Hennepin County Government Center

First same-sex couples pick up their marriage licenses

On Thursday morning, Alex Schmit and Zeke Rice walked into the service center in the basement of the Hennepin County Government Center and applied for a marriage license. They had waited 13 years to do so."We don't feel like we're rushing into anything," Rice laughs. "It's the kind of thing we never ... More >>

Gabe Rodreick hopes U of M research could be key to walking again

Sen. Jeff Hayden introduces bill to fund curative spinal cord science

CeCe McDonald pleads guilty to lesser charge

Chrishaun "CeCe" McDonald, a transgender woman facing two second-degree murder charges, agreed to a plea deal in court today. McDonald pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, which will carry a 41-month sentence. McDonald was accused of stabbing Dean Alvin Schmitz in the heart outside the S ... More >>

Hennepin County removes UN flag from Government Center plaza [VIDEO]

After more than 25 years flying alongside the US flag, the UN flag has been removed from the Hennepin County Government Center plaza. Last week, Hennepin County commissioners approved an "emergency" resolution directing staff to take the flag down. The US, Minnesota, and Hennepin County flags remain ... More >>

Melissa Hill settles lawsuit against Sheriff Richard Stanek for $15,000

The booking photo from the arrest that started it all.​Occupy MN's first arrest has resulted in its first financial settlement. Melissa Hill, a well-known local activist and "Kitten for Sheriff" founder, sued Sheriff Richard Stanek after he had her trespassed from the Hennepin County Government C ... More >>

Occupy Homes MN to deliver 6,000 signatures to US Bank

​The Occupy Homes movement -- an offshoot of OccupyMN and Occupy Minneapolis -- is still fighting to keep two Minneapolis homeowners' families from being evicted. This evening, a group of marchers is bringing over 6,000 signatures to US Bank, in the hopes that the downtown-based lender will find ... More >>

Occupy MN is a thriving local business

These people have actual American money.​Occupy Minnesota, now approaching the three-week mark, has released its finances in the name of transparency. As it turns out, the protesters have actually pulled in a decent, five-figured amount -- certainly enough to keep a public protest rolling for a li ... More >>

Occupy MN dwindles but lives on

​Occupy MN has yet to shake the economic and government structures at which its protest is aimed. But, to its credit, it hasn't gotten bored or hungry and gone home yet.The local chapter of the anti-bank, anti-bomb protests which started popping up all over the country last week passed through the ... More >>

Jesse Ventura joins kick-off of Occupy MN [VIDEO]

​The occupation of the Hennepin County Government Center Plaza has begun and one of the first people on the scene was former Governor Jesse Ventura. Amid the earliest few dozen occupiers setting up their tables and camps, Ventura held court amid a gaggle of media and fans to make a brief statemen ... More >>

Occupy MN protesters march to the Fed [VIDEO]

​As their numbers increased in the Hennepin County Government Center Plaza this afternoon, more and more chatter rose among the Occupy MN crowd about marching to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The Fed was the originally planned occupation destination, but organizers worried that arrests ... More >>

Occupy MN gets law enforcement OK for occupation of Government Plaza

​In a series of meetings held over the past couple of days, Occupy MN organizers have received tentative approval for their plans to camp out in the Hennepin County Government Center plaza starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. The plaza is public property, but organizers still met with the Hennepin County ... More >>

Occupy Wall Street protest coming to Minneapolis

​Occupy Wall Street, the broad-based protest that unsettled New York and resulted in hundreds of arrests on the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend, is spreading to Minneapolis this week. The local version of the protest will officially start at 9 a.m. on Friday, when organizers plan to fill the Henn ... More >>

Have you seen this escaped sex predator?

Smith was last seen downtown on Tuesday.​Minneapolis police and corrections officials are warning the public to keep an eye out for escaped sex predator Gregory Smith. Smith, 59, cut off a GPS ankle bracelet on Tuesday, and is now at large. As a level 3 offender, Smith is classified among the most ... More >>

It's Bike To Work Day, so get out of your car

Thirteen of ClubsTime to pedal.​On Monday, we were so on board with the whole Bike Walk Week thing. But then, a steam bath worthy of Mekong Delta melted the roads and turned our heads to mush. And now that Bike To Work Day is finally here, we have a different issue: It feels more like Portland out ... More >>

It's Minneapolis Bike Walk Week, if you can stand the heat

Get out of your car this week, but stay in the shade!​Here's some unfortunate timing: Minneapolis Bike Walk Week just happens to coincide with this morning's Excessive Heat Warning. But at least Bike To Work Day comes Thursday, by which time the tropical heat should have abated. Bike riders m ... More >>

Madison union supporters plan Minneapolis demonstration Monday afternoon

The rally starts at 4 p.m. Monday.​More than 1,000 people turned out on Saturday in St. Paul to demonstrate solidarity with union workers in Madison, and now a march has been scheduled for 4 p.m. today in downtown Minneapolis. A rally will begin at 4 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Cen ... More >>

Hennepin County Government Center suicide threat averted

The Hennepin County Government Center, right, was the scene of a potential suicide alert on Tuesday.​The soaring atrium in the Hennepin County Government Center has been the site of three suicides in the past. A fourth was averted yesterday when a 44-year-old man was talked out of jumping to h ... More >>

The triumvirate beckons

June, July, and August unlock the gates

Trisha Farkarlun's strip search: Was it revenge for accusing police of rape?

Footage shows both men and women peeling off her clothing

Minneapolis bells to play Michael Jackson tunes this morning

Minneapolis landmark bells at Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse will toll for 20 minutes this morning in honor of Michael Jackson.

Iranian-Americans set to rally in downtown Minneapolis today

A "Rally for Democracy in Iran" protest is scheduled for noon today in downtown Minneapolis to show support for the Iranian people.

Battered women among bad economy's victims

Overcrowded shelters and lack of available jobs greet help-seekers

Paperwork, schmaperwork: Tossed county records leave tenants in the cold

Hennepin County housing court destroys files to detriment of local renters

Minnesotans will join nationwide protest against Prop 8

There will be two Twin Cities protests Saturday in response to California's passage of Proposition 8, whic ... More >>

Battered woman becomes American refugee in Amsterdam

Her husband beat her, so she couldn't let him take custody of their kids

Unfriendly Fire

Duy Ngo will receive $4.5 million for getting shot by a fellow officer in the line of duty, but that won't restore his reputation

The New Twins Park: A Big Roadblock at Home Plate

Dirty Work

After a union victory in Houston, local janitors are gearing up for new labor negotiations

Does This Bus Stop at the Capitol?

Rybak frets about transit--but can he do anything?

Bring Back the Buses

For Chrissakes... Milwaukee's got public transit. (Omaha, too.)

Waiting for Chief Olson

Federal mediation is delayed; this is a recording...

On-the-Job Training

Mark Stenglein climbed out of a Dickensian childhood to become a business success and one of Hennepin County's most powerful politicians. Now he thinks he's ready to be mayor of Minneapolis.

Dim Bulb

For years the Salvation Army's Harbor Light homeless shelter has been plagued by inept management, insufficient security, and unspeakable acts. And Hennepin County taxpayers are footing the bill.

Off Beat

Rage Against the Machine

All Dennis Williams wanted was a job with the city of Minneapolis. After five years of bureaucratic torture, what he ended up with was three months in jail and a shot at serious prison time.

Strictly Business

County officials such as job developer Dana Woods offer businesses "packaged and presentable" workers--with subsidies attached.

Main Street

Wing Young Huie's Lake Street portfolio.

Life In Purgatory