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| |  | EP Anna Weggel's garage door works just fine now – no thanks to the scammer that took it apart and tried to overcharge her. (Brant Miller) |
| Don't Fall For These Scams | We asked our staff and contributors to share stories of the times they got scammed so you can make sure not to fall for the same schemes. Here are a few to watch out for. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities] | | - 'Why are people so rude here?' If someone asks you that, turn around and walk the other way. Local food critic and contributor Kirstie Kimball told us about a guy who will engage folks with that question, and then ask for money to get his car out of an impound lot, promising to pay you back when he gets his wallet from his car. Kirstie said he's so convincing (and handsome) that he tricked multiple people she knows, and she almost fell for it herself even though she knew about it in advance! [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]
- Stick with the professionals: When executive producer Anna Weggel's garage door broke, the repairman's quote started at $250 and ballooned up to $1,300 as he worked, with the “urgency” and “danger” of the garage’s state growing as he went along. Anna ended up having to pay him just to leave with her door still disassembled, and another company fixed it for $500. It turns out this was a part of a nationwide scam where bad actors pose as legitimate local businesses to lure in customers, with some victims being charged more than $6,000. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / KSTP]
- Get your money back: If you were scammed by a real company, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office might be able to mediate on your behalf to get you your money back if you fill out this form. If you have a scam story that you want to share far and wide so that others don't fall for the same thing, reply to this email to let us know.
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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| No more AI nudes: The Minnesota Legislature passed the first ban on AI "nudification" apps in the U.S. in a vote of 132-1, with Rep. Drew Roach, R-Farmington, providing the only vote against the measure. The law is intended to hold companies accountable for providing the tools to create nonconsensual pornography, allowing victims to sue the apps directly and empowering the state attorney general to collect fines of $500,000 per violation. [MinnPost / MN Legislature] | | $15 or less: North Loop Italian restaurant Salt & Flour is overhauling their menu and capping prices at $15 to try to get more customers in the door as they face heavy financial losses. Owner Brian Ingram says the new menu will launch today, featuring small plates, pizzas, pastas, and wine inspired by his travels in Italy. [Bring Me The News] | | Hell yeah: I saw this post from a person who spent this past winter painting some beautiful watercolors of spots around the Twin Cities, and they're looking to show them at a coffee shop or gallery in town. I could totally see these hanging up at Mojo Coffee or Yellowbird in Northeast Minneapolis. Let them know if you have any ideas! [Reddit] | | | Big news for big cats: Trail cameras in northern Minnesota have captured the first evidence in more than a century that cougars are reproducing in the state. Cougars have been known to roam across Minnesota in search of mates, but the DNR still considers cougars extinct in Minnesota as we don't know for sure if there is an established breeding population here. [Bring Me The News] | | Another veto: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed the City Council’s second attempt to give renters more time to catch up on rent after Operation Metro Surge. Landlords must currently give tenants 30 days’ notice before filing for eviction. Frey previously vetoed a proposal to extend that to 60 days and has now rejected a revised 45-day version. Meanwhile, the St. Paul City Council unanimously approved a temporary 60-day notice period, which takes effect May 14. [Sahan Journal] |
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| | Monday, May 4 | | | Tuesday, May 5 | | | |
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Before I go, I want to give a shout out to our newest Neighbors Tim O. and Kerrie L.R. Thank you so much for supporting the work we do every day! | | You can learn more about the benefits of our membership program and sign up here. |
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