Twin Cities mayors ask for safety recall

Today’s forecast

Hyundai, Kia thefts: Twin Cities mayors, AG call for safety recall

In a joint letter to the North American CEOs of Kia and Hyundai dated March 2, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Ellison want the carmakers to immediately recall all vehicles that are missing engine immobilizers, which is an industry-standard anti-theft technology and to equip all new vehicles with the same safety updates. 

The letter says there’s been a drastic increase in Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts — a 836% increase in Minneapolis and a 611% increase in St. Paul — over the past year, with may of the thefts being connected to other violent crimes in the Twin Cities. 

Reports nationally show Kia and Hyundai vehicles are vulnerable to theft due to lacking engine immobilizers and push-to-start key systems. Not only that, but there are social media challenges that show how easy it is to hack into Kia and Hyundai vehicles, with the challenges encouraging people to try it. 

Catch Up Quick 

🏛️ Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney who was convicted of murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son, will be sentenced Friday. Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison without parole for each murder charge when he is sentenced, which in South Carolina is typically right after the verdict but can be delayed if a judge chooses.

🐈 Lawmakers and animal welfare groups went to the St. Paul capitol on Thursday with the help of some furry friends to push for the creation of the Companion Animal Board (CAB) which would focus on the policies of cats, dogs, and other household pets. 

🏀 Gophers’ Athletic Director Mark Coyle announced Thursday Whalen is stepping down as the school’s women’s basketball coach after five seasons.

Outpouring of support for Osseo theater after ‘Misery’ sound misery

Opening night of ‘Misery’ turned into actual misery for the crew at a theater in Osseo, Minnesota when their aging sound system went out. But the show must go on, and with an outpouring of financial and equipment support, it is.

Thursday night’s performance includes borrowed and incomplete equipment, but the stage manager who suddenly had to do sound effects this weekend says it’s a big step forward.

Two other theaters let them borrow sound equipment, and a months-old GoFundMe page suddenly got donations as small as $14 and as large as $10,000. As of Thursday night, the page raised $15,205. 

Right now, they’re about halfway to being able to completely replace the sound system, and they’re hoping to get it done before the opening of the next show, which is about Billie Holiday and her music.

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