💰 Who got $ this session?

South Minneapolis urban farm one step closer to reality

I’m very grateful that this job doesn’t require me to stay up past midnight on a Sunday to watch the Legislature close out its session. Shoutout to the reporters putting in that work, because a list of major infrastructure updates squeaked in just before the deadline. Though highly partisan bills like an assault-style weapons ban didn’t pass, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the session as productive. Also, I know the word “infrastructure” just made you fall asleep, but I promise there are some interesting gems. [MPR News / MinnPost / Star Tribune]

• What got funded: MinnPost’s Brian Arola reports that one-third – that’s $420 million – of the bonding bill went toward updating water infrastructure, a priority for cities and towns statewide. The Legislature designated $13 million to St. Paul’s West Seventh neighborhood for a utility project. [MinnPost]
• A dream alive: Minneapolis Council member Jason Chavez points out that $4 million for the city’s water distribution facility means that an urban farm long pushed by neighbors and environmental advocates can become a reality. With this funding, the city can move the water distribution facility elsewhere and the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute can purchase the land. For years, EPNI has been unable to secure the funds to buy the site, but in March the organization agreed to buy half the site from the city of Minneapolis. [Jason Chavez via Bluesky / Sahan Journal / City Cast Twin Cities]
• Revamping downtown: Anticipate some construction in downtown St. Paul. The Star Tribune reports the bonding bill gives Roy Wilkins Auditorium $40 million for renovations, while the Grand Casino Arena will get $10 million. It seems like Mayor Kaohly Her couldn’t convince lawmakers to get her the $200 million she originally requested for the arena. [Star Tribune]

An “open secret”: The Star Tribune reports that state officials stopped staff from investigating a government meal program out of fear their oversight would trigger lawsuits. One director with the Office of the Legislative Auditor reported that the Minnesota Department of Education could have shut down Feeding Our Future as early as 2018. Organization leader Aimee Bock’s sentencing is set for Thursday, when she faces 50 years in prison. [Star Tribune / Sahan Journal]

Day in court for ICE agent: The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has charged the ICE agent who allegedly shot a Venezuelan man in North Minneapolis back in January. Christian J. Castro faces second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and is charged with falsely reporting a crime. Castro initially said he was attacked by two men, which led to their detainment; video footage disputed his account. [Star Tribune]

Bye burgers: Red Cow on Hennepin Avenue is not renewing their lease, and will end their ten-year tenure at that location on June 1. The restaurant’s North Loop and 50th & France locations remain open. [Jason DeRusha via X]

For your garden: Thanks to Grand Rapids-based Beiers Greenhouse, I learned there is one type of cactus native to Minnesota. The eastern prickly pear cactus grows to about six inches! It seems to go dormant in the cold, which helps it survive the winter. [Beiers Greenhouse via TikTok]

Into the Rondo-Verse: A Macalester College student recreated the Rondo neighborhood in Roblox, with help from the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Called the “Rondo-Verse,” players can view the neighborhood before and after the creation of I-94. [Pioneer Press]

Tuesday, May 19

• 🆓 Coffee with City Cast + Meet the Artists! | Café Marguerite
• 🌿 Bachman's Great Garden Gathering | All Bachman's Garden Centers
• 🆓 "You Belong Here" Cash Mob | Mercado Central
• ✍️ Reading at The Troubadour: Courtney Kocak & Friends | The Troubadour Wine Bar
• 🆓 MN Rovers: BWCA Trip Planning Presentation | Como Park
• 💃 Back to the Barre Live with Christi & Kelly | Parkway Theater
• 🎷 Explosion Big Band | Jazz Central Studios

Wednesday, May 20

• 🆓 CAW (Crop Art Wednesday) | Lake Monster Brewing
• 🎨 Lino Stamp Printmaking Workshop | MetroNOME Brewery
• 🌿 Invasive Plants Pull | Nicollet Island Park
• 🧘 Tarot and Clay | West River Arts Building
• 🏺 Pottery Painting | Queermunity
• 🎥 Daughters of the Dust by Julie Dash | Walker Art Center
• 😂 Elise Cole | Acme Comedy Company

Scroll past if you aren’t executive material…

• Executive Director at Students United | $81k – $115k per year
• Executive Director at Metro Deaf School | $110k – $160k per year
• Executive Director at Foci MN Center for Glass Arts | $60k – $70k per year
• Executive Director at Firefly Sisterhood | $80k – $90k per year
• Assistant Executive Director at MN Peace Officers Board | $85k – $123k per year