Recent content from Miguel Otárola
Once homeless, this man strives to live in place he helped build
Homelessness in Minneapolis was perhaps never as visible as it was this year. For Allen Touche, an apartment represents something he hasn't had most of his adult life: stability.
Once homeless, a Minneapolis man now strives to live in the place he helped build
Homelessness in Minneapolis was perhaps never as visible as it was this year. For Allen Touche, an apartment represents something he hasn't had most of his adult life: stability.
Despite cold and pleas, homeless camps persist in 3 Mpls. parks
Encampments remained in at least three parks in Minneapolis last week, despite the Park Board's repeated intentions to disband them. Offers of shelter have been refused, and Park Board officials worry about hazards as winter sets in.
Young and social North Loop sees rapid rise in COVID cases
The Minneapolis neighborhood has the city's third highest growth rate in new coronavirus cases, which tracks with the large number of young adults who live there and were more likely to socialize and dine out.
Minneapolis residents still split on police as council considers budget for next year
At public hearing on budget, some call for funding cut, others want more officers.
Clearing of Minneapolis homeless camps may continue, judge rules
In response to a lawsuit by 7 homeless people, the ruling notes that camps are cleared only if shelter is available and if camps pose risks.
Jamal Osman, Minneapolis' newest council member, seeks to move past turbulent start
Osman won a special election in August that was quickly dragged into national politics.
Lawsuit seeks end to clearing of homeless encampments in Minneapolis
Plaintiffs say Minneapolis, county violated rights.
Twin Cities voters flock to early voting centers in huge numbers
The votes accepted to date have surpassed the total number of early voters in the 2016 presidential election by more than 234,600, according to the secretary of state.
After summer in Minneapolis parks, homeless seek other spaces for winter
As tents come down at one Northeast park, a hotel and a church are getting ready.
Mpls. Park Board abandons plan to change park police uniforms to green
The board had requested changing to green uniforms to separate park police from the Minneapolis Police Department.
Police, cameras on Nicollet Mall help fight 'challenging behavior'
Business leaders and police hope new efforts will help rein in bad behavior and intoxication in desolate downtown. "The hope is to calm things down on Nicollet and restore a sense of confidence," Steve Cramer says.
Trump seizes on conservative group's claim of fraud in Minneapolis election
Looking at "harvesting" allegation in council election would fall to MPD, Hennepin County.
Months after riots, volunteers seek changes to help homeless
Those who identify with the Sanctuary Movement are calling on the state to stop clearing encampments and use COVID funding to house more people in hotels during the winter.
Fines, fees, fear: Mpls. neighbors decry 'harassing' homeowners association
The Heritage Park homeowners association has filed liens and foreclosure actions on homeowners who fail to pay fees and other costs on time, even during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mpls. council members object to relocating Third Precinct station to nearby warehouse
The council was set to vote on the lease last month but allowed more time to gather public opinion.
Mpls. officials, community members at impasse over reopening 38th and Chicago
The people who occupy the space say the city needs to agree on their calls for this struggling area of south Minneapolis.
Hiawatha Av. homeless camp returns, bringing a call to action
The Wall of Forgotten Natives had grown to several hundred occupants before it was disbanded two years ago. Now more than 40 tents have reappeared.
One dead, two injured in Brooklyn Park shooting, police say
This is the second shooting reported in the Minneapolis suburb in two days.
One dead, one injured in shooting in rural Long Prairie, Minn., officials say
Authorities believe the shooting was related to a drug transaction.
934 more COVID-19 confirmed cases, 2 more deaths in Minnesota
There are now a total of 75,189 coronavirus cases confirmed by the state.
Despite outcry, Londel French still sees parks as a refuge for homeless
Commissioner says it was right to offer them a refuge in Minneapolis parks.
Minnesota Poll: 2 in 3 voters in Minneapolis view police unfavorably
A majority of Minneapolis residents are critical of the Minneapolis Police Department months after the killing of George Floyd, but police Chief Medaria Arradondo remains popular, according to a new Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll.
