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Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents

Two downtown hotels could lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.

News

The Minneapolis City Council could decide Thursday whether two downtown hotels should lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" target="_self">Operation Metro Surge</a>.Why it matters: Hospitality advocates say revocations would send a chilling message to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hospitality industry facing uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" target="_self">a hospitality industry facing uncertainty</a> in the aftermath of the Trump administration&#x27;s deportation blitz.<ul><li>But some hotel employees and union representatives argue federal agents&#x27; presence created safety concerns that justify a city intervention.</li></ul>

Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years

The Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close for two years

The heavily used Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close on March 3 for major rehab and won&#x27;t reopen for two years. Why it matters: This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" data-vars-content-id="83be5056-132c-4258-a23b-05cf3b99ffdd" data-vars-headline="Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" target="_blank">project</a> will send the roughly 14,000 vehicles that use the bridge on an average day to nearby streets, and also re-route users of the highly popular Minnehaha Parkway below.

Minnesota's Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women's hockey win

Minnesotans have several more shots to make the podium before the Games wrap Sunday.

Sports

The Minnesotan-powered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team</a> toppled Canada in overtime to win Olympic gold Thursday. Why it matters: The dramatic 2-1 victory is golden redemption for a team of stars — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight of whom have Minnesota ties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">eight of whom have Minnesota ties</a> — that came up short four years ago.<ul><li>The all-North American final — which ended on a sick dangle by Megan Keller — doubled as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made-to-order marketing material" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" target="_self">made-to-order marketing material</a> for the fledgling Professional Women&#x27;s Hockey League.</li></ul>

Restaurant Roundup: Dahlia debuts, Hey Y'all closes, Company Bar moves in

Here's some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Food and Drink

Plenty of restaurants have made moves in the new year. Here&#x27;s some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Church's brewery proposal gets thumbs down at City Hall

Mount Olivet's plans to build a brewery in Southwest Minneapolis were denied by a city commission

Mount Olivet&#x27;s plan to demolish an old church building in Southwest Minneapolis to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make way for a brewery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/24/mount-olivet-brewery-coffee-house-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="f751b91c-1184-43d8-aaf7-46c6f26b8374" data-vars-headline="Church&#x27;s brewery proposal gets thumbs down at City Hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/24/mount-olivet-brewery-coffee-house-minneapolis" target="_self">make way for a brewery</a> landed with a thud at City Hall. The latest: The city&#x27;s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday against an application to tear down the 87-year-old 1700 Chapel on 50th Street.

ICE surge gives Minnesota businesses COVID flashbacks

Some businesses face conditions "as bad, if not worse" than COVID — but dim prospects for COVID-style aid.

Ingrid Christensen runs an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrant-powered business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/16/ice-immigrant-business-minneapolis-metro-surge" data-vars-content-id="fa83011a-78b6-4847-89b8-4a12fe447eed" data-vars-headline="ICE surge gives Minnesota businesses COVID flashbacks" 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">immigrant-powered business</a> in the Twin Cities. The last two months have felt like reliving the COVID crisis, she told Axios.Why it matters: The Trump administration&#x27;s immigration enforcement blitz has blown a hole in the Twin Cities&#x27; economy, costing businesses an estimated $100 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in Minneapolis alone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/02/09/minneapolis-recovery-operation-metro-surge.html" data-vars-content-id="fa83011a-78b6-4847-89b8-4a12fe447eed" data-vars-headline="ICE surge gives Minnesota businesses COVID flashbacks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2026/02/09/minneapolis-recovery-operation-metro-surge.html" target="_blank">in Minneapolis alone</a>.

ICE surge boosts Twin Cities hotels, but owners warn of long-term damage

The presence of 3,000 to 4,000 immigration agents in hotels has triggered protests, scared workers and derailed events.

With thousands of federal agents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="descending on the Twin Cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" data-vars-content-id="3c343b04-86de-46a8-8aa2-020d1bade24a" data-vars-headline="ICE surge boosts Twin Cities hotels, but owners warn of long-term damage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" target="_self">descending on the Twin Cities</a>, the region&#x27;s hotels reported an unusually strong January for bookings and sales, but some owners say this could be catastrophic for business. Why it matters: The presence of 3,000 to 4,000 immigration agents in hotels has triggered protests, scared workers from showing up and derailed events.

Brian Cornell's up-and-down tenure as Target CEO

As Brian Cornell prepares to leave Target after 12 years, a look at what he did

Brian Cornell&#x27;s missteps at the end of his tenure as CEO of Target will likely overshadow the bold moves he took 12 years ago to get the struggling company back on solid ground. The big picture: Cornell, who hands over the reins <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to Michael Fiddelke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/target-stock-earnings-holidays-black-friday" data-vars-content-id="c07d11cb-8fd5-4100-b77c-7daf3c3b4180" data-vars-headline="Brian Cornell&#x27;s up-and-down tenure as Target CEO" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/target-stock-earnings-holidays-black-friday" target="_self">to Michael Fiddelke</a> on Sunday, leaves behind a mixed legacy at the Minneapolis-based retailer.

