Minneapolis, MN

Walz signs ‘Taylor Swift bill’ … at First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis

Published

3 weeks ago

May 8, 2024

Walz signs ‘Taylor Swift bill’ … at First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis

People buying tickets online for concerts, sporting events and other live events in Minnesota will be guaranteed more transparency and protection under a so-called Taylor Swift bill signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Tim Walz.

The law, prompted by the frustration a legislator felt at not being able to buy tickets to Swift’s 2023 concert in Minneapolis, will require ticket sellers to disclose all fees up front and prohibit resellers from selling more than one copy of a ticket, among other measures. The law will apply to tickets purchased in Minnesota or other states for concerts or other live events held in Minnesota.

Walz signed House File 1989 — a reference to Swift’s birth year and an album with that title — at First Avenue, a landmark nightclub and concert venue in downtown Minneapolis.

Kelly Moller (Courtesy photo)

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we would be at a bill signing for House File 1989 at First Avenue,” said Democratic Rep. Kelly Moller of Shoreview, chief author of the bill.

Moller was among thousands of people who became stuck in ticket sales company Ticketmaster’s system after it crashed in 2022 amid the huge demand for Swift concert tickets and attacks from bots, which tried to buy tickets for resale at inflated prices. The situation led to congressional hearings but no federal legislation.

Supporters of Minnesota’s new law say the state joins Maryland as among the few states to pass protections for ticket buyers into law.

Ticketmaster did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new Minnesota law. Taylor Swift’s media team also did not respond.

Taylor Swift holds up a blue bedazzled microphone as she reaches out her arms — Taylor Swift performs during her ‘Eras Tour’ concert at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday, June 23, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Jessica Roey, a spokesperson for reseller StubHub, said in an email, “StubHub has long advocated for legislation that protects fans from anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices in the ticket buying process. We share the goals of HF1989 and look forward to continuing discussions with policymakers to advance policies that provide more transparency, more control, and more choice for ticket buyers.”

Earlier: After Taylor Swift came to town, Ross Raihala said there’s no one else like her. Here’s why.

Walz, a Democrat, said the new law is “protection so you don’t get a bad ticket, a fraudulent ticket, and resellers can’t snatch them all up before you get an opportunity.”

Mike Dean poses with his two daughters. — Mike Dean and his daughters at First Avenue on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, after Gov. Tim Walz signed a so-called Taylor Swift bill. (AP Photo/Trisha Ahmed)

Two young girls — one wearing a shirt that said “A LOT going on at the moment” in a nod to Swift, and another wearing a shirt that said “Iowa 22” in reference to basketball star Caitlin Clark — attended the bill signing with their dad, Mike Dean, who testified in support of the bill this year.

Dean said his daughter “came to me in December and said, ‘Dad, I want to go to see Caitlin Clark.’ As a father, I just couldn’t resist. And so I went online to go buy tickets.”

The tickets were supposed to cost $300 total, Dean said, but they ended up costing over $500 because of hidden fees. The timer had begun in the online checkout process, so he had just minutes to decide whether to buy the tickets or lose them.

He ultimately bought the tickets. But Dean said these practices mean customers can’t make informed decisions. The new law, he said, will bring transparency to the process.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, and applies to tickets sold on or after that date.

Adrianna Korich, director of ticketing at First Avenue, said she supports the new rules, saying fans are sometimes tricked into paying up to 10 times a ticket’s face value because of deceptive websites and resellers who list tickets without actually possessing them. The new law bans both, she said.

“We have all heard the horror stories from the Taylor Swift Eras tour and have seen the astronomical prices that are being charged at checkout,” Korich said.

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Minneapolis, MN

Police Investigating Suspicious Death of Minnesota Toddler

Published

1 hour ago

May 29, 2024

Press Room

Police Investigating Suspicious Death of Minnesota Toddler

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities are calling the death of a Minnesota toddler suspicious.

That’s according to a news release issued Wednesday morning by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Officers responded to the report of an unresponsive baby who was not breathing at a north Minneapolis residence around 5:30 Tuesday afternoon.

Minneapolis Police Imply Drug Overdose Led to Death of 2-Year-Old Girl

Officers found the girl and administered Narcan and CPR until paramedics arrived. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Officials say the girl was 2-year-old.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The responding officers found narcotics paraphernalia surrounding the little girl, the news release says. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says investigators are calling the young girl’s death suspicious.

