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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey visits Washington to advocate for federal solutions to homelessness

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey visits Washington to advocate for federal solutions to homelessness


WASHINGTON — Nearly 50 mayors from across the U.S. were in Washington, D.C. Tuesday advocating for federal solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis. Among them was Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Frey is part of the bipartisan group of city mayors working with the Biden Administration, the Senate, and the House to fast-track changes to housing policy that will tackle homelessness.

“We are very focused on not just the people that are presently homeless, but the people that would experience homelessness if a single bad thing happened,” Frey told WCCO.

Since 2020, the city and Hennepin County have invested over $200 million of pandemic relief funding into housing and homelessness response. Simpson Housing Services, which provides shelter, is expanding and will soon break ground on a new shelter and apartments with additional on-site services.

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“We’re looking to raise the bar in terms of quality and dignity with a purpose-built facility,” explained executive director Steve Horsfield. “No one sleeps on top of each other, no more bunks.”

“What we’ve been able to launch in the past four years has been working for folks,” said Danielle Werder, manager of Hennepin County’s office to end homelessness. “More people are getting housed, most people are service connected. We’ve moved more people into housing the last couple of years than we ever have.”

But the homeless population is still outpacing the efforts and some of the federal funding is set to end. There’s also the encampment issue that’s been fueling neighborhood frustration.

“They’re not safe for the people living in the encampments, and they’re not safe for the surrounding neighbors,” Frey said.

The group of mayors is pushing for an expansion of housing vouchers and subsidies for affordable housing to get more people off the streets and provide services to keep them housed.

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“We’re saying one of the best ways to deal with homelessness is to give people homes,” Frey said.

One group particularly impacted by homelessness is those who have served in the U.S. military.

The task force of mayors would like to see an expansion of veteran eligibility for housing vouchers so that veterans don’t have to choose between their disability benefits and housing.

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They’ve Got the Power: Washington, D.C., USL Super League Club Unveils Name, Logo

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They’ve Got the Power: Washington, D.C., USL Super League Club Unveils Name, Logo


The newest professional women’s soccer franchise in the United States is ready to power up with their new name and crest.

Washington, D.C.’s entry in the USL Super League unveiled its identity on Monday, May 20. They’ll be known as DC Power Football Club, or Power FC for short, and unveiled a striking black-and-red crest.

The crest consists of a black and red shield with an eagle wing cutting through the middle “reflecting our attacking style of play.” The negative space in the wing has three lightning bolt shapes to represent the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. At the top of the shield, “POWER FC” is written out in white, with three red stars underneath to “evoke the iconic DC city flag.” And in the red bottom half of the shield, there’s an interlocking “DC” monogram.

“This is a monumental day for our club and the integration into the community as we officially launch our team’s name and crest,” said club president Jordan Stuart on their website. “Power FC’s identity is deeply rooted in the dynamic spirit and resilience of its hometown, Washington, DC. As our nation’s center of power, Washington, DC bears a unique responsibility. The responsibility to lead. To effect change. To inspire. This energy drives Power Football Club.”

The black, red and white color scheme may be intentionally evocative of Major League Soccer side D.C. United as a partnership has been established between the two clubs. Devin Talbott, a part-owner of D.C. United, is also part of Power FC’s ownership group, along with Angel Reese of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.

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Power FC will play their home games at Audi Field, which they’ll share with D.C. United. The USL Super League will kick off in August 2024 and continue until spring 2025 with a winter break, but a detailed schedule has not yet been released.

The initial eight teams for the 2024-25 USL Super League season include:

Other markets identified for future expansion include: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Madison, Wisconsin; Oakland, California; Palm Beach, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and Tucson, Arizona.



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Enstrom among select few helicopters in Washington, D.C. flyover

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Enstrom among select few helicopters in Washington, D.C. flyover


On May 11, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation had the distinct honor of taking part in a general aviation (GA) flyover of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The flyover was in commemoration of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)’s 85th anniversary. 

The diverse group of aircraft included 15 chapters of planes, telling the story of GA in America, including aviation’s Golden Age, the postwar boom, and all the way up to modern business jets and wildfire-fighting airplanes.

Of the 60 or so aircraft that participated, only three were helicopters, distinguishing Enstrom as part of a select company. 

“AOPA sent us an invitation back in January,” said Enstrom chief commercial officer Dennis Martin. “From there, I had to go through multiple briefings and background checks from the FAA and Secret Service. It was a fairly involved process” 

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FAA personnel and AOPA staff timed the operation to the second, organizing the flight based on aircraft and pilot capabilities. Officials shut down Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for an hour to make way for the flyover. 

Martin flew the Enstrom 480B from Menominee, Michigan, to Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland, where he then flew down the Potomac along the designated flyover route. 

After reaching Roosevelt Island, Martin took a turn at the Lincoln Memorial, flew down Independence Avenue, and dipped south at the Hirshhorn Museum. Martin and his fellow aviators flew at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, all just a half mile away from the White House, one of Washington, D.C.’s most restricted flight zones. 

“It was surreal. Millions of people see these landmarks from the ground every year, but unless you’re the president, nobody gets to see them from the air,” said Martin. “And for the locals, they might typically only spot military aircraft or massive airliners in the airspace above D.C., so for 60 smaller airplanes and helicopters to fill the skies, it must have made for a unique and breathtaking experience.” 

Following the flyover, Martin exited the restricted airspace and flew back up to Frederick. He recognized Enstrom’s participation in the flyover as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

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“But if AOPA ever hosts a celebration like this again, I’d accept an invitation in a heartbeat,” added Martin. “My 11-year-old daughter had a blast flying alongside me.” 

For anyone unable to watch the flyover live, a rebroadcast is available here. You can also watch a highlight reel from the event here.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Enstrom.



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Honor Flight Continues Salute to Veterans in Washington D.C

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Honor Flight Continues Salute to Veterans in Washington D.C


FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Minnesota North Dakota Honor Flight continues as veterans from the region celebrate their service in Washington D.C. 102 veterans loaded onto buses and visited several museums and memorials on Monday; first visiting the National Archives where there would be able to see historic documents and relics such as the Declaration of Independence.

Navy Veteran, Robert Leslie reflected on the trip thus far outside the Navy Memorial.

“It’s awesome, seeing the World War 2, and the Iwo Jima and the archives and now the Navy.. It’s exciting. It’s exceeded my expectations.”

Leslie remembers his service fondly, taking pride in his service to his country.

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“I would gladly do it again, I was in ‘65-69 during Vietnam and I’d gladly do it again, i have no regrets whatsoever going into the service// It’s fun and talk about some of our experiences in the service, year, it’s kind of neat, yeah, find out what other people did, yeah.”

Veterans from the Vietnam War, The Korean War, and even a veteran from World War 2 were chaperoned across the Nation’s Capital by dozens of honor flight volunteers. ND/MN Honor Flight Vice President Lori Ishaug says that organizing and coordinating this trip is her way of giving back to the veterans.

“For the love of the country, for the love of the veterans and really if the veterans didn’t do what they did we wouldn’t be here and this is our way of giving back and thanking them, plus the two sisters on either side of me are veterans so I grew up with, you know, the military family so for me personally it’s just my way of giving back,” said Ishaug who also volunteers with here sisters, Susan Schoeder and Diane Modrow.

The trip will conclude Tuesday with visits to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, and Fort McHenry before flying back to Hector International Airport in Fargo Tuesday afternoon.

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