Good morning, this is Minneapolis Local Pulse for Wednesday, December 18, 2024.We're starting with breaking news from the past few days. A downtown St. Paul apartment complex was condemned on Monday, forcing over 70 residents out of their homes. In southern Minnesota, a driver was cited after rear-ending a school bus full of children on Monday morning. Parents of Minneapolis Public Schools students pushed back against the district's staffing decisions during a board meeting on Tuesday night[1].Moving on to the job market, recent reports show steady gains in employment across the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area added nearly 24,300 jobs between 2022 and 2023, with an annual employment growth rate of 1.4%[5]. The unemployment rate in St. Paul remained flat at 4.2% in January, slightly down from 4.3% in December 2023[2].In real estate news, the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Minneapolis was recently sold to a trio of investor groups[3]. New development projects are also underway, including the transformation of the Minnesota Vikings practice field into a winter wonderland with over two million pounds of ice.From city hall, top state leaders announced millions in funding to support law enforcement recruitment and training across Minnesota on Tuesday[1]. Additionally, Minneapolis is considering a proposal to set a $15 minimum price for a pack of cigarettes, which is on its way to a city council vote[4].Weather-wise, an overnight coating of snow could make the morning commute messy in the Twin Cities, with an arctic blast arriving later today. WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer warns of increasing winds and a big temperature drop on Wednesday, with wind chill values below zero[1].In new business activity, the made-in-Minnesota 2024 gift guide is out, featuring local products. The bubble tea chain is moving into the former Caribou Coffee on St. Paul's Grand Avenue[4]. Unfortunately, the Uptown boutique Proper is closing after a decade in Minneapolis[4].Upcoming community events include Janet Jackson's concert at the Armory on June 18, 2024, and Vampire Weekend's added show on July 31, 2024[4]. For local school achievements, parents and students are gearing up for holiday events and winter sports.In a feel-good community story, the family of Charlie Boike, who was killed in a car crash at age 17, is working to expand his Waite Park training gym to give more people access, fulfilling his vision[1].Today's crime report includes a recent incident where an unlicensed driver was sentenced to 5 months in prison for fatally striking a Burnsville priest[4]. Additionally, a man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in a fatal Duluth shooting[4].This has been Minneapolis Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Ver todos los episodios