Kyle Stokes

WARN MAIN STREET SPORTS GROUP The State Rapid Response Team (SRRT) received a Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq. ("WARN") email from Main Street Sports Group, LLC (the “Company”) informing us of the closure and permanent layoff of approximately 20 employees from their facility located at: 800 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Per the WARN, the entire facility will close and all employees including those in remote positions will be impacted. The resulting action will occur during the 14- day period beginning on April 14, 2026. Employees are not represented by ta union and therefore do not have bumping rights.

FanDuel Sports Net's parent company just gave notice it's laying off 20 Minneapolis-based employees

FDSN broadcasts the Wild, Wolves and Lynx. It's been reported it might shut down if its parent company can't complete a sale.

Layoffs are effective April 14 — the end of the NHL/NBA regular season

ICE surge gives Minnesota businesses pandemic flashbacks Some businesses face conditions "as bad, if not worse" than COVID — but dim prospects for COVID-style aid.

This morning, @governorwalz.mn.gov announced he'll pitch #mnleg on a small business relief package with emergency loans.

It's a COVID-era solution to businesses currently experiencing strains they're comparing to the height of the pandemic >> www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

Gov. Tim Walz at a podium in an ornamented room

Speaking now: @governorwalz.mn.gov is "cautiously optimistic" about news of federal drawdown in MN.

BUT "they left us with deep damage, generational trauma … and many unanswered questions: Where are our children?" Where do the investigations into Good and Pretti shootings stand?

"Ana Voss is one of the eight prosecutors included in this second wave of resignations, according to multiple reports. Voss, the civil division chief, was the point person for most wrongful detention petitions the office has handled." -KSTP

The wildest court record you will ever read, full stop ⤵️

Journalism doesn't work without sources. Sources are often the brave ones in this work — AND journalism ethics demands we protect our sources.

Journalists won't be able to accurately, fully tell the story of what ICE watch observers groups are doing without willing sources.

I'm a journalist. Here's the story based on a ridealong I did >> www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

My rapid response ridealong host and I talked through concerns beforehand. I agreed that certain details about communication wouldn't be included, nor would identities of other RR volunteers w/o consent.

How Minnesota's rapid responders track ICE agents in real time Observer group activities have become a central point of tension between the Trump administration and the state's elected leaders.

At 3:45, the ICE watch network spotted ICE agents as they entered the neighborhood

By 4, they knew their final destination

By 4:15, 40+ people were in the streets

What I saw on a ridealong with Minnesota "rapid responders" that have been tracking ICE's every move:
www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Today, Mayor Jacob Frey released the following statement after speaking with President Donald Trump over the phone: “I spoke with President Trump this afternoon and appreciated the conversation. I expressed how much Minneapolis has benefited from our immigrant communities and was clear that my main ask is that Operation Metro Surge needs to end. The president agreed that the present situation cannot continue. Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go. Minneapolis will continue to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement on real criminal investigations — but we will not participate in unconstitutional arrests of our neighbors or enforce federal immigration law. Violent criminals should be held accountable based on the crimes they commit, not based on where they are from. I will continue working with all levels of government to keep our communities safe, keep crime down, and put Minneapolis residents first. I plan to meet with Border Czar Tom Homan tomorrow to further discuss next steps.”

BREAKING: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issues a statement saying he spoke with Trump today

"The president agreed that the present situation cannot continue. Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go."

@mayorher.bsky.social declines direct comment on Cities Church protest by anti-ICE activists — but also says there's a double-standard:

"Churches have always been our sacred spaces — but so are hospitals, so are schools" (where DHS has changed policy to allow for ICE enforcement)

Frey has no regrets about his use of language — F-bomb about ICE in the city, or calling the federal narrative of Renee Good's shooting "bullshit."

His job as mayor is to "channel what our city is feeling."

Mayor Jacob Frey said Secretary Noem's suggestion that he set up "safe zones" for protests is unconstitutional: "The entire country is a safe zone" for free speech

Also, he quipped: "Could you imagine *ME* telling *Minneapolis activists,* 'Hey guys. Just protest in this single park. Nowhere else.'"

A large convention hall where Jacob Frey and Kaohly Her are onstage

"There’s an old Jewish phrase which goes… [a few lines of Hebrew*]… which is generally translates to, 'There’s nothing that brings two mayors together like a bullshit federal investigation."

—Mpls Mayor Jacob Frey, on stage with St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her this morning

Trump, AI at Davos: Living history — and the future Trump, AI at Davos: Living history — and the future

Canadian PM Mark Carney “ran the Bank of England. He ran the Bank of Canada. He's not a bomb-thrower. When someone like that says the old alliance is over — not pausing, not wobbling, over — that's a seismic marker.” www.axios.com/2026/01/21/d...

Federal judge bars ICE from retaliating against protesters in Minnesota Six U.S. citizens who had encounters with ICE sued, seeking to rein in the agency's tactics.

BREAKING: A federal judge ordered ICE agents to stop retaliating against peaceful protesters and observers in Minnesota www.axios.com/2026/01/17/f...

At Midtown Global Market, constant ICE presence has chilled business Immigrant-owned businesses say they're weeks from insolvency.

