🛍️ Dayton’s Problem

Lawmakers scramble to fund HCMC

Minnesota legislators have less than a month to save Hennepin County Medical Center from closure before their legislative sessions ends. But Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley is “optimistic” they’ll make it happen. “We’ve been very clear that without dedicated revenue, the hospital closes. The end. Our legislators have bought into that,” Conley said on today’s episode. HCMC is the state’s biggest public safety net hospital and busiest Level I trauma center. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

• Battle of the taxes: If HCMC doesn’t get dedicated revenue, i.e. more than just one-time funding, the budget conversation would start all over again for 2027. “ We’re looking at a 23% [property tax] levy to fund the hospital for 2027 if we don't have dedicated revenue,” Conley said. “ We won't be able to put that burden on property taxpayers.” Conley and other commissioners are pushing to repurpose a sales tax to fund Target Field, and increase the tax from 0.15% to 1%.
• Why now?: HCMC was established in 1887, but Conley says they’ve never faced a crisis of this scale. “ The level of disinvestment from the federal government is unprecedented,” she said. Basically, the medical center is providing way more care than it’s being paid for. The end of pandemic-era Medicaid eligibility requirements has reduced reimbursements, and hospitals across the country are bracing for the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. [Minnesota Daily]

Volunteer with us: Join City Cast for a park clean-up of St. Paul’s most beloved spots this Saturday! We’re teaming up with the St. Paul Yacht Club and the Pool & Yacht Club in Lilydale to celebrate Earth Month. Afterwards, we’ll hang out at the Yacht Club with some music and refreshments. [RSVP here]

Dayton’s Problem: Dayton’s Project in downtown Minneapolis is facing foreclosure. The building’s developer owes $220 million to its lender Fortress Investment Group. Star Tribune reporter Katie Galioto reports the landmark building has been mired in financial trouble for years, as most of the office space remains unfilled. [Star Tribune]

The wait for justice: The family of a 34-year-old mother of two has faced a painfully long court battle. In late September, Mariah Samuels told police her ex-boyfriend David Wright violated a no contact order. He shot and killed her that same day. After Wright no-showed at his sentencing hearing last Friday, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday. The case has placed the Minneapolis Police Department under scrutiny for how it handles reports of domestic violence. [KARE11 / MPR News]

(More) free food: South Minneapolis breakfast spot Modern Times made headlines when they announced they’d be offering free food “for the remainder of the government occupation.” The restaurant even changed its name to Post Modern Times. Even though the ICE presence has decreased, owner Dylan Alverson said the restaurant will continue serving meals on a donation basis. Post Modern Times gave away 3,000 breakfasts in March, according to Alverson. [Post Modern Times]

In memoriam: Today marks ten years since Minnesota lost royalty. Dearly beloved, we’re remembering Prince in today’s crossword. [Give it a try]

Tuesday, Apr 21

• 🆓 Ballet Tuesdays: Mary Poppins | Landmark Center
• 🎭 The Wizard of Oz | Children's Theatre Company
• 🎬 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) 35mm | The Parkway Theater
• 🎨 Paint & Sip | Boom Island Brewing
• 🎸 The Reasonable Doubts | Turf Club
• 😂 Canned Laughter Improv Comedy | Sisyphus Brewing
• 🌿 Our Power, Our Planet: Earth Week Fest | Phoenix Theater

Wednesday, Apr 22

• 😂 Carmen Lynch | Acme Comedy Company
• 🎵 The New Standards | Crooners
• ✍️ HERD: A Women-Centered Storytelling Platform | The Parkway Theater
• 🎨 Party in Bloom | Minneapolis Institute of Art
• 🌿 April Evening Birding | Lakewood Cemetery
• 🔢 Labubu Bingo | Can Can Wonderland
• 🆓 Ripples Book Launch with Katie Yamasaki | Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

• Seed to Sales Systems Coordinator at Cannabis Management Office | $59k – $87k per year
• Plant Breeding Data Analytics at UMN Dept of Agronomy and Plant Genetics | $97k – $101k per year
• Archivist, Social Welfare History Archives at UMN Libraries | $64k – $78k per year
• Anatomical 3D Artist & Human Factors Device Designer at UMN Bakken Medical Devices Center | $33 – $57 per hour
• Theatre Teaching Artist at Lakeville Area Art Center | $34 – $41 per hour (PT)