MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Minneapolis, MN

This weekend, invite a monarch butterfly to sit in your hand.

“They smell with their feet,” says MaryLynn Pulscher, the environmental education manager for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “They really are just amazing, amazing creatures.”

Pulscher is also the event manager of the Minneapolis Monarch Festival/Festival de la Monarca, which celebrates its 15th year on Saturday at Lake Nokomis Park.

The festival honors the monarchs’ annual fall migration, a 2,300-mile journey, as well as other connections between Minnesota and Mexico.

In addition to more than a dozen education and habitat booths, where the black and orange butterflies will be hanging out, the festival features a prairie garden, food trucks, art, live music and performances from Ballet Folklorico Mexico and the Twin Cities Orchestra Salsa del Sol.

There will also be a kids parade at noon — “Wear your wings!” says Pulscher — and a monarch puppet show.

“As Minnesotans, our job is to really keep monarchs healthy, and get them fattened up for that flight back back to Mexico,” Pulscher says. The monarchs’ journey across North America is among the longest of insect species.

Due to habitat loss and climate change, the population has declined by about 90 percent since 1990, the equivalent of almost a billion butterflies.

The butterfly, however, has yet to be put on the endangered species list. According to the nonprofit Monarch Joint Venture, which will be at the festival, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reassess the monarchs’ endangered status in 2024.

One way to help monarchs, Pulscher says, is to plant pollinator gardens with milkweed and the purple-flowered liatris ligulistylis, which she says folks can learn about at the festival’s plant education booths.

The spiky perennial “is like the candy store for monarch butterflies,” Pulscher says. “You can get five, six monarchs per stem of that in your yard. It's amazing.”

Pulscher says Minnesota is one of the key spots where the “super generation” of monarchs is born in the fall. The super generation lives up to eight months rather than the usual six to eight weeks of other monarchs. They also travel farther, flying from Minnesota to overwinter in Mexico, then flying north to lay eggs on milkweed plants.

“This super generation is pretty much unique, as is the migration itself, amongst insects, so we really highlight that,” Pulscher says of the festival. “And really, it's just the wonder of monarch butterflies themselves.”

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The Big Ten Conference held its annual basketball media days event at Target Center earlier this month. In the same city as the Gophers. But there was zero talk about the U's men's and women's programs being contenders.

Both teams have a lot of catching up to do in the Big Ten. And tougher times are coming.

The conference will soon be as deep as ever after expanding to 18 teams next season with the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington.

For Gophers coaches Ben Johnson and Dawn Plitzuweit, this is a critical season to climb the standings and build their brands so they can walk into a new-look Big Ten with more swagger.

"We're adding four pretty prestigious programs," Johnson said. "We want to continue to grow and be the best we can be."

In Johnson's first two seasons, the Gophers finished tied for 14^th and in sole possession of 14th place in the Big Ten. They were 9-22 last season.

The Gophers women finished in 10th place or lower in four of Lindsay Whalen's five years, including 11-19 last season. Plitzuweit, who came from West Virginia to replace Whalen, inherited a team with bright young talent and is working to establish a winning identity.

Johnson, in his third season, has a deeper and healthier roster after two years of massive rebuilding. He's not nearly as experienced as Plitzuweit, but his passion to resurrect the program runs deep as a Minnesota native and Gophers alum.

"I've spent a little time now with Ben Johnson," Plitzuweit said. "That's good for me to see it through his set of lenses."

Where do the Gophers under Johnson and Plitzuweit fit in with the bigger Big Ten? For lower-to-middle-tier teams looking to move up in the conference, "It's not going to get easier," first-year Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said.

"Everybody wants to be competing against the best on the biggest stages," Petitti told the Star Tribune. "Things change quickly. Teams get better and things are unexpected. It's hard to always predict."

Recruiting challenges

Johnson has already gone toe-to-toe against some Pac-12 schools for players. California is one of his staff's top recruiting bases. Assistant Marcus Jenkins is from the Golden State.

But USC, Oregon and UCLA had the top three 2023 recruiting classes in the Pac-12. All of them were top 13 nationally, including the Trojans with the No. 2 class overall behind Kentucky, per 247Sports.

For the second straight year, the Gophers men will get exposure on the West Coast by playing in California in the nonconference schedule.

They face San Francisco at the Golden State Warriors' arena on Nov. 26. They played in the SoCal Challenge last year, and in front of five-star 7-foot recruit Dennis Evans III, who lived nearby. But after signing with the Gophers, Evans eventually asked out of his letter of intent to play at Louisville.

