Kare11
Stifel Loppet Cup expected to bring thousands to Minneapolis
“It won’t mean anything different than being dead last, because the real win was getting to be here,” Diggins said.
MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands are expected to pack into Theodore Wirth Park for the Stifel Loppet Cup this weekend – the first time a race like this has been held in Minnesota in decades.
“It’s been over two decades, and you know, we attempted this in 2020 and it was canceled,” Claire Wilson, Executive Director of the Loppet, said.
The reason why it’s back? All thanks to one of our own, Jessie Diggins.
Diggins, the Olympic gold medalist, world champion and World Cup winner helped get Minnesota a World Cup race.
“I just wouldn’t shut up about it, more or less,” Diggins said, laughing. “I just became a real pest.”
This weekend is the result of that push, although it didn’t come without it’s challenges – our Valentine’s Day snow came just in time.
“To have the one cold weekend of the year be for the World Cup, you just have to believe the snow goddess was on our side,” Wilson said.
It’s chance for Minnesota to be on the world stage, and for Diggins, it’s a chance to be back home.
“For all the people who made this World Cup possible, like thank you so much,” she said. “I can retire happy now. I’m not retiring now! But when I do, I’ll be happy.”
We asked her – what would it mean to win in her home state?
“It won’t mean anything different than being dead last, because the real win was getting to be here,” Diggins said.
Races start Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Wilson says she expects it to be packed as thousands come out to cheer on world class skiers.
“This place is so special, I mean, Theodore Wirth has been the home to many of them as young racers, and so to race at home with the skyline of Minneapolis, I mean, we’re expecting thousands of people to be here to cheer for them,” she said.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
MPD officers reviewed footage of the crash, which showed the woman had the right of way and a red sedan crashed into her without stopping, according to the charges.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man is charged with criminal vehicular operation and DWI after he allegedly struck and killed a student walking on the U of M campus and fled.
Prosecutors lay out their case against 30-year-old Ali Abas Samator in a criminal complaint filed in connection with the fatal incident, which took place on Nov. 7. Court documents say Minneapolis police officers were called to campus and found a young woman lying in the street.
The victim – who has since been identified as UMN student Rylie Saloum – suffered severe injuries died at the hospital days later, according to a GiveSendGo post.
Investigators reviewed footage of the crash, which reportedly showed Saloum was walking int the crosswalk and had the right of way when a red sedan hit her and drove off without stopping, according to the charges.
Police say they spotted the suspect vehicle on camera a few blocks away and responded to the location. Officers found Samator in the driver’s seat, say he showed multiple signs of impairment and was placed under arrest.
According to the charging documents, Samator has three prior alcohol-related driving convictions and his license was canceled at the time of the crash.
Police are looking for answers and urged anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.
MINNEAPOLIS — An 18-year-old man is dead after a shooting Tuesday night in the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police said in a press release they responded to reports of a shooting on the 2500 block of Ogema Pl. around 8:40 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the release, Minneapolis police stated that investigators are working to figure out what happened. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release the victim’s name and cause of death.
If you have any information on this shooting, Minneapolis police urge you to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips online at this website. All tips are anonymous.
The legendary musical is playing the Orpheum Theatre from Nov. 19 to Dec. 1 as part of the Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin series.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Tony Award-winning musical “Les Misérables” is back in Minneapolis as part of the Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin series.
Considered the sixth longest-running musical of all time, “Les Misérables” is based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel and set against the backdrop of 19th century France. It tells a story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.
Performances run from Nov. 19 to Dec. 1 at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Tickets start at $40, and are available via the Hennepin Arts website or by visiting the State Theatre Box Office.
Some fun facts about the production:
- The show uses approximately 1,200 costumes filling one entire tractor trailer
- It takes approximately 21 hours to load in and approximately 8 hours to load out.
- 35 local stagehands are used for each performance.
- 11 trucks are used to move the production from city to city
Cast members Mya Rena Hunter (Éponine) and Jake David Smith (Marius) visited KARE 11 News at Noon to talk about the current staging of “Les Misérables,” and why fans keep coming back.
