Saint Paul Proposes License Fee Extension for Businesses Affected by Immigration Crackdown Saint Paul city officials are proposing a temporary reprieve for businesses impacted by the federal immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge. The plan would allow certain businesses to delay paying their 2026 city license fees until the end of the year, with a public hearing and final vote scheduled for early May. The measure aims to provide financial relief to small businesses struggling with reduced revenue and staffing challenges following the crackdown. The proposal, unveiled on April 22, would grant Class N businesses—covering 50 types of operations, primarily in the hospitality and entertainment sectors—a grace period to settle their 2026 license fees. These licenses include establishments such as auto body repair shops, motor vehicle dealers, health clubs, massage centers, and currency exchanges. However, businesses with restaurant licenses, which are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health, and retail food establishments licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture would not qualify for the extension. Their fees would remain due as scheduled. The city’s Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) director, Angie Wiese, explained that the amendment would allow Class N licensees to pay their fees by year’s end without facing penalties. She emphasized that the change would be temporary, noting that businesses failing to meet payment deadlines for 2025 and 2026 fees could still face fines, closure periods, or permanent license revocation in 2027. The proposal comes amid claims that Operation Metro Surge has significantly harmed local economies.#operation_metro_surge #saint_paul #minnesota_attorney_generals_office #st_paul_area_chamber_of_commerce #downtown_alliance
Saint Paul Proposes Temporary License Fee Relief for Businesses Impacted by Federal Immigration Crackdown Saint Paul city officials are proposing a temporary reprieve for certain business license fees to aid local establishments affected by the federal Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement crackdown. The plan, unveiled on April 22, would grant Class N businesses additional time to pay their 2026 license fees, with a public hearing scheduled for May 6 and a final vote set for May 13. The measure aims to alleviate financial strain on small businesses that have faced declining revenue and staffing challenges due to the federal operation. Class N licenses, which cover approximately 50 business types, primarily affect hospitality and entertainment sectors, including establishments serving alcohol or providing entertainment. These licenses would allow businesses to settle their fees by year’s end, avoiding penalties for late payments. However, the proposal excludes restaurant licenses, which are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health, and retail food establishments licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. These businesses would still be required to pay their fees as scheduled. The proposed relief targets businesses such as auto body repair shops, motor vehicle dealers, health clubs, massage centers, and currency exchanges. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office estimates that Operation Metro Surge has cost the local economy between $610 million and $840 million, with roughly $240 million in lost worker wages attributed to reduced customer traffic.#operation_metro_surge #saint_paul #minnesota_attorney_generals_office #department_of_safety_and_inspections #rebecca_noecker
"Goodnight brother, let’s go to bed": Trump mocks Ilhan Omar's accent during Florida speech, sparks controversy President Donald Trump delivered a controversial speech in Florida on May 1, 2026, during which he mocked Rep. Ilhan Omar by mimicking her speech patterns with a British accent. The remarks, which drew widespread criticism, included Trump imitating Omar’s voice while claiming she “married her brother,” a statement he framed as illegal. “I believe she married her brother, which is totally illegal,” Trump said, adding, “It's a lovely couple, actually, but it's a little bit on the illegal side. ‘Darling. I love you very much.’ ‘Good night, brother. Let’s go to bed.’” The imitation, which closely resembled Omar’s accent, was met with backlash from political analysts and critics who condemned the remarks as disrespectful and unprofessional. The speech took place in The Villages, a major retirement community in Florida, where Trump was promoting his 2024 campaign promises, including a proposed Social Security tax relief plan. However, the legislation he referenced does not eliminate Social Security taxes entirely, as previously claimed. Instead, it offers additional deductions for seniors between 2025 and 2028, a detail that contradicted his earlier campaign rhetoric. This inconsistency sparked further scrutiny of his policy proposals, with critics pointing out the gap between his promises and the actual legislative measures. During the address, Trump also targeted Somali immigrants in Minnesota, linking them to ongoing federal fraud investigations and immigration enforcement efforts under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).#donald_trump #operation_metro_surge #ilhan_omar #immigration_and_customs_enforcement #the_villages
“No Kings” Protests Spread Across the U.S., With a Focus on Minnesota Protests under the “No Kings” banner have erupted across the United States, with a significant emphasis on Minnesota. Saturday’s demonstrations marked the third round of nationwide rallies since President Donald Trump began his second term. The movement, which gained momentum following the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, has seen widespread participation, with over 3,300 events planned across all 50 states. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., are expected to host large crowds, while organizers have also targeted conservative-leaning regions outside major urban centers. The “No Kings” movement, initiated by the progressive nonprofit Indivisible, aims to mobilize voters in areas that typically lean conservative. According to organizers, approximately two-thirds of participants are expected to attend events in non-metropolitan regions. Leah Greenberg, a cofounder of Indivisible, emphasized that the defining aspect of Saturday’s protests is not just the number of participants but their geographic distribution. “The defining story of this Saturday’s mobilisation is not just how many people are protesting, but where they are protesting,” she stated. The focal point of the protests in Minnesota, however, was the Twin Cities, where Trump’s immigration policies have drawn intense scrutiny. In December, the state became a central location for Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration crackdown that deployed over 3,000 agents to conduct deportation raids. Critics accused the operation of using excessive force, leading to widespread condemnation. The controversy escalated in January when two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, were shot and killed by agents during a raid.#twin_cities #operation_metro_surge #indivisible #no_kings #bernie_sanders
