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Axios Twin Cities
Twin Cities weekend events: Pet Film Festival, Basilica Block Party, Uptown Art Fair
The Minnesota Fringe Festival has begun! Over the next 11 days, more than a dozen local theaters will host nearly 600 performances ranging from comedy to musicals to drag. How it works: The shows, all of which were selected at random through a lottery system, are each less than 60 minutes long. Venues are chosen in clusters to make traveling to multiple shows easier.This year's featured performances include "Barry Potter and the Magic of Wizardry," one-man show "I Favor My Daddy: A Tale of Two Sissies," and "The Life Robotic," where the robot can only say what the audience texts...
Minnesota progressives go to bat for Gov. Tim Walz for VP
Two dozen labor unions and two powerhouse progressive advocacy groups are among the voices in Minnesota lauding Gov. Tim Walz as a potential vice presidential running mate for Kamala Harris.Why it matters: The support illustrates why Walz has surged in the veepstakes: many Minnesota progressives view him as the VP choice least likely to divide Democrats — and most likely to excite a wider range of voters.What they're saying: "He's not just a 'safe' pick, but a positive pick," longtime DFL operative Jeff Blodgett told Axios. "There's a lot of upside and doesn't seem to be very much downside."Driving the...
Minnesota has a new car seat law. Here's what you need to know.
Minnesota's new car seat law that went into effect Thursday requires all children under 2 to travel in a rear-facing seat. Why it matters: The Department of Public Safety said 89% of kids properly restrained during vehicle crashes in recent years were not injured, and another 10% sustained only minor injuries.What they did: The new rules are in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics child seat recommendations and supersede manufacturers' instructions on height and weight. Zoom in: Kids under age 2 will need to be in a rear-facing seat. Once they're 2 and have outgrown the rear-facing seat, they need to be in a forward-facing seat with an internal harness until they're 4.After they've turned 4 and outgrown the forward-facing seat with an internal harness, they can ride in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.Kids need to stay in a booster seat until they're at least 9 and can pass the 5-step seat belt fit test. Then, they can ride without a booster seat but need to buckle in with a lap and shoulder belt. Previously, kids had to be 8 before they could lose the booster seat.
Tim Walz rides his "weird" attack into the national spotlight
As Gov. Tim Walz continues his second week in the national spotlight, the chances are growing that he will remain there.Driving the news: Axios' Hans Nichols scoops that some Kamala Harris donors have concluded she plans to pick a governor as her running mate likely early next week, based on her campaign's advice to Wall Street investors.That would leave Walz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on the shortlist.Why it matters: Walz would become the first Minnesotan on a major presidential ticket in 40 years, but his ascension would also lead to a shakeup in state leadership.Catch...
Why police pay is surging in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis recently made headlines for increasing police officer pay by 21.7%, but neighboring cities have been boosting police compensation just as much.By the numbers: Between 2022 and 2025, the average starting salary in the Twin Cities' ten largest departments is set to grow by 23.1%, according to an Axios analysis of their contracts.Why it matters: The pay boosts are one sign of how fierce competition has become among Minnesota police departments as they struggle to attract and retain the same shrinking pool of officers.Departments are preparing to replace high numbers of retirement-eligible veterans, but the number of potential officers taking...
Restaurant roundup: Yia Vang's Vinai opens in Northeast, Ann Kim shutters Bronto Bar
After over five years of anticipation, Yia Vang's upscale Hmong restaurant Vinai is now open in the former Dangerous Man Brewing space in Northeast Minneapolis.What to expect: A large variety of shareable dishes focused on four main elements of Hmong cuisine — proteins, vegetables, rice, and hot sauces.Appetizers, sides, and vegetables are all under $20, while entrées — which serve 2-3 people — average around $35.Audrey's thought bubble: Don't skimp on the extra sauces. The whole chicken with a coconut ginger vinaigrette was plenty flavorful on its own, but the heat from the "Mama Vang" took it to another level.While...
