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.
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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.
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“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.
The lineup has been announced for the 2026 edition of Snow & Flurry, set for October 10th and 11th at Underground Music Cafe in Minneapolis, MN. Judge, Merauder, and Arkangel will headline the two-day event also featuring 25+ more acts in total.
Weekend passes are available now, with single-day tickets and daily lineups to be announced later.
Passes are available here.
Line up in order of flyer:
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Judge Merauder Arkangel The Killer Nehemiah Another Enemy Awaiting Eschiel Basic Needs Blistered Spirit Blood Stained Concrete Cudgel Direct Order Dose Enemy Of Man Enervate Ethic Eyes Of Sorrow Fleshless Body Lead Spirit Madman Meantime Neolithic Passion Self Interest Shits Creek Sin Sufrir Skewed What Counts Withdrawal Wrath Of Sanity Velocity
After spending months helping immigrant families weather the economic fallout of federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, Smitten Kitten is asking the community for help sustaining itself.
The adult retail store in Minneapolis’ Lyn-Lake neighborhood issued a public plea for community financial support.
The strain comes after months of directing staff and volunteer time, resources and fundraising efforts toward mutual aid work that supported immigrants during Operation Metro Surge.
The store became one of the most visible community aid hubs after the federal operation began. Following the killing of Renee Good, Smitten Kitten began collecting groceries, diapers, toilet paper and other essentials.
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“Nothing is going to change unless we’re going to do something,” said Anne Lehman, Smitten Kitten social media manager and mutual aid advisor.
The store also helped direct efforts toward rent relief for immigrants facing heightened uncertainty and economic hardship.
“People had been hiding out since October. They’re going to need things like diapers, toilet paper and water.” Lehman said. “We ended up opening our store as a donation drop-off stop.”
Community support quickly exceeded expectations.
“It felt like every fifteen minutes someone was pulling up in an SUV that just came from Costco,” Lehman said. “As soon as we got it, it would be gone because of how great the need was.”
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Lehman said that the attention also created safety concerns for staff and visitors.
“We had to move where our stuff was because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had caught on to what we were doing and tried to intimidate us,” said Lehman.
In response, the store decided to move its operations elsewhere and began to focus on raising money for necessities. According to Lehman, the establishment raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various needs.
The operation, in part, ended by mid-February, and federal presence in Minnesota diminished. As things began to wind down, so did cash flow at Smitten Kitten.
“There were a lot of weeks where we were cutting it close on payroll,” said Lehman.
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In a social media post, Lehman asked the community to come help support the store by asking for donations, asking people to shop at their store or online.
“We are asking for help, but also all of these things that we’re pouring all of our energy into is not going away,” said Lehman. “If we want to continue doing mutual aid, we have to have a solid foundation of our business as well.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Real Capital Solutions (RCS) has acquired 3701 Wayzata Boulevard, a 308,681-square-foot office property in the Urban West End neighborhood of Minneapolis, for $34 million. Situated on 25.8 acres overlooking Brownie and Cedar lakes, the nine-story asset is 99 percent leased and serves as the headquarters location for several companies such as Tactile Medical, SRF Consulting Group, Regis Corp. and MOBE.
Originally developed as a corporate headquarters campus for Prudential and later occupied by Target Corp., the property underwent a comprehensive renovation and repositioning in 2019. Amenities today include a fitness center, conference facilities, a golf simulator, onsite café, outdoor gathering spaces, a rooftop patio, bike storage and direct access to regional trail systems.
