Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

All content by Benjamin Farniok
General manager James Munson prepares an order for customer Humberto Naves on Wednesday at the new Himalayan restaurant in Dinkytown. This was Naves second time at the new restaurant, which recently moved into its Dinkytown location following the closure of Pizza Studio.

Dinkytown a revolving door for biz

by Benjamin Farniok
Published May 5, 2016
Despite its high foot-traffic, the University-area commercial district loses and gains a handful of businesses each year.

Suite of apps targets consent, sexual assault reporting

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 27, 2016
One of the apps lets users give consent electronically, but some have questioned its practicality.

Marcy-Holmes looks to launch housing app and draw renters

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 26, 2016
A Manhattan developer has offered to build the app for $10,000.
A cartoon by Jack Ohman, published in the Minnesota Daily on Feb. 20, 1979.

Daily alum wins Pulitzer

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 21, 2016
Jack Ohman, who got his start drawing cartoons for the Daily, won the national prize Monday.
Co-founders of Bizzy Coffee Alex French, left, and Andrew Healy stand for a portrait at the official Bizzy Grand Launch Party at the Cambria Gallery on Saturday.

For busy people, ‘Bizzy Coffee’

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 18, 2016
With the help of his friend, a U alumnus has founded an organic cold press coffee company.

New survey reveals housing complaints

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 14, 2016
Wi-Fi and low-quality appliances placed among top resident complaints.

Post-results, graduate students denounce election mishaps

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 12, 2016
Some candidates say certain professional students weren’t sent the correct election ballot.

Fairview Health links with UCare

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 11, 2016

A merger announced last week will consolidate University of Minnesota-partnered Fairview Health Services and insurance provider UCare by mid-summer.     The move, made public April 5, marks...

Pedestrians pass by the Big 10 Restaurant and Bar on Washington Avenue in Stadium Village on Wednesday afternoon. Big 10 sits on the site of a proposed apartment complex.

Complex may shutter businesses

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 7, 2016
The proposed building would replace the Stadium Village site currently housing Big 10.
Patrons crowd around Daina De Prez while she performs at Nyes Bar and Polonaise room Saturday evening. The Bar will be closing after 67 years and will be holding its last polka dance on Sunday April 3.

City says ‘pozegnanie’ to Nye’s

by Benjamin Farniok
Published April 4, 2016
This weekend marked the mainstay’s last, as part of the building will be razed to make way for an apartment complex.
Left to right, Michael Blomquist, Sumee Lee, Max Hall and Dane Thompson gather onstage for the Professional Student Government presidential and vice presidential candidate debate on Wednesday in the Coffman Union Theater.

PSG presidential candidates square off at Coffman Union

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 31, 2016
The candidates debated student issues ahead of the April elections.

Like its neighbors, Marcy introduces green initiative

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 28, 2016
The neighborhood association hopes to encourage residents to adopt environmental practices.
Carlson School of Management students pose in front of Che Guevaras image at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, Cuba over spring break as a part of a University course, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, which allows students to pitch ideas to foreign businesses.

Carlson students return from Cuban business trip

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 24, 2016
Students pitched business ideas to local rum and taxi companies for class.

Federal officials continue to battle phone scammers

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 22, 2016
University Student Legal Services say international students are often targeted.
The abandoned Bunge Grain Elevator sits in Southeast Como on Tuesday. The building may be partially demolished to build artist housing, while preserving the tower and part of the silos.

Como icon may face renovation

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 10, 2016
City officials are considering plans to convert the Bunge tower into apartments.

Thai officials drop charges against alum

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 9, 2016
Photojournalist Anthony Kwan was charged for possessing a bullet-proof vest in August.

City may repeal loitering restriction

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 8, 2016
City leaders called the law outdated and redundant at a public hearing.

Duluth makes plans to tackle $4.3M deficit

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 3, 2016
Part of the proposal includes a set of $1 million allocations from the University system.

TCF Bank discovers fake bills

by Benjamin Farniok
Published March 1, 2016
Over the course of two weeks, five counterfeit bills were brought to the Dinkytown branch.

