Recent content from Liz Navratil
Mpls. offers incentives for EV chargers in new garages after state code blocks requirement
Estimates are as high as $5,000 in prewiring costs to make a garage stall ready for electric vehicle charging, officials say
After 'hectic' month, Morris students meet with U regents
The tour happened about a month after Regent Steve Sviggum questioned whether the campus had become "too diverse."
Brian O'Hara step closer to being next Minneapolis police chief
If the City Council approves his selection next week, O'Hara will become the first outsider to lead the Minneapolis Police Department in 16 years.
Minneapolis moves forward on community safety office after council's OK
The change comes nearly a year after voters rejected a similar measure.
Mpls. City Council will vote on changes to 'strong mayor' system. Here's what you need to know.
Elected leaders are wrapping work on the proposal nearly a year after voters signed off on a major overhaul at City Hall.
Fred Easter, who helped countless Black students access higher education, dies at age 81
Easter died in September, about three years after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Minneapolis Council Member Andrew Johnson announces he won't run again
Johnson said he intends to complete his current term, which runs through next year.
Barret Lane to continue as Minneapolis' emergency management director
The City Council vote on Thursday ended a monthslong nomination process that focused in part on his office's role responding to unrest in 2020.
Minneapolis police supervisors to receive bonuses
Rank-and-file officers negotiated similar bonuses earlier this year.
Minneapolis' elected officials debate their role in new strong mayor system
Residents will have a chance to provide feedback in a public hearing later this month.
Minneapolis, 8 North Side residents agree to end police staffing suit
The lawsuit had affected budget debates, police contract talks and local elections.
Would-be Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara introduces himself to community
Brian O'Hara is poised to become the first chief from outside the Minneapolis Police Department in 16 years.
Top pick for Minneapolis police chief is 'change-maker' from Newark
Mayor Jacob Frey has nominated Brian O'Hara, deputy mayor of Newark, N.J., to serve as the next police chief of Minneapolis. The City Council will now decide whether to approve or reject his nomination.
What is next in search for new Minneapolis police chief?
The announcement Thursday marked the beginning of a weekslong process, at the end of which the City Council will decide whether to confirm or reject Mayor Jacob Frey's nominee.
Tax board members raise concerns about impact of property tax increase on Minneapolis' North Side
Mayor Jacob Frey and the City Council will negotiate the precise tax levy for 2023 later this fall.
Two former Minneapolis officials among those charged in fraud case
Abdi Nur Salah previously worked in the mayor's office, and Sharmarke Issa previously chaired the MPHA board.
Minneapolis prepares to hire its next police chief. Here's what we know about the search — and what's next
Mayor Jacob Frey said he hopes to announce his pick by the end of the month. The City Council will then decide whether to approve or reject the nominee.
AG opens civil probe into gas station, liquor store in north Minneapolis
"We are watching and will act," said Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Minneapolis drops COVID-19 testing-or-vaccination policy for city employees
Changes in federal health guidelines and hospital capacity prompted the change, city officials said.
Minneapolis officials consider expanding race equity programming as they negotiate upcoming budget
Many efforts to reduce disparities within the city stalled as staff left amid fears their work was being marginalized and tokenized.
Kristyn Anderson to serve as Minneapolis city attorney
A lawyer with experience in state government, she will be the fifth person to serve as city attorney in four years.
Mpls. housing officials seek more funding as repair needs grow
Mayor Jacob Frey's budget proposal would give the agency $3.7 million over the next two years, but housing officials say they need much more.
In Minneapolis visit, U.S. housing officials announce $15 million to help senior citizens stay in homes
HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said billions more are needed to address housing problems throughout the country.
Minneapolis police watchdog group once again short on members; local activists seek court action
City ordinances say the Police Conduct Oversight Commission must have at least seven members. It currently has three.
Minneapolis police plan to buy drones, raising concern among activists
It's not yet clear how many drones the department will buy, but MPD said it has roughly $30,000 to $40,000 to spend on the devices.
Minneapolis to offer three months paid parental leave amid push to recruit more workers
The change comes as the city tries to fill positions that were frozen at the onset of the pandemic.
Minneapolis residents who sued over police staffing are 'evaluating all options'
The group's lawyer said they were encouraged by the budget proposal Mayor Jacob Frey unveiled earlier this week, which calls for hiring more officers.
