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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| You get an award: This year, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award goes to … all of us in the Twin Cities! The award recognizes residents “for risking their lives to protect their neighbors and immigrant community members from an unprecedented federal law enforcement operation.” Zena Stenvik (Columbia Heights Public Schools), Imam Yusuf Abdulle (Somali American Leadership Table and Islamic Association of North America), Carolina Ortiz (COPAL), and Natalie Ehret (Haven Watch) will accept the award as representatives. [MPR News] | | Tale of two cities: For over a month now, Minneapolis and St. Paul have been distributing rent relief in response to Operation Metro Surge. The Star Tribune’s Josie Albertson-Grove reports that so far, the cities have disbursed 15% and 10% of their funds, respectively. Notably, St. Paul has less staff to process applications and fewer ties to community organizations that could reach renters; Hennepin County is distributing Minneapolis’ funds through several nonprofits. [Star Tribune] | | Disputed charges: Two North Minneapolis pastors made headlines last month after the Attorney General filed a $2 million fraud lawsuit against them. North News has a really interesting piece about how their backers are gearing up to help them fight the case. Bishop Larry Cook and Sharon Cook say they have receipts for every claim in the 48-page lawsuit. Notably, Attorney General Keith Ellison recused himself from the case (his daughter took lessons at the couple’s dance studio). [North News] | |  | Crow picnic at Harriet Bandshell Picnic Ground. (Tiffany Bui / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Crow picnic: I spent Saturday at a picnic for corvid-lovers at Lake Harriet Park. Attendees came dressed in crow-inspired outfits, traded shiny trinkets, and even competed to see who could let out the best caw. “ I think what makes Minneapolis so special is that we have so many cool, unique events centered around niche subinterests,” organizer Sammy Lett told me. Check our social media for a video recap later! | | Second ICE agent arrested: The ICE agent who shot a man in Northside and falsely claimed self-defense is now in custody. Christian Castro was taken into custody in Texas after Hennepin County put out a warrant for his arrest. He faces four counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime. [Sahan Journal] | | Coming soon: “Beyond Walls,” an international public art project by artist Saype, is debuting at Boom Island Park today. The collection features intertwining hands drawn in chalk and charcoal, meant to be eco-friendly and washed away. Based on a photo of one of the installations in Paris, the end piece will be massive. [MSP Mag] |
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| | | Monday, June 1 | | | Tuesday, June 2 | | | |
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There’s so much to do this month that we wrote 4,000 words about it. Check out our June Guide, and don’t miss a pic of the snake Adam grabbed with his bare hands. 😨 |
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