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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting the Twin Cities.

Axios Twin Cities

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Twin Cities Alerts

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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

A guide to fun things to do in Twin Cities this weekend.

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Weekender

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Deep Dive

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Membership

Six holiday markets in the Twin Cities to shop this season

Dozens of pop-up holidays shopping events feature local makers and plenty of festive fun.

Things to Do

Minnesota panel selects six finalists for state flag redesign

Submissions featuring the state bird failed to make the cut.

News

Billion-dollar storms are getting more frequent in Minnesota

Hail and drought are the main causes of damage.

Climate

The best Christmas light displays in the Twin Cities

Put on winter gear and grab the hot chocolate.

Mayo Clinic unveils plans for $5B campus expansion

The focal point will be a pair of nine-story clinical buildings connected by skyways.

Health

Mayo Clinic has unveiled details and images of a $5 billion campus expansion in Rochester. Details: The five-building expansion will kick off early in 2024 and wrap up in 2030, according to a Mayo press release.

Sleep Number cuts costs after sales fall, but it may not be enough

Sleep Number's jaw-dropping fall over the past two years has wiped out more than 90% of the company's shareholder value.

Business

Sleep Number&#x27;s jaw-dropping fall over the past two years has wiped out more than 90% of the company&#x27;s shareholder value, prompted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="layoffs of 500 people" data-vars-click-url="https://tcbmag.com/sleep-number-cuts-workforce-by-10/" data-vars-content-id="bc500f5a-110a-4d58-b96b-067439efe84a" data-vars-headline="Sleep Number cuts costs after sales fall, but it may not be enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tcbmag.com/sleep-number-cuts-workforce-by-10/" target="_blank">layoffs of 500 people</a> and will lead to 40-50 store closings.Why it matters: The bedmaker is one the Twin Cities&#x27; top corporate employers, with hundreds of workers based at its downtown Minneapolis headquarters. Its ability to right the ship is vital to those jobs.

A chart showing Sleep Number's stock price reaching $150 in March 2021 and then falling to $12 this week 

The developers betting big money on a downtown Minneapolis rebound

Hempel has bought two office buildings and a parking ramp, and it might not be done yet.

Real Estate

A local developer has turned heads after buying two downtown Minneapolis office buildings and a parking ramp in the past four months. And it might not be done yet.The intrigue: When Nick reached Hempel Cos. CEO Josh Krsnak to find out why his firm bought 700,000 square feet of office space when there&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="8.7 million square feet" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/nickhaltermpls/status/1717270424050933992" data-vars-content-id="badeb1f6-cac2-4b06-8963-1a521bff520f" data-vars-headline="The developers betting big money on a downtown Minneapolis rebound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/nickhaltermpls/status/1717270424050933992" target="_blank">8.7 million square feet</a> of vacant space in the city center, he said he&#x27;s so bullish about downtown that his company has offers out to buy three more buildings.

Twin Cities startups score spots in Twins' latest Techstars Accelerator round

The Twins' program launched in 2021 for sports and entertainment technology startups.

Three Minnesota startups have been selected for the latest cohort of the Minnesota Twins&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Techstars Accelerator program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/minnesota-twins" data-vars-content-id="c72b0dc4-c9ea-4a92-b1ea-cac819617057" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities startups score spots in Twins&#x27; latest Techstars Accelerator round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/minnesota-twins" target="_blank">Techstars Accelerator program</a>.Why it matters: Accelerators provide money, mentoring, and other support to help young companies succeed and grow.

Illustration of a piggy bank whose round body resembles a baseball with red stitching

U.S. Bank to consolidate office workers to Minneapolis, Hopkins

The company said a vibrant downtown Minneapolis is vital to the Twin Cities.

