After more than a couple of rebirths, Eagan’s Sperry Tower is lighting up the skyline once again.
Sperry Tower is glowing once again in Eagan. First a water tower, now a telecommunications tower, Sperry Tower went dark after a lightning strike in May 2023 and was lit again Feb. 13, 2025. (Patrick Forslund / City of Eagan)
The tower, which the city affectionately calls an “oversized nightlight,” was first built in 2016, but a lightning strike in the spring of 2023 left it dark until Feb. 13, when the bulbs – over 5,000 of them – were turned back on.
In its first life, Sperry Tower rose to fame as the city’s first water tower. Built in 1967, the water tower, which was nicknamed for its proximity to the facility for Unisys, formerly Sperry/Univac, held up to 500,000 gallons of water before it was taken offline in 2009.
For the following five years, the empty water tower structure remained as cellphone service providers paid to have their wireless antennas mounted on top of it, bringing in about $150,000 for the city at the time.
The structure we now know as Sperry Tower was built nearly 10 years ago for $1.7 million to serve as a “stealth” communications tower that hides phone carrier and 911 technology for radio communications with emergency crews.
Located at 1401 Towerview Road, the tower stands 198 feet tall and is illuminated by 5,448 LED light bulbs on 185 fixtures across its six rings. The cost to operate the tower? About $2.30 a day.
“The tower lighting has nearly limitless capabilities including an indefinite range of colors,” according to the city.
A few of this month’s hues include purple, green and white on Saturday for International Women’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s day of course and blue and yellow at the end of the month for Eid al-Fitr.
Lighting requests can also be submitted by the public for consideration.
Other approved requests for this year: April 28 the tower will be lit up burgundy for Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, May 2 the tower will glow orange for Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month, June 25 the tower will be purple for World Vitiligo Day and Nov. 3 it will glow teal for Alzheimer’s Awareness.
“Once a water tower, now an important part of our telecommunication system, it’s still a symbol of our community,” the city said in a news release. “Look up and enjoy the glow!”
NUUK, Greenland (AP) — On a boat, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and icebergs in shades of blue, Qooqu Berthelsen points to the breaking sea ice as a worrisome sign.
Now, though, something is worrying him and many Greenlanders as much as the retreating ice that endangers their livelihood.
“My concern,” says the 23-year-old hunter, fisher and tour company owner, “is that Trump will come and take Greenland.”
He then repeats what has become a mantra for Greenlanders in the weeks since U.S. President Donald Trump pushed their Arctic homeland into the spotlight by threatening to take it over. That has ignited unprecedented interest in full independence from Denmark — a key issue in a parliamentary election on March 11.
“Greenlanders don’t want to be Danish. Greenlanders don’t want to be American,” Berthelsen says.
“Greenland,” he says, “is not for sale.”
Relatives of Salik Shmidt and Malu Schmidt gather to celebrate their wedding at their house in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Ana, 18, and Victor, 19, embrace as they watch the sunset in Nuuk, Greenland, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
People wave Greenland flags during an event organized by Qupanuk Olsen, Greenland’s most popular social media influencer and a candidate for the Naleraq party in the next March 11 election, in Nuuk, Greenland, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A piece of ice is photographed melting at the shore of a beach in Nuuk, Greenland, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Worshippers hold their children during a religious service at Hans Egede Church in Nuuk, Greenland, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A boat sails past a large iceberg in Ilulissat, Greenland, Wednesday Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Bilo Chemnitz, 23, holds his rifle after hunting ptarmigan birds near the Nuuk fjord in Greenland, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The sun sets in Ilulissat, Greenland, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A resident watches as pieces of ice pile up blocking the access of the port of Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The northern lights appear over homes in Nuuk, Greenland, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Relatives of Salik Shmidt and Malu Schmidt gather to celebrate their wedding at their house in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
You’ll hear this declared all over the land, from the prime minister and university students in Nuuk, the world’s northernmost capital, to hunters and fishermen in sparsely populated villages across the planet’s largest island. This is, after all, Kalaallit Nunaat — Greenlandic for the “Land of the People” or the “Land of the Greenlanders.”
Most of those 57,000 Greenlanders are Indigenous Inuit. They take pride in a culture and traditions that have helped them survive for centuries in exceptionally rugged conditions. In their close link to nature. In belonging to one of the most beautiful, remote, untouched places on Earth.
Many in this semi-autonomous territory are worried and offended by Trump’s threats to seize control of their mineral-rich homeland, even by force, because he says the U.S. needs it “for national security.”
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“How can a few words … change the whole world?” asked Aqqaluk Lynge, a former president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council and founder of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, which governs Greenland. “It can because he’s playing with fire. We’re seeing another United States here with whole new ideas and wishes.”
Greenland is vital to the world, though much of the world may not realize it. The U.S and other global powers covet its strategic location in the Arctic; its valuable rare earth minerals trapped under the ice needed for telecommunications; its billions of barrels of oil; its potential for shipping and trade routes as that ice keeps retreating because of climate change.
Not even one of Trump’s most fervent fans in Greenland — who proudly wears a MAGA hat, and a T-shirt emblazoned with Trump pumping his fist and the words: “American Badass” — wants to be American.
But like other Greenlanders, he wants stronger ties to the U.S. and to open for business beyond Denmark, which colonized them 300 years ago and still exercises control over foreign and defense policy.
“When Trump came to office, he wanted to talk to Greenlanders directly without going through Denmark. He wants to negotiate with us and that’s why the Danish are very afraid,” said Jørgen Boassen, who has visited the White House and welcomed Donald Trump Jr. when he recently visited Nuuk.
The American president’s comments set off a political crisis in Denmark. The prime minister went on a tour of European capitals to garner support, saying the continent faced “a more uncertain reality,” while her country moved to strengthen its military presence around Greenland.
There’s consternation all around
For some, it’s been dizzying, a rollercoaster of emotions since Trump’s threats, since his son landed in Nuuk in January in a TRUMP-emblazoned plane and since his father posted on social media: “MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” with a message to Greenlanders: “We’re going to treat you well.”
“When that was happening, I felt like I was hit in the stomach,” said Qupanuk Olsen, a mining engineer and social media influencer running in the election for the Naleraq party.
Around her, supporters gathered at a bay filled with giant pieces of ice in Nuuk waving the red and white national flag that represents the sun and the ice that covers most of Greenland.
“I could feel that the ground will no longer ever be the same again,” she said. “It’s as if we were on sea ice and it started to break, and we don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Journalists from afar have descended on Nuuk, asking locals what they think of Trump’s words. Pro-Trump media influencers known as the Nelk Boys arrived handing out MAGA hats and $100 bills to children in Nuuk’s streets.
“Even though there are strong feelings of sadness, despair, confusion, I think we’re also stronger than ever. We’re fighting it for our people and that gives me hope,” said Aka Hansen, an Inuk filmmaker and writer. She is suspicious of Trump’s intentions but still thanks him for turning the world’s attention to her homeland.
“We went through all the emotions — at first very funny, very light, then very serious,” said Hansen, who worked with Conan O’Brien when the comedian came to Nuuk in 2019 to shoot an episode poking fun at Trump’s idea of buying Greenland. “Now, with all the international press that’s been here, we’ve been given a voice that’s being taken seriously.”
Like many other Greenlanders, she doesn’t want to be ruled by another colonial power. But she feels Trump’s rhetoric has increased the momentum for independence from Denmark.
The former colonial ruler is accused of committing abuses against her island’s Inuit people, including removing children from their families in the 1950s with the excuse of integrating them into Danish society and fitting women with intrauterine contraceptive devices in the 1960s and 1970s — allegedly to limit population growth in Greenland.
“It’s a historic moment for Greenland … compared to two months ago when nobody was talking about independence,” Olsen said. “Now, everybody’s talking about it.”
Is autonomy the way?
A former colony of Denmark, Greenland gained self-rule in 1979 and now runs itself through its parliament. A treaty with the United States, and a U.S. military base in Greenland, also gives Washington say over the territory’s defense.
Greenland is massive — about one-fifth the size of the United States or three times the size of Texas. Its land mass is in North America, and its Arctic capital city is closer to New York than to Copenhagen.
“Denmark is just a middle man in that whole setup. And we don’t need that middle man anymore,” said Juno Berthelsen, a candidate in the election for Naleraq party. He says Trump has given Greenland leverage to negotiate with Denmark. “Our political goal is to have our own defense agreement, so that we connect directly with the U.S. in terms of defense and security.”
