Tom Akaolisa | MinneapoliMedia

Coon Rapids Thu. Jan 8 2026

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | When Politics Enters the Classroom, Students Pay the Price

Anoka-Hennepin’s school board is facing a crisis of trust as political ideology and culture wars replace educational expertise, hurting students and staff alike.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | When Politics Enters the Classroom, Students Pay the Price

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Thu. Jan 8 2026

Coon Rapids Closes Outdoor Ice Rinks and Warming Houses Amid Unsafe Ice Conditions

Coon Rapids closed all outdoor rinks and warming houses on Jan 7 due to warm weather. Soft ice and standing water pose safety risks and prevent proper maintenance.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Closes Outdoor Ice Rinks and Warming Houses Amid Unsafe Ice Conditions

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Thu. Jan 8 2026

2026 Anoka County Polar Plunge Challenge

Blaine Police challenged neighbors for the 2026 Anoka County Polar Plunge. Agencies compete to raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota before jumping into icy water.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

2026 Anoka County Polar Plunge Challenge

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Thu. Jan 8 2026

Sisters’ Camelot to Host Community Food Share at Hosmer Library on January 8

Sisters' Camelot holds a free food share at Hosmer Library on Jan 8, 2–3 PM. Bring reusable bags for groceries; fresh produce is also available while supplies last.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Sisters’ Camelot to Host Community Food Share at Hosmer Library on January 8

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Thu. Jan 8 2026

January Is Human Trafficking Prevention Month: What Our Community Needs to Know and Do

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To help end exploitation, the OTIP offers a 10-step guide based on research and survivor-informed federal policy.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

January Is Human Trafficking Prevention Month: What Our Community Needs to Know and Do

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Thu. Jan 8 2026

Schulte Elected Chair, Meisner Vice Chair as Anoka County Board Sets Course for 2026

On Jan 6, 2026, the Anoka County Board elected Scott Schulte as chair and Mandy Meisner as vice chair to lead Minnesota’s fourth-largest county for the upcoming year.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA BREAKING NEWS | Anoka-Hennepin strike averted after marathon mediation yields tentative agreement

Anoka-Hennepin schools reached a tentative deal on Jan 7 after 20 hours of mediation, averting a strike. Schools stay open for 38,000 students; all activities will proceed.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | When Public Pay Meets Public Trust: Anoka County at a Crossroads

Anoka County saw two diverging paths: teachers in high-stakes mediation to avoid a massive strike, while county leaders finalized their own compensation via set procedure.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | When Public Pay Meets Public Trust: Anoka County at a Crossroads

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

Anoka-Hennepin Enters Final Mediation as First Teacher Strike In Decades Looms

Anoka-Hennepin schools face a strike by 3,000 teachers on Jan 8 if high-stakes mediation today fails. A walkout would close schools for 38,000 students.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

Anoka County Board Approves 3 Percent Pay Increase for Commissioners in 2026 Amid Broader Fiscal Pressures

On Jan 6, 2026, the Anoka County Board approved a 3% salary increase for commissioners. The resolution also kept annual expense caps at $7,500 ($8,500 for the chair).

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

Coon Rapids Connection Newsletter: Winter Edition is Out

The winter Coon Rapids Connection newsletter is now arriving, detailing city priorities, events, and major policy decisions regarding long-term planning and fiscal choices.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

Blaine Police Department Welcomes Jocelyn Hazel, Strengthening the Backbone of Public Safety and Justice

Jocelyn Hazel joined Blaine Police in late Dec as a Records and Evidence Technician, a key role ensuring public trust and lawful case processing via two vital units.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Wed. Jan 7 2026

71-Year-Old Charged in Brooklyn Center Stabbing as Separate Brooklyn, New York Case Fuels Public Confusion

Edward Collins, 71, is charged with felony assault for a Dec 8 stabbing at a Brooklyn Center Cub Foods. He allegedly used a box cutter during a dispute; the victim survived.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

71-Year-Old Charged in Brooklyn Center Stabbing as Separate Brooklyn, New York Case Fuels Public Confusion

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Tue. Jan 6 2026

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | When the Champion Steps Away: What Minnesota Must Reckon With After Tim Walz

Gov. Walz’s exit is a "removal of a shield" for marginalized Minnesotans. His tenure focused on dignity and state responsibility, now ending amidst political scrutiny.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | When the Champion Steps Away: What Minnesota Must Reckon With After Tim Walz

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Tue. Jan 6 2026

City of Coon Rapids Opens 2026 Front Door Grant Program to Help Homeowners Boost Curb Appeal

Coon Rapids is accepting 2026 Front Door Grant applications through Feb 25. The lottery-based program reimburses homeowners for exterior curb appeal improvements.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Tue. Jan 6 2026

Community Impact Night at Pizza Ranch to Support Coon Rapids Police Explorers

Eat at Pizza Ranch in Andover on Jan 26 (5-8 PM) to support Coon Rapids Police Explorers. 10% of checks go to the program, and Explorers will be on-site bussing tables.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Tue. Jan 6 2026

Lieutenant James Schilling Receives Statewide Honor for Leading Manny Collins Investigation

Lt. James Schilling is MN Supervisor of the Year for leading the Manny Collins case landfill search—the largest coordinated operation in Anoka County history.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Lieutenant James Schilling Receives Statewide Honor for Leading Manny Collins Investigation

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Tue. Jan 6 2026

Blaine Police Release December 2025 “By the Numbers” Report

Blaine’s Dec 2025 public safety report shows 4,376 calls, a seasonal drop from October. Police managed traffic safety and medical needs despite intensifying winter weather.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Tue. Jan 6 2026

Strengthening Community Health Through the NorthPoint Food Shelf

NorthPoint Health and Wellness Food Shelf provides weekly groceries to Hennepin County residents, treating nutrition as healthcare to fight food insecurity and disparity.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Strengthening Community Health Through the NorthPoint Food Shelf

Tom Akaolisa Editor

Coon Rapids Mon. Jan 5 2026

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA BREAKING NEWS | Governor Tim Walz Will Not Seek Third Term, Opening Minnesota’s 2026 Governor’s Race

Gov. Tim Walz won’t seek a third term in 2026. He aims to focus on governing and restoring trust amid state fraud cases rather than mounting another statewide campaign.

Tom Akaolisa Editor

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA BREAKING NEWS | Governor Tim Walz Will Not Seek Third Term, Opening Minnesota’s 2026 Governor’s Race

Tom Akaolisa Editor

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