Twin Cities

Twin Cities Members

Membership

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

blue

Axios Twin Cities Partners

Axios Twin Cities

Standard

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

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

Why expats are coming back — or not

After years of losing people to other states, Minnesotans are coming back

News

Last week we wrote about new U.S. Census data showing<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" more people moving to Minnesota" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/18/people-moving-minnesota-migration" data-vars-content-id="b5c060e7-4b21-4ddd-9c42-9ca68e8cfe14" data-vars-headline="Why expats are coming back — or not" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/18/people-moving-minnesota-migration" target="_self"> more people moving to Minnesota</a> from other states than leaving.Driving the news: Several of our readers told us they&#x27;ve recently done just that, or they&#x27;re about to do so.<ul><li>And a couple said they&#x27;ve had enough of Minnesota.</li></ul>

After Hughes trade, Wild may still have big move coming

The Wild still feel like a team missing a trick.

Sports

The NHL&#x27;s Olympic roster freeze lifted Monday morning, launching the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota Wild" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/09/wild-season-preview-2025-2026" data-vars-content-id="28114045-1686-475f-978d-0b02aeb56da2" data-vars-headline="After Hughes trade, Wild may still have big move coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/09/wild-season-preview-2025-2026" target="_self">Minnesota Wild</a> into a two-week sprint to the March 6 trade deadline.The big picture: The world <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="saw in Milan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00fy7CDYEQ" data-vars-content-id="28114045-1686-475f-978d-0b02aeb56da2" data-vars-headline="After Hughes trade, Wild may still have big move coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00fy7CDYEQ" target="_blank">saw in Milan</a> why the Wild <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paid a steep price" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-92733640-d6c9-11f0-b149-139d470d522e.html?chunk=7&amp;utm_term=emshare#story7" data-vars-content-id="28114045-1686-475f-978d-0b02aeb56da2" data-vars-headline="After Hughes trade, Wild may still have big move coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-92733640-d6c9-11f0-b149-139d470d522e.html?chunk=7&amp;utm_term=emshare#story7" target="_self">paid a steep price</a> for Team USA&#x27;s Quinn Hughes in December — but multiple reports suggest Hughes may not be their last consequential trade of the year.

Sports betting comes to Minnesota via prediction markets

Some Minnesota lawmakers want to regulate or ban prediction markets.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-running debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/09/experts-warn-minnesota-perils-sporting-gambling" data-vars-content-id="d8f33bf2-608f-462f-9f8e-82ca804597e6" data-vars-headline="Sports betting comes to Minnesota via prediction markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/09/experts-warn-minnesota-perils-sporting-gambling" target="_self">long-running debate</a> at the Minnesota Capitol over sports gambling is moot for now: Prediction markets essentially allow gamblers to wager on anything they could with a sportsbook — and more.Why it matters: Opponents say prediction markets operate like the wild west — and the state of Minnesota, Indian tribes and casinos don&#x27;t get a cut of their revenue, as they would from sportsbooks.

Fish Fry Fridays: Twin Cities locations for Lent

Ukrainian American Community Center has a fish and pierogi dinner.

Food and Drink

Lent is back and that means fish fry specials have returned for the traditional Catholic meat-free Fridays. Zoom in: Here&#x27;s a roundup of seven spots to try in the Twin Cities.

Lifelong Minnesotan tries lutefisk for the first time

Lutefisk for Minnesotans is a way to celebrate their roots in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

I&#x27;m a nearly lifelong Minnesotan with a fair amount of Swedish ancestry, but until I walked down the steps of a Lutheran church basement Friday evening, I had never tried lutefisk.Why it matters: Lutefisk for Minnesotans — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="45% of whom have Scandinavian ancestry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/why-do-scandinavians-get-all-the-attention-when-there-are-more-minnesotans-of-german-descent/567108972" data-vars-content-id="c857a82b-7538-4da4-adaf-53b83a9d6382" data-vars-headline="Lifelong Minnesotan tries lutefisk for the first time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/why-do-scandinavians-get-all-the-attention-when-there-are-more-minnesotans-of-german-descent/567108972" target="_blank">45% of whom have Scandinavian ancestry</a> — is a way to celebrate their roots in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

The story behind the viral "I got my lobotomy at the  Mall of America" sweatshirt

Molly Hottle found the 1990s crewneck at a Seattle vintage store.

