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UnitedHealth is now the world's fourth-largest company by revenue

The Minnesota health care giant climbed to No. 4 on Fortune's Global 500.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UnitedHealth Group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/unitedhealth-group-earnings-unh" data-vars-content-id="60072464-3cb5-4e35-8c71-267cbebe062b" data-vars-headline="UnitedHealth is now the world&#x27;s fourth-largest company by revenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/29/unitedhealth-group-earnings-unh" target="_self">UnitedHealth Group</a> is now the fourth-largest company in the world, according to the newly released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fortune Global 500" data-vars-click-url="https://fortune.com/ranking/global500/" data-vars-content-id="60072464-3cb5-4e35-8c71-267cbebe062b" data-vars-headline="UnitedHealth is now the world&#x27;s fourth-largest company by revenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fortune.com/ranking/global500/" target="_blank">Fortune Global 500</a>.Zoom in: Only Amazon, Walmart and China&#x27;s state-owned utility bring in more revenue than UnitedHealth, which jumped three spots on this year&#x27;s ranking.<ul><li>The Eden Prairie-based health care giant leapfrogged three oil companies, including Saudi Aramco, to claim the No. 4 spot.</li></ul>

Report: Iranian hackers likely behind Minnesota municipal water cyberattack

Officials suspect Iranian hackers, though investigators have not confirmed the source.

World

U.S. and state officials believe that Iranian hackers were probably behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this week&#x27;s cyberattack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-twin-cities-d246e150-8aaa-11f1-b844-69ab521e89e4.html?chunk=2&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story2 " data-vars-content-id="70c595b7-a7ed-4c97-b676-1dc662100442" data-vars-headline="Report: Iranian hackers likely behind Minnesota municipal water cyberattack" 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-d246e150-8aaa-11f1-b844-69ab521e89e4.html?chunk=2&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story2 " target="_self">this week&#x27;s cyberattack</a> targeting municipal water systems in Minnesota, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the New York Times reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/us/politics/minnesota-water-cyberattack-iran.html" data-vars-content-id="70c595b7-a7ed-4c97-b676-1dc662100442" data-vars-headline="Report: Iranian hackers likely behind Minnesota municipal water cyberattack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/us/politics/minnesota-water-cyberattack-iran.html" target="_blank">the New York Times reports</a>. The big picture: The coordinated campaign underscored <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a growing — and concerning — trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/23/minnesota-cyber-attack-hackers-schools-local-government" data-vars-content-id="70c595b7-a7ed-4c97-b676-1dc662100442" data-vars-headline="Report: Iranian hackers likely behind Minnesota municipal water cyberattack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/23/minnesota-cyber-attack-hackers-schools-local-government" target="_self">a growing — and concerning — trend</a> of cyberattacks targeting state and local agencies and services.<ul><li>Such an &quot;act of aggression&quot; from the Iranians would come at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tense point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/us-airstrikes-iran-trump-resume" data-vars-content-id="70c595b7-a7ed-4c97-b676-1dc662100442" data-vars-headline="Report: Iranian hackers likely behind Minnesota municipal water cyberattack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/us-airstrikes-iran-trump-resume" target="_self">tense point</a> in the conflict with the U.S., the Times writes.</li></ul>

Young Minnesotans are getting into chess

Participation in Minnesota's scholastic tournaments is growing as new media spurs interest.