Minneapolis officials want to make it easies to turn office towers into housing
Minneapolis officials want to make it easier — and cheaper — for developers to convert office towers, schools, and other buildings into apartments and condos.Why it matters: Replacing office workers with residents has been a post-pandemic dream to revitalize downtowns across the U.S., but Minneapolis has been home to few conversion projects since 2020.Driving the news: Council members Katie Cashman and Michael Rainville, who each represent parts of downtown, have introduced an ordinance specifically for conversions that would speed up review times by 1-2 months, do away with the need for a public hearing and temporarily exempt converted buildings from an...
We tried the new Sea Salt sandwiches
After a few friends raved to me about Sea Salt's new sandwich counter, I finally tried the Minnehaha Falls eatery's foray into making food from the turf instead of the surf. What to expect: A rotating menu of roughly a dozen sandwiches that come to exactly $15 after tax and a service charge. There was no line at a time when the wait for the main Sea Salt counter was about 20 minutes. What we got The Uncle Harry, which is sliced brisket sausage, pimento cheese, sweet pepper slaw, arugula, bacon habanero jam, and hot honey. We also got the Lil T, which includes roast beef, Mediterranean ranch, provolone cheese, pickled red onion, arugula, and balsamic glaze. The Lil T. Photo: Nick Halter/AxiosThe verdict: Three out of four stars. Both of our sandwiches were on baguettes that were a little too tough — even in the middle — for our liking. But they were stuffed with fantastic ingredients and a good blend of flavors. We liked the Lil T more than the Uncle Harry.
Twin Cities music lovers can rock out this August with these hot concerts
Summer is slipping away too fast, but there's still time to catch some great concerts. Why it matters: Rocking out is fun, especially when the shows are outdoors.The big acts: More than a half dozen major tours are scheduled in the Twin Cities over several days in mid-August.Local tourism officials are calling the lineup Super Stadium Weekend.Zoom in: Over that span of four days:Metallica's "M72" world tour plays U.S. Bank Stadium both Friday and Sunday, Aug. 16 and 18.Green Day and the Smashing Pumpkins headline "The Saviors Tour" at Target Field on Saturday, Aug. 17.Just two days later — on...
How some are winning the Twin Cities' hot home market
Anne Levos knows it's a brutal time to be a home shopper — that's why she's starting her Twin Cities search nearly a year in advance.Why it matters: Just 21% of Americans say now is a good time to buy, according to the latest Gallup survey.What they're saying: "If we start now, we can be pickier," Levos tells Axios.Her and her husband's goal is to be in their new place by next spring — ideally, a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in the south metro near Eagan and Apple Valley.Catch up quick: Steep home prices, high mortgage rates and a lack of...
Prince's Purple Rain put the Minneapolis Sound on the map
Forty years ago this weekend, the music world "purified itself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka."Why it matters: The theatrical premiere of the film "Purple Rain" on July 27, 1984, catapulted Prince to superstardom and introduced his Minneapolis Sound to a worldwide audience.What they're saying: At the time of its release, Prince "was a critical darling and had a very devoted underground fan base, a Black fan base," Andrea Swensson, the Minneapolis music journalist who hosts the artist's official podcast, told the NPR show "1A.""It really was 'Purple Rain' that took him from an underground art rock darling to an...
Here are the Minnesota Olympians to watch at the Paris Games
More than two dozen athletes with Minnesota ties head to Paris this week for the Summer Olympics.The big picture: Gymnast Suni Lee of St. Paul and swimmer Regan Smith of Lakeville — two of the state's buzziest Olympians — will vie to return to the podium this year. Both medaled in the 2020 games, with Lee taking home gold.Zoom in: Eight members of Team USA have a hometown listed in Minnesota. They'll compete in sports ranging from sailing to volleyball.All but one of those athletes are from the metro. The other, BMX bike racer Alise Willoughby, is from St. Cloud.The...
