🧊 Did local law enforcement help ICE?

ICE, MPD, and Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies at Karmel Mall

On Monday, DHS agents called local law enforcement for support after a crowd of residents formed to protest the arrest of a family near the Karmel Mall in South Minneapolis. Four people were reportedly arrested by the federal agents, including one protester. A video posted by Sen. Omar Fateh shows federal agents dragging a woman who may have been pregnant across the ground while bystanders shouted and threw snowballs at them. [Fox 9]

• Local law enforcement involvement: Officers from both MPD and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene, drawing harsh criticisms from community members, including from City Council Member Robin Wonsley. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office released the audio from the phone call when a DHS supervisor requested assistance, claiming that federal agents were "being attacked" by "60-70 agitators." According to an MPD spokesperson, MPD officers determined that no one was being assaulted and left after 10 minutes. HCSO deputies helped the federal agents leave the scene, though they did not witness any attacks on agents and did not deploy any chemical munitions. [MPR]
• Immigrant-run businesses suffer: Businesses that serve our immigrant communities are struggling to make sales, as many of their regular customers are afraid to come in while ICE agents may be targeting them. A local restaurant owner in the Karmel Mall said she can "almost count the number of sales [she] made in the past three weeks, because the mall is empty." Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez was joined by three of his colleagues in a public statement calling on residents to shop at immigrant-run businesses this holiday season to help them through this tough time. [Minnesota Reformer]

Baristas unionizing: Starbucks workers at locations in St. Paul and Wayzata have recently voted to join the Starbucks Workers United union. The Starbucks Workers United union is currently leading a nationwide strike demanding better hours, higher take-home pay, and a resolution to complaints of unfair labor practices. Although the union is on strike, these two newly-unionized Twin Cities locations have remained open so far. [Pioneer Press]

Is it really that bad? On today's episode of the City Cast Twin Cities podcast, we heard some horror stories about dating in the Twin Cities, from getting tackled by Minnehaha Falls "as a joke" to having romantic partners try some "surprise spitting" in bed. If you have any dating horror stories to share, we’re so sorry, but please send them in, and we might share them in a future episode! [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Pond Hockey Face-Lift: A multi-state organizer of outdoor pond hockey events known as Pond Hockey Classic has acquired Minneapolis' Pond Hockey Championships. Pond Hockey Classic said they want to "preserve what makes the USPHC special," while elevating the player and fan experience. [Twin Cities Business]

Pasties in St. Paul: Potter's Pasties and Pies has opened its third brick-and-mortar location in the Twin Cities, inside the Dabbler Depot in St. Paul. I totally knew what a pasty was before reading about this, but in case you haven't, it's a type of British pastry filled with savory ingredients like beef, potato, onions, and veggies. Sounds like a solid empanada! [Bring Me The News]

Hmong students protest: Hundreds of Hmong students in St. Paul Public Schools stayed home from school Monday to protest overcrowding at a popular Hmong dual language and culture school. Parents and students are trying to get buy-in from the district for a plan to move students in the Hmong studies program to a location with more space. [Star Tribune]

Wednesday, December 17

• ❄️ Heart and Solstice | Bell Museum
• 🎶 3rd Annual Fulton Caroling Party 🆓 | Pershing Park
• 💘 Ugly Sweater Sapphic Speed Dating | A Bar of Their Own
• 🖌️ Manifest-It: A Community Collage Party | Pride Cultural Arts Center
• 🎄 A Charlie Brown Christmas ft. Blue Ox Trio | Turf Club
• 🛷 Feeders 2: Slay Bells | Trylon Cinema
• 🎺 Maurice MOBETTA Brown & Room3 Quintet | Icehouse

Thursday, December 18

• 🪐 Museum Nights: Lost in Space | Science Museum of Minnesota
• 🦪 Oyster School with Chef Russell Klein | Meritage
• 🎧 Guest Selector Series ft. Jake Rudh | Small Hours
• 👗 The Friend Zone: A Girls Only Clothing Exchange | Brühaven Craft Co.
• 🎹 Cornbread Harris & Friends – Holiday Blues Show | Hook and Ladder
• 🕎 Adam Bohanan Presents A Very Funky Hanukkah Show | Cedar Cultural Center
• 🎤 Chloe Radcliffe + Jeff Pfoser (CCU Reopening Party Weekend) | Comedy Corner Underground
• 👑 Flip Phone Superstar 2025: Twin Cities' Next Drag Superstar | First Avenue

• Wardrobe Director at Guthrie Theater | $75k – $76k per year
• Art Director at Fallon | $127k - $183k per year
• Channel Marketing Manager at General Mills | $108k – $181k per year
• Major and Planned Giving Officer at Twin Cities PBS | $85k – $95k per year
• Grounds Manager at Minnesota Twins | $60k - $70k per year