Staff Directory 6370566

Mukhtar M. Ibrahim

Reporter | Minneapolis City Government
Phone: 612-673-4689

Mukhtar M. Ibrahim is a Star Tribune reporter covering Minneapolis city government with a focus on accountability journalism. He previously covered national security matters and immigration for Minnesota Public Radio.


A Somali native who resettled to Minnesota in 2005, Ibrahim earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in investigative and data journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. In 2016, he was awarded a leadership fellowship from the St. Paul-based Bush Foundation. Ibrahim was a 2018 recipient of Above the Fold award, which honors alumni of the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication under the age of 40 who have made exceptional contributions to their fields.
Recent content from Mukhtar M. Ibrahim
The Upper Harbor Terminal in north Minneapolis, seen in January 2018. The city's latest vision for the site includes nearly 20 acres of park space, ho

Thor Cos.'s financial problems delay council vote on Minneapolis riverfront project

City to seek details on how effort to revitalize area could be affected.
Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal argues against a temporary restraining order.

Minneapolis will offer free rides to court for those charged with low-level offenses

The program is expected to launch in February.
Abdirahman Mukhtar spoke with a man as he and Abdullahi Farah, left, gave out pizza and tea to young people from a stand Friday in the Cedar-Riverside

In Minneapolis, pizza and tea buys a connection with Somali youth 'crying for help'

Mohamed Mohamud, of St. Paul, seen in his Minnesota Army National Guard uniform.

Mohamed Mohamud, up-and-coming St. Paul man, dies at 22

City Council president Lisa Bender, center, and other council members speak about the 2040 Comprehensive Plan before voting.

In first year leading Minneapolis City Council, Lisa Bender navigates a path to change

She presses agenda with collaboration, confrontation.

Minneapolis approves city IDs for residents, regardless of immigration status

The municipal ID would allow residents with no official documents to interact the the police, open bank accounts and buy medications.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo stood beside Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as Frey addressed the media Thursday about police-community relat

Minneapolis City Council passes Mayor Jacob Frey's $1.55 billion budget

The budget, which includes a boost for affordable housing, passed after three hours of contentious public comments over reallocating police money.
Minneapolis skyline

Days before final vote, group sues Minneapolis over 2040 plan

The suit claims the city's long-range plan will "adversely impact the environment."
Three Bird scooters were on the sidewalk at 9th and Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis. ] GLEN STUBBE ï glen.stubbe@startribune.com Tuesday, July 1

Popular electric scooters ride out of town, just like summer

Thousands enjoyed the new popular form of transport in the Twin Cities.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation awarded the Minneapolis Parks Foundation a $1 million Anchor grant for its RiverFirst Capital Campaign to re

Riverfront parks in Minneapolis aided by $16 million in fundraising

Parks and trails downtown and on the North Side will reconnect residents and visitors to the Mississippi River.
Sheriff elect Dave "Hutch" Hutchinson, who pulled one of the biggest upsets of election night by narrowly defeating Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stane

Mpls. considers issuing municipal ID card to help undocumented residents

Full council hearing on ordinance set for Dec. 7.
The May 31, 1999 note from generous strangers

A letter. A $100 bill. And a meeting that changed the lives of two young refugees

The brief encounter on a flight to the Twin Cities changed the lives of two sisters, former Yugoslavian refugees.
Fremont Market in north Minneapolis on Nov. 12. Minneapolis passed an ordinance in 2014 that required licensed grocery stores to stock healthier foods

As healthy foods go to waste, Mpls. corner shops seek relief

Since 2014, as part of its "staple foods" ordinance, Minneapolis has required licensed grocery stores, corner shops and convenience stores to stock a variety of healthy foods from 10 categories. The goal was to help consumers who don't have easy access to grocery stores.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey along with attorneys Tom Walsh, Clint Conner, Luke Grundman (far right) and resident Gina Robinson (right of mayor) durin

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, tenant advocates launch program that aims to help renters on the verge of eviction

They aim to increase pro bono legal assistance to renters facing eviction.
This photo shows a vial of the drug ketamine.

Minneapolis investigation into leak of ketamine report did not find 'exact source of breach'

Police fail to find who leaked ketamine report.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, right, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter

Mpls., St. Paul mayors eye land sales to fund housing projects

Weeks away from approving multimillion-dollar affordable housing plans, leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul are still figuring out how to pay for them without raising property taxes.
Minneapolis City Council members, shown in January, say the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan needs significant changes.

Minneapolis City Council overhauls ordinance that city officials say 'criminalizes' tenants

Amendment protects tenants from eviction in emergency situations.

Minneapolis sees big turnout in early voting

Minneapolis health inspector Mai P. Yang checked the temperature inside of the walk in cooler at the Sassy Spoon in Minneapolis.

City of Minneapolis will stop inspecting tanning beds, tattoo parlors due to lack of funding

City official says cutback due to lack of funding in Mayor Jacob Frey's budget.

