|
Tabulation is now complete for Tuesday’s municipal election. The unofficial results for all races can be found on the City website.
Across all 13 wards, a record-setting number of Minneapolis voters made their voices heard in the 2025 municipal election. According to unofficial results, 147,702 voters – 55% of registered voters - cast their ballot. The unofficial 2025 numbers break the previous record of 54% turnout in 2021.
Read the unofficial results on the City website.
After the 2025 election season wraps up, if you have yard signs for the election check with the campaign to see if it’s collecting its yard signs for reuse. If the yard sign can’t be reused, you can drop it off Nov. 12-26.
The signs will be brought to Choice Plastics, where they’ll be turned into pellets and then recycled into new material.
Yard sign recycling drop-off sites
- Minneapolis North Transfer Station, bins outside of the gate 2710 Pacific St.
- Minnetonka/Hopkins Recycling Center, 24/7 11522 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka
- St. Louis Park Recreation Outdoor Center, container inside front entrance 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day 3700 Monterrey Drive, St. Louis Park
-
Hennepin County drop-off sites, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
- 1400 96th St. W., Bloomington
- 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park
Find more information about yard sign recycling drop-offs.
As the federal government shutdown delays and disrupts critical food assistance, the City of Minneapolis will allocate $150,000 to six local nonprofit partners that provide free, healthy food to neighbors. The funding, directed from the Minneapolis Health Department’s Homegrown Minneapolis program, will go out this week to help food shelves restock and meet rising demand as residents face continued uncertainty around federal food benefits.
More than 60,000 Minneapolis residents — about 14% of the city’s population — rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to buy food each month. While two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency funds to continue some SNAP payments during the shutdown, it’s still unclear when—or if—those funds will reach families in full.
Read more on the City website.
Initial data from the City of Minneapolis’ traffic safety camera pilot program shows speeding is down at camera locations across the city in the program’s first month. As the program transitions from issuing warnings to issuing citations, the City is releasing preliminary findings of the pilot’s impact.
Across all five camera locations over the first month of operations:
- The rate of drivers recorded traveling 10 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 30%.
- The rate of drivers recorded traveling 20 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 76%.
These positive initial results can only be attributed to signs and initial warnings sent out. Results in other cities with traffic safety camera programs have shown further reductions in unsafe speeding as more people receive warnings and citations are issued.
Warnings and citations
Friday, Nov. 7, the City started begin to issue citations to drivers detected travelling 10 or more miles over the speed limit.
Read more on the City website.
|
 Produce at a farmers market.
Winter market season begins this month in four locations around the city.
Winter farmers markets offer delicious ingredients including local produce, meats and baked goods. You can also find gifts and other handmade goods such as soap, jewelry and pottery. Shop at the winter farmers markets to pick up grocery staples and artisan goods and also to provide critical support to local producers and makers.
Find a farmers market.
The City of Minneapolis will host an online meeting Nov. 18 about rail safety during construction of the METRO Green Line extension. The project is also known as the Southwest light rail. The extension will add 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line, which connects downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul.
Residents will get information and have the opportunity to ask questions. Participants include the Southwest LRT Project Office, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company and the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Rail safety meeting 6-7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18
Join the meeting live on Microsoft Teams.
Or call in: +1 612-276-6670 Phone conference ID: 358 220 044#
 The Lake Street Safety Center.
For a year now, the Lake Street Safety Center has provided vital resources, created a welcoming space for community members, and responded to community members’ needs. Hundreds of visitors have received information and direct access to support. The hub is designed for City, County, and community partners to work side by side and deliver services more efficiently.
Resources
The Lake Street Safety Center serves as a temporary home for City resources and community service providers until the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center opens some time in 2026. Partners and services include:
- Crime prevention specialists
- Lake Street safety coordinator
- Safety center agents
Video
Watch a video about this welcoming space with vital resources for the community.
Read more about the Lake Street Safety Center on the City website.
 A diagram showing the water service line.
Next week, residents with a lead water service line will be getting a letter from the City. The water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main in the street to the meter inside a property and is owned by the property owner. The letter provides information about the water service line material, steps that can be taken to minimize lead exposure in drinking water, and an update on the City’s effort to replace lead water service lines. An interactive map of the water service line inventory can be viewed on the City’s website.
How we know our tap water is safe
Minneapolis takes steps to make sure our tap water is lead-free and safe to drink. The water is tested hundreds of times a day and is treated in a way that prevents lead from pipes from getting into the water.
Replacing lead service lines
Last year, using state and federal grant funds, we began proactively replacing lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner. We replaced around 400 lead service lines using grant funds in 2024 with a plan to replace 1,000 more this year. This effort will continue until we’ve replaced or attempted to replace every lead service line in the city. Replacement requires the property owner’s consent. Project locations are selected based upon priorities established in State law; we do not replace lines upon individual property owner request. State law requires us to prioritize replacement by:
- Replacing service lines at day cares and schools.
- Focusing on areas with lower-income residents and other disadvantaged communities.
- Coordinating the replacement of lead service lines with other capital improvement projects to make the most of grant funding.