Minneapolis Park Board clears more homeless encampments in local parks
The encampments at Kenwood Park, Elliot Park and Peavey Park had "significant crime and safety incidents," the Park Board said.
Jamal Osman leading in crowded special election for Minneapolis City Council
The winner will fill a seat empty since April, when Abdi Warsame left the council to lead the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.
Minneapolis to partially reopen 38th & Chicago starting Aug. 17
The intersection where George Floyd was killed became the site of demonstrations and memorials.
Mpls. charter panel blocks plan to remake police from ballot
The Minneapolis Charter Commission voted 10-5 to take an additional 90 days to study the measure.
Protesters gather as Cup Foods reopens 2 months after Floyd's death
Dozens of protesters gathered in front of the store at the intersection of 38th and Chicago on Monday afternoon demanding it remain closed.
Crowded field vies for open Ward 6 seat on Minneapolis City Council
Eleven candidates are running to join a council facing police reforms, a major budget shortfall, a homelessness crisis and more.
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Frey orders new restrictions to reduce crowding at Mpls. bars
Bars can remain open, but indoors, only table service will be allowed. The regulation applies to taprooms, distilleries and nightclubs as well.
Minneapolis, Hennepin County to fund three new shelters, emergency housing for homeless
One built for Native Americans could open by the end of the year.
Park Board clears one of two Powderhorn homeless camps
About 20 people were arrested as one of two sites in Powderhorn Park was shut down.
Minneapolis City Council declares racism a public health emergency
The declaration comes on the heels of a similar move by Hennepin County last month.
Mpls. Park Board votes to reduce size of homeless encampments
The unanimous vote came after an hour-plus of public comment in which dozens of residents protested against the homeless encampments, which they said have become the site of constant drug use, violence and other illicit behavior.
Rebuild of 3rd Precinct HQ to cost $10 million, estimate says
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he plans to appeal the federal agency's denial of his request for disaster aid.
Park Board overstated homeless camped out in Powderhorn
Powderhorn survey finds 282 campers, well below the Park Board's estimate.
After George Floyd's death: Who does 38th and Chicago belong to?
The question comes as South Side residents begin to brainstorm what they hope will become a permanent memorial while considering the area's past and future.
Minneapolis Park Board narrowly votes down plan to restrict encampments
Small encampments have shown up in about 35 park locations, including one in front of the superintendent's home at Lyndale Farmstead Park.
Minneapolis Park Board leaders to homeless: You can stay
The Park Board's pledge was a response to growing camps in Powderhorn Park.
Minneapolis firefighters blast city's response to fires, unrest
They want to know why more firefighters or other cities weren't called in to help.
In wake of 'multiple crises,' Minneapolis officials vow better communication
Mark Ruff, the city coordinator, vowed to restore trust with the public.
Homeless evicted from former Mpls. hotel after drug overdose
The sudden evacuation marks the second time in recent weeks that large numbers of homeless people have been forced to leave a temporary site.
Movement to defund police sees Mpls. as proving ground
They may differ on what it means to dismantle or defund the police. But the idea has gained momentum across the country, with activists asking people to redefine public safety without armed, uniformed officers of the law.
Volunteers turned former Sheraton Hotel in Minneapolis into sanctuary for homeless
The hotel is now a 24/7 operation housing more than 200 homeless residents.
Park Board votes unanimously to end working with police in Minneapolis
It was the latest partner to pull out of relationships with the embattled department, joining the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Public Schools, museums and a host of other venues.
'Fire, fire, fire': Night of terror in Minneapolis as calls to 911 don't deliver help
Neighborhoods around Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue became a focal point as groups of protesters converged on the Fifth Precinct station.
Latest: Firefighters rush to contain blaze at Cedar-Riverside pawnshop
More businesses vandalized, looted overnight in wake of George Floyd death during arrest.
