Recent content from Janet Moore

North Loop group opposes latest route for Blue Line LRT extension
The Minneapolis residents say trains would be a tight squeeze, noisy, disruptive and unsafe for pedestrians.

Met Council restarts funding for Twin Cities light-rail projects
Planning for the Blue Line LRT extension between downtown Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park moves forward with $75 million infusion.

No end in sight for Minneapolis condo owners' dispute over Southwest LRT
Resolution not expected until construction of Green Line extension wraps up in 2027.

Metro Transit drivers vote to authorize a strike
Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union 1005 are seeking a cost-of-living adjustment.

Debate lingers on Southwest light-rail deal to cover funding shortfall
Some Met Council members say it's a bad deal.

The E Line, a new BRT route, is coming from Metro Transit. Here's a primer.
The E Line will serve Southdale, 50th and France, Uptown, downtown Minneapolis, Northeast and the University of Minnesota.

Stillwater prison protest 'resolved' after inmates refused to return to cells
The prison will remain on lockdown until at least Tuesday after about 100 inmates were involved in a peaceful protest Sunday.
Shots fired near Minnesota State Fair on Saturday night
No one was injured; the investigation continues.
Minnesota health officials tie illnesses to raw milk
Health officials say pasteurization is the only effective way to eliminate germs in raw milk.
Man found shot to death in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood
Neighbors had reported multiple shots fired.

Met Council pauses funding agreements for Southwest, Blue Line Extension light rail
Council members want more time to look at the financial picture before signing off on the latest funding arrangements with Hennepin County.

The spring 'poop rain' remains a mystery, as Angie Craig pushes for an investigation
The fecal matter likely came from a plane, but how did it happen? At least five people in the south metro reported being rained on this spring.

Zita, MSP's favorite pooch, fails to advance in TSA's Cutest Canine contest
But she's still a very good dog.

Vote: Minnesota dog in the running for cutest TSA pup
Zita, a three-year-old German shorthaired pointer who works at MSP Airport, is competing for TSA's Cutest Canine against three other pups nationwide.

Met Council, Hennepin County reach agreement to close Southwest LRT shortfall
Under the agreement, Hennepin County would bear the majority of costs, with help from Met Council and federal funding.

Lake Street/Midtown Station cleaning up its act as Metro Transit takes proactive approach to crime
Increased police and security presence has been added to busy Blue Line station.

KMOJ could be in the way of Blue Line light rail expansion into north Minneapolis
The radio station's home was among possible targets for demolition to make way for the Blue Line extension when transit planners released a map for a future light-rail station in north Minneapolis.

Metro Transit crime is up, but police say they're making progress
Police say they're responding more and documenting incidents.

Task force formed to consider Met Council changes is taking shape
The Southwest LRT debacle has fueled new efforts to retool the council.

Grassroots groups team up to oppose big Twin Cities area transit projects
Routes of Blue Line LRT extension, Purple Line BRT may change after community outcry.

There's a new face for Metro Transit, and it's female
Lesley Kandaras was named general manager Thursday, the first woman to permanently fill the top post.

MnDOT to replace two planes
Yes, the Minnesota transportation agency uses "heavy-duty pickups in the sky."

A new challenge for Metro Transit: Beyoncé
Queen Bey descends upon Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota on July 20.

Southwest LRT builder fires back on audit
Contractor says watchdog agency's recommendations would have resulted in more delays, costs.

Safety measures, BRT help Metro Transit ridership surge this year
Met Council officials say the numbers indicate a steady return of passengers after ridership was decimated during the pandemic, but the new numbers are still half of what they were pre-COVID.

Metro Transit experimenting with free fares on two bus routes to win back riders
Advocates cheer the concept, but others wonder how cities will be able to pay for free transit.

Met Council must reform construction practices after Southwest LRT debacle, state watchdog says
The extension project has been fraught with delays and cost overruns.

North Minneapolis businesses concerned about Blue Line LRT
Some worry the line will displace residents and businesses, like Rondo in the 1960s. Others are more optimistic.

Five things to know about air travel at MSP this summer
Minnesotans this weekend are expected to open the summer travel season by taking to the skies and roadways in droves. Here are five things to know about air travel at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this summer.

Minnesotans to jump-start summer this Memorial Day in the air and on the road
Just be ready: Airport lines will be long and highways will be jammed.

Legislature passes $1.3B transportation deal with gas tax hike, sending it to Walz
Debate throughout the session has centered on how to fund much-needed fixes to the state's roads, bridges and public transit systems.

Minnesota DFL legislators agree to index gas tax to inflation
Democrats struck a transportation budget deal they say raises funding long-term.

Scott Anderson, longtime North Memorial CEO, dies at 83
Colleagues said he transformed the north metro health system, keeping it independent.

SWLRT builder attributes problems to faulty design, criticizes state probe
Lunda McCrossan Joint Venture says the legislative auditor either "misrepresented" or "twisted" facts in its reports on the project.

Crime on Metro Transit buses and light rail is up 66%
"We must hold people accountable for their behavior," says Ernest Morales III, the agency's new police chief.

Senate committee approves Zelle for second term as Met Council chair
The full Senate must vote on his reappointment as head of the regional planning agency.

Metro Transit: Expanding bus service is the key to post-pandemic rebound
But bus driver shortage, remote work and crime may tamp down demand.