If a property owner would like to replace their lead service line before their property is in one of the City’s designated project areas, they may do so at their own expense by contracting directly with a licensed plumbing contractor. Or the property owner may authorize the City to hire a licensed plumbing contractor to replace the lead service line. In doing so, the property owner agrees either to reimburse the City directly for the replacement costs or to have any unpaid portion assessed as a special tax on the property payable over five years.
You can find more information on the City website.
Even though federal funding is on hold due to the government shutdown, the State of Minnesota is urging eligible households to apply now for energy assistance through Minnesota’s federally funded Energy Assistance Program. The State recommends that households take the following steps to protect their heat and electricity from interruption:
- Apply for the Energy Assistance Program. This will make sure your household is in the system when funds are available. The program is still accepting and processing applications. Apply through the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County.
- Set up a payment plan with each utility company to get shut-off protection. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule offers some protection from utility shutoffs but requires households to set up and follow a payment plan. If you have questions, you can visit the Public Utilities Commission website or call 1-800-657-3782.
Visit the Citizens Utility Board website to find more resources.
Read more on the City website.
The Cold Weather Rule is now in effect. The Cold Weather Rule means that if you can’t pay your home heat bill, your heat can’t be shut off Oct. 1-April 30. If you get a notice about disconnecting your primary heat source, make sure to immediately contact the utility and set up a payment plan.
Find resources on the State of Minnesota website. This information is available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
 An airplane in the sky.
The Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport is one of 40 major airports where the Trump administration has decided to reduce flight capacity due to the prolonged federal government shutdown. We will start seeing flight cancelations at MSP Friday, Nov. 7, ramping up to a 10% reduction. This could impact up to 90 flights per day. The FAA says cuts to each airline’s schedules will be proportionate.
Travelers should be sure to check airline schedules frequently and arrive at the airport early in case of security delays or unexpected schedule changes. The FAA says they will share more information in the coming days.
 Minneapolis is a Welcoming City. Four rights in ICE interactions and link to partner resources, workshops and legal help at minneapolismn.gov/OIRA.
 Minneapolis yog ib lub nroog Tos Txais txhua tus. Mus saib ntau yam kev pab los ntawm peb cov koom tes ntxiv hauv peb lub vev xaib: minneapolismn.gov/OIRA
 Minneapolis waa magaalo dadka oo dhan soo dhaweyneysa. Boggeenna internetka ayaad ka heleysaa hay’adaha nala shaqeeya: minneapolismn.gov/OIRA
 Minneapolis es una ciudad acogedora. Obtenga más recursos de socios en nuestro sitio web: minneapolismn.gov/OIRA
Minneapolis is a Welcoming City – a place where all should feel safe, respected and included, regardless of immigration status. The City of Minneapolis works hard to put these values into policy and practice because we know that when everyone in our city feels like they belong, we all benefit.
Immigration rights and responsibilities
You can find information from our community partners on the City website. Some of that information includes:
- What to know in interactions with ICE (federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement):
- How to prepare:
- Make a plan to prepare your family.
- Carry a “know-your-rights” card.
- Keep your immigration papers on you at all times.
- Meet with a lawyer to learn about your immigration options.
- Learn how to prepare for an immigration encounter. Attend a workshop, information session or community hours.
Visit the City’s website to learn all this and more.
This time of year, pet owners should make sure their pets are vaccinated against rabies. Now is prime season for bats, and if a pet is exposed to a bat infected with rabies, that could be fatal. Whether or not a pet has a vaccination, they should be taken to a regular veterinary office or community clinic for a rabies booster within 72 hours of an exposure or bite. There could be a time of confinement and/or quarantine. City policy will have the pet impounded if it’s unvaccinated and exposed to a bat until the bat in question is tested and has a negative result.
For questions about bats or help from Minneapolis Animal Control, call 612-673-6222. People can also call the Minnesota Animal Bites and Rabies Hotline at 651-201-5414 or toll free at 1-877-676-5414.
There are two upcoming public hearings for people to provide feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2026 City budget.
City budget public hearings These public hearings will take place at the Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350.
- 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
- 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. (The City Council will vote on adopting the budget following the hearing.)
Learn how to participate in public hearings.
Comments can also be submitted at the City’s website.
Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended 2026 budget, details of the 2025-2026 adopted budget, quick facts, an explainer video and more.
|
After 16 months of focused efforts, the City’s Office of Police Conduct Review has completed the investigative work on all 234 cases in its historic backlog. The completion of these cases is an important milestone in the City’s commitment to creating meaningful, transparent oversight and accountability for Minneapolis police.
OPCR is a division of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department. It serves as a neutral agency that investigates allegations of police misconduct made by members of the public. It’s a central part of Minneapolis’ police reform efforts. The office has grown in capacity and efficiency as a result of effective leadership, more accountability and staff support, clear roles and responsibilities, and innovative changes to the process.
Completion of the investigative work will allow staff to focus on addressing newer complaints while also moving the City closer to compliance with expectations outlined in the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement.
Read more on the City website.
 A smiling 311 service agent wearing a headset.
Minneapolis 311 and the Minneapolis Service Centers downtown and in the Lake Street Safety Center will close Wednesday, Nov. 19, for one day. A one-day staff training will focus on service improvements.
