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Tim Walz steps back onto national stage as Minnesota exit nears

The outgoing governor appeared at a conference in Spain and on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" this week.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/05/tim-walz-drop-out-minnesota-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="75153b31-8711-4656-8b27-65f7e6082e97" data-vars-headline="Tim Walz steps back onto national stage as Minnesota exit nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/05/tim-walz-drop-out-minnesota-governor-race" target="_self">Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz</a> is back on the road, with recent trips to Spain for a progressive leaders conference and Los Angeles for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationally televised late-night interview" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utjt7lg7MwM&amp;time_continue=520&amp;source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mprnews.org%2F" data-vars-content-id="75153b31-8711-4656-8b27-65f7e6082e97" data-vars-headline="Tim Walz steps back onto national stage as Minnesota exit nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utjt7lg7MwM&amp;time_continue=520&amp;source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mprnews.org%2F" target="_blank">nationally televised late-night interview</a>.The big picture: The DFL governor&#x27;s ramped-up travel schedule, combined with this week&#x27;s announcements that he&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="writing a book" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/tim-walz-book-minneapolis-3b72c0fa8173cc2971098f1d4c1005af" data-vars-content-id="75153b31-8711-4656-8b27-65f7e6082e97" data-vars-headline="Tim Walz steps back onto national stage as Minnesota exit nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-walz-book-minneapolis-3b72c0fa8173cc2971098f1d4c1005af" target="_blank">writing a book</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launching a federal PAC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/walz-rolls-out-small-town-pac-to-rebuild-democrats-rural-bench/601782385" data-vars-content-id="75153b31-8711-4656-8b27-65f7e6082e97" data-vars-headline="Tim Walz steps back onto national stage as Minnesota exit nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/walz-rolls-out-small-town-pac-to-rebuild-democrats-rural-bench/601782385" target="_blank">launching a federal PAC</a>, offer early clues about what Walz hopes to do after he leaves office next year.<ul><li>While he won&#x27;t be on the ballot this fall, he&#x27;s said he plans to use the PAC to help Democrats &quot;expand the map&quot; by recruiting and supporting candidates in rural areas.</li></ul>

What to do with the distressed Dayton's Project

The $350M redevelopment now has a city-assessed value of $27M

A judge&#x27;s recent ruling approving the potential foreclosure of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dayton&#x27;s Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/11/15/daytons-project-macys-minneapolis-open-photos-tour-leasing" data-vars-content-id="456dd814-eb15-4206-8f0b-c1edd7fde525" data-vars-headline="What to do with the distressed Dayton&#x27;s Project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/11/15/daytons-project-macys-minneapolis-open-photos-tour-leasing" target="_self">Dayton&#x27;s Project</a> sets up a thorny question: What&#x27;s going to happen to one of the biggest — and emptiest — buildings in downtown Minneapolis?Why it matters: If some creative developer can&#x27;t figure it out, there&#x27;s a risk that one of the city&#x27;s largest properties, in the heart of Nicollet Mall, could remain hollow and fall into neglect.

Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands

Ducks on Lake will open on East Lake Street as soon as next month, Longfellow Whatever reports.