University students design backpack to help autistic children

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 25, 2016
The group plans to raise funds with Kickstarter for their project next month.
Minneapolis resident Thomas Jones walks along the Stone Arch Bridge on Sunday afternoon. In November, Jones moved into the Arrigoni House West, a sober residence in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood for men overcoming chemical addictions. Jones says going for walks are one of the frequent group activities he enjoys doing.

Uniting recovery and outreach

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 23, 2016
Arrigoni House West, a sober house in Marcy-Holmes, is working to boost community involvement for its residents.
Local game developer Shanti Pothapragada works at GLITCH headquarters on the West Bank on Tuesday night. GLITCH is a nonprofit that works with indie game developers in Minneapolis.

GLITCH partners with PR firm to promote gaming

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 18, 2016
Gage will be providing free representation for the nonprofit group.

Schunk case closes with sentencing

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 11, 2016
On Tuesday, an accomplice in the 2013 murder of a U student was sentenced to 15 years.

Allegations accumulate for McLean

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 10, 2016

Dinkytown business owner Jason McLean is facing his fourth sexual assault lawsuit, according to a civil complaint filed Monday in Hennepin County District Court.     The suit against...

A Car2Go vehicle drives down Eighth Street Southeast in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood on Monday. Currently there are 350 Car2Go cars in the city.

Car sharing may become licensed business in Minneapolis

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 9, 2016
The proposed ordinance would standardize the way companies like Car2Go work with the city.

Fairview buys sole stake in insurance holder PreferredOne

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 3, 2016
The company was one of MNsure's largest and cheapest providers before they left in 2014 due to financial losses.
The future site for the proposed 8th and 9th street apartments sits in its current state on Sunday. The 5 story building would have a total of 97 dwelling units, as well as townhome studios on the first floor.

CPM development sprawl could expand in Marcy

by Benjamin Farniok
Published February 1, 2016
The neighborhood association will meet Tuesday to discuss a new apartment project.
This rendering of a tower proposed by Alatus was presented to the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association last week. Alatus leaders hope to begin construction later this year.

New condo proposed for Marcy-Holmes

by Benjamin Farniok
Published January 28, 2016
The building could run into conflict due to the area’s historic district designation.
Co-owner of the Blue Door restaurant Jeremy Werner, far right, sits and listens as resident Joe Russell expresses his concerns regarding the new location in Southeast Como. The Como Blue Door is expected to open in February.

Blue Door Pub taps SE Como

by Benjamin Farniok
Published January 25, 2016
The city hosted a neighborhood forum to discuss implications of the restaurant’s debut, including parking and its late closing time.
A selection of alcoholic beverages are presented to customers before they reach the cash register at the Punch Pizza located in Stadium Village.

University area beer sales spots expand

by Benjamin Farniok
Published January 18, 2016
While another fast-casual restaurant wants to sell beer, one avoids alcohol sale.

Chavez-Nelson pleads guilty

by Benjamin Farniok
Published January 18, 2016
He was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in the 2013 murder of a U student.

Postdoctoral fellows seek career services

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 16, 2015
Postdocs don’t have access to career guidance in their nonstudent status.

Protests seek campus diversity nationwide

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 15, 2015

Around 70 student groups at schools across the U.S. and Canada are demanding more diverse college campuses.    Many, including an activist group at the University of Minnesota, are seeking more...

Suspected drunk driver hits police car

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 14, 2015
No one was injured in the collision on Minnesota State Highway 280.

University student robbed at gunpoint near Dinkytown

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 14, 2015
The incident marks the third robbery near campus in the past three weeks.

Fewer low-income students go to college

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 9, 2015
Enrollment right after high school has decreased for those students.

Sex assaults go unreported

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 7, 2015
About 90 percent of universities didn’t report rape on campus last year.

More data to be public on accreditation

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 3, 2015
New requirements aim to make the process of accreditation more transparent.

Student’s autopsy finds drugs

by Benjamin Farniok
Published December 2, 2015
A man told authorities he hid the passed-out body of Morris student Laura Schwendemann.
The University of Minnesotas Driven to Discover building sits at the State Fair grounds on Sunday. Some University faculty wish to revamp the building in an effort to make the University more attractive and draw in research participants.

U State Fair building may get an update

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 30, 2015
The 60-year-old building leaks and puts research equipment at risk.

