Thanks to those of you that swung by our party last night! Always fun to see people in-person, and really enjoyed some of the chats we had about the city, Southwest Voices, and more.
If you couldn't make it, but want to find a way to support Southwest Voices, we're a membership supported organization. Help us keep producing this newsletter every morning and expanding our journalism by becoming a member now.
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Southwest High School will be getting a new principal. In a letter sent to families a couple weeks ago, Dr. Valerie Littles-Butler shared that she will be leaving at the end of the year for Humboldt High School in St. Paul. Southwest High School is putting together a committee to interview candidates in early June.
As we reported yesterday, the principal of North High School, Mauri Friestleben, has been let go from the district, although details are hard to come by. Yesterday, a group of students and representatives from the Minneapolis NAACP rallied outside the district's headquarters, the John B. Davis Center. Minneapolis NAACP President Cynthia Wilson called for more of a public view into the process. “We’re feeling disrespected, like there was no transparency in this whole process. So now we’re going to flip the script. We’re asking for an investigation to be done here at the Davis Center."
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We're firmly in construction season. Here are a few updates on a couple of this week's orange cones.
The Bryant Avenue South overhaul (between Lake and 50th Streets) kicks off this week, starting with the transit and pedestrian upgrades on Lyndale Avenue South that are part of the project.
The long-term closure of Cedar Lake Parkway (through spring 2023) started yesterday to build the Southwest Light Rail tunnel under the street.
As we shared last week, Centerpoint Energy is going to be digging under 27th Street for the next few weeks. Shoot us your questions about other projects you see if you have them!
LINK ROUNDUP 🔗
A great story about John Gebretatose, the director of diversity and inclusion at Minneapolis’ HUGE Improv Theater, and founder of Blackout Improv, an all-Black Minneapolis improv group. (Sahan Journal)
The Star Tribune's restaurant critic reviews Petite León. (Star Tribune)
Local farmers markets need your business. (Star Tribune)
Here's a Memorial Day Weekend weather preview. (Facebook)
The state legislature adjourned without passing a number of bills they were debating, from education to public safety to transportation. Gov. Walz is expected to call for a special session to bring them back to the table. (Star Tribune)
COMMUNITY RESOURCES 💪
If you are let go from your job, here is a good collection of a bunch of resources available for you.
If you want to learn how to swim this summer, the U of M and YMCA offer classes for all levels.
OUT & ABOUT 🎵
From 12-12:30 p.m. today, the Bell Museum is hosting a virtual event about all the things you can see in the summer night sky.
Go play some pickup coed sand volleyball next to Bde Maka Ska at 5:00.
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., a group meets at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park to work on the MLK Donation Garden. Today's mission? "Plant cucumbers, beans, zinnias and kale! Water the radishes from last week and check on our peas!"