Food and Drink

Duck Duck Coffee is expanding to East Lake Street, Longfellow Whatever <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.longfellowwhatever.com/ducks-on-lake-coffee-shop-opening-in-the-former-milkweed/" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.longfellowwhatever.com/ducks-on-lake-coffee-shop-opening-in-the-former-milkweed/" target="_blank">reports</a>. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ducks on Lake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/ducks_on_lake_mpls/" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/ducks_on_lake_mpls/" target="_blank">Ducks on Lake</a> will open in the former Milkweed space as soon as next month.<ul><li>In more coffee news, Eden Prairie&#x27;s Smith Coffee &amp; Cafe is adding a new location at 50th &amp; France this fall, owners told the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota Star Tribune" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/smith-coffee-cafe-edina-j-carver-lowry-closing-owamni-patio-party/601667768" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/smith-coffee-cafe-edina-j-carver-lowry-closing-owamni-patio-party/601667768" target="_blank">Minnesota Star Tribune</a>.</li><li>And Arya Cafe, the Ethiopian coffee shop on Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis, has reopened after a three-month closure, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per its social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXWmLaQgJZa/" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXWmLaQgJZa/" target="_blank">per its social media</a>.</li></ul>🇫🇷 Restaurant Aubergine, the neighborhood French bistro by Gavin Kaysen alums, opens Friday in Cathedral Hill. As of Thursday afternoon, a few reservations were still available.🍗 Beast Barbecue in Northeast Minneapolis will permanently close on May 2 after seven years in operation, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="it announced this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/BeastBarbecueMN/posts/pfbid02DmeqJ1AMgcgW2aA6UCaajxXsK62BCMCrV9drTqt4aFrmGiCFkV9mzNiyJz6Za9fTl" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/BeastBarbecueMN/posts/pfbid02DmeqJ1AMgcgW2aA6UCaajxXsK62BCMCrV9drTqt4aFrmGiCFkV9mzNiyJz6Za9fTl" target="_blank">it announced this week</a>.<ul><li>No reason was given for the closure, but the building was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.downtownvoices.news/posts/elis-restaurant-and-bar-closes-downtown-northeast-location-goes-up-for-sale" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.downtownvoices.news/posts/elis-restaurant-and-bar-closes-downtown-northeast-location-goes-up-for-sale" target="_blank">on the market</a> in 2024.</li></ul>🇵🇱 Black Duck Spirits &amp; Hearth has rebranded as a &quot;wood-fired Polish bistro&quot; with 16 new Slavic-inspired menu items, per a release.<ul><li>Meanwhile, Brian Ingram&#x27;s North Loop pasta spot Salt &amp; Flour Kitchen will relaunch May 4 with &quot;nothing over $15,&quot; Ingram announced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on Instagram" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXeraazmtDB/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXeraazmtDB/?img_index=1" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>.</li></ul>🍻 Four Minnesota breweries, including Northbound Smokehouse &amp; Brewpub and Forgotten Star Brewing Co., took home medals at the 2026 World Beer Cup. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Full list of winners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.worldbeercup.org/winners/award-winners/" data-vars-content-id="f57f7c3b-e5c3-4773-a02e-b077f5090ae7" data-vars-headline="Restaurant roundup: Beast Barbecue closes, Duck Duck Coffee expands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.worldbeercup.org/winners/award-winners/" target="_blank">Full list of winners</a>

Hall Monitor: Witch's Hat repairs move forward

Plus: A top public safety official's job remains in limbo after a busy day the Minneapolis City Council.

A few notes from a busy day at Minneapolis City Hall on Thursday:🧙‍♀️ The Prospect Park water tower&#x27;s observation deck — aka &quot;the Witch&#x27;s Hat&quot; — could finally reopen to the public this fall.<ul><li>City council members voted to hire a contractor to complete necessary repairs to reopen the tower, which has been closed since 2019.</li><li>Minneapolis originally budgeted $350,000 for the work in 2024, but needed to reopen the bidding process three times before a suitable contractor came forward, a city spokesperson told Axios.</li></ul>❓ Minneapolis&#x27; top public safety official&#x27;s job remains in limbo. The council failed to override Mayor Jacob Frey&#x27;s veto of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their rejection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" data-vars-content-id="a1fc9477-b617-491e-a518-556f0a5b3e90" data-vars-headline="Hall Monitor: Witch&#x27;s Hat repairs move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" target="_self">their rejection</a> of community safety commissioner Todd Barnette&#x27;s reappointment.<ul><li>Barnette, who oversees all emergency response in the city, including police, cannot serve past August without an affirmative council vote.</li></ul>💾 Next month, the city council could, in effect, enact a one-year moratorium on data centers — just by opening debate on the proposal.<ul><li>Under city zoning codes, any &quot;interim ordinance&quot; becomes effective as soon as the council takes what&#x27;s usually a pro-forma vote to &quot;introduce&quot; the legislation, city attorney Kristyn Anderson explained.</li><li>Some downtown boosters see data centers as a means of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rescuing falling property values in office towers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" data-vars-content-id="a1fc9477-b617-491e-a518-556f0a5b3e90" data-vars-headline="Hall Monitor: Witch&#x27;s Hat repairs move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" target="_self">rescuing falling property values in office towers</a>, but some council members want the city to study the environmental and development risks.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I do see the upside of increasing revenue for the city, but I want to know what the cost of it is, and I don&#x27;t feel like that&#x27;s clear,&quot; ordinance co-author Council Member Aurin Chowdhury told Axios.<ul><li>She moved to delay the ordinance&#x27;s introduction to May 21.</li></ul>

Federal agents raid Minneapolis sites in connection with fraud investigation

Minnesota has been grappling for years with fraud targeting Medicaid-funded programs.

