Minneapolis Leaders Say Operation Metro Surge Did over $700 Million in Damage

Operation Metro Surge left long-lasting scars we can’t ignore

The 2025 fall semester was almost like any other. I spent it running between classes, editing multimedia projects, squeezing volunteer hours in between activities and getting dreadfully little sleep. Late in the semester, Minnesota received more national attention thanks to fraud allegations targeting Twin Cities communities (the subject of my final column of the semester). While there was lots of media attention, it was initially more talk than…

‘Midway Blitz’ & ‘Metro Surge’ Were Always About Terrorizing Blue Cities

I generally focus more on the iterative, step-by-step developments in a story like the Broadview Six case. So I want to make sure you see this Josh Kovensky piece on the context in which it all happened: Washington pressuring Chicago prosecutors to fall in line and abuse their power in the service of “Midway Blitz,” a U.S. attorney’s office hollowed out through high-level resignations and departures in 2025. All a mix desperation, violence and m…

Minneapolis lost $700M during Operation Metro Surge, far more than initial estimates

The updated figure is more than triple the city's February estimate. Businesses lost $445 million in revenue and workers lost $152 million in wages.

Operation Metro Surge cost Minneapolis $700M, city estimates

Minneapolis officials say Operation Metro Surge cost the city, residents and businesses nearly $700 million from December through April, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported Wednesday. The updated estimate is a sharp increase from the initial $203 million estimate city officials announced in February. During a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey highlighted the city’s small-business resiliency fund, which sent out license fee refunds to …

Operation Metro Surge cost Minneapolis $700 million, city leaders say

Operation Metro Surge cost Minneapolis nearly $700 million in lost wages and business closures, according to an updated assessment city leaders released Wednesday.

Minneapolis mayor seeks federal relief after report on Metro Surge costs

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A new impact report said Operation Metro Surge cost Minneapolis and its residents an estimated $700 million.