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

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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.

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="_blank">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.

Mayo Clinic unveils plans for $5B campus expansion

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

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.

Minnesota Democrats weigh putting abortion on the 2024 ballot

Some Democrats point out constitutional amendment campaigns are expensive.

Politics

Top Minnesota Democrats and abortion rights advocates aren&#x27;t sold on whether — or how — to put an abortion question to voters next year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Democrats in swing states across the country are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/abortion-congress-senate-house-democrats" data-vars-content-id="7d45caed-686c-4a49-bad8-3a14eac1160b" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Democrats weigh putting abortion on the 2024 ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/abortion-congress-senate-house-democrats" target="_self">moving</a> to put abortion rights measures on 2024 ballots as recent results in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/08/abortion-rights-2023-elections" data-vars-content-id="7d45caed-686c-4a49-bad8-3a14eac1160b" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Democrats weigh putting abortion on the 2024 ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/08/abortion-rights-2023-elections" target="_self">Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia</a> showed the electoral staying power of the issue.

Illustration of a caduceus and question mark.

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.

Tracking kindergarten vaccine exemptions in Minnesota

Vaccinations reduce the spread of childhood illnesses — some potentially fatal — that once plagued the country, such as polio.

Thousands of Minnesota kindergarteners will likely enter school this fall without vaccines meant to protect themselves and their peers from illness.Driving the news: An estimated 3.7% of kindergarteners across the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were granted exemptions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/exemption.html" data-vars-content-id="0118328f-93ad-4263-a673-52f5bfd2567e" data-vars-headline="Tracking kindergarten vaccine exemptions in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/exemption.html" target="_blank">were granted exemptions</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="required vaccines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/vaccine-exemption-kindergarten-states-map" data-vars-content-id="0118328f-93ad-4263-a673-52f5bfd2567e" data-vars-headline="Tracking kindergarten vaccine exemptions in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/vaccine-exemption-kindergarten-states-map" target="_self">required vaccines</a> as of the school year ending in 2022, compared to 1.6% in 2012, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

chart of minnesota vs. national kindegarten vaccine rates

St. Paul mayor proposes erasing $110 million in medical debt for residents

The mayor wants to partner with a national nonprofit that buys debts at a discount.

Thousands of St. Paul residents could see their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical debt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/29/america-medical-debt-problem" data-vars-content-id="76819386-3c55-413e-ac93-56ec6cf74508" data-vars-headline="St. Paul mayor proposes erasing $110 million in medical debt for residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/29/america-medical-debt-problem" target="_self">medical debt</a> wiped away under a proposed partnership with a national nonprofit. Driving the news: In his Thursday budget address, Mayor Melvin Carter pitched spending $1.1 million in remaining federal COVID relief funds to contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RIP Medical Debt" data-vars-click-url="https://ripmedicaldebt.org/" data-vars-content-id="76819386-3c55-413e-ac93-56ec6cf74508" data-vars-headline="St. Paul mayor proposes erasing $110 million in medical debt for residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ripmedicaldebt.org/" target="_blank">RIP Medical Debt</a> to resolve unpaid hospital bills.

Illustration of a medical red cross attached to a chain and anklet which has been opened by a key

988 calls, texts for mental health help in Minnesota spike in year one

But roughly 14% of calls aren't answered by local crisis specialists.

Minnesotans experiencing mental health crises are increasingly turning to texts for help.What&#x27;s happening: Texts to Minnesota&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suicide prevention and mental health hotline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/mnresponse/988.html" data-vars-content-id="802a613e-488f-40bc-9b17-ecaef16f0270" data-vars-headline="988 calls, texts for mental health help in Minnesota spike in year one" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/mnresponse/988.html" target="_blank">suicide prevention and mental health hotline</a> have increased more than 900% in the 10 months since the hotline <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebranded to 988" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/ready-or-not-988-mental-health-hotline-prepares-for-launch" data-vars-content-id="802a613e-488f-40bc-9b17-ecaef16f0270" data-vars-headline="988 calls, texts for mental health help in Minnesota spike in year one" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/ready-or-not-988-mental-health-hotline-prepares-for-launch" target="_self">rebranded to 988</a> last summer, per Minnesota Department of Health data.

Mapped: Alzheimer's prevalence in Minnesota

Researchers estimated the rates based on demographic risk factors.

Roughly one in 10 Minnesotans age 65 and older — nearly 102,000 adults — have Alzheimer&#x27;s disease, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new study" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32206859.267770/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbHotam91cm5hbHMub25saW5lbGlicmFyeS53aWxleS5jb20vZG9pLzEwLjEwMDIvYWx6LjEzMDgxP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zYW0mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70Baf93cf97" data-vars-content-id="9fb22e06-106d-4975-ba0d-ca1d5f64a598" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Alzheimer&#x27;s prevalence in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32206859.267770/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbHotam91cm5hbHMub25saW5lbGlicmFyeS53aWxleS5jb20vZG9pLzEwLjEwMDIvYWx6LjEzMDgxP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zYW0mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fd7c3fdd0d88c568cc48c70Baf93cf97" target="_blank">new study</a> published in the journal Alzheimer&#x27;s &amp; Dementia.Why it matters: It&#x27;s critical for public health officials, policymakers, and others to have a clear look at the number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alzheimer&#x27;s cases in a given area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/27/alzheimers-prevalence-map?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="9fb22e06-106d-4975-ba0d-ca1d5f64a598" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Alzheimer&#x27;s prevalence in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/27/alzheimers-prevalence-map?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">Alzheimer&#x27;s cases in a given area</a>, the authors say — in part because caring for those with the disease cost last year an estimated $321 billion nationwide.

Mapped: Minnesota's rising maternal mortality rate

Maternal mortality rates in Minnesota increased between 1999 and 2019, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="JAMA study" data-vars-click-url="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2806661" data-vars-content-id="f178e359-8b88-434e-9e04-3bdce0e4e2de" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Minnesota&#x27;s rising maternal mortality rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2806661" target="_blank">JAMA study</a> that provides the first state-level breakdowns by ethnic group.The big picture: Nationwide maternal mortality rates more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, with states in the Midwest, Great Plains and South accounting for significant increases.

Here's how abortion in Minnesota changed post-Dobbs decision

A new report estimates that average monthly abortions in Minnesota jumped more than 30% following the Dobbs decision

Minnesota&#x27;s largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abortion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/axios-explains-abortion" data-vars-content-id="12086795-6a19-4f52-a227-ea8a1d92e29c" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how abortion in Minnesota changed post-Dobbs decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/axios-explains-abortion" target="_self">abortion</a> provider is looking to expand access — and its physical footprint— in response to growing demand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from out-of-state patients" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/06/24/minnesota-abortion-law-supreme-court-ban-roe-v-wade" data-vars-content-id="12086795-6a19-4f52-a227-ea8a1d92e29c" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how abortion in Minnesota changed post-Dobbs decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/06/24/minnesota-abortion-law-supreme-court-ban-roe-v-wade" target="_self">from out-of-state patients</a>.The big picture: The U.S. Supreme Court&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decision to overturn Roe v. Wade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/roe-wade-decision-abortion" data-vars-content-id="12086795-6a19-4f52-a227-ea8a1d92e29c" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how abortion in Minnesota changed post-Dobbs decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/roe-wade-decision-abortion" target="_self">decision to overturn Roe v. Wade</a>, issued one year ago Saturday, created a patchwork of abortion laws and restrictions across the nation.<ul><li>Minnesota&#x27;s status as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a legal abortion state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/19/minnesota-abortion-vote-law" data-vars-content-id="12086795-6a19-4f52-a227-ea8a1d92e29c" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how abortion in Minnesota changed post-Dobbs decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/19/minnesota-abortion-vote-law" target="_self">a legal abortion state</a> has made it a destination for patients who can no longer access the procedure in their home states.</li></ul>

A map showing each state's abortion numbers 

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

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

Politics & Policy

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.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

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.

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.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

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