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

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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.

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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.

How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later

Some of our readers say they've reinvented themselves.

COVID

Five years ago this week, Gov. Tim Walz first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declared a statewide emergency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/03/12/minnesota-covid-state-of-emergency-tim-walz" data-vars-content-id="61913061-336e-4a27-a165-1e37fdf07584" data-vars-headline="How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/03/12/minnesota-covid-state-of-emergency-tim-walz" target="_self">declared a statewide emergency</a> over the newly-declared COVID-19 pandemic — and Axios Twin Cities readers have shared how the fallout impacted them.The big picture: The virus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="upended " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/covid-pandemic-march-11" data-vars-content-id="61913061-336e-4a27-a165-1e37fdf07584" data-vars-headline="How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/covid-pandemic-march-11" target="_self">upended </a>our daily lives. It sent us into<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" quarantine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2020/10/01/anxiety-uncertainty-brain" data-vars-content-id="61913061-336e-4a27-a165-1e37fdf07584" data-vars-headline="How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2020/10/01/anxiety-uncertainty-brain" target="_self"> quarantine</a>, closed our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="offices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2020/10/14/remote-work-tech-companies-coronavirus-covid" data-vars-content-id="61913061-336e-4a27-a165-1e37fdf07584" data-vars-headline="How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2020/10/14/remote-work-tech-companies-coronavirus-covid" target="_self">offices</a> and schools, introduced us to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the N95 mask" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/01/24/minnesota-cities-mask-mandates-minneapolis-st-paul-duluth-omicron" data-vars-content-id="61913061-336e-4a27-a165-1e37fdf07584" data-vars-headline="How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/01/24/minnesota-cities-mask-mandates-minneapolis-st-paul-duluth-omicron" target="_self">the N95 mask</a>, and for a time seemed to transform every <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="face-to-face interaction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/01/24/minnesota-cities-mask-mandates-minneapolis-st-paul-duluth-omicron" data-vars-content-id="61913061-336e-4a27-a165-1e37fdf07584" data-vars-headline="How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/01/24/minnesota-cities-mask-mandates-minneapolis-st-paul-duluth-omicron" target="_self">face-to-face interaction</a> into a potentially fatal health risk.

Minnesota school vaccination rates have dropped since COVID

With lower immunization rates, unvaccinated children are more exposed to preventable diseases, health officials say.

Minnesota health officials want parents to make sure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their children have received all required vaccinations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/08/28/minnesota-vaccine-exemptions-kindergartener-rates" data-vars-content-id="1757278d-c85e-41dc-9eeb-186520eb8e65" data-vars-headline="Minnesota school vaccination rates have dropped since COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/08/28/minnesota-vaccine-exemptions-kindergartener-rates" target="_self">their children have received all required vaccinations</a> before school starts in a few weeks.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s immunization rates for school-aged kids have slipped slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving unvaccinated children even more exposed to preventable diseases.

Minneapolis' plan to speed up office-to-residential conversions

Replacing office workers with residents has been a post-pandemic dream to revitalize downtowns across the U.S.

Minneapolis officials want to make it easier — and cheaper — for developers to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="convert office towers, schools, and other buildings into apartments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/31/minneapolis-office-apartment-conversion-tricky-big-floors" data-vars-content-id="90791429-6003-48f1-8676-1674be433833" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; plan to speed up office-to-residential conversions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/31/minneapolis-office-apartment-conversion-tricky-big-floors" target="_self">convert office towers, schools, and other buildings into apartments</a> and condos.Why it matters: Replacing office workers with residents has been a post-pandemic dream to revitalize downtowns across the U.S., but Minneapolis has been home to few conversion projects since 2020.

One in four Minnesotans have the new COVID shot, per the CDC

The state has one of the nation's highest rates of booster adoption.

Health

One in four Minnesotans are up to date on their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 boosters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/09/14/minnesota-covid-booster-shot-new-strain-fall" data-vars-content-id="d112a34a-7d7b-441f-8539-74de4b9930e2" data-vars-headline="One in four Minnesotans have the new COVID shot, per the CDC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/09/14/minnesota-covid-booster-shot-new-strain-fall" target="_self">COVID-19 boosters</a>, according to the latest CDC <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/33530963.33395/aHR0cHM6Ly9kYXRhLmNkYy5nb3YvVmFjY2luYXRpb25zL0N1bXVsYXRpdmUtUGVyY2VudGFnZS1vZi1BZHVsdHMtMTgtWWVhcnMtYW5kLU9sZGVyL2htMzUtcWtpdT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc3ZpdGFscyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70Be37b18d8" data-vars-content-id="d112a34a-7d7b-441f-8539-74de4b9930e2" data-vars-headline="One in four Minnesotans have the new COVID shot, per the CDC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/33530963.33395/aHR0cHM6Ly9kYXRhLmNkYy5nb3YvVmFjY2luYXRpb25zL0N1bXVsYXRpdmUtUGVyY2VudGFnZS1vZi1BZHVsdHMtMTgtWWVhcnMtYW5kLU9sZGVyL2htMzUtcWtpdT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc3ZpdGFscyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70Be37b18d8" target="_self">survey data</a>.The big picture: The share of Minnesotans who have received the new shot has fallen dramatically since earlier in the pandemic. But the state&#x27;s numbers are currently well above rates across most of the country.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines set to come to Minnesota

Recent data suggests demand won't be high.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Updated COVID-19 vaccines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/covid-booster-variants-weeks" data-vars-content-id="5bf87d6e-f7df-4ee2-a237-2b7e5cbf2b85" data-vars-headline="Updated COVID-19 vaccines set to come to Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/covid-booster-variants-weeks" target="_self">Updated COVID-19 vaccines</a> meant to target more recent strains of the virus will soon hit arms in Minnesota. Driving the news: A new CDC recommendation that updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna be given to anyone ages 6 months and older clears the way for reformulated shots to be available later this week.

