Recent content from Janet Moore
DFL lawmakers ask legislative auditor to probe Southwest LRT project
Hennepin County officials next week will consider freeing up an extra $200 million for project.
Minnesota's last remaining survivor of the Bataan Death March dies at age 101
Horrors of the Bataan Death March behind him, he lived a full life.
Metro Transit is ramping up security as riders return
The initiative involves hiring 50 additional community service officers — college students enrolled in law enforcement programs — to work in tandem with Metro Transit police on buses and trains and at stations and bus stops throughout the metro area.
Restored Hibbing bus tells story of the Freedom Riders
In May, a newly restored bus with Minnesota ties rolled up to the Freedom Rides Museum in Alabama's capital city, greeted by a crowd that contained nary a dry eye.
Columbia Heights woman dies after apparent domestic assault
Police are investigating the death of a 33-year-old Columbia Heights woman following a domestic incident.Officers responded to a 911 medical call at a home in…
Minn. begins to shutter COVID community vaccination sites
The move comes now that 70% of Minnesota's adult population has been vaccinated. The Mall of America site will remain open.
Medical emergency prompts Lady A to pull out of Lakefront concert
The Grammy Award-winning country trio will return in 2023.
![Riders hopped on the C-Line Rapid Transit bus on 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis on a cold, wet Thursday, October 22, 2020. ] Shari L. Gross •](https://chorus.stimg.co/22689654/ows_a90de83b_136c_4e82_9517_099d488db955.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Rapid bus lines in metro win state funding support
Expert says improving service key to luring back post-pandemic riders.
It's a go for second daily train to Chicago from St. Paul
A yearslong effort to establish a second daily passenger train trip between St. Paul and Chicago received a critical $10 million boost at the Legislature last week.
Minneapolis tackles truck parking, but finds no easy solutions
Amid complaints the trucks are a nuisance, drivers have few options.
![Patrons exited the train at the Lake Street Station .] Jerry Holt •Jerry.Holt@startribune.comThe Lake Street station on the Blue Line and Central S](https://chorus.stimg.co/22675628/ows_39b0dacc_841d_436e_8f75_ec9106072eac.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Move to soften penalty for Metro Transit fare evasion fails at State Capitol
Effort to create unarmed transit agents to check fares fizzles as well.
Man fatally shot in Minneapolis last week identified
Police say shooting on East Lake Street wasn't a random act.
Unexpected $21 million charge for Southwest LRT prompts concern
About 30% of the project contingency fund remains with nearly half the project built.
Numbers show Metro Transit use devastated by pandemic
But the numbers appear to be plateauing, and officials are hopeful passengers will gradually return.
Funding changes for tunnel construction hint at Southwest LRT complexity
Met Council committee approves an additional $1.75 million for work in the Kenilworth corridor.
Buildings set aside by state to battle COVID-19 largely unused
Facilities would have been used for morgue, non-virus care.
Minnesota transit projects included in Biden budget
Funding proposal includes $56 million for Rochester BRT project.
From bankrupt racetrack to aviation hub — what remains from MSP Airport's early days?
Planes have been flying at MSP — formerly Wold-Chamberlain Field — for roughly a century.
Throngs of pandemic-weary travelers expected to hit the road
Some 37 million Americans, many of them vaccinated and weary of being cooped up, are taking to the roads, rails and skies this holiday weekend.
Mpls. community leaders vow to 'take back the block' from guns and gangs
It comes after 3 people died in overnight bloodshed, including a St. Thomas senior and another person in a downtown Minneapolis shooting. An arrest has been made.
Rush Line assessment 'major milestone' for east metro transit project
Planners say half of funding for rapid bus line to come from feds.
Transit is thrown off track, and rush hour may never be same
The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated demand for public transportation along with work culture. Metro Transit is getting ready for the return of commuters.
Advocates hope Metro Transit safety, fare collection reforms take hold at Legislature
Measures call for unarmed transit agents to help patrol trains, buses.
East metro bus rapid transit Gold Line clears critical hurdle with feds
Federal funds are expected to pay 45% of $532 million cost.
Biden plan could boost Amtrak potential to Chicago, Duluth
But GOP official says roads and bridges are a higher priority.
Wandering, 'whimsical' droid delivers food to travelers at MSP Airport
Pilot program promotes contactless ordering during the pandemic.
![Twins fans got of the train at Target Field during the third game of the ALDS playoffs at Target Field .] Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com Th](https://chorus.stimg.co/22428372/ows_26bc9eac_d25d_43db_8d51_6aa2db11ebde.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Metro Transit to Twins fans: Be patient boarding LRT on Thursday
Numbers allowed on each train remain limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Passengers arriving from Florida waited for their bags at MSP Airport Sunday night. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Though the ai](https://chorus.stimg.co/22422673/ows_3cfc8525_43c8_44ce_9d16_f9ba84ef1e42.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Spring break drew thousands of travelers to MSP Airport
Airport activity spurred by increasing vaccinations and pandemic fatigue.
Minnesota sees single-day high of more than 85K vaccinations
Health officials on Saturday also reported 2,075 new COVID-19 cases, as the seven-day trend in case counts continues to rise. A U.K. variant has become a dominant source of COVID-19 in Minnesota, driving the state's case and hospitalization rates to some of the highest in the country.
Metro Transit workers rally to protest lack of progress in contract talks
Talks began last summer, with no deal.
![DJ Yann assembled a new electric bike for a customer at Erik’s Bike Shop in Richfield, Minn., on Friday, March 26, 2021. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER](https://chorus.stimg.co/22406654/ows_7b72bb13_8511_4baa_8c4e_810361cce816.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bicycle sales this spring continue to surge amid pandemic
For the second year in a row, supply remains tight for new and used bikes.
Talks surface again about shuttering Northstar commuter rail
Ridership has plunged 96% in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Met Council to spend $122 million on biodiesel buses
Critics on council and in community hoped for move to electric buses.
Bills would put safety officers on buses and LRT, lower fare evasion fines
Bipartisan measure would also make fare evasion similar to parking ticket.
Reboot of Bottineau Blue Line LRT would better serve north Minneapolis
Original alignment abandoned after talks to share corridor with BNSF Railway failed.
Downtown bus, train service to continue 'whenever possible' during Chauvin trial
Service will continue 'whenever possible.'
Metro Transit, which vowed to go all-electric, seeks $122M for biodiesel
Metro Transit officials now say electric buses are not a good fit because the new lines cover too much territory, making establishing a network of charging stations challenging.
Spring break could make March MSP's busiest month since virus
But March departures are still projected to be 34% below a year ago, indicating the degree to which the coronavirus continues to suppress air travel.
What happens to the de-icing fluid sprayed on planes at MSP airport?
Due to our cold winters, MSP is one of the busiest airports in the country for de-icing operations. Delta uses more than 1 million gallons of fluid each season.
Met Council: Ridership on Metro Transit plunged in 2020, owing to pandemic
The biggest losses came on the Northstar commuter rail line, which links downtown Minneapolis with Big Lake.
Robert Jorvig, first Metropolitan Council head, dies at 99
Though Robert "Bob" Jorvig wanted very much to celebrate his 100th birthday, he died peacefully just a month short of that milestone.Even so, he lived…
Blaine police seek information about missing 18-year-old woman
Rose Sanchez was last seen Saturday near Northtown Mall in Blaine.
Blaine police seek information about missing 18-year-old woman
Rose Sanchez was last seen Saturday near Northtown Mall in Blaine.
Suspect in Blaine carjacking shot, killed after 40-mile police chase
A police officer was hospitalized with minor injuries. A K-9 police dog was also injured and taken to a local veterinarian for emergency surgery, police said.
891 more COVID-19 cases, nine more deaths in Minnesota
The number of Minnesotans who have now received at least one vaccine dose is 754,602.
Rochester's DMC rises, even as pandemic reshapes the future
The $5.6 billion Destination Medical Center project, now in its sixth year, is forging ahead, even as the pandemic and its economic fallout have changed the way people work, recreate and receive medical care.
Metro Transit to get millions in federal COVID-19 bailout
Money will help offset steep decline in ridership.