U.S. Bank is shedding its office space in Richfield and will move hundreds of employees to its downtown Minneapolis and Hopkins offices.Why it matters: The bank&#x27;s signing of a 10-year lease to stay in U.S. Bancorp Center is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="huge for a slow-recovering downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/05/04/downtown-minneapolis-ranks-near-bottom-foot-traffic" data-vars-content-id="fbf0b022-2302-4a15-99a1-90afefc101b4" data-vars-headline="U.S. Bank to consolidate office workers to Minneapolis, Hopkins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/05/04/downtown-minneapolis-ranks-near-bottom-foot-traffic" target="_self">huge for a slow-recovering downtown</a> Minneapolis, where the company employs around 4,000 people. Downtown Hopkins will also get a boost from the consolidation.

Why Twin Cities travelers still don't have a full slate of flights

The number of average daily departing flights out of MSP is still down 20%.

Demand for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air travel is returning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/27/cost-of-travel-demand-prices-flights" data-vars-content-id="ff61ff37-b655-41be-afa3-bc48df522a10" data-vars-headline="Why Twin Cities travelers still don&#x27;t have a full slate of flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/27/cost-of-travel-demand-prices-flights" target="_self">air travel is returning</a>, but it might take a while for the number of flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to catch up.What&#x27;s happening: Though <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passenger traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/08/21/msp-airport-passengers-pre-pandemic-level" data-vars-content-id="ff61ff37-b655-41be-afa3-bc48df522a10" data-vars-headline="Why Twin Cities travelers still don&#x27;t have a full slate of flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/08/21/msp-airport-passengers-pre-pandemic-level" target="_self">passenger traffic</a> is rebounding post-pandemic, the number of average daily departing flights out of MSP is still down 20% — 406 as of late September, compared to 509 in October 2019.

Illustration of three hands all reaching for the same airline boarding pass.

Pickleball craze comes to Maple Grove with indoor club

Don't underestimate Pints & Paddle’s active seniors.

A new arrival on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Twin Cities&#x27; growing pickleball scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/09/06/twin-cities-pickleball-club-maple-grove-lifetime-chanhassen" data-vars-content-id="036ec459-0def-43fe-b141-df5148da8539" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze comes to Maple Grove with indoor club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/09/06/twin-cities-pickleball-club-maple-grove-lifetime-chanhassen" target="_self">Twin Cities&#x27; growing pickleball scene</a> offers enthusiasts multiple ways to play.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pints &amp; Paddle" data-vars-click-url="https://pintsandpaddle.com/" data-vars-content-id="036ec459-0def-43fe-b141-df5148da8539" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze comes to Maple Grove with indoor club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pintsandpaddle.com/" target="_blank">Pints &amp; Paddle</a> opened in September in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maple Grove" data-vars-click-url="https://hempelcompanies.com/stories/properties/the-grove-village-maple-grove-retail" data-vars-content-id="036ec459-0def-43fe-b141-df5148da8539" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze comes to Maple Grove with indoor club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hempelcompanies.com/stories/properties/the-grove-village-maple-grove-retail" target="_blank">Maple Grove</a>, off I-94 and Highway 610, with 10 indoor courts, an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in-house restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://pintsandpaddle.com/malones/" data-vars-content-id="036ec459-0def-43fe-b141-df5148da8539" data-vars-headline="Pickleball craze comes to Maple Grove with indoor club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pintsandpaddle.com/malones/" target="_blank">in-house restaurant</a>, and 78 self-serve beverage taps.

Minnesota now has full-time inspector for THC edibles

An estimated 90% of the 60 businesses that person has visited so far were non-compliant.

The Minnesota agency tasked with regulating the state&#x27;s burgeoning THC edible industry now has an inspector fully dedicated to enforcement.Why it matters: The 2022 law legalizing food and beverages containing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5mg or less of hemp-derived THC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/07/07/edibles-minnesota-businesses-legalized" data-vars-content-id="5616726e-9ef6-4b9b-95af-5cff9c6c7e9b" data-vars-headline="Minnesota now has full-time inspector for THC edibles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/07/07/edibles-minnesota-businesses-legalized" target="_self">5mg or less of hemp-derived THC</a> lacked resources for oversight and enforcement, creating what multiple officials have described as a &quot;Wild West&quot; of edible sales.