Mpls. municipal ID plan raises privacy concerns

Homeless residents of a large homeless encampment stay warm by a fire Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis, MN.

Minneapolis committee approves using $1.5 million in redevelopment funds to relocate homeless camp

A Bitcoin ATM is available at a Stop N Shop on E. Lake Street Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, in Minneapolis, MN.

Gaining currency: Bitcoin ATMs are popping up across the Twin Cities

They look like conventional cash ATMs, but they're installed by entrepreneurs hoping to profit from consumers.
An American Indian encampment in south Minneapolis continues to grow and now includes several families with children. Some have come hoping to receive

Management coalition proposed for relocation of Minneapolis homeless camp

Social-service agencies would assist people.
New Mpls. City Council struggles to maintain control of chamber

New Mpls. City Council struggles to maintain control of chamber

Protesters and others have been heckling, interrupting and derailing meetings.
An American Indian encampment in south Minneapolis continues to grow and now includes several families with children. Some have come hoping to receive

Emergency measure by Minneapolis council intended to speed up tent camp relocation

The declaration will allow the city to bypass procurement rules that could otherwise slow the work of moving several hundred people to a new site.
Hussein Khatib, mentor to Muslim youths, dies

Hussein Khatib, mentor to Muslim youths, dies

The 55-year-old, of Blaine, died on Sept. 22 from heart complications.
Sam Strong, secretary of the Red Lake Nation, shook hands with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last week after announcing that the Red Lake tribe would b

Minneapolis City Council approves site to relocate homeless camp

Relocation speed is a concern with winter approaching.
Michelle Rivero, director of Minneapolis' Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, stood for a portrait Wednesday. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE ï anthony.so

Head of Minneapolis' new immigrants and refugees office embraces challenge

Michelle Rivero hopes to partner with others on education, protecting rights of immigrants.
Sam Strong, secretary of the Red Lake Nation shook hands with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after announcing to the press that the Red Lake tribe would

New homeless site emerges after Mpls. council delays decision

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is suggesting the encampment residents move to a 1.5-acre property owned by Red Lake Nation at 2109 Cedar Av. S.
James Cross, the founder of the street outreach group Natives Against Heroin, spent nearly half of his life in prison for drug-related crimes but is w

Mpls. backs lot next to schools for homeless camp relocation

American Indian nonprofit leaders and several City Council members favored the former Roof Depot parking lot, not the vacant lot favored by city staffers.
An American Indian encampment in south Minneapolis, shown in August during heavy rain.

Homeless camp's possible new home is caught in a legal snag

Minneapolis acquired the former Roof Depot on E. 28th Street for its Public Works Department with $6.8 million in utility fees.
An American Indian encampment in south Minneapolis continues to grow and now includes several families with children. Some have come hoping to receive

Mpls. charter schools: Don't place homeless camp next to us

Officials fear for their students if people from camp are moved to neighboring lot.
Minneapolis landlord Ron Hendrickson is among a group of landlords in a Minneapolis pilot program that would give them a 40 percent reduction in prope

Minneapolis offers tax break in exchange for landlords capping rent

Minneapolis has a new city program that offers a break on property taxes in exchange for agreeing not to raise rents. Nine landlords have signed up, promising to keep 207 units affordable for 10 years.

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority seeks to privatize two high-rise towers

Residents have been told they won't be forced out.
Tobacco companies and retailers are pushing back against Minneapolis leaders' move to restrict the sales of menthol cigarettes in the city, like they

Minneapolis bans new tobacco shops for a year

The move follows the 2017 restrictions on the sales of menthol tobacco.
Christie Berkseth-Rojas with her daughter Sophie 2, walked out of the Early Vote Center after voting early in the primary election Monday August 6, 20

Minneapolis poised to approve $1.2 million for voter outreach, new early vote centers

The city, anticipating a huge voter turnout during the November election, will fund additional voting centers and judges.
Rep. Ilhan Omar hugged her husband Ahmed Hirsi after she won the DFL endorsement. Their daughter Isra Hirsi, 15, is on the right. ] GLEN STUBBE ï

Minneapolis Council Member Cano hires Ilhan Omar's husband as senior policy aide

Ahmed Hirsi will replace Aisha Gomez, who won the DFL primary race for Minneapolis House District 62B.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gives his first budget address in front of notes to him from the people about the affordability of housing, at Minneapoli

Frey pumps $40M into affordable housing plan for Minneapolis

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's push to increase housing access in the city is gaining momentum, with a record $40 million in the next year's proposed budget allocated toward expanding affordable housing.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gave his first budget address in front of notes to him from the people about the affordability of housing, at Minneapolis

Mpls. mayor's proposed budget focuses on more money for affordable housing

Jacob Frey said Minneapolis is confronting an affordable housing crisis and putting off investments.
On multiple occasions, in the presence of Minneapolis police, Hennepin Healthcare EMS workers injected people who already appeared to be restrained wi

First Amendment group calls on Minneapolis to halt investigation into leaked report

The Committee to Defend the First Amendment said the leak investigation could have chilling effect on the public's right to know.
Sophie Konewko and Megan Albers decided to take two Bird scooters for a ride through downtown Minneapolis after lunch. They joked with two Hennepin Co

Minneapolis City Council approves license program for scooter companies

Ketamine may be administered by IV bag.

