Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · 7d

Didn't Jacob Frey run his first mayoral race based on ending homelessness? All of us deserve better.

DeWayne Davis @dewayneforminneapolis.com · 7d

Right now, the City's homelessness response team consists of just four positions – and they work in a department that manages parking enforcement and animal control.

Our unhoused neighbors deserve dignity. We need to do better – and with the right leadership, we can.

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d

STEPHANOPOULOS: Hold on a second. Answer the question. As Speaker, do you believe it's appropriate to use American cities as training grounds for the military, calling those people 'the enemy within'?

JOHNSON: I'm not comment on your characterization of what the president said.

S: Those are quotes

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · 12d

Apropos of nothing, the Nobel Peace Prize is scheduled to be announced Friday, October 10. www.nobelprize.org

The official website of the Nobel Prize - NobelPrize.org

The Nobel Prize rewards science, humanism and peace efforts. This is one of the central concepts in the will of Alfred Nobel, and it also permeates the outreach activities that have been developed for...

www.nobelprize.org

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · 13d

Glad I wasn't the only one who read it that way. Who has started the countdown clock for when she starts walking it back like she did the melanin comment earlier this year?

naomi @naomi111.bsky.social · 13d

I didn’t think this saga could get worse. But here we have a candidate running for a city council seat in South Minneapolis claiming her initial motivation in running for the Southside seat was to be a voice for North Minneapolis.

It was in fact, first residents of the northside, who asked me to possibly move to have another northside voice on council. Then it was southside residence, who asked me to move to save them from their absolute disaster council member. So what did I do? I told them both I would move, and I told, in fact, the entire city. And now I’m moving just like I said, I would.

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elliotaltbaum.bsky.social @elliotaltbaum.bsky.social · 22d

Some neighbors and I in Longfellow believe we can't afford 12 years of Mayor Frey. We are organizing a Longfellow Forum for a New Mayor.

Join us for a family friendly format to hear from candidates on housing, police reform, and so much more

Sign up here: forms.gle/5jppXJhypevf...

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · Sep 4

Elections 2025: Minneapolis City Council, Ward 12. Obviously you should vote for Aurin. Becka is my pick for Actual Worst Person Currently Holding Elective Office (In Minneapolis).

naomikritzer.com/2025/09/04/e...

Elections 2025: Minneapolis City Council, Ward 12

The tl;dr here is to vote for Aurin Chowdhury; I door-knocked for her in 2023 and I have had no regrets about my support. On the ballot: Aurin ChowdhuryBecka ThompsonEdward Bear Stops Edward Bear S…

naomikritzer.com

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Sep 3

Reporting from the crime ridden hellscape of Minneapolis. Residents must defend themselves from broad sword wielding hooligans by carrying shields and wearing helmets and chain mail just to go to the park. Waiting for the National Guard and their halburds and trebuchet to save us.

Two men in medieval warrior garbage in a grassy part setting.

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God @thegodpodcast.com · Aug 31

Thou shalt not end vaccines. God will not save you from plague. The Middle Ages should’ve made that very clear.

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Aug 16

Remember: There is nothing natural or inevitable about extreme inequality; it’s the result of an economic system that values wealth and power over human dignity and justice.

It doesn't have to be this way.

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David Brauer @dbrauer.net · Aug 11

I feel like resurrecting $347,932 in taxpayer payments to a favored Frey homophobe who called a gay council member a “girl,” threatened violence in the city council chamber, and whose contractors shot up the north side should earn the sort of media coverage reserved for what cars candidates drive …

D.A. Bullock @bullycreative.bsky.social · Aug 8

It sure does pay to be a Frey political patronage supporter - you can be as abusive and loud and toxic and homophobic as you want to be, and still pull up to the gravy train. The good Reverend McAfee back on the docket. They dont call it Salem Inc. for nothing lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2025-00...

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Aug 10

My longtime office away from the office. Great coffeehouse, great mission made real. Hit them up.

