👀🥘 The Twin Cities Buzz 🥘👀

This week’s edition covers stories 
from June 27th to July 3rd, 2024.
Today’s issue is 762 words, an 8-minute read.

Hi hi, it’s Ebe!

PEW! BOOSH! POW! It’s the Fourth of July, or as my non-English speaking family calls it: “Dia de Los Cohetes” (Day of the Fireworks). Isn’t it funny that us estadounidenses recognize this day as the day Nicolas Cage stole the Declaration of Independence or whatever, whereas people from other countries are like “IDK what this is all for but they have really loud lightshows every once in a while”? I just think that’s beautiful. On this here fine day, I’ve got some things to yap about, including the tea on iconic Minneapolis restaurants unionizing 👀, Kare 11’s Jason Hackett coming out on air, what’s happening in Venezuela, and cute little events you could catch this weekend around the Twin Cities!

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You guys watch the new season of The Bear on Hulu yet? Ever wonder if it’s actually like that IRL? Well, it might be a bit of an exaggerated depiction but working in the service industry for over a handful of years, I can tell you that show certainly does bring back memories of long days whipping up lattes and managing seating charts for reservations. The latter of those two I actually did when Kim’s restaurant in Uptown was known as Sooki and Mimi.

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What’s the hot tea? Well not only is Kim’s staff unionizing, but so are both staff teams at Colita Café Céres. Late last month, around 60 Kim’s employees voted to unionize, citing inconsistent work hours and a flawed gratuity system. There were even some leaked text messages between Ann Kim and her business partner/husband that Racket called “explicitly, even frantically, anti-union.” The teams at Colita and Café Céres are hoping to receive higher pay, health benefits, PTO, and more.

This always seems to be a recurring issue within the food industry, and clearly, even those that have received national awards and accolades. In my experience, there has always existed potential for restaurants to be places where people want to stay for a long time. We live in a changing landscape, folks! If you are lucky enough to be passionate about your job like these employees, just make sure you can afford rent, too.

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June may be over but we’re still out here celebrating gay pride forever! Jason Hackett, who debuted as KARE 11’s “Sunrise” anchor over a year ago, recently shared his coming out story with viewers. He discussed his sexuality publicly for the first time ever through an interview with Lavender, a local LGBTQ+ magazine. Hackett reflected on previously keeping his sexuality private within his professional circles but emphasized the importance of being open within his broader community. In an emotional segment shared throughout social media, Hackett expressed gratitude to KARE 11 for supporting his authenticity and thanked his loved ones for their unwavering support. He also offered encouragement to those facing challenges with acceptance, sharing his own journey as a gay, black, son of immigrants.

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We’ve talked before about the new wave of immigrants entering the U.S. in these past few years. Many of the most recent immigrants are coming from Venezuela, a country whose nationals did not use to migrate much decades ago.

The country faces a deepening crisis driven by political turmoil and economic collapse. Since 1999, under Hugo Chávez and his successor Nicolás Maduro of the socialist PSUV party, key institutions have become under their control, like the judiciary, electoral counsils, and the Supreme Court.

So, basically, Venezuela’s been struggling since oil prices dropped in 2014, and even though the opposition tried to oust Maduro and improve things, poverty is still high, and recent efforts for free elections totally failed, leading to over 7 million Venezuelans migrating to other countries in Latin America, Europe and North America. You know that saying certain people recite: “if you don’t like this country, get out”? Well, unfortunately, this is a real choice folks have had to make. 

Venezuelans have presidential elections on the 28th of this month and as people see the large crowds of support for the leading member of the opposition, María Corina Machado, many Venezuelans have big hopes that a change may be in the horizon.

Read more about Venezuelan’s upcoming presidential elections here.

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Looking to make the most out of the weekend? Check out what’s happenin’!

• Wanna watch some fireworks? Look here to find out when and where!
• What’s more ‘Merican than Baseball? Watch the big ball game at the Saints Stadium Saturday night: St. Paul Saints vs Gwinnett Stripers. Get tickets here if you want idk. 
• Taste of Minnesota at the Nicollet Mall: This two-day smorgasbord of food and fun celebrates everything we love about Minnesota: great music, fabulous food, outdoor family fun, a few surprises and really great people-watching! July 6 & July 7, 11 AM- 8 PM Daily. Learn more.

Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 

–
Ebe and the NewPrensa team

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