Midwest
Minneapolis ordinance imposes highest minimum cigarette price in America
Smokers in Minneapolis will pay some of the highest cigarette prices in the country after the City Council voted unanimously Thursday to impose a minimum retail price of $15 per pack to promote public health.
The ordinance not only sets a floor price. It prevents smokers and retailers from getting around it by prohibiting price discounts and coupons, which several tobacco companies circulate online to lure customers and reinforce brand loyalty. The minimum price also applies to four-packs of cigars. Distribution of free samples is prohibited.
Consumer prices are expected to run even higher after taxes are figured in. While retailers will get to keep the extra money paid by smokers, the higher prices are expected to snuff out at least some of their sales. E-cigarettes, which have grown in popularity, were left out because their prices vary too widely.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT VOTES TO BAN SMOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE BORN AFTER 2009
The minimum price will be effective as soon as Mayor Jacob Frey signs the measure, which he’s expected to do within the next few days.
Evalyn Carbrey, a senior public health specialist with the city, said at a committee hearing last week that staff research indicates that Minneapolis’ minimum will be the highest in the country. Staff determined that cigarettes typically had been selling in Minneapolis for $11 to $13.50 a pack. The change puts Minneapolis ahead of New York City, which set its minimum at $13 in 2018.
This July 29, 2013, photo shows a case of freshly-stamped Marlboro cigarette cartons at M. Amundson Cigar & Candy Co. in Minneapolis. Smokers in Minneapolis will pay some of the highest cigarette prices in the country after the City Council voted unanimously Thursday, April 25, 2024 to impose a minimum retail price of $15 per pack to promote public health. (Mark Zdechlik/Minnesota Public Radio via AP, file)
“I’m excited that this council is taking this public health crisis seriously because that’s what it is,” said the author of the ordinance, Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw.
Council President Andrea Jenkins said the price of cigarettes was one reason why she quit smoking eight years ago, and that she hopes the new minimum will encourage more people to stop or never start.
“If you travel around the country, New York City — you can’t buy your pack of cigarettes for under $18. Chicago, $17. Some places, Los Angeles, I think they’re up to 20 bucks,” Jenkins said.
Penalties will range from a $500 fine for a first violation to license suspensions and revocations for repeat offenders.
“If it helps even one person stop using tobacco, one person use less tobacco, or one person stopped from starting tobacco use, that’s worth it to me,” Council Member Linea Palmisano said. “I know it’s easy for me to sit up here and say that, as a nonsmoker, but it’s the truth. The only way we’re going to break our dependence on tobacco is if we make some really hard changes.”
Read the full article from Here
BADLANDS, S.D (KELO)– Cars and campers full of visitors are visiting Badlands National Park today. Tourists are traveling from other states to be in South Dakota for America’s 250th.
“I mean, it’s the kind of thing that you build a road trip for,” said William Retherford, who traveled from Indiana with his family.
For the out-of-state travelers, the beauty of the Badlands can be surprising.
“You picture South Dakota, you think flatland and grass,” said Michael Balafas, who traveled to SD from Idaho. “There are some pockets of South Dakota that are absolutely stunning.”
“It’s hard to even believe that it exists,” said Retherford.
Both families are also enjoying other sites during their trips to western South Dakota.
“What my mom says a lot of the time is, it’s not about the destination but the journey,” said Aralyn Balafas.
Retherford and his family had hoped to be at Mount Rushmore for Friday’s fireworks show.
“We entered eight different ways but didn’t get any tickets,” said Retherford.
Despite not being at the landmark for the show, the trip is well worth it for the country’s 250th.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I mean, we’ll never get to do that again,” said Michael.
“This is the kind of trip that you wait a lifetime for,” said Retherford.
Reaction to Shawn Eichorst as potentially the next Wisconsin AD
On the Terrace View podcast, John Steppe and Mark Stewart give initial thoughts on reported connection between Shawn Eichorst and open UW AD job.
MADISON – Shawn Eichorst will start as Wisconsin’s athletic director with a higher annual salary than his predecessor.
Eichorst will make an annual salary of $1.6 million along with built-in annual increases and incentives, a university spokesman told the Journal Sentinel.
