Top entry in MnDOT plow naming contest: 'Abolish ICE'

By the numbers: Out of 6,774 submissions, Axios counted around 300 that were pretty clear jabs at federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In that category: "Fork/Fack/F*** ICE" and "Frozen Water Abolisher."

• There were dozens more including a potentially anti-ICE message — although "Ice Begone" could be read as a screed against … you know, frozen water!

State of play: None of these messages made MnDOT's list of 30 finalists, which the agency released last week.

Catch up quick: MnDOT has long weeded out partisan or controversial submissions.

• "Abolish ICE" was the second most-popular entry in 2021, but the Minnesota Reformer reported it didn't make that year's finalist list either.

Zoom out: More than 230 submissions included some variant on the "6-7" meme.

• "Six-Sleddin', Six-Sleddin'" is on MnDOT's finalist list — but on the cutting room floor were "Slick Seven" and "Keep Back At Least 6, 7."

The intrigue: MnDOT's shortlist also had room for only one Taylor Swift reference.

• "Life of a Snowgirl" (~120 entries) is a finalist. "Fate of Snowphelia" (~40 entries) is not.

What's next: Voting is open until Friday at noon.