What to know about "ICE Out of MN" day

A movement not to shop, work or go to school on Friday is picking up steam.

An organized effort encouraging people not to work, shop or go to school on Friday in protest of ICE&#x27;s surge into Minnesota is gaining momentum.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE Out of MN: Day of Truth and Freedom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iceoutnowmn.com/" data-vars-content-id="cc84f860-8845-477f-ae56-1b0f2c48b96c" data-vars-headline="What to know about &quot;ICE Out of MN&quot; day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iceoutnowmn.com/" target="_blank">ICE Out of MN: Day of Truth and Freedom</a>&quot; could become one of the largest demonstrations since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE&#x27;s aggressive push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" data-vars-content-id="cc84f860-8845-477f-ae56-1b0f2c48b96c" data-vars-headline="What to know about &quot;ICE Out of MN&quot; day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" target="_self">ICE&#x27;s aggressive push</a> into the state began in late November, culminating with a 2pm march in downtown Minneapolis.

Wolves hiking ticket prices; making arena progress

The Wolves have always been one of the cheapest tickets in the NBA. That's changing.

The Timberwolves informed their season ticket holders Wednesday they&#x27;re getting a sizable price hike for next season. Why it matters: Target Center has long been one of the cheapest places to catch an NBA game, but new CEO Matt Caldwell said the increases are warranted given the team&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent success" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45155667/wolves-close-warriors-2nd-straight-conference-finals" data-vars-content-id="b73b8d14-5143-43c0-a600-ec95872ffdd3" data-vars-headline="Wolves hiking ticket prices; making arena progress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45155667/wolves-close-warriors-2nd-straight-conference-finals" target="_blank">recent success</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expensive payroll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/teams/" data-vars-content-id="b73b8d14-5143-43c0-a600-ec95872ffdd3" data-vars-headline="Wolves hiking ticket prices; making arena progress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/teams/" target="_blank">expensive payroll</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="arena upgrades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-unveil-new-stage-lighting-at-target-center-as-part-of-continued-emphasis-on-a-world-class-fan-experience" data-vars-content-id="b73b8d14-5143-43c0-a600-ec95872ffdd3" data-vars-headline="Wolves hiking ticket prices; making arena progress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-unveil-new-stage-lighting-at-target-center-as-part-of-continued-emphasis-on-a-world-class-fan-experience" target="_blank">arena upgrades</a>.

Charted: Literal growth in Minnesota's cannabis industry

Growers are planting more to keep up with demand, according to new state data.

Minnesota is home to around 66,000 cannabis plants that are growing to supply the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burgeoning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/16/minnesota-weed-dispensary-oversaturation" data-vars-content-id="d6262aa9-793f-4ebe-ac0a-6eb8d79166d3" data-vars-headline="Charted: Literal growth in Minnesota&#x27;s cannabis industry" 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/minnesota-weed-dispensary-oversaturation" target="_self">burgeoning</a> recreational marijuana industry. Why it matters: You can now keep tabs on the industry thanks to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://mn.gov/ocm/data-reports/dashboards/cannabis-market-monitor.jsp?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" data-vars-content-id="d6262aa9-793f-4ebe-ac0a-6eb8d79166d3" data-vars-headline="Charted: Literal growth in Minnesota&#x27;s cannabis industry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mn.gov/ocm/data-reports/dashboards/cannabis-market-monitor.jsp?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">online dashboard</a> created by the state&#x27;s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

At Midtown Global Market, businesses are closed or barely hanging on

Immigrant-owned businesses say they're weeks from insolvency.

Manny González&#x27;s torta stand in the Midtown Global Market survived the burning and looting of Lake Street in 2020, but might not make it through the flood of ICE agents in the immigrant-heavy neighborhood.<ul><li>&quot;This is worse,&quot; González said.</li></ul>Why it matters: ICE&#x27;s unprecedented surge into diverse Twin Cities neighborhoods has battered small businesses that had been inching back toward normal after 2020.

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.

Minnesota "Shark Tank" entrepreneur risks $48K tariff hit as Supreme Court decision looms

A Minnesota entrepreneur risked $48K on tariffs before the Supreme Court could rule.