A Seattle embroiderer&#x27;s snarky stitching on a Mall of America sweatshirt went viral for its nod to the chaos of her childhood trips to the megamall.Driving the likes: Molly Hottle, who owns the custom embroidery shop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle Chainstitch Massacre" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattlechainstitchmassacre.com/" data-vars-content-id="d6a45e14-c3d9-48ba-830c-661a51ab1d5f" data-vars-headline="The story behind the viral &quot;I got my lobotomy at the Mall of America&quot; sweatshirt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattlechainstitchmassacre.com/" target="_blank">Seattle Chainstitch Massacre</a>, found the 1990s throwback at a thrift shop. <ul><li>Using her Singer chainstitch embroidery machine from the 1930s, she added &quot;I got a lobotomy at&quot; in white cursive above the logo.</li></ul>

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.

The do's and don't of dog throwing away poop

Dog owners divided over tossing poop bags in neighbors' garbage

If you throw your bagged dog poop into a neighbor&#x27;s trash cart, there&#x27;s a good chance you&#x27;ve made them mad — perhaps enough to get a tongue lashing or worse: a reciprocal bag on your doorsteps.Why it matters: We take etiquette seriously here at Axios Twin Cities, digging deep into the biggest wedge issues in Minnesota, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shoes at house parties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/18/house-shoe-etiquette-minnesota-debate-parties" data-vars-content-id="183a894b-3665-4a06-a9ee-96f2e17eb9b9" data-vars-headline="The do&#x27;s and don&#x27;t of dog throwing away poop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/18/house-shoe-etiquette-minnesota-debate-parties" target="_self">shoes at house parties</a>, free sampling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of ice cream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/29/ice-cream-sample-etiquette-lines-samples" data-vars-content-id="183a894b-3665-4a06-a9ee-96f2e17eb9b9" data-vars-headline="The do&#x27;s and don&#x27;t of dog throwing away poop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/29/ice-cream-sample-etiquette-lines-samples" target="_self">of ice cream</a>, how early is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="too early" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-79ecdf0a-5bb8-4c66-ae25-be1adfd1201e.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_minneapolis&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="183a894b-3665-4a06-a9ee-96f2e17eb9b9" data-vars-headline="The do&#x27;s and don&#x27;t of dog throwing away poop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-79ecdf0a-5bb8-4c66-ae25-be1adfd1201e.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_minneapolis&amp;stream=top" target="_self">too early</a> to mow your lawn and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="merging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/11/08/traffic-35-94-split-zipper-etiquette-minneapolis-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="183a894b-3665-4a06-a9ee-96f2e17eb9b9" data-vars-headline="The do&#x27;s and don&#x27;t of dog throwing away poop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/11/08/traffic-35-94-split-zipper-etiquette-minneapolis-minnesota" target="_self">merging</a> onto I-94.

Free samples at ice cream shops: How many is too many?

It's peak scoop season in Minnesota, and lines are stretching out the door. So... how many free samples is too many when people are waiting behind you?

It&#x27;s prime <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ice cream season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/04/21/minneapolis-st-paul-ice-cream-prices-inflation" data-vars-content-id="d41acd33-c248-4727-9c96-0d188bf5ee8b" data-vars-headline="Free samples at ice cream shops: How many is too many?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/04/21/minneapolis-st-paul-ice-cream-prices-inflation" target="_self">ice cream season</a> in Minnesota and that means shops often have lines winding out the doors.

What's on stage this summer

"Legally Blond" and "Cabaret" headline a summer of theater.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer fun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/02/things-to-do-summer-2025-minneapolis-st-paul-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="97f55dc2-fe98-42a0-acae-1a7bdf4471a0" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on stage this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/02/things-to-do-summer-2025-minneapolis-st-paul-minnesota" target="_self">Summer fun</a> doesn&#x27;t have to be outdoors. Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s on stage at Twin Cities theaters:

How Minneapolis' Cultural Districts tell their stories through food

In Minneapolis' Cultural Districts, food is a gateway to heritage, resilience and possibility.

