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.”
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Detroit Tigers’ Scott Harris explains Kevin McGonigle contact extension
Detroit Tigers president Scott Harris breaks down contract extension for Kevin McGonigle on April 15, 2026, at Comerica Park in Detroit.
CINCINNATI – The Detroit Tigers were nearly swept by the Cincinnati Reds.
Hao-Yu Lee saved the day.
The 23-year-old hit the first home run of his MLB career – a pinch-hit, go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning that carried the Tigers to an 8-3 win over the Reds on Sunday, April 26, in the finale of the three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
The milestone homer from Lee produced the first two of six runs across the seventh and eighth innings. The Tigers (15-14) salvaged the series against the Reds (18-10) while completing a stretch of 13 games in 13 days.
Next up, the Tigers will travel to clash with the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series at Truist Park, beginning Tuesday (7:15 p.m., Detroit SportsNet/TBS). The probable pitchers for the series: right-hander Casey Mize (Tuesday), followed by left-handers Tarik Skubal (Wednesday) and Framber Valdez (Thursday).
In Sunday’s game, the Tigers’ four-run seventh inning changed everything.
A fielding error allowed Gleyber Torres – the leadoff hitter – to reach safely, setting up the big inning. Manager A.J. Hinch called for Hao-Yu Lee to pinch-hit for Colt Keith, securing the matchup advantage against left-handed reliever Sam Moll.
The decision paid off.
Lee has a track record of crushing left-handers in the minor leagues, and in this situation, he delivered his first home run in the big leagues. He pushed an up-and-away 90.7 mph fastball the opposite way for a two-run home run, hitting it 402 feet to right-center field with a 105.8 mph exit velocity.
The two-run homer gave the Tigers a 4-3 lead.
Spencer Torkelson kept the offense firing for a 5-3 lead with a solo home run off right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson, who replaced Moll to get the matchup advantage with Torkelson.
But Torkelson won the battle.
He attacked a middle-up 94.9 mph fastball and pulled it 421 feet to left-center field with a 107.3 mph exit velocity.
It was Torkelson’s fifth game in a row with a home run.
That tied a franchise record, joining Marcus Thames (2008), Willie Horton (1969), Vic Wertz (1950), Hank Greenberg (1940) and Rudy York (1937).
Celebrate 125 seasons of Tigers magic!
Torkelson’s five homers have all come on fastballs – three sinkers and two four-seamers –located on the inner half of the plate.
His swing is on time.
And he keeps doing damage.
The Tigers weren’t done scoring.
A triple from Kerry Carpenter and a sacrifice fly from Matt Vierling extended the Tigers’ lead to 6-3 in the seventh, then a walk from Kevin McGonigle and a two-run home run from Gleyber Torres extended the margin to 8-3 in the eighth inning.
Torres hit an elevated 94.6 mph fastball from right-handed reliever Jose Franco for his second homer in 27 games.
It was another opposite-field home run.
To get to the finish line, the Tigers turned to four relievers out of the bullpen for the final four innings: left-hander Brant Hurter in the sixth, right-hander Will Vest in the seventh, right-hander Kyle Finnegan in the eighth and right-hander Brenan Hanifee in the ninth.
The Tigers recalled Hanifee from Triple-A Toledo before Sunday’s game, replacing right-handed reliever Connor Seabold (placed on the 15-day injured list with left ankle inflammation).
Hanifee worked around a one-out single to end the game.
Striking early
The Tigers struck first for a 2-0 lead in the first inning, facing right-hander Rhett Lowder.
It began with a one-out single from Torres.
With two outs, three consecutive baserunners reached safely with Riley Greene’s single and Torkelson’s walk to load the bases, followed by a two-run double from Carpenter off Lowder’s changeup at the bottom of the strike zone.
After Carpenter’s double, Vierling lined out to end the first inning, stranding two runners in scoring position. In the second inning, Colt Keith grounded out to strand two runners after back-to-back singles from McGonigle and Torres with two outs.
From there, Lowder settled in against the Tigers.
Lowder allowed two runs on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts across five innings, throwing 94 pitches. The 24-year-old has a 3.18 ERA through six starts.
The Reds responded to the Tigers with one run apiece in the second, fourth and fifth innings, facing right-hander Keider Montero.
In the second, Nathaniel Lowe battled for eight pitches before hitting Montero’s hanging curveball in a full count for a solo home run to right-center field. His fourth homer of the series (and his fourth of the season) cut the Reds’ deficit to 2-1.
In the fourth, JJ Bleday stepped to the plate with two outs and worked a full count before hitting Montero’s elevated fastball for a solo home run to center field. His first homer of the season tied the game, 2-2.
In the fifth, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a triple to right field off Montero’s first-pitch sinker, then scored on Matt McLain’s double off Montero’s two-strike slider at the bottom of the zone. Those swings put the Reds ahead, 3-2.
Montero allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across five innings, throwing 86 pitches. All five hits were extra-base hits, including a pair of home runs from left-handed hitters.
The 25-year-old owns a 4.00 ERA through five starts.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) says one woman is dead after a house fire Saturday night near N. 8th Street and W. Fiebrantz Avenue.
A brother of the victim identified her to TMJ4 News as 79-year-old Helen Dobson.
According to a press release from MFD, a call reporting smoke coming from a residence at 4488 N. 8th St. came in at 9:23 p.m. on April 25.
MFD says it arrived on scene at 9:28 p.m.
The release adds that crews found and extinguished a stove fire that caused heavy smoke on first floor of the residence.
After searching the house, firefighters found an unconscious woman who was only one in the residence, according to the release.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to TMJ4 News that the medical examiner was called to the scene.
MFD adds that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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Published: April 26th 2026
MINNEAPOLIS MN: A woman is facing a felony carjacking charge in Hennepin County in connection with an alleged assault and vehicle theft involving two migrant workers on April 19, 2026.
According to the criminal complaint, Brianna Louise King is charged with third-degree carjacking under Minnesota Statute 609.247.4. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
The complaint states that at approximately 8:45 a.m., Minneapolis police responded to a report of a robbery on Lake Street East in Minneapolis. Officers spoke with the victim, identified as A.R., who reported that he and a friend—both described as migrant workers—were sitting in his vehicle in a parking lot while waiting for potential work.
According to the complaint, King approached the vehicle, entered through the rear driver’s-side door, and asked for money. After initially requesting $2 and then asking for additional money, the victim refused. The complaint alleges that King then punched the victim multiple times.
The complaint states the victim and the witness exited the vehicle and ran from the scene. King allegedly moved into the driver’s seat and drove away in the victim’s black Nissan Altima.
Later that same day, at approximately 5:49 p.m., officers were flagged down by the victim on Lake Street West, who reported that the suspect was nearby. Officers observed a woman matching the description, who briefly ran before being detained near Lake Street West and Pleasant Avenue South.
According to the complaint, the victim positively identified King as the person who took the vehicle and reported that she was wearing boots that had been inside the car.
King was arrested and transported to the Hennepin County Jail. The complaint states she initially denied involvement but later admitted to taking the vehicle and said she parked it on the 3000 block of Pleasant Avenue South. She told officers she had been panhandling prior to the incident and became upset after not receiving additional money. She denied assaulting the victim.
Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from the parking lot, which the complaint states shows a person matching King’s description entering the vehicle before it was driven away.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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