Twin Cities

Picture of the Twin Cities skyline with MSP written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Twin Cities with Nick Halter, Torey Van Oot, and Kyle Stokes.

Axios Twin Cities

Standard

Twin Cities Members

Membership

Axios Twin Cities Partners

Axios Twin Cities Weekender

Weekender

Twin Cities Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Nick Halter, Audrey Kennedy and Torey Van Oot.

Axios Twin Cities Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Twin Cities Deep Dive

Deep Dive

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.

Concourse G takes the crown as MSP Airport's best wing

Travel

At <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MSP Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/02/08/twin-cities-airport-minneapolis-st-paul-msp-travel-guide" data-vars-content-id="dfbd1000-4094-4188-93d1-b9853c4686df" data-vars-headline="Concourse G takes the crown as MSP Airport&#x27;s best wing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/02/08/twin-cities-airport-minneapolis-st-paul-msp-travel-guide" target="_self">MSP Airport</a>, Concourse G is the place to be.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently renovated wing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mspairport.com/concourse-g-improvements" data-vars-content-id="dfbd1000-4094-4188-93d1-b9853c4686df" data-vars-headline="Concourse G takes the crown as MSP Airport&#x27;s best wing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mspairport.com/concourse-g-improvements" target="_blank">recently renovated wing</a> won our poll seeking to name the airport&#x27;s best concourse in a landslide, gobbling up over 40% of the vote.<ul><li>Concourses C (18%) and F (15%) rounded out the top three. </li></ul>

Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes

Prices at the pump are now over $3 a gallon.

Gasoline prices are jumping as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oil prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" target="_self">oil prices</a> spike following the U.S. and Israel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strikes on Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" target="_self">strikes on Iran</a>, reflecting market fears of extended geopolitical upheaval.Why it matters: Americans use about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="370 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=23&amp;t=10" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=23&amp;t=10" target="_blank">370 million</a> gallons of gas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&amp;s=mgfupus2&amp;f=m" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&amp;s=mgfupus2&amp;f=m" target="_blank">per day</a>, so price increases have an immediate effect on their pocketbook and mood about the economy.

What Sun Country sale means for MSP travelers

Sun Country says the deal will be good for Minneapolis travelers, but time will tell.

Business

Sun Country is saying all the right things about what a sale to Allegiant would mean for the Twin Cities, but time will tell if this is good for the local economy. Catch up quick: Sun Country and Las Vegas-based Allegiant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced the acquisition" data-vars-click-url="https://ir.suncountry.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-and-sun-country-airlines-combine-creating-leading-more" data-vars-content-id="2284a76f-74a2-46bb-a3f9-2dff15a218d5" data-vars-headline="What Sun Country sale means for MSP travelers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ir.suncountry.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-and-sun-country-airlines-combine-creating-leading-more" target="_blank">announced the acquisition</a> Sunday in a deal that values the hometown airline at $1.5 billion.

The price MSP travelers pay for Delta's dominance

MSP travelers pay more than average to fly domestically. Here's how much — and why.

Delta raised some eyebrows among savvy travelers this week for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="charging $699" data-vars-click-url="https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/airfare-discrepancy-skiplagged/" data-vars-content-id="5842115e-86df-4f6b-bdf4-da6a8052b777" data-vars-headline="The price MSP travelers pay for Delta&#x27;s dominance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/airfare-discrepancy-skiplagged/" target="_blank">charging $699</a> to fly one-way from Minneapolis/St. Paul International to Atlanta — in basic economy!Why it matters: It&#x27;s an extreme example of what Minnesota-based travel analyst Kyle Potter calls the &quot;hub penalty&quot; that travelers pay for Delta&#x27;s dominance at MSP.

Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much

We might walk 3 miles around a lake, but a few blocks to a restaurant is too much.

The Twin Cities rank <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among the most active" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-and-st-paul-among-americas-fittest-cities-survey-says/601443671" data-vars-content-id="f3851206-15fb-4771-9dd7-4664788ded34" data-vars-headline="Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-and-st-paul-among-americas-fittest-cities-survey-says/601443671" target="_blank">among the most active</a> metro areas in the nation, but do we only walk for pleasure?The big picture: Our willingness to walk for utility has come under recent scrutiny. At a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RE Journals Summit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/10/downtown-leaders-divided-kupchella-documentary-crime" data-vars-content-id="f3851206-15fb-4771-9dd7-4664788ded34" data-vars-headline="Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/10/downtown-leaders-divided-kupchella-documentary-crime" target="_self">RE Journals Summit</a>, Eric Anderson of City Center Realty Partners lamented that it&#x27;s hard to get people to walk four blocks from Target Field Station to a building in the North Loop.

MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush

TSA agents and air traffic controllers continue to show up for work — for now

MSP Airport has so far been able to operate smoothly despite a federal government shutdown that has caused pain for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flyers in other cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" data-vars-content-id="fe68c61b-f9c9-46a7-be8d-02149efa034b" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" target="_self">flyers in other cities</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota Educators Academy week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/19/mea-weekend-travel-advice-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="fe68c61b-f9c9-46a7-be8d-02149efa034b" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/19/mea-weekend-travel-advice-minnesota" target="_self">Minnesota Educators Academy week</a>, which means the airport is much busier than normal as families head out on mini-vacations while there&#x27;s no school Thursday and Friday. <ul><li>Several districts also hold conferences this week and some parents take advantage of an additional day or two.</li></ul>

What Minnesota can learn from Japan about street safety

Most major U.S. cities, including Minneapolis, have struggled to reduce traffic deaths. Japan has all but eliminated them.