Minnesota COVID levels, hospitalizations rise

Yes, but: Levels remain far below previous peaks.

COVID-19 levels are creeping up in Minnesota once again, though they remain far below previous peaks. What&#x27;s happening: Wastewater analysis in the Twin Cities showed an average 31% increase in the virus&#x27; presence last week.

Going to the doctor in Minnesota? A mask is probably optional

Face coverings may still be required in some high-risk patient settings.

Minnesota&#x27;s major health care systems are no longer requiring masks for most staff, patients and visitors. Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.allinahealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19" data-vars-content-id="6b3b7d10-8619-485f-b414-1f13e983227a" data-vars-headline="Going to the doctor in Minnesota? A mask is probably optional" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.allinahealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">Allina</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="M Health Fairview" data-vars-click-url="https://mhealthfairview.org/blog/Covid-19-Visitor-Restrictions-Hospitals-And-Clinics" data-vars-content-id="6b3b7d10-8619-485f-b414-1f13e983227a" data-vars-headline="Going to the doctor in Minnesota? A mask is probably optional" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mhealthfairview.org/blog/Covid-19-Visitor-Restrictions-Hospitals-And-Clinics" target="_blank">M Health Fairview</a> last week joined the growing list of providers lifting mandates that had been in place since the onset of the pandemic.

What we know about the XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant in the Twin Cities

Holiday gatherings and travel have yet to lead to a fresh wave of cases.

A new Omicron subvariant is spreading rapidly throughout the nation, but has yet to set off a new wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="798fefc1-7fae-4107-8edc-257ffe3343a3" data-vars-headline="What we know about the XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant in the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID cases</a> in the Twin Cities — and experts aren&#x27;t sure if it ever will.The big picture: The variant, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="known as XBB.1.5" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/31/xbb15-covid-variant-symptoms-new-england-omicron" data-vars-content-id="798fefc1-7fae-4107-8edc-257ffe3343a3" data-vars-headline="What we know about the XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant in the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/31/xbb15-covid-variant-symptoms-new-england-omicron" target="_self">known as XBB.1.5</a>, is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="believed to be" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/04/health/public-health-concerned-xbb/index.html" data-vars-content-id="798fefc1-7fae-4107-8edc-257ffe3343a3" data-vars-headline="What we know about the XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant in the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/04/health/public-health-concerned-xbb/index.html" target="_blank">believed to be</a> the most transmissible form of Omicron to date. Health experts say it&#x27;s to blame for a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surge in cases in the Northeast U.S." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/07/xbb15-covid-variant-omicron-case-numbers" data-vars-content-id="798fefc1-7fae-4107-8edc-257ffe3343a3" data-vars-headline="What we know about the XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant in the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/07/xbb15-covid-variant-omicron-case-numbers" target="_self">surge in cases in the Northeast U.S.</a>

Chart du jour: Twin Cities COVID levels creep up

Yes, but: The caseloads remain far below previous spikes.

COVID levels are creeping up in the Twin Cities, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Met Council&#x27;s latest wastewater data dump. " data-vars-click-url="https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Services/Wastewater-Treatment/COVID19-Research.aspx" data-vars-content-id="6b652f6e-0cca-4809-82bf-56c71361dfbf" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Twin Cities COVID levels creep up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Services/Wastewater-Treatment/COVID19-Research.aspx" target="_blank">Met Council&#x27;s latest wastewater data dump. </a>Why it matters: A &quot;tripledemic&quot; of flu, RSV and COVID is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already straining " data-vars-click-url="https://www.twincities.com/2022/11/19/covid-flu-rsv-mn-hopitals-waits-emergency-rooms/" data-vars-content-id="6b652f6e-0cca-4809-82bf-56c71361dfbf" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Twin Cities COVID levels creep up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.twincities.com/2022/11/19/covid-flu-rsv-mn-hopitals-waits-emergency-rooms/" target="_blank">already straining </a>local hospitals. Driving the news: The total viral load detected at the metro plant increased by 24% in the week ending Nov. 21, compared to the previous week.

Minnesota to send $487 payments to 1 million pandemic frontline workers

High demand for the program meant smaller payments for approved applicants.

More than 1 million Minnesotans who worked frontline jobs at the onset of the pandemic are finally getting their &quot;hero&quot; pay. The big picture: The $487 bonuses, set to go out starting Wednesday, are smaller than the $750 lawmakers envisioned when they approved the program.

COVID 🦠

How COVID has changed our lives, 5 years later

Minnesota school vaccination rates have dropped since COVID

Minneapolis' plan to speed up office-to-residential conversions

One in four Minnesotans have the new COVID shot, per the CDC

Updated COVID-19 vaccines set to come to Minnesota