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Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates

But many insiders say her DFL rival still has a strong path to the primary.

News

Sharp-elbowed attacks over ICE, fraud and electability are flying in the high-stakes U.S. Senate primary between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Angie Craig" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/29/angie-craig-running-minnesota-senate-2026" data-vars-content-id="9e3101ca-afec-4a8d-a624-410e801bf0ff" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/29/angie-craig-running-minnesota-senate-2026" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Angie Craig</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/13/walz-flanagan-us-senate-tina-smith-race-democrats" data-vars-content-id="9e3101ca-afec-4a8d-a624-410e801bf0ff" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/13/walz-flanagan-us-senate-tina-smith-race-democrats" target="_self">Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan</a>.Why it matters: Political fallout over Operation Metro Surge has stoked a race that was already seen as a proxy battle over the future of the Democratic Party.

St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide "No Kings" protests

Bernie Sanders and Bruce Springsteen are set to join crowds as the Twin Cities host a flagship rally.

Tens of thousands of Minnesotans are expected to march to the State Capitol Saturday for a star-studded No Kings rally. The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect the nationwide anti-Trump demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="31898c9e-f969-402c-bf9f-623b8475a9a1" data-vars-headline="St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" data-vars-content-id="31898c9e-f969-402c-bf9f-623b8475a9a1" data-vars-headline="St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide &quot;No Kings&quot; protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" target="_self">October</a>.<ul><li>St. Paul will serve as the &quot;flagship&quot; protest, according to organizers, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen scheduled to attend. </li></ul>

State Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on DWI suspicion

The 27-year-old was booked at 4:42am Friday morning in the Ramsey County jail.

State Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elliott Engen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/03/minnesota-republicans-bills-dont-pass" data-vars-content-id="936859ba-4d1e-4a2d-b5be-c73ca7c10308" data-vars-headline="State Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on DWI suspicion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/03/minnesota-republicans-bills-dont-pass" target="_self">Elliott Engen</a>, a GOP candidate for state auditor, was arrested and booked in the Ramsey County jail on suspicion of DWI, according to county records. The 27-year-old from White Bear Township was booked at 4:42am Friday on charges of fourth-degree DWI, according to a news release from the department. He was released less than two hours later.

Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota's only James Beard finalist

Shigeyuki Furukawa is up for the Midwest's best chef.

Food and Drink

Kado No Mise chef Shigeyuki Furukawa was named a James Beard Award finalist Tuesday for the Midwest&#x27;s best chef.Why it matters: Out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/21/minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="21195618-766b-4272-b977-0f77534a08a2" data-vars-headline="Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota&#x27;s only James Beard finalist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/21/minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs</a> who were previously named semifinalists in the Oscar awards of the foodie world, Furukawa is the only nominee who made the shortlist.

How data centers could help revive downtowns

While data centers are controversial in the suburbs, they're finding a place in downtowns

Data centers have become a point of tension in Twin Cities suburbs, but for downtown developers, they could be a goldmine.Why it matters: The collapse of office tower values has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushed property taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/05/minneapolis-property-tax-hike-levy-increase" data-vars-content-id="e0938e99-9bf0-48ea-86bc-0ff98a5ab6fb" data-vars-headline="How data centers could help revive downtowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/05/minneapolis-property-tax-hike-levy-increase" target="_self">pushed property taxes</a> higher for residents. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" data-vars-content-id="e0938e99-9bf0-48ea-86bc-0ff98a5ab6fb" data-vars-headline="How data centers could help revive downtowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" target="_self">Data centers</a> could help boost those values again, spur more residential and commercial development and even help heat other buildings.

How a smoky summer may affect health in Minnesota

The smoke has cleared but your lungs may still feel it.

Environment

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire smoke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/25/canada-minnesota-wildfire-smoke-blame" data-vars-content-id="f3fdeded-2881-4b3f-a325-c69a6ecc5d85" data-vars-headline="How a smoky summer may affect health in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/25/canada-minnesota-wildfire-smoke-blame" target="_self">wildfire smoke</a> has cleared (for now), ending Minnesota&#x27;s longest air quality alert on record.

What the new North Loop Park could look like

Robots, food trucks and green space: North Loop Park plan heads to a vote

A square of land in the North Loop that the Minneapolis Park &amp; Recreation Board bought four years ago could soon begin its transformation from a patch of grass to something more. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/06/28/minneapolis-north-loop-pandemic-recovery" data-vars-content-id="79ae0317-05be-4891-ac92-4d74a8be2cee" data-vars-headline="What the new North Loop Park could look like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/06/28/minneapolis-north-loop-pandemic-recovery" target="_self">booming</a> neighborhood, filled with apartments and condos, has clamored for another park for years. A new concept plan shows what it could look like.

Regional park visits dropped in 2024

Here are the most visited in the Twin Cities last year

Regional <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="parks in the Twin Cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/21/twin-cities-park-rankings" data-vars-content-id="0c8e75a9-14e6-4f08-a8d9-fb2f79508a84" data-vars-headline="Regional park visits dropped in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/21/twin-cities-park-rankings" target="_self">parks in the Twin Cities</a> welcomed an estimated 65.7 million visitors in 2024, a 5.4% decrease from 2023.Why it matters: It was the first year-over-year decrease in visits since the start of the pandemic, when cooped-up Minnesotans flocked to the outdoors.Yes, but: Some of the decline can be attributed to an increase in severe weather and more rainy days than in 2023, researcher Ismael Ramirez, who coordinates the annual study for the Met Council, said at a meeting this week.How it works: Staff at 132 regional parks, trails and reserves conduct people counts on random days. The Met Council also collects special event attendance and uses previous years&#x27; data.<ul><li>The counts are used to help divvy up regional funding for parks.</li></ul>Between the lines: Though park use fell, trail use held steady at around 20 million visits.<ul><li>The Minnehaha Creek Trail in Minneapolis was the most used, with 2.6 million visits.</li><li>Nine Mile Creek Trail in the west metro and Cedar Lake Regional Trail from Minneapolis to Hopkins each had 1 million visits.</li></ul>Zoom out: At the same time, 2024 was a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-breaking year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/visitation-numbers.htm" data-vars-content-id="0c8e75a9-14e6-4f08-a8d9-fb2f79508a84" data-vars-headline="Regional park visits dropped in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/visitation-numbers.htm" target="_blank">record-breaking year</a> for national park visits.

