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🌱 Patch AM: Why did Mayor Frey reject larger homeless encampments in Minneapolis?

Make time for Sushi Making With Chef Pao at a Local Brewery - Cooking Class by Classpop! on the Minneapolis Patch calendar

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Hello again Minneapolis! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why did Mayor Frey reject larger homeless encampments in Minneapolis?
  • Could Minneapolis schools face closures as a new $30M deficit looms?
  • Why Minneapolis’ annual Homeless Memorial March feels more urgent this year

Also on today's calendar: Sushi Making With Chef Pao at a Local Brewery - Cooking Class by Classpop! and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Very cold in the morning, with a high of 21 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Morning flurries, then breezy, temps: high: 27, low: -1.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 25 and low of 19 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mayor Frey vetoes large-scale encampment ordinance in Minneapolis (kstp.com) — Minneapolis residents should know that Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed a proposed ordinance that would have allowed large homeless encampments to remain and grow before closure. City officials say fewer encampment closures and lower costs coincide with more people moving into shelter and supportive housing, and they’ve launched a new web page outlining strategies to prevent and address homelessness, including more affordable housing.
   

2. Minneapolis Public Schools faces $30 million deficit (startribune.com) — Minneapolis Public Schools is projecting at least a $30.3 million deficit for 2026–27, raising fresh questions about how the district will balance its budget after major cuts this year. Community meetings running into January are gathering input on academics and enrollment, while a new parents group and educators push for investments, smaller class sizes, and alternatives to potential school closures or mergers.
   

3. Homeless Memorial March carries on in snow as anxiety grows over potential funding cuts (startribune.com) — Hundreds of residents braved snow and 15-degree cold Thursday for the 41st Homeless Memorial March through downtown Minneapolis and Loring Park, honoring people who died while experiencing homelessness. Organizers and service providers also warned that potential funding cuts could threaten supportive housing programs that keep formerly homeless neighbors safely housed.
   

4. After Minnesota family's advocacy, Congress adds cancer to list of line-of-duty benefits for firefighters (kare11.com) — From Minneapolis, a Minnesota family’s advocacy has helped change federal law so firefighters’ families can receive line-of-duty benefits when loved ones die from certain cancers. Spurred by the legacy of Maple Grove and Saint Paul firefighter Mike Paidar, the new Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act makes cancer an occupational risk under a key federal benefits program, retroactive to 2020.
   

5. CHL notebook: Prospects who could make impact at World Juniors (nhl.com) — Minneapolis and St. Paul are set to host the 2026 World Junior Championship, and several Canadian Hockey League standouts are already vying for roster spots. The piece spotlights top NHL-drafted prospects from across the CHL who could skate here, including future stars for Canada, Czechia, Finland, and Germany. It’s an early look at players local fans might soon watch compete in Minneapolis.
   

📸 Around Minneapolis

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Loki And Boujee was LOST on December 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, MN 55412 near Lyndale and dowling Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information… (Nextdoor Jordan)
  • My dog has been missing since around 3 am this morning!
    I am about to go put up flyers. She is extremely friendly and will just run up to anyone so I am guessing she might already be with someone. Please… (Nextdoor Bryant)
  • Savers Thrifts Stores posted a job opening for Savers / Value Village Careers - Retail Warehouse & Production Associate in Minneapolis. Apply here.
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for DC Materials Handler - Outbound 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
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