Federal authorities carried out multiple raids across the Twin Cities on Tuesday morning as part of ongoing investigations into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fraud targeting state programs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" data-vars-content-id="e5ff2488-92ab-43fc-aa61-ac0ba0dbf9d2" data-vars-headline="Federal agents raid Minneapolis sites in connection with fraud investigation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" target="_self">fraud targeting state programs</a>. What we know: The Department of Homeland Security <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said on X " data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2049129073310368094" data-vars-content-id="e5ff2488-92ab-43fc-aa61-ac0ba0dbf9d2" data-vars-headline="Federal agents raid Minneapolis sites in connection with fraud investigation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2049129073310368094" target="_blank">said on X </a>that its investigations division partnered with law enforcement to execute &quot;criminal search warrants in Minneapolis relating to the rampant fraud of U.S. taxpayers&#x27; dollars.&quot; <ul><li>An FBI spokesperson <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told the Star Tribune" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/fbi-fraud-raid-minneapolis/601806628" data-vars-content-id="e5ff2488-92ab-43fc-aa61-ac0ba0dbf9d2" data-vars-headline="Federal agents raid Minneapolis sites in connection with fraud investigation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/fbi-fraud-raid-minneapolis/601806628" target="_blank">told the Star Tribune</a> that 22 search warrants were executed.</li></ul>

Kalshi suspends Democratic U.S. House candidate for bet on own primary race

Minnesota state Sen. Matt Klein said he made the bet out of curiosity and apologized for the mistake.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Prediction market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/25/prediction-markets-minnesota-sports-betting-kalshi-polymarket" data-vars-content-id="7c4baa5a-dcf6-4b36-9b97-0e2d1eb51389" data-vars-headline="Kalshi suspends Democratic U.S. House candidate for bet on own primary race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/25/prediction-markets-minnesota-sports-betting-kalshi-polymarket" target="_self">Prediction market</a> Kalshi has suspended Democratic U.S. House candidate Matt Klein after he wagered $50 that he would win his suburban Twin Cities primary race.Why it matters: The trade violated the platform&#x27;s rules against insider trading.

Agate-ing along: Minnesota's divided Legislature agrees on gemstone license plates

Yes, but: They remain at odds over the biggest sticking points.

Here&#x27;s something lawmakers at Minnesota&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="narrowly divided Capitol" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/17/minnesota-capitol-legislative-preview-top-issues" data-vars-content-id="4ca2ee51-6fce-449b-88bc-bc5475bf9d02" data-vars-headline="Agate-ing along: Minnesota&#x27;s divided Legislature agrees on gemstone license plates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/17/minnesota-capitol-legislative-preview-top-issues" target="_self">narrowly divided Capitol</a> can agree on: It&#x27;s the state gemstone&#x27;s time to shine. Driving the news: The Senate gave final approval Tuesday to a bill specifying that a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new specialty license plate" data-vars-click-url="https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/agate-lovers-campaign-state-park-license-place-contest/" data-vars-content-id="4ca2ee51-6fce-449b-88bc-bc5475bf9d02" data-vars-headline="Agate-ing along: Minnesota&#x27;s divided Legislature agrees on gemstone license plates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/agate-lovers-campaign-state-park-license-place-contest/" target="_blank">new specialty license plate</a> supporting state parks should celebrate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lake Superior Agate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/agate.html" data-vars-content-id="4ca2ee51-6fce-449b-88bc-bc5475bf9d02" data-vars-headline="Agate-ing along: Minnesota&#x27;s divided Legislature agrees on gemstone license plates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/agate.html" target="_blank">Lake Superior Agate</a>.<ul><li>&quot;This bill rocks, quite literally, but more importantly it brings people together around something uniquely Minnesotan,&quot; DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild said ahead of the 48-18 vote.</li></ul>

Senate votes to end ban on mining near the Boundary Waters

The vote was a win for Twin Metals and a loss for conservation advocates.

