Good morning, and happy Thursday.
Federal authorities announced 45 criminal indictments Wednesday against what they said were three street gangs that were operating organized criminal networks in Minneapolis. MPR’s Matt Sepic reports U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said the charges represent a shift from pursuing prosecutions on a case-by-case basis, to a broader approach to crime fighting. Luger said Wednesday the newly unsealed indictments list 20 shootings and seven homicides dating back to 2016. The defendants range in age from 20 to 47 and are charged with crimes including murder, attempted murder, robbery and drug trafficking. Specific crimes listed in the indictments include a fatal shootout at the 200 Club in north Minneapolis in 2020, as well as a homicide allegedly involving Bloods members last year outside of William’s Pub and Peanut Bar in Uptown. “For the past year we, together, have been carefully and deliberately building these cases against the criminal organizations that are Minneapolis street gangs,” Luger said. “And this is just the first step. We will continue to bring gang cases as we dismantle them and reduce the threat they pose to our city.”
Minnesota voters in 2024 may be asked to decide whether to keep directing lottery revenue to environment and natural resource projects. And MPR’s Dana Ferguson reports as part of a proposed constitutional amendment, voters could also choose to direct some of that money to communities that have been historically passed over for the projects. The plan – which advanced through House and Senate committees on Wednesday – would continue directing 40 percent of funds generated from the Minnesota Lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. It moves next to rules committees in both chambers. The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources sends out millions of dollars from that fund to environmental and natural resource projects around the state. They would still be in charge of the bulk of the funding under the bill, but 1.5 percent would be reserved for projects in underserved communities. Francisco Segovia, executive director of Latino advocacy organization COPAL, said urban communities and people of color had applied for the funding but had previously been turned down. “We believe this community grant program that is included in the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund renewal can help fill the gaps all over the state and expand connection to and work in places that have been left out,” Segovia said. Lawmakers who backed the bill said voters for decades have supported using lottery money to fund natural resources projects. And they said they should include the additional grant dollars for groups that have so far missed out.
A bill establishing legal sports betting in Minnesota has been revised but is still stuck. MPR’s Brian Bakst reports it was amended Wednesday in a Senate committee to share tax revenue from proposed betting platforms run by tribal casinos with horse tracks. But the tracks still couldn’t take general sports bets. The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association's Andy Platto said the nine tribes that make up the association support that. “The resulting mobile and retail markets operated by Minnesota's tribal nations would not only support tribes, but would also provide a well regulated and accessible market for sports bettors and a competitive market that is important to our state's professional sports teams and market partners.” Some of the horse racing tracks didn’t like the plan. “If our racetrack is excluded from a sports betting expansion that is fair to all, this will endanger the future of the over $500 million horse racing industry in Minnesota,” said Running Aces Harness Park executive Tracie Wilson. “We're asking today for fairness.” Canterbury Park also opposes the current bill.
The Star Tribune reports: Nearly three years after the police murder of George Floyd sparked unrest across the Twin Cities, community groups and business owners are pressing Minnesota leaders to give more money to businesses and nonprofits for redevelopment. Minnesota legislators previously passed $80 million for a Main Street Economic Revitalization Program. This year, the House has proposed $126 million and the Senate suggested $100 million for grants and loans. The two chambers, both led by Democrats, included the cash in their economic development budget bills. Since the details and dollar figures diverge, lawmakers are sorting through the differences this week. The Senate's Promise Act takes the more expansive approach. It goes beyond damage from unrest and aims to help with broad economic challenges statewide. The proposal would devote $100 million over the next two years to communities hurt by civil unrest, structural racism, lack of access to capital, population losses or a regional lack of economic diversification.
A lot of politicians went to the Afro Deli on Wednesday. MPR’s Nicole Ki explains why: When Afro Deli & Grill owner Abdirahman Kahin opened his first restaurant in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood 13 years ago, he never imagined being celebrated as the National Small Business Person of the Year. That day came on Monday at the White House, when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris awarded him with the national title. “I believe the American dream,” said Kahin, who emigrated to the U.S. from Djibouti. “I believe everything's possible if you work hard. And especially if you work hard and as a small business, there is no limits.” On Wednesday morning, second gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff and federal administrator of the Small Business Administration Isabella Casillas Guzman visited St. Paul to tour one of Afro Deli’s locations as part of National Small Business Week and honor Kahin’s national recognition.
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