🧊 Frey de-ICEs Minneapolis parking lots

Frey bans ICE vehicles in Minneapolis parking lots

In an effort to block ICE activity in the city, Mayor Jacob Frey signed an executive order that prohibits agencies from “using any City-owned parking lots, ramps, garages, or vacant lots to stage civil immigration enforcement operations.” The mayor also directed city staff to post signage in these parking lots stating they’re off-limits. Private property owners can also put up the city-designed signs. [MPR]

• Learning from Chicago: After high-profile ICE raids in the city, Chicago’s mayor created “ICE-free” zones in October. The executive order covers city-owned property like libraries and parks, and some Illinois suburbs followed suit. Evanston’s mayor said the order has worked “great” as ICE has not tried to violate it, but they have “strong legal footing” if they do. [FOX 32 Chicago / WBEZ Chicago]
• Private parking lots: Nekima Levy-Armstrong of the Racial Justice Network and other activist groups are calling out Target for reportedly allowing federal agents to use its Lake Street location for staging an immigration operation. [Facebook]

Rising from the ashes: After a fire that forced them to close for much of the year, Herbivorous Butcher is getting a Flavortown win. The vegan eatery appears on today’s episode of Guy Fieri’s “Triple D Nation,” where Fieri revisits his fave spots from “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” [Bring Me The News]

Budget time: The city just decided its spending priorities for 2026. Homeowners expect rate increases – about an extra $232 for a $289,200 median-value home. The city is also investing in downtown with more parking enforcement officers and affordable housing. Listen to today’s podcast episode to hear more about Minneapolis’ pending budget. [Star Tribune / 🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Splendid anniversary: MPR’s culinary show “Splendid Table” is turning 30! Sally Swift, co-creator and managing producer, joins City Cast to reflect on the show’s legacy. Fans will remember how Splendid Table was there for us in the early days of the pandemic when we had to cook for ourselves. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

New home for backflips: I remember how heartbreaking it was when the University of Minnesota cut its men’s gymnastics team in 2020. Fortunately, the team’s nonprofit fully funded it, and now they have their own practice space. The Fairview Business Center in St. Paul has really high ceilings, apparently! [MPR]

Doubts about driverless: Some Minneapolis city council members oppose Waymo’s driverless cars hitting the streets. Council member Jamal Osman is concerned about the company putting rideshare drivers out of work, many of whom are immigrants and people of color. Others want to pass regulations or an outright ban. [Star Tribune]

Friday, December 5

• 🎁 Makers Merry Mini Market | Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center
• 🥐 Merry Marc Heu Christmas Market | Marc Heu Patisserie Paris (Linden Hills)
• 🌕 Full Moon Hike 🆓 | Theo Wirth Lake
• 🍽️ The Splendid Table 30th Anniversary Live Show | The Fitzgerald Theater
• 🎶 The New Standards Holiday Show | State Theatre
• 🥁 Black Market Brass x Obi Original | Cedar Cultural Center
• 🎛️ Kajunga Records 10 Year Anniversary Party | (Secret Location)

Saturday, December 6

• 🧶 20th Annual No Coast Craft-O-Rama 🆓 | Midtown Global Market
• 🎅 Santa Cycle Rampage 🆓 | The Loop Minneapolis
• 🌀 Strange Times Market | Annex Studios
• 👗 FashionMSP: The Experiment | The Whim
• 🕎 The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah | Dakota
• 🎭 Dinner for One (opening night) | Jungle Theater
• 🕺 Enigma Dance Party | Red Sea Restaurant
• 🔪 Silent Night, Deadly Night (Advance Screening) 🆓 | Main Cinema

Sunday, December 7

• 🧰 Holiday Makers Market | Toolbox Collective
• 🎨 Raging Art On Holiday Market 🆓 | Gamut Gallery
• ❄️ Aprés Outdoor Fashion Show | Graze Food Hall
• 🏒 Minnesota Frost Watch Party | A Bar of Their Own
• 💚 Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! | Children's Theatre Company
• 🪕 Pat Donohue & Prairie All-Stars Christmas Show | Aster House
• 🎷 Southside Aces: Christmas in New Orleans | Dakota

• Group Director, Care + Engagement at The Social Lights | $140k - $159k per year
• Research Manager at Minnesota Justice Research Center | $35 - $40 per hour (PT)
• Director of Individual Giving at Hennepin Arts | $90k - $100k per year
• Native Language Revitalization Grant Coordinator at MN Department of Education | $77k - $115k per year
• Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at City of Bloomington | $39.39 - $41.78 per hour