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Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates

But many insiders say her DFL rival still has a strong path to the primary.

News

Sharp-elbowed attacks over ICE, fraud and electability are flying in the high-stakes U.S. Senate primary between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Angie Craig" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/29/angie-craig-running-minnesota-senate-2026" data-vars-content-id="9e3101ca-afec-4a8d-a624-410e801bf0ff" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/29/angie-craig-running-minnesota-senate-2026" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Angie Craig</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/13/walz-flanagan-us-senate-tina-smith-race-democrats" data-vars-content-id="9e3101ca-afec-4a8d-a624-410e801bf0ff" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/13/walz-flanagan-us-senate-tina-smith-race-democrats" target="_self">Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan</a>.Why it matters: Political fallout over Operation Metro Surge has stoked a race that was already seen as a proxy battle over the future of the Democratic Party.

St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide "No Kings" protests

Bernie Sanders and Bruce Springsteen are set to join crowds as the Twin Cities host a flagship rally.

Tens of thousands of Minnesotans are expected to march to the State Capitol Saturday for a star-studded No Kings rally. The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect the nationwide anti-Trump demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="31898c9e-f969-402c-bf9f-623b8475a9a1" data-vars-headline="St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" data-vars-content-id="31898c9e-f969-402c-bf9f-623b8475a9a1" data-vars-headline="St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" target="_self">October</a>.<ul><li>St. Paul will serve as the &quot;flagship&quot; protest, according to organizers, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen scheduled to attend. </li></ul>

State Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on DWI suspicion

The 27-year-old was booked at 4:42am Friday morning in the Ramsey County jail.

State Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elliott Engen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/03/minnesota-republicans-bills-dont-pass" data-vars-content-id="936859ba-4d1e-4a2d-b5be-c73ca7c10308" data-vars-headline="State Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on DWI suspicion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/03/minnesota-republicans-bills-dont-pass" target="_self">Elliott Engen</a>, a GOP candidate for state auditor, was arrested and booked in the Ramsey County jail on suspicion of DWI, according to county records. The 27-year-old from White Bear Township was booked at 4:42am Friday on charges of fourth-degree DWI, according to a news release from the department. He was released less than two hours later.

Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota's only James Beard finalist

Shigeyuki Furukawa is up for the Midwest's best chef.

Food and Drink

Kado No Mise chef Shigeyuki Furukawa was named a James Beard Award finalist Tuesday for the Midwest&#x27;s best chef.Why it matters: Out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/21/minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="21195618-766b-4272-b977-0f77534a08a2" data-vars-headline="Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota&#x27;s only James Beard finalist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/21/minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs</a> who were previously named semifinalists in the Oscar awards of the foodie world, Furukawa is the only nominee who made the shortlist.

Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending

Plus, I-494 drivers find out there are four more years of work ahead.

Major road construction projects are kicking off across Minnesota as drivers prepare for another robust season of closures, detours and migraines. The big picture: MnDOT says the 2026 construction season includes 200 road and bridge projects, with a budget of $1.5 billion — on par with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previous years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/03/road-construction-minnesota-2025" data-vars-content-id="cdb6491a-845e-48f3-ad4b-08a4b53bf2fe" data-vars-headline="Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/03/road-construction-minnesota-2025" target="_self">previous years</a>.

Office tower value free fall continues

Downtown Minneapolis buildings have lost 35% of their value since 2020.

Downtown office values continued their plunge in 2025, and there&#x27;s still no <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bottom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/28/downtown-minneapolis-office-vacancy-leasing" data-vars-content-id="694f5ad8-3e1e-4d2b-b96a-069920d7c45d" data-vars-headline="Office tower value free fall continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/28/downtown-minneapolis-office-vacancy-leasing" target="_self">bottom</a> in sight for the market.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re a homeowner, this means office landlords are paying less in property taxes, and you&#x27;re covering the difference.

Survey: Operation Metro Surge agents frequently used force, random stops

At least 1 in 4 Minneapolis residents reported encountering an agent.