His party, he said, aims to invoke an article in a law that would give Greenland increased autonomy and eventually a path to full independence.
Asked to describe Greenland’s moment, he said: “If I had to pick one word, it would be exciting. And full of opportunities.”
In his first term in office, Trump began to talk about acquiring Greenland from Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally. Back in 2019, most dismissed it. But it had a ripple effect.
“It was not taken that seriously back then as it is today. But it was important for Greenland because he, without wanting, did Greenlanders a favor,” said Ebbe Volquardsen, a professor of cultural history at the University of Greenland. “He underlined the value of being in a union with Greenland.”
Greenland’s economy depends on fisheries and other industries as well as on an annual grant of about $600 million from Denmark. When Trump showed interest in buying Greenland because of its strategic location and mineral resources, he highlighted that annual sum as the amount of what other nations would be willing to pay to have a military or commercial presence in Greenland, Volquardsen said. With that, he gave Greenland leverage for more autonomy and possible reparations for abuses committed by its former colonial ruler.
“That was important because the narrative in Denmark until that date … had been that Greenland is receiving this funding as a kind of aid or altruistic gift,” Volquardsen, said.
Large chunks of powder blue ice were blown by winds, blocking boats on the harbor and creating a spectacle for residents who snapped photos under the pink light of a sunset. Some nights, the sky was lit up by spectacular streaks of green and other colors from the northern lights.
You could almost forget that Greenland has become ground zero for a geopolitical showdown — if, that is, you ignored the front pages of local newspapers featuring images of Trump and the ticker tape in downtown with his name and the Greenlandic word “Amerikamiut.”
On a frigid day, a group of kindergarteners in fluorescent vests walked in line behind their teacher as they crossed a road covered in ice and snow. A few blocks away, teenagers played hockey on a frozen pond.
On a hill next to a statue of the Danish-Norwegian missionary who founded the city in 1721, bells tolled, and a recently married couple laughed as family members threw rice on them for good fortune outside Nuuk’s wooden Lutheran cathedral. More than 90% of Greenlanders identify as Lutherans.
After the wedding ceremony, guests converged at their home for a “Kaffemik,” a traditional celebratory gathering where they share coffee and baked goods.
Some Greenlanders say they felt safe while being largely unknown to the world. Now, though, that feeling has dissipated.
Sitting with her husband at a dinner table filled with families chatting and laughing, Tukumminnguaq Olsen Lyberth, said the wave of attention and polarizing comments prompted some friends to delete Facebook accounts.
“We’re not use to having this big attention about us, so it’s overwhelming. Before, no one knew about us. Now, it’s a blitz of attention,” said Olsen Lyberth, 37, a cultural history student at the University of Greenland.
“I feel like this is the longest January,” she said jokingly — in February. “It’s all of it. Everything feels too overwhelming.”
Associated Press journalists Emilio Morenatti and James Brooks contributed to this report.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
But it’s a major blow that threatens to remove some of the most formidable weapons in Ukraine’s battlefield arsenal, and ratchets up pressure on Kyiv to accept a peace agreement.
Here’s a look at the decision and its implications.
How much of Ukraine’s aid comes from the U.S.?
The United States has given the Ukrainians more than $180 billion in assistance since Russia launched an all-out war on Feb. 24, 2022, including more than $66.5 billion in military aid.
Washington provides about 20% of Ukraine’s military supplies, and that fifth includes the most lethal and important equipment, including longer-range missiles and Patriot air defense systems that can shoot down the most powerful Russian projectiles.
American military assistance also goes far beyond weapons and ammunition.
Ukrainian troops rely on satellite communications systems supplied by Elon Musk’s Starlink to communicate on the front line, and on American intelligence to track Russian troop movements and select targets for Ukrainian strikes. If the U.S. stops sharing data from satellites and other assets, it would badly affect Ukraine’s capability to strike back at Russia, and Ukraine’s other allies lack the resources to fill the gap.
“A lot will depend on what’s covered by the American suspension,” said Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of defense think-tank RUSI. “Will they suspend all technical assistance to Ukraine? That would have a more dramatic, more rapid impact than simply stopping the pipeline of arms.”
Why has Trump cut it off?
The White House said that the U.S. is “pausing and reviewing” its Ukraine aid to “ensure that it is contributing to a solution.” The order will remain in effect until Trump determines that Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia.
The decision comes days after an explosive meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that Ukraine’s leader hasn’t expressed sufficient gratitude for American support.
How will it change the battlefield?
The U.S. move won’t have an immediate impact on the battlefield, where Kyiv’s forces are struggling to stem a relentless Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have slowed Russian advances along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, where Russia is slowly gaining ground at a huge human and material cost.
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The pause in aid will weaken air defenses and will hit Ukraine’s ability to hit Russian targets far behind the front lines.
Alexander Kots, a Russian war blogger, said that for Ukraine, “the U.S. aid suspension is unpleasant but not deadly.”
He said that while Ukraine’s European allies can fill some of the gaps and provide artillery systems, they don’t have alternatives to the U.S.-made air-defense systems and longer-range HIMARS missile systems that can strike ground targets up to 300 kilometers (200 miles) away.
Ukraine is already running low on missiles for the American-supplied Patriot systems that are crucial to defending cities from Russian air attacks, according to Patrick Bury, a warfare expert at the U.K.’s University of Bath.
“The problem is, a lot of what the U.S. provides is the stuff that Europe cannot, and other countries cannot, provide in the short term – high-end stuff,” he said.
Ukraine has stockpiles of artillery shells and other munitions, and has ramped up domestic production of drones, which are now among the most important weapons in the war. It’s estimated that just over half of the military hardware used by Ukraine is domestically produced.
Chalmers, the RUSI expert, said that the Ukrainians have built up their defense production, and “are innovating at an incredible rate because of the pressure they’re under.”
“I think they will survive for quite some time,” he said. “But it’s a material blow, and it’s also a challenge to Europe.”
Can Ukraine’s other allies step up?
A summit in London on Sunday was aimed at getting European leaders to step up and put Ukraine in the best possible position before potential peace talks.
The U.K. announced that it would use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) in export financing to supply 5,000 air defense missiles. The European Union has proposed an 800 billion-euro ($841 billion) plan to bolster the defenses of EU nations and provide Ukraine with military muscle.
But Samir Puri, director of the Center for Global Governance and Security at international affairs think tank Chatham House, said that European and American aid are intertwined.
“This was always a joint effort,” he said. “The U.S. gives a lot, the Europeans give a lot. You take away the Americans from that joint effort and … there’s just a huge component missing to the structure.”
A St. Paul man has admitted to punching a Coon Rapids man outside an East Side bar, causing him to hit his head on the ground and die.
Pheng Vang, 39, pleaded guilty on Monday in Ramsey County District Court to first-degree manslaughter for throwing a single punch that killed Peter Nguyen, 38, outside the Far East Bar & Restaurant in the Payne-Phalen area on March 23.
Pheng Vang (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)
Vang reached an agreement with the prosecution that includes a 360-day sentence in the Ramsey County workhouse and 100 hours of community service. He remains free on $25,000 bond ahead of his May 12 sentencing.
Nguyen was found unresponsive on the sidewalk outside the bar at Arcade Street and Case Avenue just before 1 a.m. He died soon after at Regions Hospital of a closed-head injury.
According to the criminal complaint, a witness told police that Nguyen “had some kind of issue with people who had been attending a birthday party at the bar” and was “squaring up to fight” with a man outside.
Another man came up along the side of the man Nguyen was going to fight and struck Nguyen with his fist, causing Nguyen to fall to the ground.
Through additional witnesses and surveillance video, police identified the man who delivered the punch as Vang. In an interview with police, Vang said he was starting to leave the bar when “an argument began to escalate” on the corner and he walked up to defuse the situation.
Nguyen reached down to pick up his shot glass and Vang punched him once, striking him in the shoulder and face, the complaint says.
Vang said he believed he was defending the man Nguyen was going to fight, who is a relative of his.
Peter Nguyen (Courtesy of GoFundMe)
After Nguyen fell to the ground, Vang left the area.
Nguyen “played a huge part in taking care of my mother, brother, and little sisters,” a brother of his wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser for his funeral and to help the family.
He said Nguyen “did his best and did everything he can to keep food on the table and roof over their heads.”
