MINNEAPOLIS TO IMMIGRANTS: HAVE NO FEAR

MINNEAPOLIS» Military Humvees, officers in combat gear and the occasional F-16 flying over downtown Minneapolis are all part of the beefed-up security measures that come with hosting the Super Bowl. But those images can be scary for some immigrants and refugees who are worried about terrorism, deportation or even a war they can’t forget.

A special team with the city of Minneapolis has been working for weeks to reassure immigrant communities that all the extra muscle is here to keep them safe. The team is reaching out through radio and television broadcasts, social media and in-person meetings with elders and community members. The goal is to keep communities informed about everything from security to transportation issues, and let them know they can also participate in the fun.

“It’s a welcoming place ... for people to come downtown and enjoy,” said Michael Yang, a southeast Asian community specialist with the city. “You shouldn’t have to fear anything.”

Neighbors cashing in.

Hospitality venues, retailers and other locales in western Wisconsin are capitalizing on the economic benefits generated by the Super Bowl being played in Minnesota.

Businesses in Hudson and other surrounding cities in Wisconsin are within an easy commute to the NFL’s biggest game. U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis is about a 45-minute drive away.

So the area is cashing in on football fan traffic. Hotel rooms in Hudson, a city of about 12,700, are going for as much as $500 a night.

The owner of a fourbedroom house in Hudson is asking for $1,250 a night, with a five-night minimum.

A pink Victorian mansion is listed at $7,250 a night.

Footnote.

A Tom Brady rookie card sold for $250,000 on eBay.