In the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the first few weeks of February 2025 have been marked by significant events, ranging from winter storms to serious incidents of crime and public protests.
A notable event was the first substantial snowfall of 2025, which hit the Twin Cities on February 3. This snowfall, the first of 1 inch or more since mid-December, led to a messy and slow morning commute. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded about an inch of accumulation, while central Minnesota saw more substantial snowfall, with 3-5 inches reported in the Alexandria area. The snow caused numerous crashes, including a fatal accident involving a sedan and a semi on Interstate 494 and Highway 169 in Bloomington, resulting in the death of a 45-year-old woman. Several schools in western and central Minnesota delayed classes due to the weather conditions[1][3].
In addition to the winter weather, Minneapolis has also experienced a surge in violent crime. On February 6 and 7, two separate shootings occurred just hours apart, resulting in the deaths of two men and injuring a woman. The first shooting happened on 18th Avenue South, where a 31-year-old man was shot at close range and later died at Hennepin Healthcare Hospital. The second shooting occurred on 26th Avenue North, where a man and woman were struck by gunshots fired from outside their house; the man died at the scene, while the woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating both incidents but have found no indication that they are connected[2].
The winter storms continued into the weekend, with another round of snow blanketing much of Minnesota on February 8. Central Minnesota received between 3 to 6 inches of snow, while the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport reported 2.9 inches. This snowfall led to the declaration of snow emergencies in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, with warnings for drivers to avoid parking on designated snow emergency routes to facilitate plowing. Despite the challenges, the fresh snow was welcomed for events like the Luminary Loppet at Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, which featured thousands of candlelit ice luminaries[3].
On the political front, Minneapolis and St. Paul are set to be part of a nationwide protest against Project 2025 and President Donald Trump's executive orders. The 50 states, 50 protests movement, scheduled for February 5, aims to express dissatisfaction with the government's actions. In Minnesota, the protest is planned to start at St. Paul Technical College and will march peacefully to the Minnesota State Capitol. Organizers emphasize that the movement is grassroots and encourages unity and peaceful protest[5].
These events highlight the diverse and sometimes challenging nature of life in the Twin Cities, from navigating winter storms and their aftermath to addressing serious crime and participating in significant public protests.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