Mpls. small-business owners pick up pieces after night of destruction
"COVID didn't close me, but this is going to close me," says one shop owner.
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Minneapolis back on top in ranking of best parks system; St. Paul is No. 3
The annual ranking by the Trust for Public Land restored Minneapolis' bragging rights.
Open Streets Minneapolis events canceled in June and July
Organizers are considering rescheduling some of those events for October.
Bde Maka Ska name stays, Minnesota Supreme Court says
The ruling that the Minnesota DNR has the authority to rename the lake caps a yearslong dispute over the popular Minneapolis lake and reverses a decision from the Court of Appeals last spring.
Masks pose a new problem for Minnesota's deaf and hard of hearing
Masks muffle voices and make reading lips impossible for folks who "already feel isolated at times."
Officials seek to contain growing Camp Quarantine in south Mpls.
Citing urgent public health concerns, Metro Transit authorities are moving to contain the spread of a large and growing homeless encampment near the light-rail line in south Minneapolis.
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Minneapolis extends closure of parkways past June
The Park Board was originally going to reopen them at the end of the stay-at-home order.
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Tennis players raise a racket about Minneapolis court closures
Tennis players have questioned why the Park Board wants to shut down a sport in which players are on opposite sides of a long court, with plenty of space between them and no physical contact
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Even with some closures coming, Minneapolis parks to keep fine-tuning policies
Superintendent Al Bangoura said tougher decisions lie ahead.
Mpls. will close athletic fields, playgrounds by May 1
The restrictions, which are meant to prevent groups from congregating during the pandemic, will include removing or blocking basketball rims; removing tennis and volleyball nets; and posting signs notifying park visitors that soccer fields, playgrounds and skate parks are closed.
Candidates line up for Mpls. City Council vacancy
Winner will replace Abdi Warsame and remain in office through 2021.
Mpls. to close parkways to cars along Bde Maka Ska, reopen at Lake Harriet
A park commissioner said he reopened them to allow seniors and people with health issues to visit the lake.
In one Minneapolis neighborhood, small businesses get creative to survive pandemic
The merchants of Seward are counting on support from loyal neighbors to weather the shutdown.
In North Loop, apartment dwellers cheer on medical workers from every balcony
Every night at 7 p.m., neighbors step out on their balconies to show their appreciation.
Latest cancellation due to virus pandemic: Summer in Mpls.
To maintain social distancing, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board this week announced the cancellation of most recreational activities through Aug. 31. The decision will be a major disruption to families across Minneapolis, put the jobs of hundreds of seasonal employees in limbo and result in millions of dollars in lost revenue for the Park Board.
Minneapolis-based BLIND Inc. teaches life skills and the joy of independence
People from all over the country come to the Minneapolis training center for six to nine months.
Mpls. officials double down on call for people to spread out
Alarmed by the numbers gathering at the most popular lakes and trails, parks leaders doubled down on their call for people to spread out and visit smaller neighborhood parks instead. They say doing so could head off more drastic action, such as closing parks altogether.
Motorcyclist killed in crash north of Mankato
The driver's identity has not been released.
Corner stores play essential role as Minnesotans cope with virus
Operators scramble to keep supplies coming and their employees safe.
Skyways in Minneapolis, Duluth are cutting hours or closing altogether
Minneapolis' skyways are owned by each building, and as a result have different hours of operation.
Ginger Hop, beloved club Honey permanently closing in Mpls. amid pandemic
Honey and Ginger Hop were open just outside downtown Minneapolis for more than 10 years.
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Minneapolis to close some parkways so runners, walkers can spread out
The Park Board is expecting to close other parkways, but hasn't said which ones.
Google Hangouts, virtual happy hours: Minnesotans find ways to connect
From Google Hangouts to alley parties, friends and family are staying connected in creative ways.
Livestreams, Google hangouts and alley parties: How Minnesotans are keeping their distance during coronavirus
Despite social distancing, we need to maintain our links with others.