Illustration of a marijuana leaf with bites being taken out of it until it's gone, and then growing back.

Shopping in the Twin Cities to get more expensive this weekend due to sales tax hike

A Twin Cities metro-wide sales tax increase takes effect Oct. 1.

Shopping for many goods and services across the seven-county Twin Cities metro area will get more expensive starting this weekend.What&#x27;s happening: Sales tax hikes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approved by the DFL-controlled state Legislature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/05/22/minnesota-legislaure-2023-session-what-passed-budget-taxes" data-vars-content-id="52d2f6bf-db29-49aa-be4e-ada9462b0c8f" data-vars-headline="Shopping in the Twin Cities to get more expensive this weekend due to sales tax hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/05/22/minnesota-legislaure-2023-session-what-passed-budget-taxes" target="_self">approved by the DFL-controlled state Legislature</a> this year take effect on Oct. 1, adding a combined one cent on the dollar to purchases ranging from toys and tools to electronics and furniture.

Illustration of an arrow line filled with a money pattern going upward on a graph.

How to fake it: The Delta rewards kerfuffle

Haven't been following the Delta rewards kerfuffle? Get caught up before your next flight.

If you&#x27;re just a casual flier like the Axios Twin Cities team, you probably haven&#x27;t been paying much attention to the changes that Delta Air Lines announced this month to its rewards program.<ul><li>But if you&#x27;re sitting next to a grumpy passenger in coach on your next Delta flight, here&#x27;s your guide to sounding like you know what you&#x27;re talking about.</li></ul>

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Politics & Policy

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can't operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north

The U.S. is extremely concerned that an Israeli operation in southern Gaza would lead to significantly more civilian casualties.

World

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" target="_self">Biden</a> told Israeli Prime Minister <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Benjamin Netanyahu" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/11/gaza-palestinian-authority-control-netanyahu-hamas-war" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/11/gaza-palestinian-authority-control-netanyahu-hamas-war" target="_self">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> last Sunday that he is concerned about a possible Israeli military operation in southern Gaza after the current pause in fighting ends, two U.S. officials told Axios.Driving the news: The Biden administration is extremely worried that an Israeli operation in the southern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gaza Strip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/21/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-war-demographics" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/21/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-war-demographics" target="_self">Gaza Strip</a> — where 2 million Palestinians are concentrated — would lead to significantly more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="civilian casualties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/29/biden-netanyahu-hamas-israel-war-palestinians-civilians" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/29/biden-netanyahu-hamas-israel-war-palestinians-civilians" target="_self">civilian casualties</a> and deepen the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="humanitarian crisis in the enclave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/gaza-hospitals-shifa-babies-humanitarian-collapse-israel-war" data-vars-content-id="caeda4df-4ee9-4a64-895d-e9305a0775b8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can&#x27;t operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/gaza-hospitals-shifa-babies-humanitarian-collapse-israel-war" target="_self">humanitarian crisis in the enclave</a>, the officials said.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 18. Photo: Handout/GPO/Anadolu via Getty Images

Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt

"I hope this relief gives you a little more breathing room," the Tuesday email said.

More than 800,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="student loan borrowers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-debt-relief-proposal" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-debt-relief-proposal" target="_self">student loan borrowers</a> are set to receive a message from President Biden Tuesday afternoon.Why it matters: The email, shared in advance with Axios, is a direct appeal from the president to beneficiaries of his administration&#x27;s debt forgiveness push, as his approval rating among Democrats hit a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/26/biden-approval-rating-democrats-israel-gaza" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/26/biden-approval-rating-democrats-israel-gaza" target="_self">record low</a> last month, jeopardizing his 2024 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="re-election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/trump-biden-presidential-candidates-unfavorable-poll" data-vars-content-id="9a773fa1-fd63-42d4-a1a4-1019230c4bff" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Biden emails 800k student loan borrowers about forgiven debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/trump-biden-presidential-candidates-unfavorable-poll" target="_self">re-election</a> bid.

Biden speaks at a lectern with American flags behind him.

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