Minneapolis, MN

Xcel gets partial rate increase approved, Minneapolis residents hit with added cost

Published

3 months ago

December 13, 2025

Xcel gets partial rate increase approved, Minneapolis residents hit with added cost

Energy users will see an increase in their Xcel Energy bills as the Public Utilities Commission has approved a rate hike.

The commission’s decision includes an interim rate increase for all Xcel Energy customers, raising bills by an average of $5.84. Additionally, the Minneapolis City Council approved an increase to its gas and electric franchise fee, adding about $1 a month to energy bills.

“I don’t think it’s sustainable, right? We’re going to have to figure out a solution,” said Seton McClellan, a Minneapolis homeowner, expressing concern over the rising costs of homeownership.

McClellan also mentioned that property taxes are one of the toughest financial burdens, and now energy bills are becoming more challenging. He worries about the payoff as the bills continue to rise.

“Here’s a tax that I’m paying, and I might not ever get a benefit for it,” McClellan said, referring to the franchise fees used to retrofit homes for energy efficiency.

Despite some opposition, the fee increase passed the council with a 10-3 vote and has significant community support.

Council member Katie Cashman emphasized the importance of addressing climate change. “The cost of not addressing climate change is much greater than the cost that we’re paying right now to try to get ourselves off fossil fuels,” she said.

Cashman also highlighted the benefits for those participating in city programs.

“For those who participate in our city programs and make these upgrades to their homes, their energy bills go way down,” she said.

Over the last two years, 700 homes have been retrofitted in Minneapolis, and the franchise fee is larger for industrial customers.

Ahead of the council vote, Linea Palmisano acknowledged the burden on residents: “Let’s be mindful that this is a significant burden for residents, especially those with lower or fixed incomes,” she said.

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Minneapolis, MN

What is a data center?

Published

10 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

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.

Posted March 4, 2026 4:27pm CST

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Ranked Among U.S. Cities With The Most People In Financial Distress

Published

22 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Minneapolis Ranked Among U.S. Cities With The Most People In Financial Distress

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis is ranked among the American cities with the most people in financial distress nationwide, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub.

The personal finance website, which defines financial distress as having a credit account in forbearance or with deferred payments, looked at the country’s 100 largest cities without data limitations across nine metrics, including average credit score, change in bankruptcy filings year-over-year, and share of people with accounts in distress.

Minneapolis came in 44th on the list, between Stockton, California, at 43rd and Fresno, California, at 45th, according to the ranking.

Nationwide, the cities with the most people in financial distress were Chicago at No. 1, Houston at No. 2 and Las Vegas at No. 3, the ranking said.

“Getting out of the downward spiral of financial distress is no easy feat,” according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

“You may get temporary relief from your lenders by not having to make payments, but all the while interest will keep building up, making the debt even harder to pay off. People who find themselves in financial distress should budget carefully, cut non-essential expenses, and pursue strategies like debt consolidation or debt management to get their situation under control.”

Read more from WalletHub.

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Minneapolis, MN

Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis

WHITEFISH, Mont. — The Whitefish City Council in February presented and signed a proclamation expressing solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis.

The proclamation states that Whitefish mourns the loss of life that occurred in Minneapolis and stands in solidarity with its residents.

It reaffirms the city’s commitment to equal treatment under the law and emphasizes that peaceful protest is a fundamental American right.

The proclamation was supported by five of the six council members.

Mayor John Muhlfeld said the action was meant to reaffirm the city’s values.

“A mayoral proclamation that is supported by five of six City Council members supporting solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and reaffirming our supportive, just, equal and welcoming community,” Muhlfeld said. “I think this is somewhat overdue. Our town’s been through a lot over the years, This is more importantly to reaffirm our values as a council with our community because we care deeply about you.”

Over the last year, Whitefish has faced criticism amid rising tensions surrounding the Department of Homeland Security.

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View the full proclamation below.

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