he said.

Despite the tough circumstances, Acadia Cafe is not backing down. With its new offerings and dedication to the community, the venue is ready to face whatever comes next.

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“We stay optimistic. Every setback is just an opportunity to do things better here,” Welliver said.



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