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Articles by Melody Hoffman
MPS proposes school closures to optimize buildings
Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2026 1:35 pm Proposed school closures across the district are Kenny Elementary, Lake Harriet Lower Elementary, Field Elementary, Wellstone International High School, Bethune Elementary, Cityview Elementary, FAIR School of the Arts, Heritage Academy, Hiawatha Elementary, Anwatin Middle School, Hmong International Academy, Howe Elementary, Longfellow Alternative School, Loring Elementary, Pratt Elementary, Webster Elementary, and Wenonah Elementary.
ICE arrested North High student at work
This story was originally published by North News, a community news source and youth journalism training program based in north Minneapolis. Subscribe to their print magazine or sign up for their newsletter here. Jairo Pitalasig’s shoulders carried a heavy load. He worked a full-time construction job while finishing his senior year at North High School, providing a crucial paycheck to his family as they sought asylum from Ecuador, and helped take care of his dad, who was in remission from cancer.
Neighbors show up at Portland and 34th after Robin Good shooting death by ICE - Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
Portland and 34th - Killing of Robin Good Portland Ave 34th Street Minneapolis, MN View larger map “Immigrants are welcome here” shout members of the crowd gathered near the site at Portland and 34th where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by ICE a few hours earlier. After law enforcement cleared out, part of the crowd walked two miles to Minneapolis City Hall. Others placed white roses near the area where she died.
Minneapolis has 126 more shelter beds this year - Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
Just in time for the temperature to drop, the City of Minneapolis announced 126 new shelter beds and 123 new housing units this winter for residents experiencing homelessness. “We in Minneapolis have every obligation to make sure we are providing dignified, warm space so that people can live and so that they can be safe,” Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press briefing on Nov. 20.
Nur-D says he won’t perform at First Avenue venues 'for the foreseeable future'
Note: This article mentions sexual assault. Downtown Voices reached out to First Avenue numerous times via email and phone for comment and has not heard back. We will update this story if that changes. Local hip-hop artist Matt Allen, who goes by the stage name Nur-D, recently announced on social media that he will not be performing at First Avenue venues “for the foreseeable future.” On Dec.
Hundreds remember Loring Park neighbor
Note: This article briefly describes physical violence. Robert Skafte, 66, died on Dec. 8 after he was attacked during a shift at Oak Grove Grocery. A person entered the store and physically assaulted him behind the counter, then utilized a golf club from the store as a weapon against Skafte until he was fatally injured. That story is tragic enough. And then you learn more about Skafte. Astrologically, a Cancer with an Aquarius moon. A professional ballet dancer.
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