This week’s edition covers stories
from July 24th to July 30th, 2025.
Today’s issue is 690 words, a 5-minute read
Hey folks, Isabella here.
If 2025 had a slogan, it’d be: “Wait, what now?” St. Paul just hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete on city services after a major cyberattack. Meanwhile, Minneapolis is throwing a block party. Open Streets Central Avenue is back this Saturday with tacos, tunes, and Lucha Libre wrestling. Yes, real wrestling. In the street. You need to go. But while our cities reboot and dance, Gaza is in crisis. A months-long aid blockade has pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation. It’s a humanitarian emergency and the world must act. Joy and urgency can coexist. Let’s walk the streets, share the news, and move with purpose.
St. Paul Goes Dark(er): City Declares State
of Emergency After Cyberattack
St. Paul’s digital house is on fire – metaphorically. Since Friday, the city’s been scrambling after a cyberattack forced officials to hit the panic button and pull key systems offline. While emergency services like 911 are still up and running (bless), everyday tasks like paying your water bill or filing a police report? Hard pass for now.
Cybersecurity pro Bryce Austin called it the “nuclear option,” aka when things get so bad you unplug the internet and hope for the best. The longer things stay offline, the worse the hack likely is. Yikes.
Cities like Atlanta and Columbus have been cyberattacked, with Columbus still cleaning up the mess a year later (we’re talking lawsuits, stolen police funds, and broken parking apps).
No word yet on whether ransom is involved, but money is usually the motive. The Minnesota National Guard is now in the chat, and Ramsey County’s wisely keeping its tech at arm’s length.
TL;DR: The vibes are not immaculate, but experts say don’t panic. Just… maybe don’t expect to pay that parking ticket anytime soon.
Open Streets Returns to Central Avenue This
Weekend with Music, Momo, and Lucha Libre
Minneapolis’ beloved Open Streets series kicks off its 2025 season this Saturday, Aug. 2, with Open Streets Central Avenue in Northeast. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Avenue NE (between 14th St. and Lowry Ave.) will shut down to cars and open up for a full-on block party: think live music, street food, markets, art, skate demos, and even a Lucha Libre wrestling match.
This year’s performers include Obi Original, Toussaint Morrison, and The Black Atlantics. On the food front? Get ready for Francis Burger Joint, Twin Cities Tacos, Amazing Momo, 612 Teppanyaki, and more.
Since the city dropped longtime organizer Our Streets in 2023, neighborhood groups now take turns running the events. This one’s hosted by the Audubon Neighborhood Association and the Coalition of Northeast Minneapolis Neighborhoods, with a $50K city stipend and in-kind support.
Four Open Streets events are planned for this summer, up from three last year. Next stop: Open Streets Cedarfest on August 17.
TL;DR: Central Ave is going car-free and going off this weekend. Grab your sunscreen, your walking shoes, and maybe a taco or three.
Gaza’s Famine Demands
Immediate Global Response
A devastating humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza, where children are dying from starvation, an outcome aid groups say stems directly from Israel’s months-long blockade of food and humanitarian aid.
After briefly easing conditions during a ceasefire in January 2025, the Israeli government halted all aid and closed Gaza’s borders on March 2, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. For two and a half months, no food, water, or medicine entered the enclave. Aid has only trickled in since May, but far too slowly to meet needs.
The result: at least 16 children under five have died from starvation-related illness since July 17, according to the UN, and over 500,000 people face extreme hunger. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 100 deaths due to malnutrition, most of them children.
The blockade coincided with renewed military attacks, widespread displacement, and economic collapse. As food supplies dwindled, prices soared, and many could no longer afford to eat. The Israeli government initially denied the scale of suffering, but has since started limited aid drops and announced daily humanitarian pauses under global pressure.
While Israel created a new aid distribution system through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, it’s failed to reach the most vulnerable, particularly women, children, the elderly, and those in northern Gaza. Some 750 Palestinians have reportedly died trying to access aid, many allegedly shot by Israeli troops.
The UN and humanitarian groups are calling for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access. “Palestinians in Gaza are starving to death,” a recent UN report states.
Human lives hang in the balance. The world must act now to ensure food, water, and medicine reach every person in Gaza before more lives are lost.
Find more information on how YOU can help with humanitarian efforts here.
Stay informed, stay connected.
See you next week!
–
Isabella and the NewPrensa team
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Hi, friend: Isabella here!
I’m a Communications Specialists by day and
keeping it glamorous by night!
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