Indigiqueer Hummingbird ~*For Good*~ @riotousmuse.bsky.social · Aug 10

Wildflyer is looking at a significant funding gap. They support both Avenues for Homeless Youth/ the ConneQT program AND provide direct support to unhoused youth. If you can, try to find some ways to support them (Mpls & St Paul) so that we can retain their critical community work. 🧡🩵

Wildflyer Minneapolis facade + an orange circle that reads "Make The Switch"

Teal text boxes containing my words:
We just stocked up on our bulk coffee elsewhere.
But I've been saying this would make a great gift for ages.
I'm making the switch.
ASAP.
I encourage you to do the same.
...
...
@wildflyercoffee 's Instagram caption in a black box:

They cut our grant, but not our grind.

We have some tough news to share. Due to recent government cutbacks, we are facing an unexpected funding gap.

But we aren't backing down.
Why?
Because demand for our services is higher than ever. Youth experiencing homelessness want opportunities, employment, and belonging, and Wildflyer is where they find it.

Here's how you can step up &
#MakeTheSwitch:
• Join Jolt, our coffee subscription service
(link in bio)
• Visit our shops in MPLS and STP
• Bring Wildflyer to your workplace or church through our wholesale or catering services
(link in bio)

Let's prove what community-powered coffee can do!

Thank you for your support!

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Aug 10

It seems the backstory on so many recent restaurant closures in Minneapolis isn't labor costs or product inflation but landlords asking for big rent increases. This at a time, I think, of declining CI property values and share at least of property taxes. I'll admit I don't understand the dynamic.

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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · Aug 7

The number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits for at least a week rose to the highest level since late 2021, according to Labor Department data.

Nearly 2 million Americans on unemployment, highest since pandemic era

Continuing unemployment claims jumped to 1.97 million in late July, according to a Labor Department report, highlighting a weakening labor market.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Soren Stevenson @sorenwithward8.bsky.social · Aug 7

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

Five years on and current leadership has failed to improve trust in public safety. We’ve seen no plan to deliver the change that Minneapolis has demanded in police culture and conduct.

Four Minneapolis officers were accused of excessive force — and now train other police

The Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Amir Locke and until recently led MPD’s use-of-force training is not the only trainer whose record has raised concerns over the department’s commitment ...

www.mprnews.org

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Aug 6

Americans are relearning the lesson we learned during the Gilded Age of the late 1890s, when robber barons ran the government and the economy for their own benefit: Oligarchy is incompatible with the common good.

I'm hopeful we'll respond with a new progressive movement.

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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · Aug 6

Important reminder for today

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David Brauer @dbrauer.net · Aug 5

If you read the executive summary on the right, you can see Mayor Frey’s absolute & ongoing failure to include the City Council in actions & engagement led to this. It’s not an exoneration of Frey, it’s an indictment of leadership that hoards info for power & then claims they’re the victims.

Liam Davis Temple @liam2manynames.bsky.social · Aug 5

If you’re curious why the media is so often biased towards Frey, just look at his press release VS the actual executive summary of the audit. Often media will just regurgitate press releases instead of actually doing the work.

Read the report for yourself: lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA...

Audit Confirms Minneapolis Upheld Separation Ordinance
During June 3 Incident
Today, the City Auditor released findings from its review of incidents surrounding the June 3 federal investigation near Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue - confirming that the City of Minneapolis provided accurate and truthful information to the public and elected officials during the incident and did not violate the City's ordinance barring the Minneapolis Police Department from participating in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
"Facts matter. In moments of crisis, our residents deserve clear, accurate information," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "This audit confirms that the City did not violate its Separation Ordinance and acted with integrity, keeping public safety front and center. I'm grateful to our City staff and emergency management team for their professionalism, and I appreciate the auditor's thorough work on this report. Transparency and accountability are essential to public trust, and this report reinforces both."
The audit confirmed:
• The City's Separation Ordinance was not violated.
• The City and MPD were not aware of the federal investigation until 10 a.m. on June 3.
• MPD did notarrest or question anyone based on their immigration status, and officers were not directly involved in the investigation.
• City emergency plans were in place.
• Chief O'Hara remained on scene, calm and engaged, during the incident.
"As l've said since June 3rd, the MPD followed the Separation Ordinance and does not work with federal agencies on immigration enforcement," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. "The MPD has an obligation to protect our residents and does not have authority over federal law enforcement. We need everyone in the community to work collaboratively with the MPD in the future, as we inevitably will once again be faced with an unforeseen circumstance where we must gather facts and de-escalate to protect life and safety for everyone. That's what we did on June 3