Lakeside "Hobbit home" in Northern Minnesota lists for $189,000
Dream of living in Middle Earth? This lakeside Hobbit-esque home in northern Minnesota is now on the market for $189,000.Why we love it: It might not be built into a hill like the traditional houses in the "Lord of the Rings" series, but the unique curvature and the round doors and windows make this northern retreat unlike your typical Minnesota cabin.It sits on a 4.7-acre lot that includes 200 feet of private lakeshore and a cedar sauna built to match the house.Layout: The 468-square-foot cabin in Pine Lake Township was built in 2023 and has two bedrooms and one bathroom.Exterior features include a deck, dock, the sauna, and lake and forest views.Take a look around... All photos by Tracy Juve with Juve Real Estate.
Twin Cities weekend events: Aquatennial fireworks, ArtCar parade, Wienermobile in town
The Aquatennial returns! The celebration of all things Minneapolis kicked off Wednesday night with the Torchlight Parade down Nicollet Mall. Activities around downtown continue all week.What's happening: This Saturday's events include all-day music at Orchestra Hall, a Caribbean festival, multiple vendor markets, the Loring Park Art Festival, car show and a screening of "Purple Rain" at Target Center to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary.The popular fireworks show is 10pm Saturday, but get to West River Parkway early to claim your spot. (The best viewing is between Gold Medal Park and the 3rd Avenue Bridge, according to organizers.)Details: Thursday–Saturday throughout Minneapolis....
The mystery of Gov. Tim Walz's missing texts
With just four days left until the Legislature's May 20 adjournment deadline, Gov. Tim Walz told reporters his phone had pinged late into the previous night about tense negotiations over billions in infrastructure spending."I think my last text exchange was about 12:30 last night, that we were going on this," he said on the morning of May 16.Yes, but: When Axios asked for the texts from that night about the capital investment bill using the state's public records laws, the governor's office said there weren't any.Why it matters: The DFL governor's office later told Axios he likely misspoke, but the...
Minnesota's uncommitted DNC delegates won't endorse Harris without change in Israel stance
For Minnesota's uncommitted delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the shakeup in the presidential race changed little: Many will not support Kamala Harris unless she commits to big policy shifts on the Israel-Hamas war.Why it matters: Minnesota's 11-member "uncommitted" contingent is the largest of any state. This spring, 18% of primary voters chose no candidate in protest over what they saw as the administration's role in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. What they're saying: A viable candidate "cannot win" here without making sure these uncommitted voters show up in November, said Asma Mohammed, co-chair of the state's uncommitted delegation. Meanwhile, former...
Twin Cities travelers have been stranded by Delta, but they'll stick with the airline
Twin Cities travelers are usually lucky to live in a hub for Delta, but the airline's ongoing meltdown has been extra painful at MSP Airport, where the airline has a 70% market share.Why it matters: Delta flyers pay a premium for an airline that's supposed to shield them from big problems, but that's not the case for countless Minnesotans who in the past six days have been stranded in other cities, slept in terminals, searched for luggage, and called off vacations.The latest: Delta's CEO told employees on Monday that it could take until Thursday before the worst is over,...
Here's what a Trump-Harris matchup could mean for Minnesota's swing state status
Minnesota's 2024 race still looks competitive — even after President Biden dropped out and endorsed Vice President Harris — operatives on both sides of the aisle tell Axios.The big picture: Growing concerns about Biden's age and popularity were central to the Trump campaign's case that they could flip Minnesota's presidential vote for the first time since 1972.Democrats' rapid consolidation behind Harris has neutralized the party's biggest vulnerability and revitalized the race, Axios' Zachary Basu writes.Yes, but: National and swing state polls suggest a Trump-Harris matchup would still be close. Catch up fast: Buoyed by polls and shifting election forecasts, the...
Minnesota's new state flag flies in the stratosphere
It's a nice-looking new flag … We thought it would be pretty cool!University of Minnesota assistant professor Ognjen IlicMinnesota's new state flag traveled up its tallest flagpole yet: more than 18 miles above the ground.Driving the news: U of M researchers Ilic and James Flaten attached the banner to a balloon their team launched into the stratosphere last week.The big picture: Scientists are searching for lightweight materials that could protect electronic equipment in space.The U's team tested nanocomposite materials to see how they responded to extreme temperatures and radiation, Ilic told Axios.
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