Partners

From golden raisin lattes to shawarma, the many restaurants of Minneapolis&#x27; seven Cultural Districts serve up more than meals — they&#x27;re an invitation to connect with the history, culture and community that have shaped the city across generations.

Children's Theatre's "Frozen" musical though a kid's eyes

Nick here. I&#x27;m far from a qualified theater critic, but what I lack in that arena I make up for in expertise about Elsa, Anna and the &quot;Frozen&quot; franchise that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made Disney billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2023/05/12/highest-grossing-animated-films/11729384002/" data-vars-content-id="44644f99-3516-4990-ad85-8e49a7eabe49" data-vars-headline="Children&#x27;s Theatre&#x27;s &quot;Frozen&quot; musical though a kid&#x27;s eyes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2023/05/12/highest-grossing-animated-films/11729384002/" target="_blank">made Disney billions</a> and cost me hundreds.<ul><li>That&#x27;s because I have three daughters who have seen the movie dozens of times, attended the &quot;Frozen&quot; version of Disney on Ice and patronized amateur stage productions of the film. That&#x27;s not to mention all the dresses, wigs, dolls and other &quot;Frozen&quot; merch in our house. </li></ul>

September is Minnesota's best month, according to readers

Our readers have spoken: September is Minnesotans&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="favorite month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/04/weigh-in-minnesota-s-best-month" data-vars-content-id="51e64aa8-37a5-4259-aef8-bf8b31fb886f" data-vars-headline="September is Minnesota&#x27;s best month, according to readers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/04/weigh-in-minnesota-s-best-month" target="_self">favorite month</a>.Why it matters: Despite the best efforts of winter enthusiasts to convince us to embrace the cold, we like it warm, but not too warm.

The Minneapolis season of "Love is Blind" might be the most boring yet

Minnesota's "Love is Blind" is a snoozefest so far.

Things to Do

Minnesota&#x27;s season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/14/love-is-blind-minneapolis-preview" data-vars-content-id="c58a1317-8953-4708-810f-58794226aec2" data-vars-headline="The Minneapolis season of &quot;Love is Blind&quot; might be the most boring yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/14/love-is-blind-minneapolis-preview" target="_self">Love is Blind</a>&quot; is a snoozefest so far.Driving the news: The first six episodes of Netflix&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit reality dating show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/29/love-is-blind-weddings-engagements-by-city" data-vars-content-id="c58a1317-8953-4708-810f-58794226aec2" data-vars-headline="The Minneapolis season of &quot;Love is Blind&quot; might be the most boring yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/29/love-is-blind-weddings-engagements-by-city" target="_self">hit reality dating show</a> starring 32 Minnesota singles are out now, but much of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/LoveIsBlindOnNetflix/comments/1ir47l4/why_did_the_pods_last_6_episodes_snoozefest/" data-vars-content-id="c58a1317-8953-4708-810f-58794226aec2" data-vars-headline="The Minneapolis season of &quot;Love is Blind&quot; might be the most boring yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/LoveIsBlindOnNetflix/comments/1ir47l4/why_did_the_pods_last_6_episodes_snoozefest/" target="_blank">online</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chatter" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/zoemjack/status/1891534458399977945" data-vars-content-id="c58a1317-8953-4708-810f-58794226aec2" data-vars-headline="The Minneapolis season of &quot;Love is Blind&quot; might be the most boring yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/zoemjack/status/1891534458399977945" target="_blank">chatter</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reviews" data-vars-click-url="https://ew.com/love-is-blind-review-season-8-most-boring-yet-11678501" data-vars-content-id="c58a1317-8953-4708-810f-58794226aec2" data-vars-headline="The Minneapolis season of &quot;Love is Blind&quot; might be the most boring yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ew.com/love-is-blind-review-season-8-most-boring-yet-11678501" target="_blank">reviews</a> are panning the season so far, calling the &quot;slow start&quot; everything from bland to downright bad.

Culture

Lifelong Minnesotan tries lutefisk for the first time

The story behind the viral "I got my lobotomy at the Mall of America" sweatshirt

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

The do's and don't of dog throwing away poop

Free samples at ice cream shops: How many is too many?