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Picketers take over MPRB meeting

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The possible resolution was brought to the board by District 3 Commissioner Becky Alper, who made her plea before a packed room filled with striking workers.

MINNEAPOLIS — Picketers interrupted Wednesday’s Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) meeting after the board rejected a move to add a potential resolution to its agenda.

The resolution to pursue a prompt settlement was brought to the board by District 3 Commissioner Becky Alper, who made her plea before a packed room filled with striking workers.

“This is no longer a time to remain silent,” Alper said. “What you see before you is a path forward. To find a solution to this present conflict, which respects the gravity of the situation. It’s not about winning. This resolution isn’t pro-union or pro-MPRB management. If it had to choose a side, I would say it’s with the people.”

Commissioner Tom Olsen also supported the resolution, however, the motion to add it to the agenda was rejected.

The strike began on July 4 after LIUNA Local 363, the union representing more than 300 workers, rejected the board’s final offer. Since then, there have been multiple negotiation sessions, however, no deal has been reached. The union continues to press the board for a “fair” contract, saying some of their big concerns include union representation and professional advancement.

The MPRB has maintained that its offers have been “very fair,” saying that their offer on July 16 included a proposed 10.25% raise over three years, a $1.75 wage adjustment spread out over two years and contract language changes. 

It’s the latest chapter in what has been a contentious 20 days since since the beginning of the strike back on July 4. Last week, the MPRB filed an unfair labor practice charge after picketers allegedly “harassed and blocked” truck drivers from delivering to park-owned buildings.

The union filed the same charge against the MPRB on July 8 claiming the Board was using misinformation to undermine the workers.





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Preview: ‘The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands’

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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. 



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Pumpkin display hopes to raise money for food shelf

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Gary Peterson and his friends are collecting donations to help people in their community.

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A St. Louis Park pumpkin display is raising money for their local food shelf.

Gary Peterson started carving and painting three pumpkins over a decade ago. It’s now grown to over 100.

“I’ve heard people say they’ve come from Hutchinson,” he said.

Peterson along with two of his neighbors have spent the last 14 years growing their display, turning it into a neighborhood event.

“It’s been incredible, I just can’t believe how much this has expanded,” he said. “We did it just because we like to and then people were asking to give us money to cover the cost.”

The trio refused to take people’s money, but then one of them had an idea.

“My neighbor, Steve Leensvaart, just mentioned how about we just do it for the STEP program and the STEP program is our local food shelf in St. Louis Park,” he said.

So, they started to collect donations to help families in need. They’ve raised hundreds of dollars and donated hundreds of pounds of food over the last few years, carving for a cause.

“It is more gratifying every year,” Peterson said.

He estimated they have over 100 unique pumpkins in their yard. They’ve created the displays and come up with new family-friendly concepts for people to enjoy. Peterson said about 30 of their neighbors carved their own pumpkins to be put on display, and it’s been a big hit.

“It’s great. In the last couple of years, it’s turned into more of a neighborhood event,” said Sarah Durch.

“We love this Halloween display, we come every year to see it. We love that the whole community gets involved to craft and carve the pumpkins,” said Jami Gordon-Smith.

“The shading and the details are unbelievable,” said Elizabeth Hanson.

Hanson hopes to take her 2-year-old son trick or treating for the first time but is worried the cold temperatures might keep them indoors.

“We’re going trick or treating hopefully,” she said. “He’s going to be a firefighter, but we’re probably going to have sweatshirts maybe like two pairs of sweatpants underneath. We’re going to be bundled up.”

Gordon-Smith said her family will be out Halloween night no matter the weather.

“Halloween only comes once a year, so you really have to take advantage and enjoy the evening no matter what the weather brings,” she said. “Guess it’s not totally unheard of in Minnesota to have a cold Halloween, but we are going to try and modify and do a lot of layers underneath our costumes and then we might add some hats and maybe some warmer socks.”

Durch also isn’t surprised they’re in for another chilly night.

“Well, what would Halloween be without Minnesota cold? I feel like every time you plan a costume you have to plan for how you can make this work if it’s snowing,” she said.

Peterson said they will have a bonfire and some hot chocolate and cider on Halloween to keep trick-or-treaters warm while they look at their pumpkins.

Click here to learn where you can see the pumpkins and how you can donate.



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Search continues for Bemidji missing person

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Jeremy Jourdain was 17 when he was last seen on Halloween 2016.

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The search for Jeremy Jourdain, who was last seen on Halloween in 2016, continues now eight years later. 

Jourdain was last seen at a family member’s house in Bemidji, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs. He left the residence near the 500 block of Wood Avenue after midnight and while people followed him, no one was able to find him. 

Jourdain was 17 at the time.

Officials said he was wearing a blue and grey sweatshirt, and blue jeans when last seen. He is Native American and is described as 6 foot 5 and 175 pounds. 

If you have any information on his whereabouts, you can contact the Bemidji Police Department at (218) 333-9111. Tips can also be sent to 1-833-560-2065, or you can email ojs_mmu@bia.gov.



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