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Study says airfare increases at MSP highest in country
The research by USA Today says the average airfare at MSP International was $422, up $136 from two years previous.
MINNEAPOLIS — You’re not imagining things when it feels like you’re paying significantly more to fly out of the Twin Cities.
Research released Monday by USA Today says the average airfare at MSP International Airport was $422 in 2023, a bump of $136 from 2021. That’s a 48% increase, the highest percentage of any airport in the country, according to USA Today.
USA Today said Spokane International in Washington was second at 46%, followed by Chicago O’Hare International and Philadelphia International (43%) and Pensacola International (42%). Overall, the cost of flights at America’s 100 busiest airports is up 29% since 2021, but things are trending better in the short term: between 2022 and 2023 most flight prices leveled off and even slightly dropped.
If you’re looking for the cheapest airports to fly in and out of, major tourist destinations like Orlando and Las Vegas are usually the ticket. Of the top 100 busiest domestic airports, Orlando-Sanford is the cheapest airport to fly out of with an average airfare price of $144.
The most expensive place to fly out of is our border-sharing neighbor to the east. Taking off from Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin costs an average of $548.
Surveys of 2,000 people across the nation who have flown in the past year show that the bottom line has become the biggest factor in how people decide whether to fly or drive. More than 40% of travelers say cost was the lead determining factor, followed by travel time and flight availability.
For more on the research, check out the USA Today website.
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Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