Student robbed on West Bank

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 23, 2015
A suspect showed the victim a gun and demanded her valuables at noon Saturday.

Study calls for clearer rules for adjuncts teaching online classes

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 23, 2015
About 75 percent of faculty are part-time or adjuncts nationwide.

Transfers concern students

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 19, 2015
Under current MNCAP policy, transfer students can’t enroll directly in the Carlson School.

Sex assault bill divides leaders

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 12, 2015
National fraternity groups met with U.S. senators last week to discuss victim protection.

Med schools less confident in new MCAT

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 9, 2015
Less than half of schools believe the new MCAT will prove med school readiness.

University execs’ pay increases

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 5, 2015
Over two years, the collective salaries of seven University VPs increased by about $430k.

Faculty look to update academic freedom

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 4, 2015
An academic freedom group pushed to adopt University of Chicago policies at U.
University alumnus Shezanne Cassim was held in a maximum-security prison in the United Arab Emirates for nine months after posting a YouTube video that satirized teenage life in Dubai.

Former U student seeking UAE pardon

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 3, 2015
A call campaign seeks restitution along with exoneration for U alumnus.

Student found in creek

by Benjamin Farniok
Published November 3, 2015
The body of a University of Minnesota-Duluth student was discovered on Sunday.

Committee wants more no-smoking signs

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 29, 2015
Although campus became tobacco-free in 2014, leaders notice continued smoking.

Body might be missing student’s

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 28, 2015
Local sheriffs have reason to believe they found the remains of Laura Schwendemann.

Workers face leave issues

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 27, 2015
Labor unions say U workers aren't receiving the leave they should.

13 former students sue UMD

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 22, 2015
Due to a paperwork error, some students couldn’t get teaching licenses last year.

Law school applications rise

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 20, 2015
Better economic conditions may have led to the projected increase in the number of applicants.

Faculty: Drop the charges

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 14, 2015
More than 150 faculty signed a petition to protect students who protested for diversity.

Assault near West Bank

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 8, 2015
A group of four attacked a man on Cedar Avenue.

Biomedical startups lack women

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 7, 2015
A Sept. report found that women receive less funding for biomed startups than men do.

Postdocs miss out on U-Passes

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 6, 2015
Postdoctoral associates can no longer buy the pass because of a system review.

Former student sues for sexual harassment

by Benjamin Farniok
Published October 1, 2015
A former doctoral student claims she’s entitled to more than $75,000 in damages.

Int’l students boost grad enrollment

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 29, 2015
Both nationwide and at the University, foreign students are filling up grad schools.

Union push continues on campus

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 28, 2015
Northrop Auditorium was the site of a rally last week to unionize all faculty members.

FAFSA rules to change

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 24, 2015
Next year, students will be allowed to fill out their FAFSAs starting in October.

Woman victim of attempted robbery near McNamara

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 22, 2015
The woman was not injured.

Teacher rules raise questions

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 22, 2015
Proposed regulations would alter the education teachers need for dual-credit courses.

Research practices updated

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 17, 2015
Proposed federal rule changes would expedite research and add human subjects protections.
Academic Advisor Ian Ringgenberg goes about his daily work in his office on Tuesday. If the change goes through,  Ringgenberg would be protected under the fair labor standards act.

Fed gov’t proposing changes to OT pay

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 16, 2015
Number of employees who receive overtime may increase cost for U.

Starbucks around the U may soon open earlier

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 15, 2015

Starbucks has submitted a request to the Minneapolis City Council to open earlier in locations across the city, writes the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.   In Dinkytown and Stadium Village,...

Fraternity may face sanctions

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 10, 2015
The University’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is appealing the school’s ruling.

Bell Museum director to leave amid renovation

by Benjamin Farniok
Published September 9, 2015
Susan Weller first took on her role as director in 2008.

University enacts affirmative consent policy

by Benjamin Farniok
Published August 25, 2015
School leaders said the revamped policy is easier to understand and enforce.
A biker travels along 18th avenue on Tuesday. While the city is planning to give the street bike lanes, the Southeast Como Improvement Association worries that such a change will harm parking availability in the highly populated area.