Frey outlines spending plan focused on safety, other services
For the first time since 2019, Frey delivered the annual budget address in person; the two-year plan totals $3.3 billion.
Minneapolis' elected officials will try to negotiate two years of budgets at once
The city almost moved to biennial budgeting in 2019, but the proposal fell two votes shy of passing.
Kristyn Anderson nominated to serve as Minneapolis city attorney
If confirmed, Anderson will be the fifth person to serve as city attorney in four years.
Minneapolis revives police-community relations council
The council includes representatives from local community groups and police supervisors. It will hold its first public meeting Thursday.
Cedric Alexander gets council approval as first Minneapolis community safety commissioner
First-of-its-kind role will help mayor supervise the leaders of the city's police, fire, 911, emergency management and violence prevention programs.
Minneapolis officials to make city a 'safe haven' on abortion
The new rules come at a time when cities and states across the country are weighing whether they want to further restrict abortion or preserve access to it.
Cedric Alexander step closer to becoming Mpls. community safety commissioner
Mayor Jacob Frey has nominated Alexander to oversee a new office helping him supervise the leaders of the city's safety-related offices. A final council vote could come as early as Thursday.
New Minneapolis public safety plan to sidestep citywide vote
Nine months after voters rejected a measure to create a new community safety office, Mayor Frey is trying to convince council members to help him to create a new office aimed at better coordinating the city's police, fire and violence-prevention services.
Minneapolis can enforce 2040 Plan — for now
Judge allows city to use the plan while appealing a court order tossing it aside.
Nominee's past may be template for how he handles public safety job
The Minneapolis City Council could vote as soon as Aug. 4 on the nomination of Cedric Alexander as city's community safety commissioner.
Pressure mounts against Minneapolis City Council's Rainville
He has apologized for singling out Somali youth after a wave of violence over the July 4th weekend.
Minneapolis, environmental groups face off in court over 2040 Plan ruling
The city is appealing a ruling blocking it from enforcing the plan that drew national attention.
Alexander nominated as first Mpls. community safety chief
Mayor Jacob Frey announced Thursday afternoon that he was nominating Cedric Alexander to serve in the new post. The commissioner is expected to oversee a new department that aims to better coordinate police, fire, violence prevention and other safety services. He would report directly to Frey.
State investigators take over probe of 'fire and explosion' near University of Minnesota
"At this time, we think the situation has stabilized, but we remain vigilant," the state fire marshal said.
Police: Mother, three kids found in lake a 'likely triple homicide'
Searchers recovered four bodies from Vadnais Lake. Authorities had been looking for a mother, reported to be suicidal, and her three children.
MPD has more to spend than before George Floyd's murder
The Minneapolis Police Department has 260 fewer officers than it had at the beginning of 2020 and $3 million more in its budget. Hiring is the challenge now, officials say.
Minneapolis City Council approves plan to hire public safety commissioner
The council's 12-1 vote cleared the way for the city to create the position to oversee that department, a job that comes with a salary ranging from roughly $295,000 to $350,000.
Mpls. moves closer to hiring public safety commissioner
The City Council gave tentative approval to a plan to hire one person to oversee police, fire and other safety services.
Joyce Irene Acosta, an 'emphatic storyteller' topped with a colorful hat, dies at 84
She was walking a favored route when she was struck by a car.
State high court says Minneapolis falls short on police staffing
The justices said City Council met its obligation to fund a minimum number of officers, but Mayor Jacob Frey needed to ensure that many were employed or explain why not.
Minneapolis officials scramble to respond to ruling blocking 2040 Plan
The City Attorney's Office said Friday that it was beginning an appeal and working with other staff to "prepare to minimize disruption" from the judge's order.
Minneapolis to raise police chief's salary as it searches for new MPD leader
Some officials argue the pay hike is crucial for recruiting a new chief, while others say the city should first decide which changes it's making to public safety systems.
Minneapolis City Council approves Heather Johnston's nomination for city coordinator
Appointment came as some current and former staffers said Johnston could have done more to combat a racist culture within the department.
Minneapolis ordered to cease implementation of 2040 plan
Judge sides with groups that demand an environmental review of the city's proposal to end single-family zoning.