When an anticipated Friday Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decision on President Trump&#x27;s tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/2026-trump-supreme-court-cases-tariffs" data-vars-content-id="8ea63c04-c8e5-40d9-908e-8c729d74060e" data-vars-headline="Minnesota &quot;Shark Tank&quot; entrepreneur risks $48K tariff hit as Supreme Court decision looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/2026-trump-supreme-court-cases-tariffs" target="_self">decision on President Trump&#x27;s tariffs</a> failed to materialize, it forced Beth Benike, a small-business owner in southern Minnesota, to make a $48,000 bet. Why it matters: The U.S. Army veteran and former ABC &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shark Tank&quot; contestant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl17CMfZWUU" data-vars-content-id="8ea63c04-c8e5-40d9-908e-8c729d74060e" data-vars-headline="Minnesota &quot;Shark Tank&quot; entrepreneur risks $48K tariff hit as Supreme Court decision looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl17CMfZWUU" target="_blank">Shark Tank&quot; contestant</a> has become somewhat of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national poster child" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/podcasts/the-daily/trump-tariff-small-business-busy-baby.html" data-vars-content-id="8ea63c04-c8e5-40d9-908e-8c729d74060e" data-vars-headline="Minnesota &quot;Shark Tank&quot; entrepreneur risks $48K tariff hit as Supreme Court decision looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/podcasts/the-daily/trump-tariff-small-business-busy-baby.html" target="_blank">national poster child</a> for small businesses that have been hurt by the tariffs and the past week has been a roller coaster as she wrangles with how to survive.The latest: A ruling could come as soon as Wednesday, and if the tariffs stand, her Busy Baby company will owe $48,000 upon arrival of her goods in March. Busy Baby makes mealtime mats and other infant products.<ul><li>But delaying the shipment before a Lunar New Year slowdown would have meant a depleted inventory and a $500,000 loss in sales, she told Axios.</li></ul>Driving the news: Benike attended Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent&#x27;s Thursday speech before the Economic Club of Minnesota in Golden Valley and asked a question during the Q&amp;A.<ul><li>She explained that she would love to make her products in the U.S., but her company is too small for large manufacturers to take on and too big for small manufacturers.</li></ul>What should businesses like hers, stuck in the middle, do?Bessent&#x27;s answer was that she should consider relocating manufacturing from China to another Asian country, where tariffs are 18%-19%. For comparison, her products are currently tariffed at 30%.Afterward, Benike told Axios she thought Bessent&#x27;s answer was &quot;bullsh*t.&quot;<ul><li>She said it would be very expensive to move production to another country, and given the history of Trump&#x27;s volatile tariff policies, there&#x27;s no guarantee that rate wouldn&#x27;t later be increased.</li><li>No other country has the skill and efficiency working with silicone that China has, she added.</li></ul>State of play: Busy Baby did $4.7 million in sales in 2024. Benike projected $5 million in 2025, driven in part by new deals with Walmart and Target, but ended the year with just $1.8 million after struggling to maintain inventory levels.<ul><li>Her brother, who co-founded the business with her, had to leave and return to his old job.</li><li>She&#x27;s been paying property taxes only on the loan on her Zumbrota warehouse since October and is trying to sell the building or sublease space.</li><li>To compound her problems, her husband, Jake, is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="soybean farmer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/economy/bessent-soybean-china?fbclid=IwY2xjawPOMJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFXamh6WW5iYnpQYjVMMkJOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgqO6Uzntk-77QA5BahandKOKjhxHkcYFs5F8liNXaUniptGw3fAtBUjr8lY_aem_1_0-JjC6QpwfFXV9d7rRWQ" data-vars-content-id="8ea63c04-c8e5-40d9-908e-8c729d74060e" data-vars-headline="Minnesota &quot;Shark Tank&quot; entrepreneur risks $48K tariff hit as Supreme Court decision looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/economy/bessent-soybean-china?fbclid=IwY2xjawPOMJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFXamh6WW5iYnpQYjVMMkJOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgqO6Uzntk-77QA5BahandKOKjhxHkcYFs5F8liNXaUniptGw3fAtBUjr8lY_aem_1_0-JjC6QpwfFXV9d7rRWQ" target="_blank">soybean farmer</a> who got a lower price on this year&#x27;s crop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="due to the trade war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/09/25/minnesota-farmers-china-trade-war-tariffs" data-vars-content-id="8ea63c04-c8e5-40d9-908e-8c729d74060e" data-vars-headline="Minnesota &quot;Shark Tank&quot; entrepreneur risks $48K tariff hit as Supreme Court decision looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/09/25/minnesota-farmers-china-trade-war-tariffs" target="_self">due to the trade war</a> and is planning for subdued demand next year.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: If the Supreme Court allows the tariffs to remain in place, Benike plans to add a tariff surcharge to her products.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business 🏦

Church's brewery proposal gets thumbs down at City Hall

ICE surge gives Minnesota businesses COVID flashbacks

ICE surge boosts Twin Cities hotels, but owners warn of long-term damage

Brian Cornell's up-and-down tenure as Target CEO

What to know about "ICE Out of MN" day