New bike lanes could push out parking

by Benjamin Farniok
Published August 5, 2015

Access to federal funding is making it possible for Minneapolis to install protected bikeways along streets near the University of Minnesota.   The U.S. Department of Transportation granted the Metropolitan...

Prospect Park apts. on horizon

by Benjamin Farniok
Published August 5, 2015

Construction on a new 36,000-square-foot hotel and apartment building near the University of Minnesota campus will begin next spring if the Minneapolis Planning Commission approves the developers’...

City bus shelters to be removed

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 29, 2015

Metro Transit is working on removing bus shelters citywide — including two near the University of Minnesota — due to low ridership at the stops.   Metro Transit began taking down about...

Paul Schoenecker places his purchased items in a plastic bag at CVS on Tuesday. Ward 2 City Councilman Cam Gordon hopes to reduce the citys environmental impact by keeping bags out of landfills and possibly banning plastic bags at retail sites throughout the city.

Plastic bag ban may hit Minneapolis

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 29, 2015

Minneapolis stores might have to find a new way to pack groceries if a proposal to ban plastic bags passes through City Council by the end of this year.   Though some University of Minnesota-area...

U picks new partner in transportation accessibility research

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 27, 2015

The University of Minnesota Accessibility Observatory announced Monday that they will be partnering with TomTom, a navigation device company, to create a dataset to document transportation accessibility...

County’s app helps locals beat the heat

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 22, 2015

A new cell phone app is making it easier for area residents to escape the heat this summer. The app, released last month, pinpoints designated buildings, like the Southeast Library in Dinkytown, for residents...

Police seek more funding for K-9 medical treatment

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 22, 2015

Minneapolis police are looking for more funding for police dogs after using up original allocations by paying for their medical expenses. The Minneapolis Police Department is asking for $10,000 for reimbursement...

Legislators, emergency planners seek plan for safe oil clean-up

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 15, 2015
Oil clean up after a train crash is messy and disorganized but getting better.
Minneapolis City Councilman Jacob Frey speaks at a city council meeting at City Hall on Friday, July 10.

Landlords may provide voter registration

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 15, 2015
Councilman Jacob Frey said the plan could increase student voter turnout in neighborhoods with historically low rates.

U professor’s bike app gets revisions

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 8, 2015

University of Minnesota computer science professor Loren Terveen helped launch a program in 2008 that created a new way for bicyclists to find their way around.   Since then, Terveen said the online...

A biker moves into traffic to pass a vehicle illegally parked in the newly established bike lane on fourth street in Dinkytown on Tuesday, July 7. Though bikers now have a dedicated lane through Dinkytown, drivers continue to park within the lane illegally, causing safety issues with bikers who are forced to pass.

Bike lanes face safety issues

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 8, 2015

When University of Minnesota biology, sociology and environment junior Shashank Holalkere pulled his bike out for the first time this summer, he was not expecting to find the new Dinkytown bike lane clogged...

West River Parkway repairs begin

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 6, 2015

Repairs have begun for the West River Parkway after a mudslide closed it down last year, the Star Tribune reports. The article states that the mudslide damaged the slope during June 2014 and that repairs...

A Shuang Cheng employee brings a recycling bin back inside after emptying it behind the restaurant in Dinkytown on Monday. City Council has set a goal to have half of the citys waste composted or recycled by 2020 and 80 percent by 2030.

City recycling plan defines new goals

by Benjamin Farniok
Published July 1, 2015

Minneapolis is planning to hone their recycling and composting goals for city residents.   Following a City Council resolution, which passed earlier in June, Minneapolis’ recycling and waste...

SpaceX explosion a loss for Minnehaha Academy students

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 29, 2015

When the SpaceX rocket exploded after launching on Sunday, Minnehaha Academy lost experiments that they had hoped would make it to the International Space Station, according to CBS Minnesota. The article...

A light rail Green Line train crosses University Avenue in Minneapolis on Monday night. According to Metro Transit, there has been about $3 billion in development along the Green Line corridor since construction began in 2010.

Green Line boosts job access

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 24, 2015

After a year of service, the Green Line         light rail has made it easier for Minneapolis and St. Paul residents to commute to work, a new report shows.   According to a University...