Minneapolis considers raising chief's salary in search for new MPD leader
The city is in the early stage of a search aimed at finding a long-term successor for Medaria Arradondo, who retired earlier this year.
Minnesota Supreme Court hears arguments in Minneapolis police staffing case
The case hinges on a question of how to interpret a provision in the city's charter that says Minneapolis must "fund a police force" with a minimum number of employees.
Minneapolis' Violence Prevention director leaving to take job with John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Sasha Cotton served as the office's first director and oversaw the expansion of many violence prevention programs in the city.
Two years after George Floyd's murder, Minneapolis' efforts to transform safety still unfinished
City leaders say they see promise in new programs that rely on civilians for some services, but recent developments have raised fresh questions about whether the MPD can be reformed.
Minneapolis council members pitch their plans for American Rescue Plan funding
They tentatively agreed Wednesday to use money to help facilitate discussions for how to redevelop the former Third Precinct site and buy vans for mobile mental health units.
City Coordinator's Office staffers allege 'toxic, racist and unsafe workplace conditions'
Groups says they want the interim head of the department gone and have made several demands to create a better work environment for employees of color.
Tom Hoch nominated to chair Minneapolis Public Housing Authority board
Hoch previously served as the authority's deputy executive director.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights hopes to negotiate Minneapolis police consent decree by September
Federal authorities are conducting their own probe that could result in a consent decree. Mayor Jacob Frey has said he wants "one set of clear standards"
Dept. of Human Rights report on MPD: A decade of leadership failed in proper police oversight
Investigators say elected officials and top police brass didn't do enough to stop a pattern of racist policing.
Minneapolis City Council blocks Chamber consulting gift to improve Mayor Frey's office efficiency
The Chamber's CEO said they would likely seek another way to provide Frey with guidance on how to improve his office's efficiency.
Minnesota officials hope a consent decree will force Minneapolis police to make changes
So what is a consent decree? A type of legal settlement that outlines a series of changes an agency must make and a timeline for it to do so.
Frey calls rights report's findings 'repugnant, at times horrific'
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigation found the Police Department has violated the civil rights law, and multiple iterations of city leaders failed to hold officers accountable for misconduct.
Frey urges quick action to set up new form of government
Parts of the mayor's plan require a unanimous vote from the Minneapolis City Council — or approval from voters. On Tuesday, Council Member Robin Wonsley Worlobah grilled the mayor on his plan.
Mayor Frey pitches plan to use ARPA funding for violence prevention, housing, mental health services
The City Council will have a chance to offer its own recommendations in the coming weeks.
Mpls. Chamber would offer Mayor Frey advice on how to improve efficiency, if council signs off
New services would not be crafting policies, chamber officials say.
White House-backed coalition aims to support Minneapolis violence prevention programs
The group has about $8 million to spend on violence prevention programs across the country, though it's too early to tell how much of that will land in Minneapolis.
'Essential' city workers now seek additional paid time off
A group of Minneapolis Public Works employees who were required to work in-person through the pandemic say they're not getting same PTO as those designated as emergency responders.
Mayor Jacob Frey's new no-knock warrant ban starts Friday. Here's what it does and doesn't do.
Some local groups are urging the mayor to close loopholes that will still allow officers to enter unannounced.
Officials, activists renew calls for change after prosecutors decline to file charges in Locke's killing
Elected officials and activists are closely watching new no-knock warrant policies in Minneapolis and bills moving through the state Legislature.
Mpls. police will no longer be able to use no-knock warrants
Officers must announce their presence and wait 20 seconds during the day, and 30 seconds at night, before entering, unless under "exigent circumstances."
Reports press Mpls. and state officials to make updates to emergency plans
Two after-action reports said the unrest that followed George Floyd's murder in 2020 was "unprecedented," but local and state officials could have responded better.
Mpls. City Council approves police union contract in divided vote
The contract includes raises aimed at recruiting and retaining officers but lacks many disciplinary changes local activists are seeking.
Frey unveils plan for new cabinet, with a safety office
Some local groups said they're intrigued by the idea, while others dismissed it as window dressing.
Police union contract advances to Minneapolis council for possible vote Thursday
The latest proposal gives officers raises and $7,000 bonuses but lacks many of the disciplinary changes activists are seeking.