As Manny González of "Tortas" fame talked to @nickhalter.bsky.social from his kitchen, the sound of whistles could be heard just outside Midtown Global Market's doors as ICE agents walked by.

"They just abducted another person," a market staff person said. www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

Trump threatens Insurrection Act for Minnesota The president warned he may deploy the military without state consent.

Every modern use of the Insurrection Act has come either at a governor's request or to expand federal civil rights protections. Trump would flip that script, sending troops against a governor's wishes to crush protests of the federal government's own actions. www.axios.com/2026/01/15/t...

I see the folks noting that the second angle shows something different. It's a breaking news situation and I'm working to share information as quickly as I can. We're updating the story at the moment.

A second video filmed from closer in also shows the agents approached and put their hands inside the vehicle bsky.app/profile/bnon...

What we know about the ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis Federal officials are engaged in what they call "the largest immigration enforcement operation ever" in the state.

Axios has video from the scene where federal agents fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis this AM.

According to footage obtained by Axios' Nick Hatler, an SUV attempts to drive past several ICE vehicles — and the SUV does appear to strike an agent >> www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

Take: Make Minneapolis City Hall the Midwest's "Ball Drop" NYE celebrations with clock towers are awesome, as Big Ben proves.

Just watched a bunch of coastal yokels lower a small ball from the top of a small building and call it a New Year’s celebration… YAWN www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

A Facebook mobile notification that reads “Birthday is almost over. Jesus C’s birthday is today. You can still send a wish before the day wraps up.”

Facebook helpfully reminds of The Reason For The Season

I'm not covering tonight's special council meeting — I'm at my other volunteer job — but a lot of the details will be revealed there

Minneapolis council, mayor clash over staff cuts A council coalition has very few chances left to flex its veto-proof majority over Mayor Jacob Frey before four incumbents leave office.

In a letter memorializing the deal, Frey said he would sign the budget with the understanding the Council will amend it in their meeting starting in ~5 minutes

The deal they've reached "avoids layoffs" that were central to Frey's objections.

Background >> www.axios.com/local/twin-c...

The critical areas of the amended agreement are: • An amended source and duration for an emergency housing voucher program. With the agreement of Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, the City will appropriate $1M per year for the next three years for an emergency housing vouchers pilot program. This compromise will ensure we are able to operate the voucher pilot without laying off hard working City employees and prevent a permanent $1 million cut to the Minneapolis Police Department. • Clarification on establishment of a non-fatal shooting task force. There is a shared commitment to establish a non-fatal shooting task force. The amended language, as well the attached memo from the City Attorney, clarifies that Council’s only role is to appropriate funds. The Administration has the sole authority to establish a new Police Department task force, and will do so in a way that will not strain already very limited staffing resources. An implementation plan for this task force will be presented early next year, including required funding. Any remaining, unneeded funds will then be released. • An amendment on the earmark for civilian investigators. Removing the requirement that the funds must be used for civilian investigators will make it easier for the Police Department to investigate all crimes effectively. This is not a perfect budget. In particular, I disagree with the more than $10 million in increased spending and the sizable impact that it will have on property taxes in future years. I also have concerns about how this budget may impact our ability to fully implement the reforms required under the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree. However, I am committed to enacting this amendment budget agreement because it preserves core City services, avoids layoffs, limits new ongoing spending, and largely reflects the shared responsibility we have to govern responsibly. My administration will continue to work collaboratively with the Council for …

JUST IN: After weeks of talks, Minneapolis' mayor & City Council leadership have reached an agreement on the $2 billion city budget

Mayor Frey and council budget chair @aishaforward10.com jointly announced a deal that resolves the big sticking points — especially earmarks to MPD spending

There have been real negotiations with both camps making concessions going back to at least when markup started, and I’m told they’re still going on

Not sure at this point where they’re still stuck; I knew where they were stuck as of last Thursday

Yes it could just be full public notice of the hearing, and I’ve been told not to read too much into the wording necessarily

But I also am told the talks are ongoing. So there’s that. Veto hasn’t happened yet.

Minneapolis City Council AgendaAdjourned MeetingDecember 16, 2025 - 5:00 pm250 S. 4th St., Minneapolis, MN 55415Room 350, Public Service Center Members: Council Members Elliott Payne (President), Aisha Chughtai (Vice-President), Robin Wonsley, Michael Rainville, LaTrisha Vetaw, Jeremiah Ellison, Jamal Osman, Katie Cashman, Andrea Jenkins, Jason Chavez, Emily Koski, Aurin Chowdhury, and Linea Palmisano (Majority vote of all members, 7; 2/3 vote of all members, 9; quorum 7) Clerk: Ken Dahler, (612) 673-2216 Call to Order Roll Call. Adoption of the agenda. Unfinished Business 1. 2026 City Budget (2025-00901) Considering amendments to the 2026 City Budget.

Well this is interesting: The Minneapolis City Council has set a special meeting Tuesday night to "consider amendments" to the city budget.

The Council approved it last week, but Mayor Jacob Frey has been weighing a veto. The mayor must sign or veto by Tuesday lims.minneapolismn.gov/agenda/Counc...

sorry I miscounted … Jenkins was absent: *10-1

After many bad puns, @katiecashman.bsky.social's proposal passes 11-1