Karissa Fleming and Ervin Blaylock enjoy an evening of fishing at Fort Snelling State Park on Monday. State Legislators have agreed to give $260k to the Us Center for Changing Landscapes so they may survey the use of Fort Snelling among other state parks and trails.

State wants input on parks

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 24, 2015

Park-goers will soon be able to sound off on state parks and trails, which could give Minnesota lawmakers a better understanding of how the state’s parks and trails are utilized.    The...

General Mills cutting artificial flavors, colors

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 22, 2015

Golden Valley based food manufacturer General Mills announced Monday that they will be removing artificial coloring and flavoring from its cereals, according to the Star Tribune. The article states that...

Poultry testing labs awarded funding

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 17, 2015

In the midst of the avian flu outbreak, new testing methods could help researchers detect the disease more accurately in rural Minnesota birds.   Last week, the state Legislature allocated more than...

Manager Adam Hussein gives change to a customer at Maxwells Market on Tuesday afternoon. Hussein believes the proposed restrictions on tobacco sales will hurt his business.

Council leaders target flavored tobacco goods

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 17, 2015

Flavored tobacco products may soon get the boot in Minneapolis convenience stores, which might cut into revenues but could potentially improve citizens’ health.    To make flavored tobacco...

Jeb Bush announces presidential campaign, courts college-aged voters with social media

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 15, 2015

Former Florida Gov.  John Ellis Bush officially announced his presidential campaign for the 2016 presidential election Monday, according to an Associated Press report. The story states that...

Park board seeking increased funding

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 10, 2015

Karl Nordling brought his granddaughter to Van Cleve Park for the first time Monday, noting that the park has changed for the better since his kids were young and played there. The Minneapolis resident...

U, Edison High School monitor water pollutants

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 10, 2015

A trench outside a high school parking lot in northeast Minneapolis has become an environmentally friendly hotspot for University of Minnesota researchers and high school students.   University professors...

Rep. Kahn files ethics complaint

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 9, 2015

Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, is filing an ethics complaint with Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji,  against Rep. Dennis McNamara, R-Hastings, following an incident in McNamara’s office last...

Bartender Vanessa Smith sells a growler of beer to a customer at Town Hall Brewery on Monday. On June 5 the city council will vote on possible changes that would allow the sale of growlers on Sundays at breweries and taprooms, as well as changing the time for Sunday sales from 10 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Liquor rules may loosen

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 3, 2015

It may soon get easier for Minneapolitans to order Bloody Marys or jugs of beer to complement early Sunday breakfast.   A Minneapolis City Council committee unanimously passed two proposed...

Police reporting undergoes inspection

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 3, 2015

A recent report found Minneapolis police officers are rarely recording their reasons for stopping pedestrians or drivers.   Thoroughly describing each stop isn’t required by the Minneapolis...

Michael Kim
Education: Bachelors in Music, University of Calgary; Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, Juilliard.
Current position: Dean and Professor of Music at Brandon University.
Expertise: Piano.

New leader for School of Music announced

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 3, 2015

The University of Minnesota announced Michael Kim as its new director of the School of Music on Monday following a months-long selection process and discussion on leadership restructuring.   The...

Medical marijuana registration open today in MN, but restrictions persist on both federal and state levels

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 1, 2015

Patients who qualify registered to begin recieving medical marijuana legally in Minnesota today. The first doses will be distributed on July 1st. However, marijuana is still classified as a schedule 1...

New School of Music director selected

by Benjamin Farniok
Published June 1, 2015

The University of Minnesota School of Music selected Michael Kim, a Canadian piano professor, as its new director, the University announced in a release Monday. Kim, who will assume his position on July...

A light rail train passes outside Amundson Hall on Friday evening. Electromagnetic radiation and vibrations from the trains could disturb University research.

A year later, LRT vibrations still an issue

by Benjamin Farniok
Published May 27, 2015

The Green Line light rail could potentially disrupt University of Minnesota research along its route.   For the past year, Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council have been working on reducing...

Council may repeal laws on lurking

Council may repeal laws on lurking

by Benjamin Farniok
Published May 27, 2015

A Minneapolis law some say creates racial disparities is one step closer to being repealed. Residents and activists expressed their concerns at a public hearing last week over the city’s lurking...

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