The preliminary investigation indicates two adults and a seven-year-old were in the home with the young girl at the time of her death.

I am horrified and saddened by this tragedy. Our investigators are fully committed to finding the facts and figuring out how this little girl died.
–Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara

Investigators discussed the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death with the adults. The seven-year-old child was unharmed, the news release says.

So far no arrests have been made.

Officials say the Hennepin County Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of the little girl’s death.

Minneapolis Police Department news release

Minneapolis Police Department Homicide Detectives also responded to the scene to begin an investigation.

More Minnesota News:

Astonishing Minnesota Tiny Home on Airbnb Has a Private Beach

I’m blown away by this place. The crystal clear blue water, amazing views, and the picture perfect cozy home to stay in. It’s located on Deer Lake in Northern Minnesota.

Gallery Credit: Samm Adams

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Public Schools faces major cuts to central office departments

Published

8 hours ago

May 29, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis Public Schools faces major cuts to central office departments

Minneapolis Public Schools is looking at major cuts as the district works to make up a $110 million gap.

The end of federal COVID-19 emergency funding, a decrease in revenue due to declining enrollment and increasing costs contributed to the gap, according to the district.

The latest budget was presented during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting. It proposes funding cuts to schools and most significantly to magnet schools, Roosevelt High School and Camden High School, with each seeing a reduction of more than 10%.

It also includes reductions to departments, including a 50.9% cut to communications and marketing, a 42.8% cut to engagement and external relations and a 65.8% cut to strategic initiatives. KSTP asked the district how many positions that represents but were not given clarification.

“I would like to publicly acknowledge this is very, really, really painful,” said Joyner Emerick, who serves on the board.

The district plans to tap into its assigned fund balance to help balance the budget until it can increase the tech levy.

“The discussion of whether or not we have to close schools is pretty clear, we have to close schools,” said Ira Jourdain, who serves on the board. “We have effectively ran out the clock. If we don’t get on it now, it will just get worse, we do not have the resources to do another budget like this next year.”

The district has decided, however, to keep 5th grade band and central office support positions for Hmong and Somali heritage language pathway programs.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis to Host 2026 SummerSlam

Published

16 hours ago

May 28, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis is set to host WWE SummerSlam over two nights in 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

WWE, in partnership with Minnesota Sports and Events, announced SummerSlam will take place on August 1 and 2, 2026, marking the first premium live event in Minneapolis since “TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs” in 2019, as well as the first time WWE will host a stadium event in the city.

Leading up to SummerSlam, WWE and MNSE will host various fan and community events. WWE EVP of Talent Relations and Head of Communications Chris Legentil said the company is “excited to bring two nights of SummerSlam” to the Twin Cities.

TFL and ATBS for ticketing professionals

“U.S. Bank Stadium is an absolutely world-class venue, situation in a city with rich wrestling history and an amazing fan base,” Legentil said.

Wendy Blackshaw, President and CEO of MSE, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the authority is “thrilled to welcome the WWE Universe to Minnesota for SummerSlam.”

“We will make this summertime wrestling extravaganza accessible for fans of all ages,” Blackshaw said. “Through a variety of festivities and ancillary events in the Twin Cities and affordable tickets to the main events at U.S. Bank Stadium, this will be a SummerSlam for all.”

| READ: Cleveland Will Host WWE SummerSlam |

This year’s SummerSlam, set to take place on Saturday, August 3 in Cleveland, already revealed record-breaking ticket sales. The 2024 event follows 2023’s SummerSlam at Detroit’s Ford Field, which set a gate record for any non-WrestleMania event with $8.5 million.

WWE’s live event schedule is stacked this summer; on June 15, the entertainment company will host its first-ever event in Scotland for “Clash at the Castle” at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, following the previous record-setting “Clash at the Castle” in Cardiff back in 2022. Additionally, Toronto will host WWE Money in the Bank on July 6.

Learn more about the Insomniac web browser, designed for ticket resale professionals

Find various ticketing options for this year’s SummerSlam below:

WWE SummerSlam Tickets

SummerSlam Tickets at MEGASeats (use code TICKETNEWS for 10% off your order)
SummerSlam Tickets at On Location
SummerSlam Tickets at StubHub
SummerSlam Tickets at Vivid Seats
SummerSlam Tickets at Ticket Club

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