Feds contribute $239M to Gold Line linking St. Paul, Woodbury
The result will be the first bus-rapid transit project in Minnesota that will largely operate on a dedicated lane.

Audits, overruns and delays: 6 things to know about Southwest LRT line
The Met Council is still saying passenger service between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie will begin in 2027.

Just in time for a weather warmup, scooters return to St. Paul
Minneapolis is not far behind, according to scooter firm Lime.

Minnesota lawmakers seek to tighten rail safety
Raymond rail accident gives measure at State Capitol more urgency.

New option would move Purple Line buses off part of Vento Trail onto White Bear Avenue
Intense public engagement, opposition led to possible new route.

New Metro Transit police chief on public safety: 'We have to strike a balance'
Ernest Morales III says the transit system needs to strike a balance in making riders feel safe without victimizing the homeless and addicted.

Efforts to reform Met Council gaining ground, thanks to Metro Transit troubles
Ideas range from staggered terms to electing members.

Met Council wasn't transparent about Southwest light-rail costs, delays, auditor says
The Metropolitan Council went ahead with the $2.7 billion Southwest light-rail project despite knowing it did not have the funds necessary to complete the line linking Minneapolis and Eden Prairie, according to a report released Wednesday morning by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.

Met Council study finds no easy answers to Northstar ridership woes
Ridership is up slightly this year following the plunge that came with COVID, but service remains heavily subsidized.

Proposed 2024 federal budget includes funding for transit projects in Twin Cities, Rochester
The Federal Transit Administration announced the bus rapid transit initiative on Thursday.

For second straight year, MSP wins top honors for airports of its size in North America
Travel survey gauges customer experience.

Lawmakers call for cultural 'reset' on light-rail trains
Bill calls for 3 months of intensive safety interventions, including social workers.

Crew removes 'impediment' found during SWLRT tunnel construction
The 20-square-foot concrete slab was determined not to be a structural part of nearby condos.

MSP, Duluth airports get federal grants for terminal improvements
MSP's G Concourse will be improved; new terminal planned in Duluth

Minnesotans still planning winter getaways, but not always to a beach
Travelers aren't shying away from higher prices so far. But those who opt to book that last-minute getaway will likely pay more.

Travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport try to beat the snowstorm
The "lull" Wednesday morning provided a tiny window for those departing and arriving.

Police bolster patrols at MSP Airport light-rail stations
The action comes after complaints from employees and passengers about safety.

Underground 'impediment' discovered in SWLRT work
The mystery concrete could add delay, expense to a project already $1 billion over budget.

Union, Met Council reach agreement on plan to bolster transit safety
The plan was approved despite a rocky start last week.

Metro Transit ridership increased 17% in 2022, but still below pre-pandemic levels
Legislators are considering bills to ease safety concerns and make transit passengers more comfortable.

Metro briefs: Edina leaders mull plastic bag fee
The Edina City Council took a step toward implementing a 5 cent fee for single-use bags last week, with the council directing staff to draft…
Minnesota briefs: Tribes receive more than $1 million to improve roads on reservations
Duluth police department forms Behavioral Health Unit.

Lawmakers seek to lift gag order on rail line between Mpls., Northfield
A longstanding gag order has barred study — much less construction — of the Dan Patch commuter rail line.

TSA confiscates two loaded guns at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
The weapons were seized in separate incidents Tuesday.

Fixes to concrete barrier posts in MSP's Silver Ramp to cost $1.45M more
The total repair bill for the $245 million Terminal 1 parking ramp comes to nearly $5 million.
Teen shot in neck on St. Paul's East Side
The 15-year-old was reported to be breathing when taken to hospital after the Friday night shooting.

Lawmakers seek to reduce fare-dodging penalty on transit
Efforts in play at the Capitol to change system for penalizing those who don't pay.

Metro briefs: Record number of guns detected at MSP Airport
BloomingtonRecord number of guns detected at MSP airportTransportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a record 58 handguns at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport checkpoints last year.…

Former New York City police veteran named police chief for Metro Transit
Ernest Morales was commanding officer with New York City's Transit Bureau.

Metro Transit: Crime in 2022 on trains, buses increased by half
Officials said they were confident that an aggressive plan set in place last summer will reduce incidents as ridership increases.

Charlie Zelle reappointed chair of Metropolitan Council by Gov. Tim Walz
He'll face many challenges in the next four years, including completion of the Southwest LRT line.

As Southwest LRT proceeds, questions remain about who will fund budget gap
Some want to tap the state's $17B surplus to finish the job.

Extra federal funding lets Met Council double Twin Cities area transportation projects
An additional $155 million will expand this round of local transportation projects to support safety and mobility efforts.

Two passengers cited for fighting aboard Sun Country flight after arrival at MSP
Tensions are running high at airports nationwide due to cancellations and delays during the busy holiday travel season.

Met Council approves additional $111 million for Southwest light-rail line, but more is needed
The action follows the Hennepin County Board's approval last week of an additional $100 million for the project.

A decade after $243 million renovation, St. Paul's Union Depot struggles to gain traction
The historic train station has become an events hub as transit connections gradually materialize.

Plans call for $211M to shrink Southwest LRT budget gap
Troubled project may get $211 million infusion from Met Council, Hennepin County, but more will be needed.

Workers at MSP Airport join nationwide rally for better health care
Move comes after the Metropolitan Airport Commission enacted a $15 hourly minimum wage for airport workers.