They will resume regular business hours Thursday, Nov. 20.
How residents can get information when 311 services are closed
Residents can get City information and make reports online whenever 311 is closed or leave a message for a call back.
- Residents can find information about City topics or departments on the City website.
- Residents can tell the City about issues from barking dogs to graffiti using an online form.
- Residents can dial 311 or 612-673-3000 and leave a message for a call back when business hours resume.
As always, people should call 911 for emergencies.
About the 311 Service Center
The 311 Service Center offers City information and services online on the City website; over the phone at 311 or 612-673-3000; and in person at 505 Fourth Ave. S., skyway level, and the Lake Street Safety Center, 2228 E. Lake St.
The City is taking a modern approach to responding to emergency calls. Instead of only sending a traditional responder for all 911 calls, we’re also offering other services more suited to help someone in a crisis. Our newest step is directly connecting some 911 callers with a social worker.
When someone calls 911, the call taker decides if a social worker can support the caller instead of needing to dispatch an emergency response. Our dispatch center-based social worker will talk with the caller and figure out the best way to help them. It could be over-the-phone crisis intervention; counseling; or connecting the caller with mental health care, addiction treatment or housing support.
Read more on the City website.
As we celebrated National First Responders Day last week, we recognize the bravery of all those who responded during the Annunciation Parish shooting Aug. 27.
The responders highlighted in Sunday’s Star Tribune article are just five of the many heroes whose quick actions and training saved lives. The responders featured in the article are:
- Deputy Fire Chief Colm Black, Minneapolis Fire Department
- Firefighter Seamus Black, Minneapolis Fire Department
- Paramedic B. Gregory, HCMC
- Chad Howard, Minneapolis public safety telecommunicator, 911
- Ryan Kelly, Minneapolis Police Department
Read about the heroism that unfolded that day, and if you get a chance, thank a first responder.
 The Minneapolis Fire Department's first all-Native fire crew.
On the edge of downtown Minneapolis sits the city’s busiest fire station: MFD Station 6. The station serves one of the city’s most vibrant yet historically underserved communities — one rich in culture, tradition and resilience. Engine 10, based at Station 6, is the city’s second busiest crew, responding to hundreds of fires, medical emergencies and other calls each year. Engine 10’s A Shift is also the Minneapolis Fire Department’s first all-Native firefighter crew.
For these firefighters, every call carries deeper meaning, as they bring representation, service and understanding responding to a neighborhood that’s predominantly their own community.
Video
Meet the crew: Serving their people - Introducing the Minneapolis Fire Department's first all-Native fire crew.
Hennepin Avenue South has reopened after major upgrades over two years. The new design improves space for people to walk, ride transit, bike and drive.
The redesigned corridor features:
- Modernized signals and lights.
- Upgraded water, sanitary, electric and gas utilities.
- Wider and safer pedestrian spaces.
- A protected bikeway.
- Green stormwater infrastructure.
- More efficient, reliable transit service.
- Space for the future METRO E Line stations.
Lanes will close as needed through the fall for finishing work.
A jack-o’-lantern with a big smile.
When you’re done with your carved pumpkins and other gourds, you can put them in your green organics recycling cart. They don’t need to be bagged. Remember to remove any candles or lights first.
If you haven’t signed up for organics recycling, you can put carved pumpkins and other gourds with your other yard waste.
Added synthetic materials such as paint, permanent markers, glitter or jewels make pumpkins non-compostable, and then they have to go in the black garbage cart.
Wrappers from Halloween candy go in the garbage. They are not recyclable or compostable.
Find more information about organics recycling on the City website.
 A row of yard waste containers ready for collection.
Yard waste collection goes through November. City customers’ collection day the week of Nov. 24-29 will be their last 2025 pickup of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings.
Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alley or curb line next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day. Set yard waste out in a reusable container, in compostable bags (paper or BPI-certified compostable plastic bags – look for the BPI logo) or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).
Other requirements
- Max weight of 40 lbs. for bags, reusable containers or bundled brush.
- Brush must be shorter than 3 feet long and each branch less than 3 inches in diameter.
- Brush must be in a container or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).
- Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the State law and are not accepted.
- Reusable container must be between 26-32 inches high, between 32 and 38 gallons in size, with sturdy handles and no wheels.
- Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.
City customers are encouraged to set out properly prepared yard waste as soon as possible. There will be no additional 2025 yard waste service after the last scheduled pickup.
Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.
For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 Monday-Friday.
Minneapolis and eight other local governments are suing the Trump administration. The lawsuit is over the administration’s attempt to set unlawful conditions on federal funds for emergency and disaster preparedness.
In Minneapolis, these funds come to nearly $3.6 million. They are life-saving grants. They pay for most of the positions leading the City’s responses to disasters such as mass shootings, terrorism, tornadoes, floods, diseases, cyber threats and cyberattacks. The funds also buy equipment for the Minneapolis Police and Fire Departments.
The lawsuit asks the court to stop the DHS and FEMA from using these funds as leverage for unrelated political agendas.
Read more about the lawsuit on the City website. |
