Minneapolis, MN
What does Aquatennial have to do with Minneapolis’ bloody 1934 Teamsters strike?
The article’s author, Kelly Ahern, was a student at the time. She no longer recalls where the memo is located, except that it belongs to the Minnesota Historical Society. Labor historian David Riehle, who died earlier this year, had told her where it could be found. The Minnesota Star Tribune spent hours looking for the memo in the Gale Family Library of the Historical Society with no luck.
The Aquatennial was an overnight success, according to newspapers of the era. It attracted tourists from all over Minnesota and was said to be among the best summer festivals in the country.
The business leaders who put it on publicized the fact that they included labor leaders in planning for the event.
Tom Hastings, president of the Minneapolis Aquatennial association, said in 1941 that the event hired local union workers, according to the Minneapolis Daily Times. “A large amount of additional work was provided [to] carpenters, painters, metal workers, laborers, electrical workers, stage hands, musicians and workers in many other lines,” he said.
A crowd gathered at the annual labor picnic in 1940 sponsored by the Minneapolis Central Labor union at Powderhorn Park. (File photo)
The unions were also invested in boosting Minneapolis tourism after its reputation took a hit in the previous decade.
Minneapolis leaders are divided over whether to keep paying for ShotSpotter as the city weighs a new contract for the gunfire detection system.
A public hearing at City Hall focused on the technology as Minneapolis negotiates a new contract with SoundThinking, the company that provides ShotSpotter. Deputy Chief of Investigations Travis Riddle told the council the system supports gun violence strategies and can alert police no later than 60 seconds after shots are fired.
Critics at the hearing said the technology is not proven enough and argued the money could be spent in other ways. The proposed deal would cost $3.7 million through 2029 and would expand ShotSpotter into new areas of Minneapolis.
“We have actually had a contract with SoundThinking for their ShotSpotter services since 2014, and even with this technology for over 12 years now, MPD’s solve rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings were some of the worst in the country,” Council member Robin Wonsley said.
Council members pushed back on the long-term proposal and said they want a one-year deal instead. Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw disagreed with concerns raised by her colleague during the debate.
“In my opinion, and in folks I’ve heard from the North Side who have shown up here time and time again to say that we want this technology, we believe that ShotSpotter is a tool that the police use to save lives,” LaTrisha Vetaw said
City Council is set to take up the issue again on June 17. Minneapolis police are expected to return with a one-year contract instead of the three-year contract brought forward at the hearing.
Premiere vocal ensemble, Cantus is bringing the songs of Dolly Parton to the stage with fresh interpretations. The show will cover her classics like “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Cantus Presents, COVERS: Dolly & Friends runs through June 7th at the Luminary Arts Center at 700 N 1st St. in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a man seriously injured Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened near Oliver Avenue North and Lowry Avenue North just before 2 p.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Investigators say an SUV struck another vehicle, which then collided with a motorcyclist. The driver of the SUV then fled the scene.
The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Police say the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday night.
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