Quick Hits

• Minneapolis Public Schools unveils sweeping closure plans. Three transformation options presented Tuesday night could close as many as 16 schools as the district confronts enrollment and budget challenges — the school board votes on a final plan Nov. 10.
• Hennepin County kills its Metro Surge small-business fund over fraud. The county — which includes Golden Valley — set aside $2 million but could pay only $500,000 to legitimate businesses after so many fraudulent applications came in.
• Minnesota's 2026 midterm voting begins Friday. KARE 11 has a voter guide covering everything you need to know before casting your ballot on or before Election Day, Nov. 3.
• Minneapolis police leaders skipped a City Council meeting on $21 million in overspending, following the mayor's direction and frustrating council members who wanted answers.
• The Twins dropped two to the Yankees, losing 8-3 Monday and 8-1 in the other game of the set, while New York clinched a postseason berth and kept pace in the AL East race.

Minneapolis

School closures ahead. District leaders presented three school closure and consolidation proposals at a meeting that began at 5 p.m. Tuesday. KARE 11 reports up to 16 schools could close; KSTP's tally of the plans puts 14 schools "on the chopping block." Either way, the board will review the options and vote on one Nov. 10.

Metro Surge fund shut down. Hennepin County has ended the recovery program meant to help small businesses affected by Operation Metro Surge. County officials worked with a community-based lender to review roughly 300 small business applications, but so many fraudsters tried to apply that only $500,000 of the $2 million the board set aside could go to legitimate businesses.

Police no-show on spending questions. Minneapolis police leaders did not attend to take City Council questions about $21 million in overspending, following the mayor's direction — a move that frustrated council members seeking answers on the spending gap.

Mill District pedestrian crash. A 78-year-old woman well known in the Mill District community was struck by a car while crossing the street near Gold Medal Park on Friday and faces a long, painful recovery, according to KSTP. Her family is searching for two men who helped her after she was hit.

Jake Long rally case. New video evidence coming to light for prosecutors could lead to new or changed charges for protesters connected to a violent rally outside Minneapolis City Hall this summer, KSTP reports.

Data center drumbeat continues. After pushback in the North Loop, the Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Association held its first data center discussion Monday — and residents in another Minneapolis neighborhood are preparing for more proposals.

Sandwich of note. Twin Cities Live tours North Star Deli on 46th Street, a Minnesota North Stars-themed spot serving what the show calls a sandwich that will "absolutely blow your mind."

St. Paul

Summit Brewing faces possible foreclosure. The St. Paul craft beer mainstay's troubles highlight what craft beer leaders call a concerning trend: 2025 marked the first year more Minnesota craft breweries closed than opened.

Sober sips. For National Sober Day, Twin Cities Live shared a zero-alcohol Bloody Mary recipe with bold flavor and none of the booze.

Local Sports

Twins vs. Yankees. Aaron Judge hit a three-run home run — his first since May 24 — to cap a six-run eighth inning as the Yankees beat the Twins 8-3 Monday, the night New York clinched its 61st postseason berth. The Yankees also took an 8-1 decision behind Max Fried's first victory since April 27, with home runs from Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones keeping pace in the AL East race.

Minnesota Statewide

Election season starts now. Voting in Minnesota begins Friday, and KARE 11's 2026 midterm guide walks through everything you'll need to know before casting your vote on or before Nov. 3.

Dayton resurfaces. Former Gov. Mark Dayton is reemerging in the public spotlight with his new memoir, "Perseverance," which details his political career and raises the alarm about the current political climate in America.

Violence prevention gap. Threat-management experts tell KSTP that "the warning signs were there" in recent cases, and that Minnesota lacks a statewide violence-prevention system that could help officials intervene before mass violence occurs.