Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Some In Minneapolis City Council Wants Humans Behind The Wheel Of Robotaxis

Also check out Paint and Pray on the Minneapolis Patch calendar

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Friday September 11th Patch AM
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Hello Minneapolis! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Minneapolis may force robotaxis to keep a human behind the wheel
  • How will Minneapolis' shrinking reserves affect your taxes and city services?
  • What's next in Minneapolis' search for a new police chief?

Also on today's calendar: Paint and Pray and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Some sun; breezy, more humid, with a high of 86 and low of 58 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Sunshine and not as warm, temps: high: 74, low: 54.
  • Sunday: Thunderstorms, with a high of 69 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Some In Minneapolis City Council Wants Humans Behind The Wheel Of Robotaxis (patch.com) — Minneapolis leaders are weighing a new ordinance that would force robotaxi companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Zoox to keep a paid, licensed human safety driver behind the wheel of every self-driving car in the city. Supporters on the City Council and in local unions say it protects immigrant rideshare workers and public safety, while disability advocates and a competing statewide bill could reshape how autonomous vehicles operate in Minneapolis.
   

2. Minneapolis expected to dip into reserve funds for the first time in 10+ years (kstp.com) — Minneapolis is on track to dip into its emergency reserves for the first time in more than a decade, prompting proposed tax hikes, job cuts, and trimmed services in the 2027 budget. City leaders are debating what counts as a core service while business and academic voices warn that residents could face higher taxes if spending cuts aren't balanced with smart reinvestment.
   

3. Minneapolis moves forward with national search for city's next chief of police (kstp.com) — Minneapolis is moving ahead with a national search for its next police chief, with dozens of candidates already in the mix and final community listening sessions happening over the next week. Mayor Jacob Frey says the city hopes to confirm a new chief by October or November, following Brian O'Hara's resignation after internal investigations into his conduct.
   

4. Housing leader warns safety laws fall short after deadly Minneapolis shooting (kstp.com) — Minnesota housing leaders are sounding alarms after a deadly shooting at Shoreline Plaza in Minneapolis left two residents dead and two staff critically injured, adding to recent attacks on property workers statewide. They argue Minneapolis' rental screening rules and state eviction-expungement laws limit safety tools for managers, while lawmakers review whether tougher penalties and broader access to criminal histories could help prevent future violence.
   

5. List Of All The Data Centers In Minnesota (therockofrochester.com) — Minnesota already has 81 data centers operating or planned, and most of them are concentrated in the Minneapolis market, making the city a major digital infrastructure hub. A national mapping tool shows where these facilities are clustered, with Duluth as the next largest market, helping residents understand how rapidly this behind-the-scenes industry is expanding across the state.
   

📸 Around Minneapolis

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Related to grilling: I took a beginner course on blacksmithing up at North House Folk School in Grand Marais.
    Over three days I learned to make skewers, a steak flipper, a roasting fork, and a spatula, plus a ladle for my copper-loving wife. Looking forward… (Nextdoor East Harriet)
  • I've told my niece that I'd take her to a great breakfast place in Minneapolis (not suburbs).
    Problem is her favorite breakfast item is Eggs Benedict. Any ideas? (Nextdoor Fulton)
  • Northwestern Mutual posted a job opening for College Financial Representative, Internship Program in Minneapolis. Apply here.
  • Minnesota Jobs posted a job opening for Extruder Operator in Minneapolis. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Minneapolis here.

Ok Minneapolis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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