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution Thursday reversing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Biden administration&#x27;s 20-year moratorium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/26/mining-ban-biden" data-vars-content-id="a74a1add-034f-45e2-9038-a041cb098590" data-vars-headline="Senate votes to end ban on mining near the Boundary Waters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/26/mining-ban-biden" target="_self">the Biden administration&#x27;s 20-year moratorium</a> on mining on federal land near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.Why it matters: The move removes a significant roadblock to Twin Metals Minnesota&#x27;s long-debated bid to build an underground copper-nickel mine near Ely.

Trail mix: Amy Klobuchar's big fundraising advantage

Money isn't the only thing that matters, but it can make or break a campaign.

Campaign finance reports for state and federal candidates dropped yesterday. Why it matters: Fundraising helps signal which campaigns and races are actually competitive.Three takeaways...

Minnesota renames community solar program after slain Speaker Melissa Hortman

The legislation, which passed with broad bipartisan support, is one of several proposals honoring Hortman.

Minnesota&#x27;s Community Solar Garden Program is now named for slain former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Speaker Melissa Hortman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/16/melissa-hortman-policy-reform-legacy" data-vars-content-id="cceafe7e-9eef-4f13-961d-9788d4a87792" data-vars-headline="Minnesota renames community solar program after slain Speaker Melissa Hortman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/16/melissa-hortman-policy-reform-legacy" target="_self">House Speaker Melissa Hortman</a>. The big picture: Hortman, who was shot and killed along with her husband in what authorities have called a politically motivated attack in June, has been hailed as one of the most consequential speakers in modern history. <ul><li>Under her leadership, DFL majorities in both chambers passed a long list of progressive policy priorities, ranging from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paid family leave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/05/12k-minnesotans-apply-for-paid-leave-in-days-after-launch" data-vars-content-id="cceafe7e-9eef-4f13-961d-9788d4a87792" data-vars-headline="Minnesota renames community solar program after slain Speaker Melissa Hortman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/05/12k-minnesotans-apply-for-paid-leave-in-days-after-launch" target="_self">paid family leave</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="universal school meals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/09/05/minnesota-free-school-lunch-program-start-date-how-to" data-vars-content-id="cceafe7e-9eef-4f13-961d-9788d4a87792" data-vars-headline="Minnesota renames community solar program after slain Speaker Melissa Hortman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/09/05/minnesota-free-school-lunch-program-start-date-how-to" target="_self">universal school meals</a>. </li></ul>

Audit reveals more trouble for Minnesota's new app for hunting, fishing licenses

The Department of Natural Resources now says it plans to launch after the May 9 fishing opener.

A new audit casts fresh doubt on the the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources&#x27; plan to launch its new mobile licensing app this spring. Why it matters: The online system Minnesotans rely on to get licenses for hunting, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities is outdated and glitchy. <ul><li>Boosters hope the tech upgrade will streamline the process and paperwork.</li></ul>

State Reps. Elliott Engen, Walter Hudson lose committee posts after drunk driving incident

It's rare for lawmakers to lose committee posts after an arrest.

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) is stripping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GOP state Reps. Elliott Engen and Walter Hudson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/27/republican-rep-elliott-engen-arrested-dwi-drunk-driving?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="c312b012-834c-43ef-8edd-e8d1563f7924" data-vars-headline="State Reps. Elliott Engen, Walter Hudson lose committee posts after drunk driving incident" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/27/republican-rep-elliott-engen-arrested-dwi-drunk-driving?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">GOP state Reps. Elliott Engen and Walter Hudson</a> of their committee assignments following Engen&#x27;s recent arrest on DWI charges, a legislative source confirmed to Axios. The big picture: The loss of committee posts, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first reported by the Minnesota Reformer," data-vars-click-url="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/06/gop-reps-engen-hudson-to-be-stripped-of-committee-assignments-following-dwi-incident/" data-vars-content-id="c312b012-834c-43ef-8edd-e8d1563f7924" data-vars-headline="State Reps. Elliott Engen, Walter Hudson lose committee posts after drunk driving incident" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/06/gop-reps-engen-hudson-to-be-stripped-of-committee-assignments-following-dwi-incident/" target="_blank">first reported by the Minnesota Reformer,</a> is one of the harshest sanctions by legislative party leaders against a member of their own caucus after a drunken driving arrest in recent years.<ul><li>Yes, but: House Committees will only meet for eight more days this session, as House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson pointed out in a statement.</li></ul>

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