Jessica Hart

Minneapolis

Reporter at KARE-TV (Minneapolis, MN)

Reporter @kare11 • Previously at @WCPO & @KRCG13 • University of Minnesota Alum 〽️ • 📸 IG: @its_jesshart

Articles

'We were really stunned' | Twin Cities arts community reacts to NEA grant cuts

1 week ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

MINNEAPOLIS — Twin Cities arts organizations are figuring out what’s next after the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) terminated grant funding for organizations across the country. “The grant that was awarded to us in 2024, and this is a signed contract with the federal government, is $30,000 for arts and cultural programming in Minnesota,” said Aaron Johson-Ortiz, the executive director of the Minnesota Latino Museum.
Burnsville firefighter to be added to National Fallen Firefighter Memorial

1 week ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — The Burnsville Fire Department is in Maryland this weekend to honor Adam Finseth. Finseth’s name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial along with 69 other firefighters from around the country who died in the line of duty last year. “Unfortunately, February 18, 2024, one of our firefighter/paramedics Adam Finseth along with two Burnsville police officers; Paul Elmstrand and Matt Ruge were murdered by a suspect,” said Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann.
Pan Asian Center to bring new shopping concept to Maplewood Mall

1 week ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. — Two men are hoping to infuse the Maplewood Mall with some new flair. Toua Xiong and Steven Thao are opening a new shopping experience in the old Macy’s building, the Pan Asian Center. “I’m excited because we have such a large community, and we’ve been operating Hmongtown for the last 22 years,” Xiong said. Xiong is the president and CEO.
MN House passes bill to recognize Hmong and Lao veterans who served in Secret War

2 weeks ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers passed a bill that would recognize Hmong and Lao veterans for fighting communism during the Vietnam War, making Minnesota the first state to do so. The Minnesota Senate passed it last week, and the Minnesota House passed it Tuesday evening. The House vote was 126-6. “The happiness belongs to us now, it’s unbelievable,” Secret War veteran Houmpheng Phongsavath. “It’s so exciting, I’m so happy,” said Secret War Veteran Lee Saenvilay.
Bloomington police introduce sensory bags to support neurodivergent individuals

2 weeks ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Bloomington Police Department is trying something new to better support neurodivergent individuals. “One of our staff members came forward with this idea to have sensory bags to help neurodivergent individuals and people with autism,” said Bloomington Police Chief Booke Hodges. Grant funding allowed the department to buy 100 sensory bags.
Newest MN State Trooper class accomplishes something no other class has done in decades

3 weeks ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

MINNEAPOLIS — The 70th Minnesota State Patrol class has done something no other class has done in 50 years. “When this class started in January, there were 42 who showed to family orientation day, and today we graduated those same 42 cadets, which normally doesn’t happen,” said MSP Col. Christina Bogojevic. The last time an entire class that started together and then graduated together was in the 1970s. “It’s such a rare occurrence. It’s been five decades.
U of M dance team debuts new jazz routine for international competition

3 weeks ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota Dance Team is filled with pride. They were selected as the U.S. National Team and will compete at the International Cheerleading Union World Championship next week. The last team they competed at the ICU World’s was in 2014. More than 10 years later, they’re back to compete in the jazz and pom category. “We’re super excited.
Influx of baby great-horned owls increases raptor center's grocery bill

3 weeks ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

ST PAUL, Minn. — At the Gabbert Raptor Center, the Spring season is baby season. “We’ve been getting a lot of baby owls. This is actually to date is our busiest baby season ever. So, we’ve seen 35 baby great-horned baby owls already so far,” said Associate Veterinarian Annette Ahlmann-Garcia. Ahlmann-Garcia said they had four more come in on Thursday after the storms. “I think a lot of it is due to our spring storms.
Oak Park Heights declares state of emergency after water main break

4 weeks ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

OAK PARK HEIGHTS, Minn. — A watermain break in Oak Park Heights has prompted the city to declare a state of emergency to fix it. “We’re losing in excess of tens of thousands of gallons a day,” said City Administrator Jake Rife. Rife said the section of the watermain that needs repairs travels between properties from Lookout Trail to Peacan Avenue. He said a month ago they realized they had a problem.
Anoka is searching to fill a position they've never hired before, a cannabis dispensary manager

1 month ago | kare11.com | Jessica Hart

ANOKA, Minn. — The City of Anoka is hiring for a new position, a cannabis dispensary manager. Anoka was one of several cities that applied for a municipal cannabis license. The state hasn’t issued any licenses yet, but the approvals are coming. “We’re hoping to be one of the first ones to be open,” said Kevin Morelli, liquor operation manager for Anoka.