North Dakota appeals ruling that overturned decades-old murder conviction Werner Kunkel, a 65-year-old man from Germany, remains incarcerated at the James River Correctional Facility in Jamestown as the state of North Dakota appeals a recent court decision that overturned his 1995 murder conviction. The case, which has drawn significant legal and immigration scrutiny, now awaits resolution from the North Dakota Supreme Court. The state’s appeal centers on two key points raised by prosecutors. First, they argue that Kunkel delayed filing for post-conviction relief for an excessive period, which they claim violates procedural rules. Second, they dispute the judge’s ruling that the prosecutor during Kunkel’s original trial withheld evidence that could have bolstered his defense. The ruling, issued last month, led to the dismissal of Kunkel’s murder conviction, prompting the state to seek a reversal. Kunkel’s legal team had previously requested a release hearing to assess whether he could be freed while the appeal process unfolds. However, the hearing was canceled at the last minute, with attorney Dane DeKrey stating it was in Kunkel’s best interest to remain in custody. DeKrey emphasized the complexity of the case, noting that “this process is painfully slow” and that strategic decisions are necessary to navigate the legal challenges. Kunkel faces an active Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer due to allegations from the 1980s and 1990s that he wrote bad checks. While his lawyers hoped vacating the murder conviction would remove him from the deportation list, immigration judges consider “moral turpitude”—a term indicating bad morals—as part of the deportation process.#operation_metro_surge #north_dakota #werner_kunkel #james_river_correctional_facility #dane_dekrey
Twin Cities residents earn national honor for peaceful protest during ICE surge The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum honored Minnesotans and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with the Profile in Courage Award, recognizing their actions during the heightened immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge. The award, traditionally reserved for presidents, first responders, and heads of state, was presented to Twin Cities residents for their role in peacefully resisting federal overreach and safeguarding immigrant rights amid the surge. The recognition highlights the community’s collective effort to protect neighbors during the immigration crackdown, which led to two U.S. citizen deaths, hundreds of arrests, and significant economic disruption for local businesses. The library’s statement emphasized the courage of tens of thousands who marched, documented enforcement activities, and warned neighbors about federal agents’ presence. Despite facing violent confrontations and personal risks, residents across religious, racial, and political lines united in peaceful resistance, reinforcing the national movement to defend American democracy. The award also acknowledged Jerome Powell for his role in preserving the Federal Reserve’s independence, a position that has made him a target of President Donald Trump. Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, will present the award to Powell and Twin Cities residents via livestream on May 31. This marks one of the first instances the Profile in Courage Award has been given to civilians for their actions during Operation Metro Surge. The recognition was partly inspired by a campaign led by The Nation magazine and actor Mark Ruffalo, who urged citizens to nominate Minneapolis for a Nobel Peace Prize.#twin_cities #jerome_powell #operation_metro_surge #john_f_kennedy_library_and_museum #the_nation_magazine
Hennepin County Launches Probe into Federal Agents' Unlawful Conduct Amid Ongoing Investigations Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday that her office is investigating 17 potential instances of unlawful behavior by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, including the use of a chemical irritant by U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino. The probe, part of a new Transparency and Accountability Project [TAP], allows citizens to submit evidence of alleged misconduct by federal officers, with county prosecutors and a civilian investigator overseeing the review. Moriarty emphasized that the investigation is critical to addressing concerns about federal law enforcement actions in Minnesota, where local authorities have faced challenges in obtaining information from federal agencies. The project was launched after Moriarty expressed frustration with the lack of investigative efforts from local law enforcement into high-profile incidents involving federal agents. An email reviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune revealed she had previously met with county police chiefs to discuss how to respond to federal law enforcement actions. Moriarty highlighted the need for thorough investigations, noting that the Trump administration has actively obstructed efforts to examine the use of force by its agents. Among the cases under review is Bovino’s use of a chemical irritant near Mueller Park on January 21, which left protesters and observers injured. Footage shows Bovino shouting, “Third warning. Gas, gas, gas,” before releasing a canister that produced green and gray smoke, causing people to flee. The incident, along with actions by ICE and Border Patrol agents against students at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School on January 7, are being investigated.#hennepin_county #mary_moriarty #operation_metro_surge #touhy_letters #julio_sosa_celis
