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WrestleMania in Minneapolis? City still waiting on WWE announcement

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WrestleMania in Minneapolis? City still waiting on WWE announcement


While WWE’s WrestleMania XL was a smashing success this past weekend in Philadelphia, officials in Minneapolis and a decorated Minnesota Olympian “anxiously awaited” word Tuesday about whether the city has pinned down next year’s crown jewel of theatrics inside the square-shaped ring.

The nonprofit Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE), the lead organization that lobbies to bring major attractions to the Twin Cities, told the Star Tribune nearly four weeks ago that it expected an announcement from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) by now about its pitch for U.S. Bank Stadium to host the popular extravaganza.

Typically, WWE officials announce next year’s event location toward the end of the the current year’s event. However, WrestleMania XL at the Philadelphia Eagles’ home stadium came and went without a peep.

Wendy Blackshaw, MNSE’s president and chief executive officer, said last month that Minneapolis was one of several cities that WWE invited to participate in a “very competitive” battle for WrestleMania in 2025. Minneapolis has never played host to a WrestleMania, despite the state’s history as a hotbed of pro wrestling.

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Late Tuesday afternoon, Blackshaw said she is still “anxiously awaiting … We really hope to hear something soon.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer said this week that Las Vegas could be a front-runner for 2025, given that Vegas-based Endeavor Sports and Entertainment took majority ownership of WWE about a year ago.

Gable Steveson, the former University of Minnesota heavyweight national champion and gold medal Olympian, is among WWE’s roster of wrestlers and is waiting like everyone else for a WrestleMania XLI announcement.

“I have no clue” whether Minneapolis will get the nod, Steveson told the Star Tribune on Tuesday. If Minneapolis does land the grand grappling prize, “it could be the best they’ve ever had and be a big show with the right people” in the ring, he added.

Blackshaw said WrestleMania is within hollering distance of the Super Bowl when it comes to generating revenue for a host community, with the two stagings — 2022 in Dallas and 2023 in Los Angeles — estimated to have created more than $200 million in economic churn.

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Preliminary numbers out of Philadelphia this week point to record success based on various measures.

According to Sports Business Journal (SBJ), attendance topped 145,000 at Lincoln Financial Field over the two nights, breaking the previous record set by WrestleMania XXXIX in 2023 in Los Angeles.

Viewership was up 41% across both nights vs. last year’s record-setting audience, and merchandise sales were up more than 20% compared to the previous record set at LA’s WrestleMania, the SBJ reported. This WrestleMania also became the most viewed of all-time on social media, with more than 660 million views, the industry publication added.



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis City Council votes to extend eviction notice period

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Minneapolis City Council votes to extend eviction notice period



The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to temporarily extend the eviction notice period for renters in an effort to help support residents impacted by Operation Metro Surge.

Under the ordinance, which was approved 7-5, landlords would need to wait 60 days — not the typical 30 — before bringing an eviction notice to a renter. If approved by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the 60-day requirement would stay in effect until Aug. 31.

Supporters of the ordinance said Operation Metro Surge left residents out of work and relying on mutual aid networks to pay rent.

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“Preventing eviction is always more cost-effective than trying to re-house someone who has been evicted,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley, who represents Ward 2.

Wonsley, alongside members Elliott Payne, Jamal Osman, Aisha Chughtai, Soren Stevenson, Jason Chavez and Aurin Chowdhury voted in favor of the resolution. Council member Jamison Whiting abstained from voting.

The city estimates Operation Metro Surge led to an additional $15.7 million in monthly need for rental support. Last month, council members approved $1 million in rental assistance for Hennepin County to help families impacted by the surge. 



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man arrested in Manchester after allegedly trying to meet minor for sex

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Minneapolis man arrested in Manchester after allegedly trying to meet minor for sex


A Minnesota man has been arrested in Manchester after police say he attempted to meet someone he believed was a minor for sexual activity.

The Manchester Police Department said Robert Fenn Eselby III, 23, of Minneapolis was arrested Feb. 27 following an undercover investigation.

According to police, Eselby contacted an undercover officer posing as a juvenile through several social media platforms. Authorities said he was informed multiple times that the person he was communicating with was underage.

Investigators say Eselby sent explicit photos and videos and later arranged to travel to Manchester to meet the supposed minor for sexual activity.

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Police said Eselby was taken into custody immediately after arriving in Manchester and was transported to the Delaware County Jail.

Authorities also said Eselby allegedly attempted to ask an arresting officer out on a date during the booking process.

Eselby faces one count of grooming, a Class D felony, and one count of disseminating obscene material to a minor, a serious misdemeanor.

Court records show he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.



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Minneapolis, MN

What is a data center?

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What is a data center?


What exactly is a data center and why are so many being proposed across Minnesota? Professor Manjeet Rege, chair of Software Engineering and Data Science and director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, joins us to explain how these massive facilities store and process the world’s data and what the economic, environmental, and infrastructure questions are as Minnesota considers hosting more of them.



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