Axios Twin Cities

April 07, 2026
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Today's newsletter is 1,064 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Video refutes another ICE story
Newly released video contradicts federal claims that two Venezuelan immigrants assaulted an ICE agent with a snow shovel before an agent shot one of them during Operation Metro Surge.
Why it matters: The footage raises questions about why it took federal officials weeks to back off from their original story about — and drop criminal charges against — the wounded Julio Sosa-Celis and his roommate, Alfredo Aljorna.
- The New York Times, which was first to publish the video, reported that authorities had access to the footage "within hours of the shooting."
The big picture: Minneapolis was on edge when the agents shot Sosa-Celis on Jan. 14, just one week after Renee Good's killing.
Catch up quick: The shooting happened at the end of a 20-minute car chase as ICE agents pursued Aljorna back to his North Side home. The city released footage from a nearby camera showing the end of that pursuit.
The video shows Sosa-Celis flinging a shovel into the snow before a 12-second scuffle on the sidewalk between him, Aljorna and the agent.
- The grainy footage does show the silhouette of what could be a broom handle.
- After the two men wrestled free and ran inside, the agent rose into a firing stance. It's not clear from the footage exactly when Sosa-Celis was shot in the leg.

In the aftermath, federal investigators claimed Sosa-Celis beat the agent with a broom and snow shovel.
- Defense attorney Robin Wolpert denied this claim, saying Sosa-Celis had only thrown a broom in the agent's direction.
Reality check: Though federal investigators had access to the footage, prosecutors didn't watch it before filing charges, the Times reported.
- A month later, prosecutors dropped charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna after federal officials admitted that video evidence showed two ICE agents' sworn testimony about the incident was "untruthful."
- The agents now face a criminal perjury investigation.
Zoom out: Aljorna and Sosa-Celis had been granted temporary protected status in 2024, which shielded them from deportation until President Trump revoked that status for Venezuelans last year.
- After their arrests, Aljorna and Sosa-Celis were jailed, and their girlfriends were sent to detention in El Paso.
The bottom line: "It is a grave injustice," Wolpert told Sahan Journal. The dismissal of charges may be "a 180-degree turn, but a lot of suffering happened in between."
2. New look for former Kmart site
The Minneapolis City Council is poised to formally select the developer that will rebuild the first part of the former Lake Street Kmart site.
Zoom in: Trellis Co.'s design calls for erecting 119 affordable apartments on a portion of the property to the east of a rebuilt Nicollet Avenue.
- The site would also contain two retail spaces, an indoor space for use by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and a 40,000-square-foot Boys & Girls Club facility.
Catch up quick: Only one other developer, the nonprofit Aeon, was in the running to be the first phase developer.
- But Aeon withdrew last month, leaving Trellis as the lone remaining applicant, Finance & Commerce reported.
What's next: City officials are set to present Trellis' application to the council later today.
- At the earliest, construction could begin in 2028.
3. The Spoon: Future of former Ameriprise HQ
⚖️ Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson will retire in September. She was the first person of color to lead the court. (MPR News)
🏢 A developer is trying to convert the former Ameriprise headquarters in downtown Minneapolis into apartments, but it's in a legal dispute with the current owner. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)
⛪️ A judge dismissed charges against a woman who was arrested Easter Sunday for protesting outside of St. Paul's Cities Church. (Fox 9)
🐟 Coastal Seafoods is closing its St. Paul store and restaurant on Saturday, while keeping its Minneapolis location open, it announced in an email to customers.
4. Killer of "Juice" pleads guilty
A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing Justin "Juice" Marshall last summer, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had begun to feel stalled.
The latest: The Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced yesterday that it reached a plea deal with Dijon Jacquez Davis of Las Vegas on a sentence of nearly 22 years for second-degree intentional murder.
Context: Marshall, in the early hours of July 25, was shot six times outside of Mortimer's Bar at Lyndale and Franklin avenues, where he had been celebrating his 37th birthday.
- Davis pulled up in his car near where Marshall was standing and the two exchanged words, according to charges that cited footage from nearby cameras.
- Davis began driving away, but then did a U-turn, got out of the car, chased Marshall down, and, after Marshall fell on the ground, Davis shot him in the back, arm and abdomen, per the charges.
The big picture: "Juice" was a beloved fixture in Southwest Minneapolis, where he worked security for Kowalski's Markets and as a DJ for the F45 fitness center, both on South Lyndale Avenue.
"Justice for Juice" lawn signs sprang up all over the neighborhood, but his friends and family were disappointed at a lack of progress as the months stretched on.
- Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Davis became a suspect in the murder during negotiations related to an upcoming trial on different charges.
- Her office said it expects pending cases against Davis to be resolved in a related plea deal after the sentencing for the Marshall murder, which is scheduled for May 7.
5. Minnesota's tipping habits

Minnesota diners leave a 19.1% tip on average — slightly above national rates, according to Toast data.
The fine print: The report is based on data from restaurants using the Toast platform and cash tips aren't included.
🍻 Our thought bubble: Wisconsinites are probably feeling pretty loose by the time their checks come, which would explain their higher tips.
🥥 Kyle recommends the coquito latté at Lost Fox, which features the flavors of sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon and coconut.
☕️ Nick is sticking with drip black coffee, thank you.
😷 Audrey melted a pot on the stove and is still trying to get the smell out of her house, two days later.
📆 Torey probably has a major case of the Mondays, even if it's Tuesday.
This newsletter was edited by Delano Massey.
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