Minneapolis hires firm to investigate how draft report on ketamine use was leaked

One council member says he doesn't want anyone punished for release of "valuable information."
Greg Russ, the director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. Behind him is an action plan of what he hopes to accomplish in Minneapolis.

Mpls. Public Housing Authority considers overhaul of 6,000 public housing units

Minneapolis agency looks at private investment.

Minneapolis landlords speak out against city license fee increase

Rental license cost increase proposal will make housing less affordable, they say.
Sophie Konewko and Megan Albers decided to take two Bird scooters for a ride through downtown Minneapolis after lunch. They joked with two Hennepin Co

Minneapolis launches license program for scooter companies

The city will allow 200 to 400 scooters to operate in the first four months of the pilot program, which will start in August.
Scooters were available Monday outside the Hennepin County Government Center, across the street from Minneapolis City Hall.

Second electric scooter service arrives in Minneapolis

Lime joined Bird in renting scooters in city.
Minneapolis City Council members, shown in January, say the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan needs significant changes.

Feeling the heat, Minneapolis council members say 2040 plan must change

Members say the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan needs to strike a better balance.
Sophie Konewko, left, and Megan Albers decided to take two Bird scooters for a ride through downtown Minneapolis after lunch Tuesday.

Rental scooters suddenly show up, and Twin Cities officials push back

A planned Minneapolis ordinance would mostly deal with how to regulate the public right of way. In St. Paul, officials told Bird to remove its scooters from the city's public right of way.
A person rides an electric scooter

Minneapolis City Council committee to vote on ordinance to regulate electric scooters

New rental business could mean electric vehicles will be scattered around city.
Minneapolis City Council Member Alondra Cano has missed more meetings this year than any other member.

Council public safety chair was away amid Mpls. police controversy

Alondra Cano said she was taken by surprise by a charter amendment that would give the City Council and mayor equal authority over the Police Department.
Ward 9 - Alondra Cano Minneapolis City Council Member ] August 29, 2014 GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1409191221583578

Minneapolis weighs creating ID card for all residents

Cities across the country have begun issuing IDs to help undocumented immigrants. Advocates for greater immigration enforcement criticize the ID programs as encouraging people to break the law.

Lowest-paid workers get a raise in Minneapolis on Sunday

Small businesses must increase their employees' pay to $10.25 per hour.
Council member Cam Gordon asking a question of the City of Minneapolis' Director of Internal Audit, Will Tetsell, during the committee meeting Wednesd

Minneapolis council member proposes plan to change oversight of police department

Mayor, City Council would jointly govern police; Frey calls idea impractical.
Council member Phillipe Cunningham, who started smoking his teens, said that he was voting to pass the smoking ordinance for his younger self. Friday

Minneapolis votes to raise tobacco-buying age to 21

The City Council vote was unanimous.
Downtown Minneapolis has experienced rapid population growth since 2006, and builders are betting on that continuing.

Judge: City of Mpls. has no authority to operate the Commons park

The ruling is the latest in a battle regarding the park next to U.S. Bank Stadium.
Fallen chunk of concrete forced the closure of the RiverCentre parking ramp.

State funds fall short of what St. Paul leaders wanted to replace RiverCentre ramp

St. Paul sought $58M to replace now-closed parking site. Legislators OK'd $5M to raze it.
Cigarettes on display at a store.

Plan to raise tobacco-buying age moves forward in Minneapolis

The City Council will vote on the ordinance May 25, and it could take effect in the fall.
Tobacco companies and retailers are pushing back against Minneapolis leaders' move to restrict the sales of menthol cigarettes in the city, like they

Smoking age is back on the front burner in Minneapolis

The City Council will hold a public hearing Monday on raising the legal age for buying tobacco to 21.
The Northern Metals Recycling facility, located on the Mississippi River just south of the Lowry Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis leaders urge action after air-pollution spike

Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Members Jeremiah Ellison and Phillipe Cunningham urged the state to reduce air pollution in the riverfront industrial zone.

Minneapolis landlords push back against Section 8 compliance rule

It's in response to a new ordinance that threatens landlords with fines and other penalties if they refuse to accept Section 8 vouchers or even post ads saying that.
Northern Metal Recycling metal shredder building located on the Mississippi River just south of the Lowry Avenue Bridge Wednesday December 2, 2015 in

Dangerous level of air pollution recorded in north Minneapolis

Air near Northern Metal Recycling shredder again is exceeding federal standards.