Twin Cities Daily Digest — Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Golden Valley! ☘️ (And a belated Happy St. Urho's Day to our Finnish neighbors.)

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Golden Valley & West Metro

Protest activity continues at Federal Drive ICE office. A regularly updated list of protests across Minnesota includes ongoing daily demonstrations at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building at 1 Federal Dr., which houses the ICE office near Fort Snelling — just a short drive from Golden Valley. Organizers are maintaining a daily street-corner presence at the site. The full weekly protest schedule, now at version 4.1, is being circulated on social media for those looking to participate or plan around road activity. Reddit

Hennepin County property valuations climbing sharply. Homeowners across Golden Valley and the west metro are opening valuation letters with double-digit percentage increases, which will likely translate to higher property taxes. County officials say the increases reflect a competitive housing market and rising sale prices. If you think your valuation is off, you can file an appeal — the process starts with contacting your city assessor's office before the local Board of Appeal and Equalization meets this spring. KSTP

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Minneapolis

Snow removal pilot program off to a strong start. More than 100 Minneapolis residents have received help clearing snow through a new city grant program that partners with neighborhood groups. The pilot is targeting seniors, people with disabilities, and others who struggle to keep up with winter's demands — a welcome initiative as the metro digs out from this weekend's storm. KARE 11

Council members push back on $38M first responder training center. A coalition of Minneapolis City Council members and community leaders is raising doubts about a proposed $38 million training and wellness complex for first responders. Critics are questioning the price tag and whether the investment aligns with community priorities around public safety reform. KSTP

Family seeks to rename north Minneapolis street for Birdell Beeks. The family of Birdell Beeks, 58, who was killed by a stray bullet near 21st and Penn Avenue North in May 2016, is pushing to rename a stretch of street in her honor. The effort aims to memorialize Beeks and draw attention to gun violence in the community. KARE 11

Rising rents hit low- and moderate-income Minneapolis renters hardest. Residents like Cynthia Young, interviewed while waiting for a bus at East Franklin and Chicago, say rent increases are becoming unmanageable. Meanwhile, a zoning reform bill gaining momentum at the State Capitol could help ease the housing crunch by making it easier to build homes across Minnesota. KSTP | MinnPost

Woman found dead in Bloomington holding cell identified. The family of 29-year-old Desiree Marie Rosell has identified her as the woman who died in a Bloomington holding cell last week. An investigation into the circumstances of her death is ongoing. KSTP

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St. Paul

Odd-even parking pilot gets real-world blizzard test. St. Paul's odd-even parking pilot program, unveiled in January, faced its first major challenge with this weekend's snow event. City leaders say the storm is the perfect proving ground to see whether the system — which alternates which side of the street residents must park on — actually speeds up plow routes. KARE 11

St. Paul declares snow emergency. The city has activated a snow emergency, so check the city's website at stpaul.gov for the latest on plowing schedules and parking restrictions before you head out. KSTP/City of St. Paul

No, a St. Paul bluegrass band did not die in a plane crash. A viral story about six members of "The Gillyweeds" dying in a snowy plane crash is fiction. Multimedia artist Todd Pitman confirms The Gillyweeds are a fictional band he created as part of an elaborate multimedia treasure hunt experience — a cautionary tale about AI-generated misinformation. KARE 11

Data center battle heats up in Inver Grove Heights. Residents of Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul are pushing back against another proposed data center development. Community members are urging neighbors to speak up at upcoming public meetings. Reddit

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Local Sports

Wild fall to Maple Leafs 4-2. Bo Groulx scored twice for Toronto as the Maple Leafs held on to beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2. It's another tough result for the Wild as the playoff push continues. KARE 11

Timberwolves drop eighth straight to Thunder, 116-103. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 20 points and 10 assists as OKC rolled to its eighth consecutive win over Minnesota. The Wolves are in a rough stretch — MinnPost is asking whether it's a blip or a sobering reality check as the postseason approaches. KARE 11 | MinnPost

Gophers men's basketball headed to College Basketball Crown. Minnesota will face Baylor on Wednesday, April 1 in Las Vegas as part of the College Basketball Crown event. Head coach Ben Johnson called it an exciting opportunity for the program. KSTP

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Weather

Southern Minnesota buried under up to 20 inches. The weekend blizzard hit hard south of the metro — Red Wing Public Works Director Shawn Blaney estimates 14 to 20 inches fell there, while Zumbrota received a full 20 inches, shutting down schools, restaurants, and streets. Zumbrota residents banded together to dig out, with lead street maintenance worker Chris Mack coordinating the effort. KARE 11 | KSTP

District 196 schools closed Tuesday due to threats. Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan schools — Minnesota's fourth-largest district — are closed today as law enforcement investigates threats. This is unrelated to weather. KSTP

MN high school choir stranded by blizzard, fundraising to get home. A Minnesota high school choir group had their return flight canceled due to the storm and is now raising money to get back. Some are questioning why the airline isn't covering the cost. Reddit

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Minnesota Statewide

Ghost gun ban advances in the Senate. The Minnesota Senate has moved forward a bill to ban untraceable "ghost guns" without serial numbers, a top DFL priority after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled last year that ghost guns can be legal. Attorney General Keith Ellison also announced companion legislation to close the loophole, but the bill faces a tough road in the evenly divided House. KARE 11 | KARE 11

Iran conflict pushes gas prices higher. President Trump is pressing about seven countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as the ongoing war with Iran chokes oil shipping. Metro drivers should expect continued pressure at the pump. KSTP

North Dakota measles outbreak a concern for border communities. North Dakota is reeling from a measles outbreak as vaccination rates decline — only 89% of recent kindergarteners received the MMR shot. Minnesota health officials will be watching closely given cross-border travel. MinnPost

Record turnout for Minnesota Zoo STEM challenge. A record-breaking 5,000 students from 85 schools participated in the Minnesota Zoo's annual STEM challenge, designing sea lion habitat concepts. It's the largest participation in the program's 12-year history. KARE 11

Walk for Animals fundraiser coming up. The Animal Humane Society's Walk for Animals includes a one-mile route around the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Details at animalhumanesociety.org. KARE 11

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Have a Golden Valley story tip? Reply to this digest or find us on social media. Stay warm out there — and remember to check your property valuation letter.