Minneapolis, St. Paul drop in nationwide park rankings

Makers of the ParkScore Index said the shift was due to other cities making improvements.

Minneapolis and St. Paul lost ground in the latest national park rankings, but not because their green spaces got worse.State of play: Minneapolis dropped to third (from second) and St. Paul moved to fifth (from third) in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 ParkScore index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="248da707-5407-4f1c-84af-202919b22ed1" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis, St. Paul drop in nationwide park rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">2025 ParkScore index</a>, an annual ranking from the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a pro-park nonprofit.

Minnesota fishing license sales up 10% ahead of May opener

The state ranks fourth in the nation for annual license sales.

Things to Do

Minnesota has sold more than 220,000 fishing licenses this spring, up 10% from this time last year. State of the lines: State officials said Thursday they believe a strong ice fishing season and the early ice out on local lakes has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outdoorsy Minnesotans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/12/03/minnesota-outdoor-economy-snow-skiing-snowmobiling-rv-fishing-boating" data-vars-content-id="07f51106-5bc0-4ebe-aca8-da871fb37e6d" data-vars-headline="Minnesota fishing license sales up 10% ahead of May opener" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/12/03/minnesota-outdoor-economy-snow-skiing-snowmobiling-rv-fishing-boating" target="_self">outdoorsy Minnesotans</a> excited to get out on the water.

Data centers' water use a concern in Minnesota

The Midwest is a growing data center region thanks to its cool air and abundant water.

Minnesota&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boom in data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" data-vars-content-id="0dfbd9c1-67f7-477f-899b-79383ba23adf" data-vars-headline="Data centers&#x27; water use a concern in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" target="_self">boom in data centers</a> is part of a trend that has big tech companies targeting the Midwest for its cool air and abundant water.Why it matters: Data centers power the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" AI boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="0dfbd9c1-67f7-477f-899b-79383ba23adf" data-vars-headline="Data centers&#x27; water use a concern in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self"> AI boom</a> — but there&#x27;s growing concern about their soaring energy and water demands.

Twin Cities metro fails air pollution report card

Air pollution threatens everyone's health — especially children and seniors.

The Twin Cities metro deserves an &quot;F&quot; grade on key air quality metrics, per a new pollution &quot;report card.&quot;Why it matters: Air pollution threatens everyone&#x27;s health — especially children, seniors and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions.

Minneapolis gardeners may soon need permits for boulevard plots

Currently, they're technically illegal under city code.

Minneapolis may soon require gardeners to get a permit for their planter boxes in the boulevard strip between the sidewalk and street.Why it matters: Raised-bed gardens are already everywhere in Minneapolis, even though city codes don&#x27;t technically allow them.<ul><li>A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ordinance" data-vars-click-url="https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/FileV2/48681/Boulevard-Ordinance-Amendment-Guide-Presentation.pdf" data-vars-content-id="a085df12-2cfa-4220-ab8c-2471f9b99719" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis gardeners may soon need permits for boulevard plots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/FileV2/48681/Boulevard-Ordinance-Amendment-Guide-Presentation.pdf" target="_blank">ordinance</a> before the City Council Thursday would change that.</li></ul>

Minnesota's ducks don't want to be snowbirds anymore

Minnesota ducks don't want to be snowbirds anymore.

Nick here. On my morning walks along the aqueduct connecting Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek, I&#x27;ve been surprised to see hundreds of ducks sticking it out in temperatures as low as minus 20.State of play: It&#x27;s not just my imagination. More ducks are opting against migration due to evolution and natural selection — and there&#x27;s an association with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warming winters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/12/09/twin-cities-warmer-winter-weather-climate-central" data-vars-content-id="196e4a01-c286-4aa6-9351-378ac9d06067" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s ducks don&#x27;t want to be snowbirds anymore" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/12/09/twin-cities-warmer-winter-weather-climate-central" target="_self">warming winters</a> caused by climate change, Dale Gentry, director of conservation for Audubon Upper Mississippi River, told Axios.

A bar chart that displays visitor numbers for Twin Cities regional parks in 2024. Minneapolis Chain of Lakes leads with 6.9 million visitors. Central Mississippi Riverfront and Mississippi Gorge each have 3.6 million visitors. The lowest attendance is 1.1 million at Lilydale-Harriet Island and Theodore Wirth parks.

Most visited Twin Cities regional parks in 2024

Data: Metropolitan Council; Chart: Axios Visuals

Axios What's Next

A heat table showing U.S. cities with the highest and lowest ParkScore in 2025. D.C. earned 86 points out of 100 for the overall quality of its parks system, the highest in the analysis, followed by Irvine, Calif., Minneapolis and Cincinnati. Irving, Texas, had the lowest overall score, at 32, followed by Fresno, Calif., and Durham, N.C. Cities have scores across five metrics, including park access, acreage, amenities, equity and investment.