Miguel Otárola
Reporter
Minneapolis City HallOtárola moved to Minneapolis in 2016. Born in Chile and raised in Arizona, he graduated with a master's in communication from Arizona State University. He is obsessed with music, listening to and reading about music from across the spectrum, digging at local record stores and writing a music newsletter. He is the proud caretaker of a black cat named James Blake.
Latest from Miguel Otárola
Once homeless, this man strives to live in place he helped build
Homelessness in Minneapolis was perhaps never as visible as it was this year. For Allen Touche, an apartment represents something he hasn't had most of his adult life: stability.
December 8, 2020
Despite cold and pleas, homeless camps persist in 3 Mpls. parks
Encampments remained in at least three parks in Minneapolis last week, despite the Park Board's repeated intentions to disband them. Offers of shelter have been refused, and Park Board officials worry about hazards as winter sets in.
December 7, 2020
Young and social North Loop sees rapid rise in COVID cases
The Minneapolis neighborhood has the city's third highest growth rate in new coronavirus cases, which tracks with the large number of young adults who live there and were more likely to socialize and dine out.
November 24, 2020
Minneapolis residents still split on police as council considers budget for next year
At public hearing on budget, some call for funding cut, others want more officers.
November 17, 2020
Clearing of Minneapolis homeless camps may continue, judge rules
In response to a lawsuit by 7 homeless people, the ruling notes that camps are cleared only if shelter is available and if camps pose risks.
October 31, 2020
Jamal Osman, Minneapolis' newest council member, seeks to move past turbulent start
Osman won a special election in August that was quickly dragged into national politics.
October 22, 2020
![Jamal Osman, who was elected to the Minneapolis City Council in a contested special election, stood in front of City Hall, Wednesday, October 21, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VYXO4JKP3HIEO5POXKSVBPHT7I.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Lawsuit seeks end to clearing of homeless encampments in Minneapolis
Plaintiffs say Minneapolis, county violated rights.
October 20, 2020
![A Minneapolis Parks police officer sprays mace after protestors and homeless advocates blocked the path of a police cruiser attempting to evacuate the area in Powderhorn Park Friday in Minneapolis. Earlier in the morning park officials and police removed the last of the homeless living in the park and had removed most of the tents when protestors charged and pushed the police from the park.] DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com spot news](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FVUORJMRNGLUA5HXMVJHIHAVWM.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Twin Cities voters flock to early voting centers in huge numbers
The votes accepted to date have surpassed the total number of early voters in the 2016 presidential election by more than 234,600, according to the secretary of state.
October 17, 2020
After summer in Minneapolis parks, homeless seek other spaces for winter
As tents come down at one Northeast park, a hotel and a church are getting ready.
October 9, 2020
![Brandon Harrison, 35, celebrated his birthday at a homeless encampment in Logan Park with his girlfriend Nichol Wyandt , 43, Wednesday in Minneapolis. Harrison, who has dealt with opioid addiction for the past six years is in recovery and credits his addiction for humbling him. "I'm rediscovering my self worth," said Harrison, outside the tent he shares with Wyandt.] DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com Standalone feature photo Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Minneapolis, MN The remaining encam](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/K6PXPCLFQCAPFLELMNUB6G2RRE.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Mpls. Park Board abandons plan to change park police uniforms to green
The board had requested changing to green uniforms to separate park police from the Minneapolis Police Department.
October 9, 2020
Police, cameras on Nicollet Mall help fight 'challenging behavior'
Business leaders and police hope new efforts will help rein in bad behavior and intoxication in desolate downtown. "The hope is to calm things down on Nicollet and restore a sense of confidence," Steve Cramer says.
October 3, 2020
