🌱 Afghan Refugees Coming To Twin Cities + Basic Income Program

Georgi Presecky
Updated ·3 min read

Hello, Minneapolis! Let's get to today's headlines.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny and frigid. High: 0 Low: -16.

Here are the top 4 stories today in Minneapolis:

1. Attorneys made opening statements Monday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd's civil rights. J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are on trial for "failing to provide Floyd with medical care as fellow officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes," KARE11 reports. (KARE11)

2. More than 8,000 people have applied for Minneapolis' guaranteed basic income pilot program, according to Axios. There are 200 spots available in the program, which will give low-income families $500 per month for two years. (Axios)

3. Minneapolis nonprofit Alight says it is expecting more than 250 Afghan refugee families to arrive in the Twin Cities by the end of February. The organization is accepting monetary donations, food and furniture to assist the refugees upon arrival. (KSTP)

4. School districts across the state are following the lead of Minneapolis Public Schools by using staff shortages to determine if schools should close. Officials in Osseo and Rochester shifted to remote learning after COVID-19 led to limited staff. (Paid source: Star Tribune)

From our sponsor:

Last week, we told you about our new favorite non-alcoholic go-to — the refreshingly bitter drinks from our partners at Betera. They’re chef-created from natural botanicals, lightly effervescent and worthy of life beyond “Dry January.” We mentioned that their Ginger-Orange was excellent; we’ve since tried Elderflower-Lime and loved it as well — light and floral with the perfect amount of zing. We're converts.

Enough of you took Betera up on their 15 percent discount on first orders for Patch Daily readers that they’ve extended the offer for another week. Use PATCH15 at checkout. Highly recommended — try Betera here.

Today in Minneapolis:

  • Join the U.S. Bank Stadium Winter Warm-Up. (5 p.m.)

  • Trivia at Lakes & Legends Brewing Company. (7 p.m.)

  • The Fulton Environment Committee meets. (7 p.m.)

  • Patty Griffin and Parker Millsap perform at Pantages Theatre. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Northrop received a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. (Minnesota Daily)

  • Local woman Shamaria Jordan is selling apparel to help send young Black women on college visits. (CBS)

  • Two actors with local connections will star in the upcoming Fox sitcom “Welcome to Flatch.” (StarTribune)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

Loving the Minneapolis Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

  • Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe

  • Get your local business listed in front of readers

  • Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com

That's all for today, Minneapolis! See you tomorrow for another edition of the Daily.

— Georgi Presecky

This article originally appeared on the Minneapolis Patch