The impact of NIL on recruiting could make it difficult for the Gophers to compete with new Big Ten teams, but Johnson expects them to show progress in that area soon.

"Sometimes new things and change isn't always the easiest thing," Johnson said. "Especially when you talk about finances and money, but I think we have a really competitive fan base. They're going to show up when we need them."

Whalen landed a top-10 recruiting class two years ago, but that was with Minnesota talent. UCLA and Oregon had the No. 1 and No. 2 classes nationally that year, per ESPN. For the class of 2023, the top 20 national recruiting classes include USC, Washington and Oregon.

Plitzuweit, who spent one season at West Virginia, won 158 games in six seasons at South Dakota, including a Sweet 16 run in 2021-22. Her recruiting at South Dakota was primarily limited to the Midwest. She understands that needs to change in the Big Ten.

"At South Dakota, we recruited a kid here or there nationally, but we didn't have a lot of kids from outside of our region," Plitzuweit said. "At West Virginia, we [started] recruiting nationally. So now we're able to continue with those ties but really kind of hone in and focus."

'We want to establish ourselves'

Gophers coaches are trying to figure out how to add talent to compete in the new Big Ten, but players are also thinking about battling on the court and proving themselves against different schools.

"It's very important," junior Dawson Garcia said about the Gophers showing they can be contenders in the expanding Big Ten. "But the best way we can do that is by focusing on this year. I feel like [the rest] will come."

Earlier this month, the Pac-12 released it preseason men's hoops poll. Arizona was the favorite, but right behind were USC, UCLA, and Oregon. Washington was projected ninth.

On the women's side, UCLA was picked second in the Pac-12 preseason poll recently. USC (sixth), Oregon (eighth) and Washington (ninth) were not far from one another.

Gophers sophomore Amaya Battle said it will be cool to travel to California, Washington and Oregon for Big Ten games, but she's trying to not look too far ahead.

"We definitely want to establish ourselves," Battle said, "not just with those new teams but to other teams in the Big Ten. We can play, too."

Nothing hits the spot like a hearty, aromatic bowl of ramen, its broth clouded with gelatin that’s coaxed from slow-cooked, marrow-rich bones. Bouncy noodles bask in their salty bath, adorned with shreds of seaweed, pink-swirled fish cakes, or a soft-cooked, soy-soaked egg. Find noodle bliss with these essential bowls of ramen in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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This Queens, New York-based franchise recently opened a location in Eagan. Kyuramen’s chasu (braised pork belly) is barrel-cooked in a special marinade, making it ultra-tender; there are veggie and chicken options on the menu too. Save room for matcha pudding or cherry blossom jelly.

Tori Ramen has two locations: Mod, cozy Tori 44 in North Minneapolis, and the original Tori St. Paul, where servers whisk steaming bowls of ramen to tables in the vintage interior of an old train car. “Tori” means “bird” in Japanese — this restaurant specializes in pork-free ramen, offering rich chicken, duck, and vegetarian broths. These beautifully layered bowls don’t lose an ounce of flavor, though. The salted, citrus-based ramen shakes things up with a lightly tangy broth. Tori is also one just a few local spots offering gluten-free bowls, with rice noodles and no soy sauce.

St. Paul’s Ishita ramen sits on a restaurant-dense stretch of University Avenue. Brick walls, industrial decor, and a decorative wall of soup spoons keep the focus on the food. The crispy chicken ramen features a crunchy breaded cutlet, sliced cabbage, black mushrooms, pickled ginger, green onion, and corn. The shoyu broth is flecked with red pepper flakes and spicy chili oil for an extra boost of flavor.

This cozy joint is known for Japanese comfort food — it’s a great spot to grab a meal before a show at the Guthrie. Be sure to try the kimchi ramen: Fermented cabbage adds a dose of heat and refreshing tartness to balance the luxurious heritage pork bone broth. Pinwheels of pork float atop chewy noodles, and ribbons of black mushrooms and a golden, gooey-centered egg round out this ramen.

Though Masu’s sustainably-sourced sushi and small-bite robata are its claims to fame, don’t miss the ramen either. The tonkotsu curry ramen is a standout: It features slices of crispy pork tenderloin, steamed Chinese broccoli, and a hazy, porky broth with an added flavor spike of fragrant curry. Masu has locations in Northeast Minneapolis, Apple Valley, and the Mall of America. Play some Japanese arcade games after dinner, while you’re at it.

Ramen Kawae is a newcomer to Minneapolis’s North Loop Galley. The restaurant describes itself as “A little noodle shop emerged out of a desire to keep pushing the creativity of Japanese cuisine” — chef Tuan Hoang’s broths are meaty and rich, an ideal base for fatty pork belly and umami-packed mushrooms. Some of the ramen selections even come with chewy dumplings floating in the broth. Pair a bowl with the crispy karaage, a must.

Not a pork eater? Find a ramen oasis at Tori 44 Ramen, a pork-free restaurant with many options for vegetarian and vegan diners. Don’t think that means the soups lack flavor or depth, though. Try the Bali ramen, which features a thicker broth made with creamy tahini, spicy Szechuan pepper, delicate bites of seasoned ground chicken, and a soft-cooked egg, all atop tender noodles.

Ramen Shoten serves a rare chicken-based broth at Eat Street Crossing, Nicollet Avenue’s new food hall. Chef John Ng of Zen Box Izakaya is behind this menu, which also offers a chili garlic chashu and a creamy mushroom miso ramen. Pull up to the stand-and-slurp bar and pair a bowl with beef gyoza.

A trendy Uptown restaurant and the first sake brew pub in the United States? Moto-i has everything, from a generous happy hour to rooftop dining overlooking the bustling Lyn-Lake area. First-timers should sample the classic ramen, which features both pork belly and shredded smoked pork shoulder. Moto-i uses Tokyo-style straight noodles, and the shoyu broth is embellished with a drizzle of chili oil, then topped off with a poached egg, nori shreds, and a heap of scallions.

Tenka is tucked away on Lake Street, right next to Stella’s Fish Cafe. The ramen here is built on densely flavorful broth. The spicy miso is a crowd favorite: It stars springy noodles, fiery pork miso broth with an extra dose of chili pepper flakes, and a little funk from fermented bean paste. It’s all topped off with crumbles of ground pork, corn, a soft-cooked egg, and scallions.

Since its opening in 2015, this ramen-dedicated restaurant has been so popular that owner Matthew Kazama opened a second location in the Como neighborhood in 2017. Ramen Kazama’s tonkotsu ramen features one of the most decadent pork-bone broths in the Twin Cities — it has all the signature silkiness that comes from slow-cooking marrow-rich bones. Succulent pork belly, lacy black wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, green onion, and a marinated egg top off this beautiful bowl.

Warm wood paneling on Kyatchi’s exterior welcome diners to an unpretentious experience in Minneapolis’s Kingfield neighborhood. Another spot for sustainably sourced sushi, the handful of ramen offerings here are served piping-hot. Kyatchi’s signature ramen stock uses a light chicken broth — it’s topped with seared pork belly, a soft-cooked egg, green and yellow onion, and earthy bamboo shoots.

This Queens, New York-based franchise recently opened a location in Eagan. Kyuramen’s chasu (braised pork belly) is barrel-cooked in a special marinade, making it ultra-tender; there are veggie and chicken options on the menu too. Save room for matcha pudding or cherry blossom jelly.

Tori Ramen has two locations: Mod, cozy Tori 44 in North Minneapolis, and the original Tori St. Paul, where servers whisk steaming bowls of ramen to tables in the vintage interior of an old train car. “Tori” means “bird” in Japanese — this restaurant specializes in pork-free ramen, offering rich chicken, duck, and vegetarian broths. These beautifully layered bowls don’t lose an ounce of flavor, though. The salted, citrus-based ramen shakes things up with a lightly tangy broth. Tori is also one just a few local spots offering gluten-free bowls, with rice noodles and no soy sauce.

St. Paul’s Ishita ramen sits on a restaurant-dense stretch of University Avenue. Brick walls, industrial decor, and a decorative wall of soup spoons keep the focus on the food. The crispy chicken ramen features a crunchy breaded cutlet, sliced cabbage, black mushrooms, pickled ginger, green onion, and corn. The shoyu broth is flecked with red pepper flakes and spicy chili oil for an extra boost of flavor.

This cozy joint is known for Japanese comfort food — it’s a great spot to grab a meal before a show at the Guthrie. Be sure to try the kimchi ramen: Fermented cabbage adds a dose of heat and refreshing tartness to balance the luxurious heritage pork bone broth. Pinwheels of pork float atop chewy noodles, and ribbons of black mushrooms and a golden, gooey-centered egg round out this ramen.

Though Masu’s sustainably-sourced sushi and small-bite robata are its claims to fame, don’t miss the ramen either. The tonkotsu curry ramen is a standout: It features slices of crispy pork tenderloin, steamed Chinese broccoli, and a hazy, porky broth with an added flavor spike of fragrant curry. Masu has locations in Northeast Minneapolis, Apple Valley, and the Mall of America. Play some Japanese arcade games after dinner, while you’re at it.

