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Summit founder confident he'll keep the brewery 

Controlling owner Mark Stutrud says debt problems date back to a 2012 expansion.

Business

Mark Stutrud says that despite a lender&#x27;s lawsuit painting a picture of Summit nearing its demise, the 40-year-old St. Paul brewery will weather the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="craft beer reckoning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/06/09/minnesota-breweries-declines-2025-beer" data-vars-content-id="d41c2704-3b04-4427-8cfb-16368fc3cf2e" data-vars-headline="Summit founder confident he&#x27;ll keep the brewery " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/06/09/minnesota-breweries-declines-2025-beer" target="_self">craft beer reckoning</a>. <ul><li>&quot;I think we&#x27;re close to the floor of this deep trough cycle — one that&#x27;s the deepest I&#x27;ve experienced in 40 years,&quot; the company founder and controlling owner told Axios in an interview a few days after BMO Bank filed to foreclose on the brewery. </li></ul>

Video rental stores are making a comeback in Minneapolis 

Nonprofit Saturn Video will open in Minneapolis next month.

News

Twin Cities movie buffs nostalgic for the days of Blockbuster will soon have somewhere to rewind.The big picture: After three years of pop-ups at local markets and theaters, nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saturn Video" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/saturnvideo.cafe/" data-vars-content-id="04041466-a52f-4629-ad74-3dd6c01df3a0" data-vars-headline="Video rental stores are making a comeback in Minneapolis " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/saturnvideo.cafe/" target="_blank">Saturn Video</a> will open the metro&#x27;s only video rental storefront next month in Minneapolis&#x27; Seward neighborhood.

Scoop: What Explore Minnesota paid — and got — to send an influencer to the State Fair

Explore Minnesota says Sierra Reece's trip reached audiences from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

State Fair

Explore Minnesota&#x27;s paid partnership with an out-of-state influencer who wanted to attend the State Fair produced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the tourism agency&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcyZq5RB7ZF/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="981784b0-39d7-4c98-b71b-88003ecf55f8" data-vars-headline="Scoop: What Explore Minnesota paid — and got — to send an influencer to the State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcyZq5RB7ZF/?hl=en" target="_blank">one of the tourism agency&#x27;s</a> most popular social posts to date, officials tell Axios.Why it matters: The viral success shows the growing role content creators play in travel marketing.

MPS could face school closures under new options

The district is facing budget problems and declining enrollment, which has prompted officials to explore school closures

Minneapolis Public Schools leaders will present three options Tuesday night for dealing with ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial problems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/04/01/minneapolis-schools-budget-cuts-2025" data-vars-content-id="6445721b-93ee-482e-9d01-a4aac4cac8ee" data-vars-headline="MPS could face school closures under new options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/04/01/minneapolis-schools-budget-cuts-2025" target="_self">financial problems</a>, and officials have signaled that school closures will be on the table. Why it matters: Parent anxiety has been building for years as declining enrollment has prompted talk of closures to stave off cuts to other programs and services. <ul><li>Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams noted in a video message to parents that some of the options will be &quot;universally celebrated, and others … may cause trepidation.&quot;</li></ul>

Celebrate Dolly Parton's life and legacy at these Twin Cities tribute events

First Avenue and Flip Phone will honor the country icon with music, drag and a book drive.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="4e092663-d514-45f8-81f2-0789092137cf" data-vars-headline="Celebrate Dolly Parton&#x27;s life and legacy at these Twin Cities tribute events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a> fans can celebrate the late icon&#x27;s life at one of several upcoming tribute events.What&#x27;s happening: First Avenue will host its sixth annual Tribute to Dolly Parton concert at its namesake venue on Jan. 8. <ul><li>For those who don&#x27;t want to wait, Flip Phone is hosting two Dolly drag brunch shows at Crave Minneapolis on Oct. 4. </li></ul>

Bruce Springsteen makes surprise appearance at Minneapolis' First Avenue

The Boss played a benefit for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both shot to death by federal agents

Bruce Springsteen made a surprise visit to iconic nightclub First Avenue on Friday to play his newly recorded &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Streets of Minneapolis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaPdpwA4Iw" data-vars-content-id="e550bc25-cc10-4f06-aedb-5799d7a32423" data-vars-headline="Bruce Springsteen makes surprise appearance at Minneapolis&#x27; First Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaPdpwA4Iw" target="_blank">Streets of Minneapolis</a>&quot; at a benefit concert for the families of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="e550bc25-cc10-4f06-aedb-5799d7a32423" data-vars-headline="Bruce Springsteen makes surprise appearance at Minneapolis&#x27; First Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">Alex Pretti</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Renee Good" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="e550bc25-cc10-4f06-aedb-5799d7a32423" data-vars-headline="Bruce Springsteen makes surprise appearance at Minneapolis&#x27; First Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" target="_self">Renee Good</a>.

North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing

Developers say the 8,000-seat venue could still open in summer 2027.

First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra secured financing for their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-planned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" data-vars-content-id="96fa6720-45eb-4b90-9169-b4f8590702e3" data-vars-headline="North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" target="_self">long-planned</a> North Minneapolis riverfront amphitheater on Wednesday, they confirmed to Axios. Why it matters: The two organizations had hoped to break ground in September, but that never happened, raising questions about whether the 8,000-seat concert venue would be ready for a previously planned Memorial Day weekend 2027 opening.

Minnesota's first "Gamer Orchestra" brings video game music to the stage

"Dreams and Determination" will feature the music of Undertale and Deltarune.

Over 75 musicians will pack a Minneapolis high school stage Thursday night for a grand orchestral performance — of beloved video game music.The big picture: Thursday marks the third concert by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Twin Cities Gamer Symphony Orchestra" data-vars-click-url="https://tcgso.org/about-us/" data-vars-content-id="c695c001-58e4-488d-9f66-dddd9011c2ad" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s first &quot;Gamer Orchestra&quot; brings video game music to the stage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tcgso.org/about-us/" target="_blank">Twin Cities Gamer Symphony Orchestra</a>, a community orchestra that performs arrangements of music originating from video games.

Viral girl group Katseye starts world tour in Minneapolis

Katseye kicks off its world tour with a sold-out show at The Armory Saturday.

Katseye kicks off its first world tour with a sold-out concert at The Armory Saturday. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grammy-nominated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/entertainment/katseye-grammys" data-vars-content-id="df2d3231-5245-4a7f-aa3b-cb08dc84dfdb" data-vars-headline="Viral girl group Katseye starts world tour in Minneapolis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/entertainment/katseye-grammys" target="_blank">Grammy-nominated</a> K-pop-style ensemble is one of the most popular girl groups worldwide. <ul><li>Their tracks, which rack up hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify, and dance clips are all over TikTok and other social platforms. </li></ul>

Seeing Sir McCartney in Minneapolis is a steal

The Beatles alum last performed in the Twin Cities in 2014.

Music

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul McCartney" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/02/paul-mccartney-let-it-be-1999-rock-hall" data-vars-content-id="f5ef427c-907a-43cc-9cad-170dc589590d" data-vars-headline="Seeing Sir McCartney in Minneapolis is a steal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/02/paul-mccartney-let-it-be-1999-rock-hall" target="_self">Paul McCartney</a> fans can snag a ticket for The Beatles alum&#x27;s Friday night show in Minneapolis for just $50. Flashback: Officials from U.S. Bank Stadium and Live Nation talked up the tour&#x27;s Twin Cities stop as &quot;one of the biggest shows in Minnesota history&quot; ahead of their July announcement.

Farm Aid 40 brings all-star music lineup to Minneapolis

Headliners include Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and Kenny Chesney.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="40th annual Farm Aid concert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/13/farm-aid-minneapolis-hungtingon-bank-stadium" data-vars-content-id="02d7ce31-b826-47cd-8660-cfae3ab1a14b" data-vars-headline="Farm Aid 40 brings all-star music lineup to Minneapolis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/13/farm-aid-minneapolis-hungtingon-bank-stadium" target="_self">40th annual Farm Aid concert</a> will rock the Twin Cities on Saturday.Why it matters: The daylong festival at Huntington Bank Stadium brings some of the biggest names in music to Minneapolis to raise money to support small and family farms. <ul><li>It&#x27;s the first time the benefit will be held in the agriculture-heavy state.</li></ul>

Minneapolis' songs of the summer on Spotify

This was the least danceable and lowest-energy summer for music in the last decade.

&quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ordinary" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/6qqrTXSdwiJaq8SO0X2lSe" data-vars-content-id="dbfce286-19e5-451a-a165-6a6a2c93270c" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; songs of the summer on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6qqrTXSdwiJaq8SO0X2lSe" target="_blank">Ordinary</a>&quot; by Alex Warren is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spotify&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" data-vars-content-id="dbfce286-19e5-451a-a165-6a6a2c93270c" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; songs of the summer on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/spotify-user-numbers-investor-relations" target="_self">Spotify&#x27;s</a> &quot;song of the summer&quot; for Minneapolis.Why it matters: While Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, we can keep soaking up the season&#x27;s vibes through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/music" data-vars-content-id="dbfce286-19e5-451a-a165-6a6a2c93270c" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; songs of the summer on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/music" target="_self">music</a> that defined it.

What to expect from the new North Minneapolis amphitheater

Think Red Rocks… but in North Minneapolis. A new 8,000-seat riverfront amphitheater opens in 2027.

The opening of a North Minneapolis riverfront amphitheater is coming sooner than you might expect, given <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="how long it took" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" data-vars-content-id="439bfb57-5997-462f-894d-705bb2f16330" data-vars-headline="What to expect from the new North Minneapolis amphitheater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" target="_self">how long it took</a> to get get a deal done.

Xcel Energy Center to be renamed Grand Casino Arena

It'll be a big change for fans, who have only known the venue as Xcel Energy Center since 2000.

Sports

The Minnesota Wild on Monday announced the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new name for their St. Paul arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/18/goodbye-x-hello-cow-palace" data-vars-content-id="d9c65920-2f0a-49c5-8283-695577022143" data-vars-headline="Xcel Energy Center to be renamed Grand Casino Arena" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/18/goodbye-x-hello-cow-palace" target="_self">new name for their St. Paul arena</a>: Grand Casino Arena.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a big change for Minnesota sports and music fans, who have only known the venue as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Xcel Energy Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/11/29/xcel-energy-center-renovation-minnesota-wild-state-funding" data-vars-content-id="d9c65920-2f0a-49c5-8283-695577022143" data-vars-headline="Xcel Energy Center to be renamed Grand Casino Arena" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/11/29/xcel-energy-center-renovation-minnesota-wild-state-funding" target="_self">Xcel Energy Center</a> since it opened in 2000.The latest: The &quot;X&quot; branding will be retired on Sept. 3, when a 14-year naming rights deal begins between the Wild and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns casinos in Mille Lacs and Hinckley. <ul><li>Wild CEO Matt Majka declined to disclose the price Grand Casino paid for the rights. </li></ul>Between the lines: Renaming a sports venue doesn&#x27;t always get full uptake from fans. Already, people on social media are saying they&#x27;ll keep calling it &quot;The X.&quot; What they&#x27;re saying: Majka told Axios that team employees are committed to the new name. <ul><li>&quot;They&#x27;re making a major commitment to us, and so we will always respect the name Grand Casino in all of our communications and our employees are fully aware of that.&quot;</li></ul>Grand Casino CEO Ronda Weizenegger told Axios the naming rights will allow the tribe to tell the story of its rich history and its economic development progress. <ul><li>&quot;This is more than a name change — it&#x27;s a signal of where we&#x27;re headed as a business,&quot; she said in a statement.</li></ul>Context: The naming rights adds to the Mille Lacs Band&#x27;s interests in downtown St. Paul. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In 2013" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/intercontinental-st-paul-riverfront-hotel-latest-mille-lacs-band-venture/306349981" data-vars-content-id="d9c65920-2f0a-49c5-8283-695577022143" data-vars-headline="Xcel Energy Center to be renamed Grand Casino Arena" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/intercontinental-st-paul-riverfront-hotel-latest-mille-lacs-band-venture/306349981" target="_blank">In 2013</a>, it purchased the InterContinental St. Paul-Riverfront and DoubleTree hotelsZoom in: Crews will replace all signage inside and outside the building to reflect the new branding before the start of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, the team said.What we&#x27;re watching: Officials with the City of St. Paul — which owns the &quot;X&quot; — have joined with the Wild in recent years to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ask the state Legislature to help pay for renovations to the arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/20/st-paul-wild-pitch-xcel-energy-center-makeover" data-vars-content-id="d9c65920-2f0a-49c5-8283-695577022143" data-vars-headline="Xcel Energy Center to be renamed Grand Casino Arena" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/20/st-paul-wild-pitch-xcel-energy-center-makeover" target="_self">ask the state Legislature to help pay for renovations to the arena</a>. The project has not received funding.

Music

Celebrate Dolly Parton's life and legacy at these Twin Cities tribute events

New Shakopee amphitheater brings suites near stage

Twin Cities bands to open Mystic Lake's new venue

Bruce Springsteen makes surprise appearance at Minneapolis' First Avenue

North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing