Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Target Apologizes, Pulls 'Offensive' Halloween Costume After Backlash: 'We Know We Got This Wrong'

Be sure to catch National Dog Day at The Green on the Minneapolis Patch calendar

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Tuesday August 25th Patch AM
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Hello Minneapolis! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Target pulls controversial kids' Halloween costume after backlash over racist imagery
  • What will Minneapolis' $11M public housing audit actually uncover?
  • How Minneapolis police are changing tactics after 87 smashed car windows

Also on today's calendar: National Dog Day at The Green and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Clouds and sun with a t-storm, with a high of 86 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 78, low: 61.
  • Thursday: Less humid with plenty of sun, with a high of 83 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Target Apologizes, Pulls 'Offensive' Halloween Costume After Backlash: 'We Know We Got This Wrong' (patch.com) — Minneapolis shoppers are learning that Target has pulled a children's Halloween clown costume after critics said its dark hood and exaggerated smile resembled racist blackface imagery. The Minneapolis-based retailer issued a public apology, calling the design offensive, removing it from sale, and pledging to review how it was approved to prevent similar issues in the future.
   

2. Minneapolis to audit $11M in Public Housing Authority spending (kstp.com) — Minneapolis officials have ordered an audit of $11 million in city funding to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority amid mounting concerns over conditions and relocations at Heritage Park. The review, expected to start in 2027, aims to strengthen oversight while continuing substantial city support for affordable housing, and comes as residents await clearer timelines and details on voluntary relocation options.
   

3. Smashed vehicle window numbers keep rising in Minneapolis (kstp.com) — A wave of car-window vandalism in northeast Minneapolis has damaged at least 87 vehicles since Friday, with more broken windows discovered through Monday morning. Minneapolis police are centralizing property-crime investigations, updating their crime-spree response protocol, and urging residents to promptly report incidents, share security footage, and use the city's online reporting tools to help identify suspects and curb the damage.
   

4. Minneapolis mayor, Park Board clash over 2027 budget (kare11.com) — Minneapolis residents could see future tax and park service impacts as Mayor Jacob Frey and the independent Park Board clash over the 2027 budget and levy increase. Frey wants lower tax growth and more shared services, while the Park Board warns that cutting its 5.86% levy request could mean job losses, reduced maintenance, and shorter hours across the city's park system.
   

5. North Minneapolis author honors late grandfather with children's book series (fox9.com) — A North Minneapolis author is turning memories of his grandfather into the "Papa Lemon" children's book series, blending time-travel adventures with lessons on history and healing. Lehman Riley's nine self-published books, already used in several Twin Cities school districts, tackle topics from civil rights to grief and bullying, with two more titles on the way.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Marsden Services posted a job opening for Minneapolis - Part Time Evening Cleaner (2.5 hours weekly) in Minneapolis. Apply here.
  • Disabledperson, Inc posted a job opening for Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable Specialist at Rise Technical in Minneapolis, Minnesota 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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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