Your Daily Guide

Local, State, and Federal Officials Combat Youth Gun Violence

At a press conference on Monday, officials from more than 40 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies announced a collaboration to combat gun violence amongst groups of Somali youth that are allegedly associated with gangs. The announcement comes after multiple non-fatal shootings occurred in Twin Cities suburbs in the past month. [Sahan Journal]

• Sharing intelligence: The effort begins immediately with law enforcement agencies sharing information through the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, led by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, FBI, and ATF. Officials did not announce a new anti-gang task force, but BCA Superintendent Drew Evans left open the possibility. He said any future task force would differ from the controversial Metro Gang Strike Force, disbanded in 2009 after allegations of officer misconduct, with more oversight and checks and balances. [MPR News]
• Avoiding stigma: The decision by law enforcement officials to publicly name "Somali gangs" has drawn ire from community members who worry the focus will cause backlash against the entire Somali community. At the press conference, BCA and Hennepin County officials made it clear that the actions of a few people are not representative of the entire community. At a listening session on Sunday night, several Somali-American police officers rejected the use of the word "gangs" to describe the violence among Somali youth. [Star Tribune / Sahan Journal]

Fewer students, fewer teachers: Following Operation Metro Surge, St. Paul Public Schools saw English language learner enrollment fall by more than 500 students beyond what the district had projected for the 2026-2027 school year. As a result of the decline, the St. Paul school board voted to eliminate about 16 English language teacher positions. The union warns that cuts like this in the middle of the school year will impact students at 75% of schools across the district. [Star Tribune / Sahan Journal]

Pimento (not) on the Lake: Pimento on the Lake, the Jamaican restaurant on the shore of Bde Maka Ska, has closed after the termination of their agreement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Pimento was sued for nearly $1 million in unpaid loans mostly tied to the Bde Maka Ska location earlier this year. Pimento's flagship restaurant on Nicollet Ave. remains open, and the Park Board has not announced what will happen next at the now-vacant restaurant location. [FOX 9]

Escalation: St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry amended his lawsuit against Mayor Kaohly Her, alleging that Her made false statements to outside investigators at Resolute Law during their investigation into his complaints. Her has touted the investigation’s findings as clearing her of sexual harassment allegations. Henry’s amended complaint also expands his retaliation claims, alleging that Her personally retaliated against him for raising his concerns, in addition to alleging retaliation by the city. [MPR News]

Sign swap: Earlier this week, someone stole all the signs in City Cast Executive Producer Anna Weggel's neighborhood and set them all up in one neighbor’s yard a few blocks away. I want to know: is this a common prank these days? Reply to this email if any yard signs have been stolen or moved around in your neighborhood this election season. (And I really hope they haven’t!)

Early voting expands: Minneapolis is adding pop-up polling locations and expanding hours for early voting ahead of election day on Nov. 3. Mayor Jacob Frey said that the efforts are meant to ensure voting access for residents while many community members are concerned about intimidation or interference at the ballot box. Minneapolis lists its early voting locations and hours on the city website, and voters elsewhere in Minnesota can find their early polling locations on the Secretary of State website. [MPR News]

Racism on blast: Following a viral video of a University of St. Thomas student yelling "go back to your own country, b****" outside of a Turning Point USA event at the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas issued a statement saying they are "looking into" the incident and that they "do not condone hateful language being used by anyone in our university community." The University of St. Thomas Student Nursing Association also released a statement condemning racism, discrimination, and xenophobia. [Bring Me The News]

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