One in four Minneapolis residents and one in five St. Paul residents encountered an ICE or Border Patrol agent during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/26/court-filings-paint-mixed-picture-of-ices-minnesota-drawdown" data-vars-content-id="2766c46f-38b1-4be2-b6cb-c681459b0839" data-vars-headline="Survey: Operation Metro Surge agents frequently used force, random stops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/26/court-filings-paint-mixed-picture-of-ices-minnesota-drawdown" target="_self">Operation Metro Surge</a>, a new survey found.Why it matters: The university-backed poll is a stunning measure of how deeply the immigration enforcement surge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disrupted daily life" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/16/ice-immigrant-business-minneapolis-metro-surge" data-vars-content-id="2766c46f-38b1-4be2-b6cb-c681459b0839" data-vars-headline="Survey: Operation Metro Surge agents frequently used force, random stops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/16/ice-immigrant-business-minneapolis-metro-surge" target="_self">disrupted daily life</a> in the Twin Cities.

Twins 2026 preview: At least there are $2 beers

The season doesn't look promising, but at least there are $2 beers.

The announcement that Target Field will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sell $2 pre-game beers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/03/twins-should-offer-cheap-beer-to-bring-fans-back" data-vars-content-id="0290e0fa-8966-4c46-816e-5863c2ba9479" data-vars-headline="Twins 2026 preview: At least there are $2 beers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/03/twins-should-offer-cheap-beer-to-bring-fans-back" target="_self">sell $2 pre-game beers</a> generated more buzz than any other Twins move this offseason.Why it matters: When cheap beers are the biggest offseason draw, it underscores how much fan interest has spiraled in recent years.

Lawmakers debate change to make Senate less "hostile" to moms

Lawmakers say long hours and strict rules make parenting at the Capitol especially hard for moms.

The Minnesota Senate will vote on Wednesday on a proposal to let legislators bring their children into the chamber during floor sessions. Why it matters: Long days and late-night votes present logistical challenges for the growing cohort of lawmakers who balance parenting with policymaking. <ul><li>The schedule can be especially tough for new moms who serve in St. Paul.</li></ul>

Minnesota making big push for 2028 NFL Draft

The draft would take place in downtown Minneapolis.

Minnesota leaders submitted a bid to host the 2028 NFL Draft in downtown Minneapolis. Why it matters: The three-day event in late April is a spectacle, with an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated 600,000 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44875626/attendance-green-bay-nfl-draft-hits-600000" data-vars-content-id="fdbf4d0e-e400-4fa4-a497-82b623a36b58" data-vars-headline="Minnesota making big push for 2028 NFL Draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44875626/attendance-green-bay-nfl-draft-hits-600000" target="_blank">estimated 600,000 people</a> attending last year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/24/vikings-nfl-draft-2025-picks-preview" data-vars-content-id="fdbf4d0e-e400-4fa4-a497-82b623a36b58" data-vars-headline="Minnesota making big push for 2028 NFL Draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/24/vikings-nfl-draft-2025-picks-preview" target="_self">draft</a> in Green Bay.

Target Field goes healthier 

Target Field unveils new food, drinks for 2026 season

Popular Minneapolis bike route opens after 7-year hiatus

The popular bike routes were closed for 7 years for light rail construction

After an astonishing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven-year closure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/13/kenilworth-cedar-lake-bike-trails-minneapolis-closed-2025" data-vars-content-id="647999c2-fc4e-4fe4-9e37-fa9bda1931e5" data-vars-headline="Popular Minneapolis bike route opens after 7-year hiatus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/13/kenilworth-cedar-lake-bike-trails-minneapolis-closed-2025" target="_self">seven-year closure</a>, two of Minneapolis&#x27; most popular bike trails are finally open. Why it matters: The Kenilworth and North Cedar Lake trails provide an easy link to downtown from St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Southwest Minneapolis. <ul><li>You can bike right into the western fringe of downtown without sharing space with vehicle traffic.</li></ul>

News 🗞

Target Field unveils new food, drinks for 2026 season

Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending

Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota's only James Beard finalist

Office tower value free fall continues

Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates