👮‍♀️ Sheriff vs. Hennepin County on budget

Sheriff Witt Warns of Lawsuit Over Hennepin Budget Cap

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt threatened to sue the Hennepin County Board if the board tries to stop her office from exceeding its 2026 budget. The board says the sheriff’s office must stay within the approved $182.5 million, but Witt called that figure “unattainable” and argued it could violate state law to force her office to operate under it. [Wedge LIVE]

• We've seen this before: As noted by Wedge LIVE, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher tried a similar tactic in 2020 after the county cut $1.17 million from his department’s budget. Fletcher sued under the same state law Witt referenced, but a District Court judge ultimately denied the request for more funding. [Star Tribune]
• Under scrutiny: Witt said the sheriff’s office has faced unexpected costs responding to civil unrest in recent months. HCSO has been criticized for how deputies handled crowd control during demonstrations throughout Operation Metro Surge. That scrutiny intensified recently, including after the department opened an internal investigation into a deputy captured on video slamming an anti-ICE protester’s head on the pavement during a protest. [Wedge LIVE / Bring Me The News]

This job might suck less: Julie Le, the former federal attorney who recently proclaimed "this job sucks" in a courtroom, announced that she is running for Congress against incumbent Rep. Ilhan Omar. Le formerly worked for the Department of Homeland Security as assistant chief counsel, and her campaign website says she plans to focus on immigration reform, education funding, and health care access. [Star Tribune]

Watching the watchers: On this week's episode of our new national podcast, "Your City Could Be Better," City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran sits down with D.C. host Mike Shaffer to talk about a new D.C. law that aims to help hold federal agents accountable. It’s a risky move for a city without a state, and may contain lessons for officials here in the Twin Cities. [Your City Could Be Better]

Get some pie: Pi Day is tomorrow, and celebrated food critic Kirstie Kimball of beyond beurre blanc shared where to find some of her favorite pies on today's episode of the podcast. Grab some black bottom banana cream pie from Hi-Lo Diner, a buttermilk pie from Gus Gus, or check out the full episode for more delicious recommendations. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Dogs allowed: Following a settlement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Lyft will now guarantee rideshares for people with service animals nationwide. Lyft also agreed to pay $63,000 to a blind college student who was denied multiple rides due to traveling with a service animal. [MPR]

'The need is still there': Despite the slowing of ICE operations in the Twin Cities, many immigrant families are still facing food insecurity. Minnesota food banks and food shelves say that Operation Metro Surge has pushed many immigrant families into food insecurity, and that it will take a long time for folks to fully recover. [Sahan Journal]

Friday, Mar 13

• 🦆 National Loon Day 🆓 | Larissa Loden
• 🎉 Minnesota 50501 First Birthday Party 🆓 | Hook and Ladder
• 🕺 Drone Night (MIRAC fundraiser) | Ivy Building
• 🥁 Brother Ruckus (Feat. L.A. Buckner) | Berlin
• 👻 Horror Movie Night 🆓 | Up-Down
• ☘️ Shamrock Shakedown | Green Room
• 🎶 Stand With Immigrants Benefit Concert | The Parkway Theater

Saturday, Mar 14

• 🇮🇪 Everybody’s Irish 5K/10K | Lake Harriet
• 💿 Sloppy Discs Movie Swap 🆓 | Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative
• 📚 HerStory Book Fair 🆓 | Midtown Global Market
• 🍺 St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl | Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater
• 🎶 The Tolerables EP Release Party | Pilllar Forum
• 🪩 Sapphic Prom for Rent Relief | Hook & Ladder Theater
• ☘️ Shamrock Shakedown | Green Room
• 🌍 We All, Everyone of Us - Poetry, Art and Song for Mutual Aid | Pangea World Theater

Sunday, Mar 15

• 🧘 Anti-fascism Yoga 🆓 | Recovery Bike Shop
• 🧑‍🎤 80s Big Hair Drag Brunch | Crave
• 🚲 Joyfulton March Social Ride 🆓 | Fulton Taproom
• ❣️ Southside Student Mutual-Aid Matinee Fundraiser | Hook and Ladder Theater
• 🎨 Karen Aldrich Art Show | Caydence Records and Coffee
• ⭐ Oscars Party 🆓 | Blackstack Brewing
• 🎤 Dessa | Dakota
• 🎶 New Standards ‘Our Neighbor’ ICE relief show | Crooners

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