Ramen Kawae is a newcomer to Minneapolis’s North Loop Galley. The restaurant describes itself as “A little noodle shop emerged out of a desire to keep pushing the creativity of Japanese cuisine” — chef Tuan Hoang’s broths are meaty and rich, an ideal base for fatty pork belly and umami-packed mushrooms. Some of the ramen selections even come with chewy dumplings floating in the broth. Pair a bowl with the crispy karaage, a must.

Not a pork eater? Find a ramen oasis at Tori 44 Ramen, a pork-free restaurant with many options for vegetarian and vegan diners. Don’t think that means the soups lack flavor or depth, though. Try the Bali ramen, which features a thicker broth made with creamy tahini, spicy Szechuan pepper, delicate bites of seasoned ground chicken, and a soft-cooked egg, all atop tender noodles.

Ramen Shoten serves a rare chicken-based broth at Eat Street Crossing, Nicollet Avenue’s new food hall. Chef John Ng of Zen Box Izakaya is behind this menu, which also offers a chili garlic chashu and a creamy mushroom miso ramen. Pull up to the stand-and-slurp bar and pair a bowl with beef gyoza.

A trendy Uptown restaurant and the first sake brew pub in the United States? Moto-i has everything, from a generous happy hour to rooftop dining overlooking the bustling Lyn-Lake area. First-timers should sample the classic ramen, which features both pork belly and shredded smoked pork shoulder. Moto-i uses Tokyo-style straight noodles, and the shoyu broth is embellished with a drizzle of chili oil, then topped off with a poached egg, nori shreds, and a heap of scallions.

Tenka is tucked away on Lake Street, right next to Stella’s Fish Cafe. The ramen here is built on densely flavorful broth. The spicy miso is a crowd favorite: It stars springy noodles, fiery pork miso broth with an extra dose of chili pepper flakes, and a little funk from fermented bean paste. It’s all topped off with crumbles of ground pork, corn, a soft-cooked egg, and scallions.

Since its opening in 2015, this ramen-dedicated restaurant has been so popular that owner Matthew Kazama opened a second location in the Como neighborhood in 2017. Ramen Kazama’s tonkotsu ramen features one of the most decadent pork-bone broths in the Twin Cities — it has all the signature silkiness that comes from slow-cooking marrow-rich bones. Succulent pork belly, lacy black wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, green onion, and a marinated egg top off this beautiful bowl.

Warm wood paneling on Kyatchi’s exterior welcome diners to an unpretentious experience in Minneapolis’s Kingfield neighborhood. Another spot for sustainably sourced sushi, the handful of ramen offerings here are served piping-hot. Kyatchi’s signature ramen stock uses a light chicken broth — it’s topped with seared pork belly, a soft-cooked egg, green and yellow onion, and earthy bamboo shoots.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A fire burned the vacant Kmart site on Lake Street in Minneapolis Friday morning, causing part of a wall to collapse.

Minneapolis Fire Department Assistant Chief Melanie Rucker confirmed the fire started in the rear of the building, with heavy fire and smoke from the rear. The fire had breached the roof of the building by the time fire crews arrived around 5 a.m. on Oct. 20, according to Rucker. Officials say there is a partial collapse in the rear of the building; fire crews were not harmed in the collapse.

Fire crews have not been able to make entry into the building as of around 8 a.m. Officials do not believe there were any people in the building as there were no breaches at the entrances of the building, but officials are still investigating.

The fire department confirmed that gas and electricity were still turned on for the building and utility companies are working to shut of them off.

Fire crews are still working on containing the fire and will do a search of the building once they are able to enter.

As of this writing, there are no injuries reported.

The City of Minneapolis in an update on Friday said city staff partially demolished unstable walls at the building, noting the city was on track to demolish the entire building in early 2024. The fire has "brought newfound urgency" to the city's effort to demolish the structure, the city said.

"In the next City Council cycle, City staff will be seeking Council approval on the demolition contract that was already bid out. Following approval, formal demolition work can begin, starting with abatement and proper disposal of hazardous materials. The work will unfold as quickly as it can over the upcoming weeks and months," the city said.

Recently, there have been public meetings on what to do with the site. The City of Minneapolis earlier this month hosted an open house to get feedback on the Nicollet Redevelopment Project, which would demolish the Kmart building that has cut Nicollet Avenue in two for more than four decades, and reconnect the popular thoroughfare with Lake Street, along with housing, retail, and public spaces.

"The New Nicollet Redevelopment Project remains on track and staff are currently gathering feedback from community members on new roadway and public space design concepts," the city said on Friday.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.