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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

City officials report less speeding at corners with traffic cameras in Minneapolis

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City officials report less speeding at corners with traffic cameras in Minneapolis


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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill

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Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill



A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.

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It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.

Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.

Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.

One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”

“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”

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This story will be updated.



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Man on Conditional Release Now Charged in Minneapolis Murder — MNCRIME.com

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Man on Conditional Release Now Charged in Minneapolis Murder — MNCRIME.com


A man is now charged with murder after prosecutors say a robbery inside a Minneapolis apartment building ended in a fatal shooting.

Prosecutors say the man was on conditional release after being charged with first-degree armed carjacking for an incident in Minneapolis last September.

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The killing happened Feb. 24 inside the Abbott Apartments lounge area on the 100 block of East 18th Street, where police found an adult man dead from gunshot wounds after reports of a shooting.

Court documents state the victim and a friend went to the building to meet 20-year-old Abdirahman Khayre Khayre. A witness stated Khayre left the room several times and appeared to be stalling before three armed men entered and demanded property. The men were described as carrying two Glock-style handguns with extended magazines and an AR-style rifle. During the robbery, the suspects demanded a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to the victim. When the victim resisted, a struggle broke out. The witness stated that two guns were taken from him during the robbery.

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The witness told investigators Khayre was handed one of the stolen guns and then pointed it at him, causing him to flee into the lobby. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard. The witness returned and found the victim shot. Surveillance footage from other areas of the building reportedly corroborated key parts of the account, and the witness later identified Khayre in a photo lineup, according to the complaint.

PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot and Killed Inside Minneapolis Apartment Building

Authorities say Khayre was on conditional release at the time of the killing in a separate Hennepin County case involving a September 2025 armed carjacking.

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In that earlier case, prosecutors alleged Khayre and others confronted a woman in a garage near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, pointed handguns at her and forced her to give up the keys to a Dodge Challenger before fleeing in the stolen vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested multiple suspects, including Khayre, who was identified as the driver.

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Court records show Khayre posted a $75,000 non-cash bond and was released under conditions requiring him to remain law-abiding, have no possession of firearms or ammunition, avoid alcohol and controlled substances and complete treatment.

Khayre is now charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree aggravated robbery. He made an initial court appearance Friday, where a judge set bail at $1 million. If convicted of second-degree felony murder, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.

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