I recently returned from vacation in Tokyo, Japan, where I was excited to try the nation&#x27;s legendarily efficient train system.<ul><li>I left wowed by another mode of transit: its surprisingly safe streets.</li></ul>Why it matters: Most major U.S. cities — including Minneapolis — have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/12/1224252507/vision-zero-ending-traffic-deaths-transportation-bicycling-parking-driving" data-vars-content-id="c07c229d-aef9-473e-98ea-d283f7be55e1" data-vars-headline="What Minnesota can learn from Japan about street safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/12/1224252507/vision-zero-ending-traffic-deaths-transportation-bicycling-parking-driving" target="_blank">struggled</a> to reduce traffic deaths. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Japan has all but eliminated them" data-vars-click-url="https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/estimated-road-traffic-death-rate-(per-100-000-population)" data-vars-content-id="c07c229d-aef9-473e-98ea-d283f7be55e1" data-vars-headline="What Minnesota can learn from Japan about street safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/estimated-road-traffic-death-rate-(per-100-000-population)" target="_blank">Japan has all but eliminated them</a>.<ul><li>And it&#x27;s done so despite many neighborhood streets feeling barely wider than the average Twin Cities alleyway, with walkers, bikers and cars often sharing the same pavement.</li></ul>

Terminal 2 expansion slated to bring Lucky's 13 to MSP

The expansion project is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

Local gastropub chain Lucky&#x27;s 13 will likely be the anchor restaurant and bar for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expansion of Terminal 2" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/06/msp-airport-terminal-2-renovation-expansion" data-vars-content-id="9598910b-cc91-4c09-af2c-32b2160f86a1" data-vars-headline="Terminal 2 expansion slated to bring Lucky&#x27;s 13 to MSP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/06/msp-airport-terminal-2-renovation-expansion" target="_self">expansion of Terminal 2</a> at MSP Airport.Driving the news: The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) will soon vote on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lease agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://metroairports.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&amp;event_id=41686&amp;meta_id=115282" data-vars-content-id="9598910b-cc91-4c09-af2c-32b2160f86a1" data-vars-headline="Terminal 2 expansion slated to bring Lucky&#x27;s 13 to MSP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metroairports.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&amp;event_id=41686&amp;meta_id=115282" target="_blank">lease agreement</a> with the group behind Lucky&#x27;s 13, called Eclectic Culinary Concepts.

Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead

Lane closures and detours on I-94 and I-394 could slow  west metro commuters.

Daily <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commutes downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/24/commute-times-lower-remote-work" data-vars-content-id="b40d5af9-f71c-4e8d-ae6e-3b70687cf966" data-vars-headline="Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/24/commute-times-lower-remote-work" target="_self">commutes downtown</a> could get a lot worse starting Monday.Driving our pain: MnDOT is kicking off a fresh <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction and paving project on I-94 and I-394" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i94-i394minneapolis/" data-vars-content-id="b40d5af9-f71c-4e8d-ae6e-3b70687cf966" data-vars-headline="Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i94-i394minneapolis/" target="_blank">construction and paving project on I-94 and I-394</a>, bringing lane closures and more bottlenecks to the west end of downtown.

MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule

Travelers flying out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MSP Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/02/08/twin-cities-airport-minneapolis-st-paul-msp-travel-guide" data-vars-content-id="ed6fb07d-deae-428e-8935-61f937e67d64" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/02/08/twin-cities-airport-minneapolis-st-paul-msp-travel-guide" target="_self">MSP Airport</a> can expect to keep their shoes on while going through security — no <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PreCheck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/08/02/tsa-precheck-clear-privacy" data-vars-content-id="ed6fb07d-deae-428e-8935-61f937e67d64" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/08/02/tsa-precheck-clear-privacy" target="_self">PreCheck</a> required.The big picture: The change, announced on Tuesday, marks the first time in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="close to two decades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/06/14/new-screening-tech-shoes-on" data-vars-content-id="ed6fb07d-deae-428e-8935-61f937e67d64" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/06/14/new-screening-tech-shoes-on" target="_self">close to two decades</a> that general passengers can skip the footwear removal rule.

Delta finds a spot for high-end lounge 

Delta finds place for high-end lounge at MSP Airport 

Axios Closer

A line chart that tracks average monthly gas prices per gallon in the Twin Cities and nationally from March 2025 to March 2026. Twin Cities prices range from $2.75 to $3.11, slightly below the national range of $2.82 to $3.18. Prices peak in April 2025 and March 2026.

Gas prices in the Twin Cities metro area

Prices were already rising as of March 1. Data: GasBuddy; Chart: Axios Visuals

A line chart that tracks average domestic airfares at major airline hubs, non-hubs, and MSP Airport from Q1 2019 to Q2 2025. Airfares at hubs ranged from $294 to $450, non-hubs from $311 to $454, and MSP peaked at $502. Prices dropped sharply in 2020, then gradually rose.

Average domestic airfares at 100 largest U.S. airports

Data: U.S. Department of Transportation; Note: "Hubs" are bases for Delta, American, United and/or Southwest airlines. Fares inflation-adjusted; Chart: Axios Visuals