🌱 'Violence' At Target + Arson Arrest + Metro Air Quality Alert

Good morning, Minneapolis! In today's Daily, find out about:

• An increase in crime on Metro Transit.
• What you need to know about the new state tax deal and possible rebate checks.
• An arrest made in an arson case at a St. Paul mosque.

But first, today's weather: Cooler with clouds and sun. High: 59 Low: 45.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Minneapolis today:

1. An air quality alert was in effect through 6 a.m. this morning due to “heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan,” Patch reports. The smoke is expected to “clear rapidly” today, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (Patch)

2. Close to 1,000 crimes have been reported on Metro Transit so far this year, according to MinnPost. At this point last year, the total was 595. (MinnPost)

3. Target CEO Brian Cornell said “violent incidents” and theft are on the rise at stores, BMTN reports. The Minnesota-based chain closed its uptown Minneapolis location last week. (BMTN)

4. Douglas Corporation will pay more than $1 million as part of a settlement after forever chemicals were leaked into lakes near its St. Louis Park chrome plating facility. Affected lakes include Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. (CBS)

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Today in Minneapolis:

• “Art-A-Whirl” is held all weekend in Northeast Minneapolis. (Times)
• Ron Pope performs at the Parkway Theater. (7 p.m.)
• The Terminal Bar hosts a comedy showcase. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A man was arrested Wednesday on arson charges for setting fire to the Tawhid Islamic Center of Minnesota. (CBS)
• MPR News curated a list of things to know about Minnesota’s tax deal, including details on promised rebate checks. (MPR)
• The AAPI Generations Conference is this weekend at Park Square Theatre. (MinnPost)

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That's all for today, Minneapolis. See you tomorrow for another edition!

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her feature articles have been recognized with awards from the Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Minneapolis Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.