Paul Douglas has one more big idea before signing off on his 40-plus years as a meteorologist and entrepreneur: the launch of a 24/7 streaming weather channel.

Why it matters: Douglas hopes Weather Loon will serve as a model for groups in other states that could buy its technology to start their own channels, he told Axios in an interview.

The intrigue: Minnesotans are weather-obsessed — just watch how many forecasts appear on TV news broadcasts — but it remains to be seen if they're interested enough to log in at 2am on the Weather Loon website or its YouTube channel.

• Douglas said Weather Loon has a stronger focus on Greater Minnesota, which doesn't always receive the same attention as the metro area.

How it works: His staff of 10 meteorologists produce live and recorded forecasts from an Eden Prairie studio.

• While the meteorologists aren't always live, the channel's weather-play systems constantly produce new graphics that can run when no one is on camera.
• It soft-launched in March and is being refined ahead of the spring severe weather season, Douglas said.

What they're saying: "I see a future where there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of these statewide and citywide streams," Douglas said.

Context: Douglas is a household name in the Twin Cities because of his years at KARE 11 and WCCO TV and Radio.

• But he's also launched seven companies, with his biggest home run being Digital Cyclone, which he sold to Garmin in 2007 for $45 million.

Weather Loon is part of parent company Praedictix, which provides forecasts for local TV stations that have cut their weather teams.

• It also conducts severe weather briefings for Fortune 500 companies and provides forensic forecasting so companies can prove, for example, that hail caused damage to their property for insurance purposes.

The bottom line: Douglas is among several well-known local meteorologists planning to hang it up. Belinda Jensen and Paul Huttner are also (mostly) calling it a career this year.

• "It's my last company, by the way," Douglas, 67, said of Weather Loon. "It's been fun, and there's always going to be a shiny object, but I'm getting too old for this."

Tell a weather geek

Tomorrow marks five years since Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center.

The big picture: Wright's killing rocked a metro that was already on edge during Derek Chauvin's murder trial.

• It sparked days of protests and renewed debates over police reforms and traffic stop policies.

Flashback: Officer Kimberly Potter shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop prompted by expired tags and a hanging air freshener. Potter discovered Wright had an active arrest warrant and tried to take him into custody.

• Potter said she inadvertently pulled out her gun instead of a Taser as Wright attempted to flee.

Catch up quick: After years of debate, the Brooklyn Center City Council created an advisory board to help shape the city's public safety policies.

• Wright's mother has called the panel "watered down."

🕯️ What's next: Wright's family is holding a candlelight vigil at 6pm tomorrow.

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⛔️ Eastbound Interstate 94 will be closed this weekend between Highway 280 and I-35E starting at 10pm tonight, MnDOT said.

⚖️ A federal jury convicted a Fridley man who prosecutors said tried to firebomb a northeast Minneapolis ice cream shop last year because it was displaying a Pride flag. (WCCO)

🏧 The Minnesota Senate voted 57-10 to ban cryptocurrency kiosks statewide. The proposal now moves to the House. (Background via Axios)

• St. Paul and Stillwater have already outlawed "crypto ATMs," citing law enforcement's concerns that the kiosks enable scammers.

🤐 In other legislative news, the bill we told you about to nix the use of NDAs by local governments stalled in a House committee on a party-line vote, despite previously clearing another panel with unanimous support.

✈️ Delta Air Lines trimmed two daily flights at MSP — an arrival from Los Angeles, and a departure from New Orleans — as jet fuel prices surge. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

Minneapolis City Council members voted 7-6 yesterday to reject Todd Barnette for a second term as the city's top public safety official.

Why it matters: Minneapolis could soon be looking for its third community safety commissioner only four years after the role's creation.

• Barnette oversees all aspects of emergency response — including non-police alternatives — and is the point-person on MPD's reform settlement.

Between the lines: The vote also raises questions about the future of police chief Brian O'Hara, who reports to Barnette and can't serve past August without a council vote.

• Six council members more aligned with Mayor Jacob Frey were unable to muster the votes to confirm Barnette — and two of those Frey allies are wobbling on O'Hara, the Star Tribune recently reported.

What we're watching: Frey told reporters he would veto the council's action — but Barnette would need an affirmative council vote to continue serving.

• Frey also said he continues to support O'Hara.

Understanding the friction

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Pagliacci at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts starting May 5: The show must go on, but how? Minnesota Opera presents Pagliacci at the Ordway, May 9-17, where love and betrayal take the stage.

Fans of Minnesota romance novelist Abby Jimenez can treat themselves to a special cupcake inspired by her newest release.

State of the sweet tooth: Jimenez, who owns award-winning bakery Nadia Cakes, has a tradition of whipping up custom creations to celebrate her book launches.

• The latest design mirrors the firework-and-sunset-splashed cover of her best-selling seventh novel, "The Night We Met."

Between the lines: The flavors — lavender cake filled with matcha whip, frosted with a matcha-lavender buttercream — reference a drink ordered in the book.

What to expect: Each one costs $4.75, the same as all the shop's flavors.

What we're hearing: Customers are "very receptive and excited" about the design, Nadia Cakes assistant manager Maria Kowalzek told Axios, with some bringing (or buying) a book copy for a photo op.

• CCX Media tracked down one super fan who traveled to Maple Grove from Detroit.

🧁If you go: The flavor is available at the Maple Grove and Woodbury locations through August.

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