That is above Chris McIntosh’s $1.5 million annual salary for the 2025-26 academic year. (That consisted of $1 million from the university and $500,000 from the UW Foundation.) McIntosh’s salary was set to increase by $50,000 for each year of his contract, which would have gone through June 30, 2029.
It also is well above Marcus Sedberry’s $875,000 annual salary for the nearly three months when he was interim AD. Sedberry’s salary is set to return to $334,805 “plus any intervening pay adjustments,” according to the offer letter from April.
An open records request from the Journal Sentinel for Eichorst’s contract, which will include more details about the increases and incentives, is pending.
Eichorst previously served as the deputy AD and chief operating officer at Texas for the last eight years. He also was Miami’s AD in 2011-12 and Nebraska’s AD from 2012-17. Before Miami, the Lone Rock native spent five years working with the Badgers under Barry Alvarez.
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is already planning for his future, after being released by the team that invested a first-round pick to select him back in 2024.
According to his attorney Harvey Steinberg, the former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back has already been contacted by three NFL team’s in the last 48 hours.
Arnold has now hit the league’s waiver wire, as his release has become official.
Steinberg explained, in reply to a recent motion by Florida prosecutors to have Arnold fitted with a GPS tether, “Mr. Arnold is not a flight risk, nor is he a danger to the community. He is confined to his home by both court conditions and media scrutiny and anticipates that he will have employment with another NFL team within 30 days.”
Additional Insider Analysis: How Detroit Lions Depth Chart Changes Without Terrion Arnold
Here are five team’s that could take a chance and sign Arnold, should he clear waivers.
Jets
Aaron Glenn is now the head coach of the AFC East squad. Detroit’s former defensive coordinator may want to reunite with a player he worked very closely with for a season. Because of Glenn’s nature as a strong relationship builder with players, there could be a bond between the two parties that could be beneficial for Arnold.
The former NFL defensive back may be the only coach who can instantly reach the 23-year-old and keep him focused on improving his craft.
Commanders
Washington is in an interesting spot at the cornerback position. Mike Sainristil’s production dipped in 2025 after a strong rookie campaign, while 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos is expected to start opposite of him.
The Commanders signed former Lion Amik Robertson to be their nickel cornerback, but could benefit from adding some competition to the room. They could view Arnold as a player who would bring just that.
Cowboys
After Trevon Diggs was waived, the Cowboys were in the market for a second cornerback opposite of DaRon Bland. They signed Cobie Durant from the Los Angeles Rams, and drafted Caleb Downs to be their nickel.
However, Arnold has starting experience and could be a player the Cowboys view as competition for Durant and Bland. He could also be injury insurance, as Bland has been limited to 19 games over the last two seasons.
Chiefs
The Chiefs made a big change to their secondary this offseason, as Trent McDuffie was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. They drafted Mansoor DeLane in the first-round, and reunited with veteran L’Jarius Sneed.
However, their depth remains questionable, and currently their backups include Kristian Fulton and 2025 third-round pick Nohl Williams. Arnold would give them some experienced depth.
Buccaneers
The cornerback position may be the biggest question mark on the Buccaneers’ defense. There are a lot of talented options within the group, but there’s uncertainty in the secondary. Right now, the starters are expected to be Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison.
Behind those two, Josh Hayes and Damarion Williams are both backups but neither played a defensive snap last season. As a result, a player like Arnold could be the ideal find for them who could compete for a starting spot on the outside.
For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel for daily videos, news, member-exclusive content.
Follow
-
Oregon2 minutes agoFormer Oregon corrections officer receives lifetime hunting ban, fined over $114K
-
Pennsylvania5 minutes agoPennsylvania State Police trooper killed in crash along Interstate 81
-
Rhode Island10 minutes ago‘Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ star Liz McGraw exits show after one season
-
South-Carolina17 minutes agoSouth Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 1, 2026
-
South Dakota20 minutes agoFamilies celebrate 250th in South Dakota
-
Tennessee25 minutes agoParasite-induced ‘explosive’ diarrhea cases rise in Tennessee. Here’s what to know
-
Texas32 minutes agoNew date set for opening of Six Flags Over Texas’ Tormenta Rampaging Run coaster after delay
-
Utah35 minutes agoWasatch Front cities running out of water called a ‘myth’
