City of Minneapolis News Update: Oct. 1 See your options for voting early, attend a budget public hearing and more

Oct. 1, 2026

This newsletter provides updates on important news and information from the City of Minneapolis and partners. Find updates at minneapolismn.gov/news.

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See your options for voting early

Any Minneapolis voter can vote before Election Day in person or by mail. This is your city, and it’s your vote.

Voting early in person

Minneapolis has a main Early Vote Center open now at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. We’ll also have one on the North Side and one on the South Side opening Oct. 20, with the same hours as the main site.

We’re also opening 12 special one-day voting sites all across the city Oct. 19-30. These pop-up sites have the same security measures, rules and processes as the main sites.

Find the voting sites and their open times on our website.

Voting by mail

There’s still time to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Make sure to put it back in the mail by Oct. 27 or drop it off in person. Check our website for more details.

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City Council announces 2027 budget public hearing dates, encourages public participation

The Minneapolis City Council will hold three public hearings as part of its work on the Mayor’s 2027 Recommended Budget. The City Council encourages residents to participate in the decision-making process by attending a public hearing.

The dates for the upcoming hearings are:

Budget Committee meeting
6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7
City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S

Budget Committee meeting
6:05 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19
City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S

City Council meeting
6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15
City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S

Participating in a public hearing

Residents who want to make their voices heard at a public hearing must attend in person and sign up to speak. Speakers are typically limited to two minutes, but the length of speaking time and the number of speakers allowed is at the discretion of the Committee Chair. Comments unrelated to the budget will not be heard.

Testimony submitted as part of a public meeting is considered public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This means that anyone can access information you choose to share. Only include information that you are comfortable making public.

Learn more about how to participate in a public hearing.

Other ways to participate

Residents who can’t attend one of these meetings may be able to attend an upcoming listening session or submit written comments in the following ways:

• Share comments using our online form.
• Contact your Council Member directly.

Learn more about the City Council's budget process.

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Fourth Minneapolis NARCAN® vending machine installed to broaden access to life-saving medication

We've installed our fourth NARCAN® vending machine at Fire Station 12, expanding free, anonymous and 24-hour access to the life-saving medication.

Minneapolis’ four NARCAN vending machines are installed at fire stations across the city. The NARCAN is free and accessible 24 hours per day. The NARCAN vending machines are located at:

• Fire Station 5, 2700 Bloomington Ave. S.
• Fire Station 12, 5401 33rd Ave S.
• Fire Station 14, 2002 Lowry Ave. N. 
• Fire Station 21, 3209 38th St. E.

Watch our video on YouTube to learn how to use a NARCAN vending machine.

Additional resources

• Opioids and substance use programs and resources
• Opioid resources for youth  
• Syringe cleanup and free NARCAN
• Mobile Medical Unit  
• City’s Safe Stations
• Watch the CDC’s video on YouTube to learn how to use NARCAN

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Family Gathering Concert Series continues Oct. 3 at the Parkway Theater

Bring the kids for a free morning of live music, creative activities and fun.

Family Gathering Concert Series: Jeremy Messersmith with Sarah Morris
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
The Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave.

The series is produced in collaboration with the Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance and funded by the City of Minneapolis through Minneapolis Forward to support community and economic resilience.

Get event details and see who's performing.

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Third annual Latino Business Week starts Saturday

The third annual Latino Business Week will be taking place Saturday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 11. Our Small Business Team has partnered with community organizations to plan events across Minneapolis, from legal workshops to marketing mixers.

This year’s Latino Business Week events will: 

• Connect businesses with information and resources 
• Create opportunities to learn from experts and network with peers 
• Celebrate and support our city’s vibrant Latino business community 

Learn more and register for events on our website.

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Join us at the Eliminating Health Disparities Summit

The Minneapolis Health Department is hosting a new community event. Beyond the Diagnosis 2026: Eliminating Health Disparities Summit is a free event that will bring together community members, healthcare providers, public health professionals and partners to discuss health disparities and lived experiences within Minneapolis’ Black/African American communities.

Beyond the Diagnosis 2026: Eliminating Health Disparities Summit
4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16
Sanctuary Covenant Church, 2018 Aldrich Ave. N.

Attendees can expect to:

• Learn about sickle cell disease, heart disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer
• Learn now to advocate for yourself, family and community members living with these conditions
• Learn about the common lived experiences and policies that may lead to health inequities

Refreshments and free childcare will be provided. Register for the event.

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For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact City Communications. 

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850.

Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311. 

minneapolismn.gov