Travel firm to pay thousands in refunds to Minnesota students
Trip to Europe was canceled due to COVID-19 outbreak.
'You've got this!' Moorhead mom wrote letter a day to son battling COVID-19
Family's tragic journey included memories, updates and poems.
Opening of Southwest light rail delayed due to problems including Kenilworth tunnel
It was unclear how the delay will affect the cost of $2 billion project.
Gold Line BRT cost going up by $70 million for more park-and-ride spots
A park-and-ride facility and Washington County service center will be added at a Woodbury station.
MSP Airport survey of travelers: 40% willing to fly tomorrow
CDC advises travelers to stay home, if they can, to stem virus spread.
Judge orders Lakeville restaurant closed after it defies COVID-19 order
The Alibi Drinkery reopened Thursday morning to a packed crowd.
Minnesota reports 61 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,204 new cases
More than 5,200 Minnesotans have died from the coronavirus.
Minnesota reports 66 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,019 new cases
At least 38,000 Minnesotans have been vaccinated so far.
Sai Shoua Yang, Hmong community leader, died of COVID-19 at 88
He traveled from Laos and refugee camps in Thailand to the fields of Minnesota.
![Holiday travelers cram into terminal 1 in MSP while traveling out of town Wednesday in Minneapolis. ]DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.comWedn](https://chorus.stimg.co/22193417/ows_5f96de30_09c0_45ca_a650_136843c9dc54.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Despite warnings, travelers still take to the skies at MSP
The CDC has urged travelers to delay trips this holiday season because of the COVID risk.
Bottineau Blue Line light-rail reboot takes shape
After original plan fell through, transit planners are expected to decide on a new route by late next year.
Last to see pandemic's pain, funeral directors carry burden
The pandemic is taking a mental and physical toll on the nation's funeral directors, who are stretched to capacity in many areas even as they help families make sense of a new way of mourning.
Tom Keegel, U.S. Teamsters leader, dies at 79
As word spread that Tom Keegel died last month, his family was deluged with cards, flowers and donations from grateful friends and colleagues — a…
Thanksgiving fliers continue to flock to MSP despite warnings
Traffic at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was occasionally brisk Wednesday morning as travelers hurried to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family.
Minnesota's deadliest week in pandemic leaves 248 dead
Gov. Tim Walz and top health officials predicted the pandemic will get much worse in coming weeks, especially as the holiday season draws near.
Minnesota reports record 1,424 COVID-19 hospitalizations
There were 5,552 new cases and 46 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota reported on Friday. New restrictions on bars, restaurants and private gatherings begin tonight.
MSP airport COVID-19 testing site one of many opening in Minnesota
Health Department also announces free mail-in saliva tests for the public.
Metro Transit police give riders 'encouragement' on wearing masks
As COVID-19 spreads rapidly through Minnesota, Metro Transit began deploying its police force Wednesday to encourage passengers to wear masks as a way of stemming the pandemic's deadly reach.
Minnesota funding for second train to Chicago thwarted
But supporters remain determined to add daily service between St. Paul and the Windy City.
Minnesota voters stream to the polls despite the coronavirus threat
Voters wearing masks streamed into the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the midst of the pandemic — unlike a record number of Minnesotans…
Two Twin Cities rapid bus lines win state funding
The Metropolitan Council hopes to build out a network of up to 16 lines.
MSP Airport adopts $15-an-hour minimum wage by 2022
Even though the pandemic has savaged air travel, thousands of workers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will get a raise come 2021.The Metropolitan Airports…
Transit officials consider future of Minnesota's Northstar rail line
Ridership has plunged by 95% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
TSA agent at MSP Airport dies of COVID-19
Gerald Girard, 67, is one of eight agents nationwide to succumb to the virus.
Choua Lee Yang, founder of Hmong charter school, dies of COVID at 53
Nearly two decades ago, lifelong educator Choua Lee Yang had the ambitious idea to start a new school. In 2004, Yang and her husband, Cha…
North metro transit reboot: Planners look to recraft Bottineau Blue Line LRT
Gov. Tim Walz expresses support for light-rail project to northern suburbs.
