Employees at a south Minneapolis child care center said they are increasingly concerned about drug use and safety issues, as a homeless encampment grows nearby under the Cedar Avenue and Highway 55 overpass.

Staff at Baby’s Space child care, which has served the neighborhood for more than 25 years, said things have gotten especially bad over the past month.

Yolanda Reyes is an administrative assistant at Baby’s Space, which is just blocks away from the encampment.

“The encampment was moving and then the cops would clear it out, and they’d wait a few hours and they were right back,” said Reyes.

Staff said a fence installed to discourage people from gathering at the encampment has been ineffective. A WCCO camera captured an opening in the fence that allowed people to continue gathering on the sidewalk.

Drug use has become more visible and has moved right outside the child care center’s front door, Reyes said.

“Open use, just freely using their drugs. I had to go out the front door and say, ‘Hey, this is a child care center,’” she said.

The concerns have affected daily activities at the facility. Debbie Lund, executive director for Baby’s Space, said staff worry about what children could encounter while playing outside. She said Minneapolis police now stand watch by their playground.

“It’s hard for us to play outside because we’re not sure what the kids are going to be exposed to,” said Lund.

The concerns have drawn the attention of city leaders. On Tuesday, Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez sent an email to city officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, requesting immediate support for unhoused residents in the area.

A city spokesperson said the fencing is temporary to allow time for a better long-term solution, in collaboration with the county, Metro Transit, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, who all have facilities in the area. 

In the meantime, the city said they are working to help people move from unsheltered homelessness into stable housing. 

Reyes and Lund emphasized that they sympathize with people living in the encampment who are struggling with addiction.

“It’s so hard because our hearts go out to everybody, and yet we really need to keep our children safe,” said Lund.

July 13, 1931 – June 22, 2026

Karl E. Muszar, Jr., 94, Indianapolis, was called to his heavenly home June 22, 2026. He was born July 13, 1931, in Indianapolis to Karl E. Muszar, Sr. and Golda Lucille (Martin) Jones.

Karl was a 1949 graduate of Howe High School. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served until 1955. Following his military service, he attended Purdue University and in 1958 earned a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. Karl worked for Allison Aircraft until 1975 at which time he started his own consulting business, Metallurgical Engineering of Indiana, Inc. Karl enjoyed photography and hiking in the mountains of Colorado. He served as a board member of Heritage Christian School from1971 to 2001.

In addition to his parents, Karl was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara J. (Foulk) Muszar; sister, Boni Kennelly, and stepbrother, Wesley Jones.

Survivors include his daughter, Michelle (Mark) Anderson; son, Jeffrey Muszar; granddaughter, Brittany (Alex) Winfield; great-grandchildren, Krystiyan Hall, Czarina Green, Mikhail, and Odessa Winfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, of which he was an active member, and where the funeral service will begin at noon.

Burial will follow in Union Chapel Cemetery. In memory of Karl, contributions may be directed to Colonial Hills Baptist Church-Missions, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements. Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded out of the 2026 NBA Draft.

The Cavs had the No. 29 overall selection on Tuesday night. But Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman decided to trade that selection to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for No. 34 overall and a future second-round selection.

At No. 29 overall, the Cavs will send the Kings UConn forward Alex Karaban.

“It’s in the distant future,” a source told cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor about the future second-round selection acquired in this deal.

Reports from Fedor surfaced early Tuesday morning that the Cavaliers could be interested in bailing out of the first round. By late Tuesday night, Altman was able to execute a trade that sets the Cavs up for further flexibility in the offseason.

Why the Cavs traded out of No. 29 overall

The Cavaliers would’ve owed the No. 29 pick a guaranteed salary just under $2 million.

Because the Cavs are in the lone second apron – and could be looking to shed salary this offseason – ditching the No. 29 overall pick saves the Cavaliers a couple of bucks.

Second round picks are non-guaranteed, two-way deals. That gives the Cavs the financial flexibility they’re looking for. 

What the Cavs could do at No. 34 overall

This is a talented draft class. A few high profile players slid into the second round. 

UNC center Henri Veesaar is still waiting to hear his name called. The 7-foot center could be a backup to Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Duke wing Isaiah Evans is also still waiting to hear his name called, and could fill a big position of need for the Cavaliers. Arkansas guard Maleek Thomas was consistently mocked to Cleveland, and he slid to Day 2 as well.

There’s always a chance that Altman could trade back again.

Second round draft picks are valuable because they could be used as sweeteners in trades this offseason. For example, in exchange for a team taking on the contract of a player like Dennis Schroder or Max Strus, the Cavaliers might want to attach a second round draft pick to make the package more appealing to a trade partner.

Flexibility should be the name of the game for Altman as he tries to improve Cleveland’s roster this offseason. The Cavs won’t have a first round draft pick until 2028. But bailing out of Tuesday night’s first round will give Altman plenty of options on Wednesday and into the rest of the offseason.