🏫 Trump goes after MPS layoff policy

Feds call Minneapolis Public Schools’ layoff policy “discrimination.”

The Department of Justice is suing Minneapolis Public Schools for a provision in their teacher contract that states that during layoffs, teachers from underrepresented backgrounds can retain their jobs out of seniority order. This protects them from the “last in, first out” practice, since teachers of color are more likely to be new. It’s already turbulent times for MPS, as they’re fresh off narrowly avoiding a strike in November. [Sahan Journal / Star Tribune]

• Where does this provision come from?: The district and the union agreed to add this to their contract in 2022 to end their three-week strike. According to the contract, the provision was added to “remedy the continuing effects of past discrimination by the district.” Max Nesterak of The Reformer reports that about 20% of Minneapolis teachers are people of color, and about two-thirds of students are. [Minnesota Reformer]
• What does the lawsuit say?: The policy does not reference race specifically (i.e., “underrepresented” teachers) to avoid such legal challenges, but the DOJ argues this is just a proxy for race. The DOJ claims this language violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and wants to stop the district from using this language or anything similar. [Star Tribune]
• More context: On today’s show, we talk about how this could harm efforts to recruit a more diverse teaching workforce. Notably, union president Marcia Howard responded to Nesterak’s request for comment with: “#ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles.” Tune in to hear the rest of this conversation. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Packing up: The commuters’ nonprofit Move Minneapolis is closing down after an audit found financial entanglements with former Minneapolis Regional Chamber CEO Jonathan Weinhagen. The Metropolitan Council said they can’t tell if the federal funds they received were part of the money Weinhagen took. (Not to be confused with Move Minnesota, by the way.) [Star Tribune]

“It’s a necessity”: Colonial Market in Minneapolis and other Latino businesses are offering free home delivery for families worried about leaving home amid ICE activity. Sahan Journal’s Katelyn Vue reports businesses are working overtime to fulfill these deliveries, and it’s helped boost sales. [Sahan Journal]

Curling champs: Chaska’s Team Casper will be representing U.S. men’s curling in the Olympics, further solidifying Minnesota’s status as a curling powerhouse. Team Peterson, our women's team, could snag the final spot for the Olympics in Italy. [Star Tribune]

Circle of knife: The Star Tribune’s Joy Summers walks us through all the restaurants that closed in the Twin Cities this year. On the flip side, Sharyn Jackson tells us the 160-plus that opened. I’ll miss you Zen Box, and I welcome your ribs, Animales BBQ. [Star Tribune]

Record-breaker: Visit St. Paul has ambitions to assemble the world’s largest hockey puck to celebrate the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in downtown. It’s being built in St. Paul, and the tourism bureau is seeking donations to see it to fruition. [Pioneer Press]

Friday, Dec 12

• 🎤 Chastity Brown | Landmark Center
• 🔥 Earl Sweatshirt | Uptown Theater
• ❄️ Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical | History Theatre
• 🎻 Annie & the Caldwells | Parkway Theater
• 😈 MN Krampus at European Christmas Market | Union Depot
• 🕊️ "Freedom Unidos" Fundraiser + Album Release Show | La Doña Cervecería
• 💃 DJ Salsa Brava 🆓 | Eat Street Crossing

Saturday, Dec 13

• 🕊️ Winter Bird Count 🆓 | Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
• 🔥 10th Annual RedHot Art Market | Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
• 🇵🇷 Parranda Boricua: Fiesta Jíbara | Shoreview Community Center
• 🧿 Night of the Living Wage | ALTR Gallery
• 💥 Gully Boys (album release) | Varsity Theater
• 🚂 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train & American Authors Concert 🆓 | Union Depot
• 🌈 GRRRL SCOUT: That's a Wrap Queer Dance Party | Green Room

Sunday, Dec 14

• 🔥 Susty Social: Sauna + Sound Bath for Climate Hope | Little Ember Co. (Cedar Lake)
• 🌀 Weird Art MPLS Presents: The Winter Bizarre 🆓 | Artspace Jackson Flats
• 🎤 Jordan Klepper | Fillmore Minneapolis
• 🍪 Holiday Cookie Decorating Class with Chef John | Patisserie 46
• 🎼 Liz Draper Album Release Party | Ivy Building for the Arts
• 🧤 Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers + Winter Clothing Drive | 331 Club
• 🌲 The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show | The Fitzgerald Theater

• Reporter at Marketplace | $75k - $90k per year
• Designer at space150 | $65k - $85k per year
• Paid Search Specialist at Minnesota Star Tribune | $26.58 – $32.55 per hour
• Technical Director at American Public Media / MPR | $39.45 -$42.85 per hour
• Audio and Media Shop Supervisor at UMN Dept of Theatre Arts & Dance | $55k - $70k per year