Quick Hits

• St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed suit Wednesday against Mayor Kaohly Her, alleging a "repeated pattern of sexually harassing conduct" and retaliation. Her's office also confirmed it has replaced SPPD on her security detail with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. (KARE11, KSTP)
• Police spending is the "predominant pressure" on Minneapolis property tax growth, per the city's Board of Taxation, which is raising oversight concerns; Mayor Jacob Frey says the overtime expenses were needed. (KSTP)
• Minneapolis Public Schools' proposed closures are drawing pushback from the teachers' union, and a review of St. Paul's past closures offers a preview of what students may face. (KSTP)
• The Lynx open the playoffs Sunday at Target Center vs. the New York Liberty — a 2024 Finals rematch — after clinching the WNBA's No. 1 seed despite Tuesday's 96-77 loss in Indiana. (KSTP)
• Plymouth leaders voted to shut off 18 Flock license-plate cameras after lengthy debate over privacy, data access, and how the company handles information. (KSTP)

Golden Valley & West Metro

No Golden Valley-specific headlines made today's batch — here's the closest-to-home news for west-metro readers.

Minnesota has some of the country's lowest teen pregnancy rates, with numbers falling since 1990, but MinnPost reports the state also has among the worst racial disparities — and experts and advocates warn federal cuts to pregnancy prevention programs could set back years of progress, deepening racial and geographic gaps.

Nearby Plymouth voted to end its Flock camera service — 18 cameras — after an extended debate over privacy, data access, and the company's handling of information.

Fall is in the air: the r/Minneapolis community has compiled a megathread of Twin Cities fall and Halloween events, with locals adding recommendations — worth a look if you're planning October outings. And Dairy Queen has rolled out its Halloween-themed "Spellbound Series" menu, featuring a foaming potion-like drink, a shimmering purple Blizzard, and a "scary spicy" dipping sauce.

Minneapolis

The city's Board of Taxation says Minneapolis police spending — including overtime — is driving a large share of the proposed property tax increase and is flagging concerns about oversight; Frey maintains the overtime expenses were necessary.

The MPS transformation plan is drawing resistance from the teachers' union, with big questions about what closures would mean for students and teachers' jobs. KSTP also looks back at St. Paul's previous school closures as a possible preview of the path ahead for Minneapolis students.

City Council members expressed frustration that city staff aren't attending committee meetings, after the mayor's office informed the council that staff will no longer be present all the time.

A Minneapolis proposal on driverless vehicles — which would require companies offering driverless rides to obtain a city license — is sparking debate over jobs and safety.

In other news: OpenAI executive Varun Shetty, appearing at the Minnesota Star Tribune's North Star Summit, addressed AI, the media, and calls for a slowdown, arguing the need to "pace the frontier." And families and a witness testified on Capitol Hill about the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed in Minneapolis by federal agents 17 days apart in January.

St. Paul

The biggest story in the east metro: Police Chief Axel Henry sued Mayor Kaohly Her Wednesday, alleging she engaged in a "repeated pattern of sexually harassing conduct" and retaliated against him. The suit follows an independent investigation that determined Her's behavior was "inappropriate and offensive," per a MinnPost news roundup. Separately, Her's office confirmed it has been using the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office rather than St. Paul police for the mayor's security detail.

City records reviewed by KSTP show clearing the Pig's Eye Park homeless encampment cost taxpayers nearly $440,000, nearly two months after the operation.

Paw Moo Htoo, 32, of St. Paul, received a 48-month (four-year) prison sentence after being accused of driving over 100 mph before crashing into another vehicle and killing its driver in Ramsey County.

Local Sports

The Lynx stumbled in their regular-season finale, falling 96-77 at Indiana on Tuesday as the Fever's Caitlin Clark posted 27 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds and Kelsey Mitchell added 20 to her WNBA single-season scoring record. No harm done, though: Minnesota still clinched the No. 1 seed with Golden State's loss, and after Wednesday's Atlanta–New York game, learned it will host the Liberty in Game 1 of the playoffs Sunday at Target Center — a rematch of the 2024 Finals.

The Vikings turned to a familiar face at punter, signing veteran Johnny Hekker to the practice squad as Brett Thorson deals with a hamstring injury.

Minnesota Statewide

A new statewide task force on domestic violence has begun work on a plan to better respond to, track, and prevent domestic violence.

Former Minnesota deaf school teacher and wrestling coach David Rohm was charged in Rice County in connection with allegations that he sexually assaulted a student about 40 years ago, court records show.

High diesel prices are squeezing rural school district budgets — Mesabi East Schools reports it's on pace to spend an extra $54,000 on fuel if prices stay elevated.

And in a bright spot: the Small Sums Fashion Show in the Twin Cities raises support for the unhoused community, providing clothes, shoes, tools, and bus passes so people can succeed in new jobs.