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| |  | Federal agents guarding the perimeter where Alex Pretti was shot and killed at E. 26th St. and Nicollet Ave. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities)
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| A city enraged and in mourning | The Twin Cities are reeling after federal agents killed two residents in less than three weeks. A Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti while multiple federal agents held him down. Federal officials have tried to paint Pretti as a dangerous person trying to “massacre” agents. But bystander video and witness testimony contradicts this. On today’s episode, we talk about what political leaders are saying and what can be done to end Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities] | - What to watch: This morning, lawyers for the state of Minnesota and the federal government will argue in federal court for the first time over a lawsuit to stop Operation Metro Surge. Attorney General Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed the lawsuit two weeks ago. Plus, over the weekend, Senate Democrats vowed to block a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. [The Hill]
- Wise words: We have artist and activist Kyle Tran Myhre on the show today to talk about how artists can meet this moment. ”Let’s think about how we can amplify movement calls to action. Not just position ourselves as people to be listened to, but to use our platform,” Tran Myhre said.
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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| Sneak peek: Anni Coyle, lead singer of Minneapolis indie band anni xo, did what is unthinkable to many artists – they leaked their unreleased demo “Passenger Seat” all over social media. Anika Besst reports it was a hit with fans, even if making the video meant the band showed up to their next show with mud on their boots. [MPR] | | “Disappearing of Minnesotans”: Dozens of people detained by ICE in Minneapolis are ending up in a New Mexico detention facility. A Minnesota lawyer said it’s a strategy to keep detainees from family and legal support. Concerningly, ICE’s system for lawyers to track their clients isn’t working in some cases. [Source New Mexico] | | Helping pets: Animal rescues are reporting more abandoned pets during Operation Metro Surge. If you see a pet you think might be abandoned, it’s recommended to call animal control and get a five-day stray hold. [MPR] | |  | Did you stay warm enough this weekend? Here’s a view of the frozen Mississippi River in St. Paul on Friday when the temperature was -10°. (James Napoli / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Fraud fallout: Former Medicaid fraud investigator Kayseh Magan writes about lessons learned in the four years since the Feeding Our Future scandal broke. I recommend reading the whole piece, but I found this fact particularly shocking: “...people associated with fully half of the sites in which [the Minnesota Department of Education] paid out at least $1 million have thus far escaped charges.” [Minnesota Reformer] | | Eviction emergency: Minneapolis City Council members voted unanimously to call on Gov. Tim Walz to temporarily halt evictions, arguing that intensified ICE activity is upending housing stability, disrupting local businesses, and pushing families into fear and isolation. Tenant advocates say ICE agents have entered apartment buildings, triggered fire alarms to draw residents out, and threatened deportation when tenants try to assert basic housing rights. [Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder] | | Sad update from the Jungle: When it feels like we need art more than ever, the beautiful Jungle Theater on Lake and Lyndale has announced a temporary closure and the cancellation of the rest of its season, citing financial troubles. “We’re concerned not only for us but for the future of theater in our country, in our community,” artistic director Christina Baldwin said. [Twin Cities Business] |
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| | Monday, Jan 26 | | | Tuesday, Jan 27 | | | |
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Be prepared for some more subzero temps this week. I’m layered up. | | — Tiffany |
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