Citing a need for parity, members of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) have removed the University of St. Thomas from their membership beginning in spring of 2021. The MIAC President's Council says the primary concern was the athletic competitive parity of the school in the conference. St. Thomas will immediately begin a multi-year transition, but conference officials say they are eligible to compete as a full member of the MIAC through the end of spring 2021. There was no formal vote held, but all 13 MIAC presidents agreed to end St. Thomas' membership. UST President Julie Sullivan called the decision "disappointing," but promised to prioritize the welfare and overall experience of the university's student athletes. An advisory committee led by Vice President and Director of Athletics Phil Esten will immediately begin exploring options for a new conference home for the Tommies, and will eventually make a recommendation to the UST Board of Trustees.
Minneapolis police said two persons of interest have been identified in connection to surveillance video at the scene of the fire that destroyed Lola on the Lake at Bde Maka Ska. Police said the woman seen in the video went to them voluntarily to talk about the incident. Police haven't released the names of the two people in the photos, and no arrests have been made. The investigation is still ongoing. In the meantime the Park and Rec board and Lola are trying to find a solution to keep the restaurant running, perhaps through the use of food trucks and porta-potties.
Rain or shine, Highland Park High School students say they'll walk out of school on Thursday. The move is meant to call on the St. Paul Public School district to strengthen support at Highland Park. The walkout comes days after a Highland Park teacher submitted her resignation to the district following accusations that she used racial slurs towards students. The staff member could be heard on cellphone video using the n-word. She also uses a few expletives before. Earlier this month, St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard responded to a viral video that contained "racist language" from a staff member towards a student. In a written statement, Gothard said the Highland Park Middle School staff member is on administrative leave.
