Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Best Cities For Jobs In 2026: Where Minneapolis, St. Paul Rank

Coming up: Minneapolis Institute of Ice on the Minneapolis Patch calendar

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Wednesday January 7th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Minneapolis! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Minneapolis lands in top 25 U.S. cities for job seekers
  • What will replace the infamous Nicollet Avenue Kmart blockade?
  • Murders down, but is Minneapolis policing really improving for everyone?

Also on today's calendar: Minneapolis Institute of Ice and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 37 and low of 24 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 34, low: 22.
  • Friday: Cloudy, with a high of 31 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Best Cities For Jobs In 2026: Where Minneapolis, St. Paul Rank (patch.com) — Minneapolis workers enter 2026 with relatively strong prospects, as the city ranks 23rd nationally in a new WalletHub study of the best cities for jobs, thanks to solid income levels and job quality. St. Paul also fares well socioeconomically but lands 41st overall due to fewer openings. The rankings compare Minneapolis to nearby regional cities and highlight how factors like housing costs and work-life balance shape local opportunity.
   

2. Minneapolis begins sifting through construction bids for Nicollet Avenue Kmart site (cbsnews.com) — Minneapolis is moving ahead with plans to reopen Nicollet Avenue and redevelop the long-problematic former Kmart site in south Minneapolis, now reviewing a dozen construction bids. The 10-acre project envisions affordable housing, retail, nonprofit space, a park, and a community center, with Nicollet expected to reopen later this year and buildings rising over about five years.
   

3. New data shows murder was down in Minneapolis last year (kare11.com) — Minneapolis police report that murders and shootings dropped in 2025, with the northside seeing its lowest number of shooting victims since at least 2008. Chief Brian O’Hara and Mayor Jacob Frey highlighted faster response times and new hiring, while community advocates pressed for stronger domestic violence investigations and faster consent decree reforms.
   

4. Somali-owned businesses in some Minneapolis neighborhoods say they're being flooded with harassing phone calls (kstp.com) — Somali-owned businesses in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside and East Lake Street neighborhoods report a surge of racist, threatening phone calls, with police confirming harassment complaints have sharply increased since December. Community leader Abdirizak Bihi says fear is rising and some shops are closing, but emphasizes the neighborhood’s resilience and urges residents to report threats so Minneapolis authorities can respond appropriately.
   

5. Minnesota health experts weigh in on changes to childhood vaccine recommendations (kare11.com) — New federal guidelines are scaling back which childhood vaccines are routinely recommended, and Minneapolis-based pediatric leaders warn this could mean more serious illness for local kids. Doctors at Children’s Minnesota and the state health commissioner say they’ll keep urging families to follow long-proven, science-based immunizations and to talk with their providers as they navigate the new, more “shared decision-making” approach.
   

📸 Around Minneapolis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Minneapolis

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update on Blaze and Jax.
    They are happy and thriving in their new home. They love the kids and the kids love them. I couldn't be happier myself. (Nextdoor Holland)
  • I was walking my dog today in Loring Park and saw all these clothes, hats, gloves etc with tags.
    What a nice idea. Does anyone know what organization is responsible? (Nextdoor Stevens Square)
  • Robbinsdale Area Schools posted a job opening for Part Time Education Assistant for Adventure Club in Minneapolis. Apply here.
  • Planet Fitness, Inc. posted a job opening for Front Desk Opener 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: I nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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