Minneapolis, MN

Uber and Lyft are quitting Minneapolis over a driver pay increase

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2024

Uber and Lyft are quitting Minneapolis over a driver pay increase

and plan to end operations in after the city council voted to increase driver pay. The council passed an ordinance on the issue last week. On Thursday, it voted to overrule a mayoral veto of the measure.

The new rules stipulate that ridesharing companies need to pay drivers at least $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute (or $5 a ride, whichever is higher) whenever they’re ferrying a passenger. Tips are on top of the minimum pay. According to the , the council passed the ordinance to bring driver pay closer to the local minimum wage of $15.57 an hour.

However, Uber and Lyft say they’ll end services in the city before the pay rise takes effect on May 1. Lyft says the increase is “deeply flawed,” citing a Minnesota indicating that drivers could meet the minimum wage and still cover health insurance, paid leave and retirement savings at lower rates of $1.21 per mile and 49 cents per minute. “We support a minimum earning standard for drivers, but it should be done in an honest way that keeps the service affordable for riders,” spokesperson CJ Macklin told

An Uber spokesperson told the publication that the company was disappointed by the council’s choice to “ignore the data and kick Uber out of the Twin Cities,” putting around 10,000 drivers out of work. They noted Uber’s confidence that by working with drivers, drivers and legislators, “we can achieve comprehensive statewide legislation that guarantees drivers a fair minimum wage, protects their independence and keeps rideshare affordable.”

However, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz last year to boost wages for Uber and Lyft drivers, citing concern over the state becoming one of the most expensive places in the country for ridesharing. Other jurisdictions have mandated minimum driver pay for ridesharing services, including New York City, where the rate starts at about $18 per hour.

If Uber and Lyft follow through on their threat to quit Minneapolis, that could make it harder for people (particularly folks with disabilities and those who can’t afford a car of their own) to get around. The rise of ridesharing has upended the taxi industry over the last decade or so. As such, a Minneapolis official there are now just 39 licensed cab drivers in the city, a significant drop from 1,948 licensed drivers in January 2014.

Meanwhile, some upstart ridesharing companies and take over from Lyft and Uber. and , for instance, have shown interest in starting operations in Minneapolis. Both companies ask drivers to pay a monthly subscription fee to use their platforms and find riders. In return, drivers keep the entire fare.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis shooting leaves man dead, teen injured

Published

9 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Minneapolis shooting leaves man dead, teen injured

article

Minneapolis police respond to a fatal shooting. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A shooting inside a Minneapolis apartment left a man dead and a teenager injured.

Fatal Minneapolis shooting

What we know:

Minneapolis police responded to the 2500 block of 17th Avenue South around 10:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Officers then found a dead 19-year-old man who had been shot.

Police also found a wounded 16-year-old boy who is expected to survive.

Investigators believe a fight among a group inside the apartment escalated to gunfire.

Police say the suspects fled before authorities arrived and no arrests have been announced.

What we don’t know:

Details on the suspects have not been shared.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845.

Anonymous tips can also be sent to CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submiting a tip online to www.CrimeStoppersMN.org.

The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Crime and Public SafetyMinneapolis

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Minneapolis, MN

Twin Cities’ high temperature of 77 degrees breaks record

Published

21 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Twin Cities’ high temperature of 77 degrees breaks record

Less than a week after a blizzard and subzero temperatures, the mercury officially soared to 77 degrees at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Saturday, breaking a record set 88 years ago in the Twin Cities.

On March 21, 1938, the recorded high was 76 degrees, according to the National Weather Service Twin Cities office.

“We went from a blizzard and lows below zero to near record warmth in just 6 days,” a KSTP meteorologist posted on X. “Now THAT is March Madness!”

The weather service said cooler temperatures are expected for the rest of the week and that other than a small chance the Twin Cities will see rain tonight, the rest of the week remains “quiet” weather-wise.

The area is looking at a possible high of 45 degrees on Sunday, a potential high of 55 on Monday, and a possible 60 degrees on Tuesday, the weather service said. Those days will most likely have partly cloudy skies, as well.

Ice cream fans celebrate the weather and Conny’s Creamy Cone’s 30th anniversary on Saturday, March 21, 2026. “I was going to open last weekend but I’m glad I waited a week,” said owner Thomas McCullough. Temperatures across the region climbed to 80 degrees with a forecasted return to seasonal averages on Sunday. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

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