Defense attorneys cross-examined a former Feeding Our Future employee for hours Thursday, repeatedly questioning his credibility and motives for cooperating with the government’s investigation into an alleged $250 million fraud scheme.  The grilling came a day after Hadith Ahmed, 34, first testified that he created a shell company that committed $1 million in fraud, and that Feeding Our Future was the center of widespread fraud involving more than 200 people. Defense attorneys tried to show that Hadith cooperated with an FBI investigation into the alleged fraud in order to spare himself ..read more

The Twin Cities art scene this weekend blends art, dance, music, and global issues. Live music explores Indian and Iranian politics, digital art critiques Western perceptions of the Congo, and textile art captures the ephemeral joy of the dance floor.  Live music explores global politics, female desire Indo-Canadian vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia takes the Cedar Cultural Center stage on Saturday, performing songs that fuse Indian musical traditions with influences from West African blues, Western rock, R&B, and jazz.  Born into a family of musicians and raised in Delhi, India, Ahluwal ..read more

A former Feeding Our Future employee revealed explosive new information in court Wednesday about how the organization’s executive director allegedly reacted when he refused to submit reports from several food sites that were seeking federal funding. He also testified that he created a shell company that committed more than $1 million worth of fraud, and that he received kickbacks for his work.  Hadith Ahmed, a former site supervisor for Feeding Our Future, described himself as “Aimee Bock’s right hand man,” referring to the executive director. He testified that he participated in a feder ..read more

An initiative proposed by Xcel Energy aims to automatically slash electric bills for people living in energy-burdened areas.  Residents of areas paying the highest proportion of their income on electric bills would automatically receive a monthly bill credit under a pilot program proposed by Xcel to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, a governor-appointed body that regulates power providers.  The proposal would cover households in 77 census tracts in Xcel Energy’s coverage area across the state, with a goal of ensuring no household pays more than 4% of its earnings on electri ..read more

Two alternative rideshare companies are approved to operate in Minneapolis, and are eyeing a mid-May launch as state lawmakers announce an agreement on compensation rates for drivers. More than 10 rideshare companies expressed interest in entering the local market when rideshare giants Uber and Lyft said they would cease operations in the city as a result of a new Minneapolis ordinance increasing wages for drivers. The local debate on how to pay rideshare drivers took another turn Monday when state lawmakers announced that they had agreed on a new payment formula that would be included in a r ..read more

When Tracy Byrd attended Washburn High School in Minneapolis in the 1980s, he preferred football to academics. His report card was full of Cs. “​​I could do enough to get by, but just didn’t have that drive to really be great or to chase excellence,” he said. Now, as a ninth-grade English and language arts teacher at Washburn, as well as a track and football coach, he seeks to instill that drive in his students. And he’s setting an example: On Sunday, he was named the 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, the top honor for Minnesota teachers. The award is sponsored by Education Minnesota, the s ..read more

Several witnesses testified Monday that they saw few to no meals being served to children at a public park and other locations where several defendants on trial reported providing tens of thousands of meals. The testimony was the first time eyewitnesses in court corroborated prosecutors’ allegations that children were not being fed. The revelations were made as testimony resumed in the first trial in the Feeding Our Future fraud case, where a total of 70 suspects were charged for allegedly stealing $250 million in federal money designated to feed needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic. S ..read more

For the first time ever, we’re opening the doors of one of our cancer research facilities to the public for Doors Open Minneapolis! Stop by the Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building (CCRB) on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities – East Bank campus on either Saturday, May 18 or Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day to explore hands-on exhibits, meet our researchers, take a look at cancer research lab studies and equipment, get yourself screened, and enjoy some snacks. As Minnesota’s Cancer Center, MCC has served the entire state for over 30 years, providing leading cancer pre ..read more

If you’ve never owned a home—and your parents never owned a home, either—it’s time to make that dream of homeownership come true. Imagine your first night in your very own house. Maybe tomorrow you’ll paint the kitchen bright yellow. You can belt out a song without bothering any neighbors. Start a garden. Adopt that black lab you’ve always wanted. Invite your elderly parents to live with you because you finally have the space. The dream looks different for everyone, but one thing remains the same: living and thriving in a safe, stable home you can afford in a community of your choice. Our Fir ..read more

An open state House seat in south Minneapolis led to a spirited, four-way contest for the DFL endorsement this spring, with health care administrator Anquam Mahamoud receiving the party’s nod. The opening came after DFL Representative Hodan Hassan decided not to seek re-election after three terms. Anquam, (ahn-AHM), 35, is the chief operating officer at Twin Cities Health Services, a substance abuse treatment center and mental health provider in Minneapolis.  Although she’s new to politics, she’s already amassed a long list of endorsements from fellow Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Ilhan ..read more