Observations & Recommendations:
1. City Officials, including the Mayor, Chief of Police, and City Council Members, did not have prior knowledge of the federal law enforcement action that occurred on June 3, 2025.
2. Statements made on June 3, 2025 by City Council Members and the Mayor's Office were truthful, but because the Administration did not notify the City Council of transpiring events for nearly four hours after the Chief of Police was first informed, speculative communication occurred.?
• The City Council, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office and MPD, should develop communication sequencing protocols to notify all appropriate City Officials, including appropriate City Council Members during ongoing incidents of great public interest, especially those that could lead to civil unrest. In an incident like this, we recommend that, at minimum, the City Council President and City Council Vice President be notified.
3. The City did not violate its Separation Ordinance; however, this incident demonstrated a need to better prepare a united response to a real or perceived federal immigration enforcement action.
• City Administration should include in their emergency management planning expectations for
MPD when a real or perceived federal immigration enforcement action is identified
4. The Separation Ordinance was adopted in 2003 and has not been updated to address contemporary federal immigration enforcement actions.
• The City Council should review the Separation Ordinance for potential updates.
• MPD should update its related policies, such as 9-400 and 6-107.

2 An individual Council Member was earlier told by a police officer on scene that the actions were not immigration related, however, federal law enforcement insignia of "ICE" and "HSI" were observed, adding to the confusion and distrust. Additionally, this Council Member sought information and clarity through official City Administration sources, to which they received no response.

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Santiago Mayer @santiagomayer.com · Aug 2

At this point they could announce that Ghislaine Maxwell is being put in charge of labor statistics and I wouldn’t even be surprised

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Minneapolis for the Many @mplsforthemany.com · Jul 24

Back in May, we conducted polling that shows only 30% of Minneapolis voters approve of Mayor Frey.

On the first ballot at Saturday’s convention, Frey secured 31.54% of the votes.

Now Frey wants to discredit the results, but they were exactly what should have been expected.

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Jul 24

I didn't know Jacob Frey was 86'd from the legendary Palmers Bar on the West Bank.

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Jul 21

Apologies. But it still needed to be said. For practice if nothing else.

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Jul 21

No. Its not like cops sit at the station and wait for 911 calls. Aren't supposed to at least. But the failure to deal with the 3rd Precinct - old and new- are also on Frey. It's his lack of leadership and unwillingness to engage the community that has delayed the process.

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Dave Zaffrann @dzaffrann.bsky.social · Jul 20

The gerontocracy is real.

Jay Ulfelder @jayulfelder.bsky.social · Jul 20

Lots packed into @adambonica.bsky.social's new On Data and Democracy post, but I haven't seen this chart getting the attention I think it deserves. US lawmakers are remarkably old, and the gap here between population age and lawmaker age is exceptional.
data4democracy.substack.com/p/on-data-an...

scatter plot comparing average age of lawmakers vs. median age of population across a bunch of contemporary democracies, showing that the United States is a real outlier, with lawmakers averaging almost 60 years old vs. a median age of the population of just 38. South Korea and Japan come closest with average lawmaker ages around 55, but their populations are older, and most countries on the chart cluster in the 40s.

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jdavnie.bsky.social @jdavnie.bsky.social · Jul 19

Confort comes first. Especially comfortable shoes.

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Aurin Chowdhury MPLS City Council Member W12 @aurinmpls.bsky.social · Jul 10

Minneapolis, do you want to meet your next mayor?

This is a big election year - that's why I'm excited to host a Mayoral candidate meet & greet with @omarfatehmn.com, @dewayneforminneapolis.com, & @jazzformayor.bsky.social (in no particular order)

RSVP to join us on Wednesday, July 17th at 6pm:

Want to Meet Our Next Mayor?

Candidate Meet & Greet with State Sen. Omar Fateh, Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis, and Jazz Hampton, Esq. (in no particular order) hosted by CM. Chowdhury.

July 17th, 6-8pm | RSVP for Event Address

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