Culture

Younger adults are now more likely than their elders to play chess, according to recent YouGov <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54943-what-americans-think-about-board-games" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54943-what-americans-think-about-board-games" target="_blank">data</a>.Why it matters: The centuries-old game is becoming a Gen Z phenomenon.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Nowadays, kids come up to me who love chess and they look like they would&#x27;ve bullied me in school,&quot; 30-year-old chess master and educator Levy Rozman tells Axios.😅 &quot;I don&#x27;t know if they could&#x27;ve beat me up in high school; I&#x27;m 6-foot-6,&quot; jokes Dane Zagar, president of the Chess Castle, which bills itself as Minnesota&#x27;s largest chess club.<ul><li>Still, Zagar agrees that mainstream participation is on the rise.</li></ul>The big picture: Chess play spiked in 2020, with online gaming and the Netflix series &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Queen&#x27;s Gambit" data-vars-click-url="https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2021/04/05/the-queens-gambit-the-chess-boom-and-the-future-of-chess/" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2021/04/05/the-queens-gambit-the-chess-boom-and-the-future-of-chess/" target="_blank">The Queen&#x27;s Gambit</a>.&quot; Momentum continued with news of a major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cheating scandal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/05/chess-niemann-carlsen-cheat-investigation" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/05/chess-niemann-carlsen-cheat-investigation" target="_self">cheating scandal</a>, the arrival of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chess bot called Mittens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chess.com/terms/mittens-chess" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chess.com/terms/mittens-chess" target="_blank">chess bot called Mittens</a> and an infamous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="table slam" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/06/03/magnus-carlsen-gukesh-dommaraju-chess-match-loss-reaction/84008128007/" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/06/03/magnus-carlsen-gukesh-dommaraju-chess-match-loss-reaction/84008128007/" target="_blank">table slam</a>, Rozman says.<ul><li>The emergence of popular chess livestreamers — including Rozman, aka <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GothamChess" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHX6ViZmPsWiYSFAyS0a3Q" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHX6ViZmPsWiYSFAyS0a3Q" target="_blank">GothamChess</a> — has also had an impact, Twin Cities-based coach and international chess master <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="John Bartholomew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hOVYvNn79Sl1Fc1vx2mYA" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hOVYvNn79Sl1Fc1vx2mYA" target="_blank">John Bartholomew</a> tells Axios.</li></ul>Plus: There are also chess <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dating clubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/lachess.club/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/lachess.club/?hl=en" target="_blank">dating clubs</a>, chess nights at bars and even chess <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="romance scenes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8CC91A803o" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8CC91A803o" target="_blank">romance scenes</a> on TV.By the numbers: The number of Minnesotans active monthly on the popular platform <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chess.com" data-vars-click-url="http://chess.com/" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://chess.com/" target="_blank">Chess.com</a> has grown 45% over the last year to an estimated 90,000 as of June.<ul><li>Over the past five years, the number of entries in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the state&#x27;s K-12 chess championships" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minnesotachess.com/scholastic" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minnesotachess.com/scholastic" target="_blank">the state&#x27;s K-12 chess championships</a> has more than doubled, with 383 entries last March, Bartholomew tells Axios — well above the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="265 or so" data-vars-click-url="https://ratings.uschess.org/affiliate/T5009251?scholastic=K12&amp;name=champ&amp;o=6%2C0" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ratings.uschess.org/affiliate/T5009251?scholastic=K12&amp;name=champ&amp;o=6%2C0" target="_blank">265 or so</a> that was typical pre-COVID.</li></ul>Zoom in: In the high school clubs Zagar coaches, he&#x27;s noticed a healthier balance between &quot;the typical chess-player type&quot; kid and others, including casual online gamers and football players.<ul><li>&quot;There&#x27;s definitely more people,&quot; said Zagar, &quot;that are realizing that it&#x27;s good to have a mental and a physical sport.&quot;</li></ul>The intrigue: More women are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="livestreaming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chess.com/blog/SaNTOS_21_21/the-best-chess-streamers-in-recent-years" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chess.com/blog/SaNTOS_21_21/the-best-chess-streamers-in-recent-years" target="_blank">livestreaming</a> and learning the game.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minneapolis&#x27; Alice Lee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/23/teenager-alice-lee-sets-new-landmark-for-us-womens-chess-after-online-feats" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/23/teenager-alice-lee-sets-new-landmark-for-us-womens-chess-after-online-feats" target="_blank">Minneapolis&#x27; Alice Lee</a> became the third-youngest female international master in history in 2023 — when she was 13.</li></ul>If you&#x27;re chess-curious: Zagar recommends <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his club&#x27;s &quot;casual nights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chesscastle.com/weekdays" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chesscastle.com/weekdays" target="_blank">his club&#x27;s &quot;casual nights</a>&quot; every Wednesday at 5pm at the Chess Castle&#x27;s location in Southdale Center mall.<ul><li>Other clubs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="also offer similar friendly games" data-vars-click-url="https://saintpaulchess.org/clubs.html" data-vars-content-id="8f294111-6b0b-4d13-b18f-d0e0b97efaf8" data-vars-headline="Young Minnesotans are getting into chess" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saintpaulchess.org/clubs.html" target="_blank">also offer similar friendly games</a>.</li></ul>

Top-paid Minnesota athletes in 2026

The Timberwolves own the list as they go all-in for a title.

Sports

Anthony Edwards is now Minnesota&#x27;s highest-paid athlete at the ripe age of 24.By the numbers: The Timberwolves, who are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all-in on their championship quest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/06/25/goodbye-naz-reid-lamelo-ball" data-vars-content-id="e13319aa-269b-4d5a-b823-d969901abba4" data-vars-headline="Top-paid Minnesota athletes in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/06/25/goodbye-naz-reid-lamelo-ball" target="_self">all-in on their championship quest</a>, have the four highest-paid athletes in Minnesota, according to an Axios analysis of Spotrac data. <ul><li>Unless they make another big move, the Wolves will have a $217 million payroll next season, the second highest in the league. </li></ul>

Happy hour is coming to Minnesota nursing homes

From assisted living happy hours to crypto ATM bans, here's what changes beginning Aug. 1.

The hottest happy hour in the Twin Cities this weekend might be at your neighborhood nursing home.Driving the cheers: A new Minnesota law <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="clarifying that nursing homes and other assisted living facilities can serve beer and wine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/grandparents-happy-hour-bill/" data-vars-content-id="29344648-7a17-4790-8850-bf36a96ee13e" data-vars-headline="Happy hour is coming to Minnesota nursing homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/grandparents-happy-hour-bill/" target="_blank">clarifying that nursing homes and other assisted living facilities can serve beer and wine</a> during social events without a liquor license kicks in on Aug. 1.

How to vote early in Minnesota's August primary

Early voting for Minnesota's August primary election starts Friday, June 26.

Early voting for Minnesota&#x27;s August primary election <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="starts Friday, June 26" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-in-person/" data-vars-content-id="d1ddf47d-79f3-4ba7-bd25-dbe57dba73b9" data-vars-headline="How to vote early in Minnesota&#x27;s August primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-in-person/" target="_blank">starts Friday, June 26</a>.Why it matters: The winners of the DFL and GOP contests advance to the November ballot.<ul><li>For races expected to be less competitive in the general election, the primary effectively determines who will fill the seat next year.</li></ul>

Judge blocks Trump subpoenas targeting Minnesota Democrats

It's "extremely rare" for judges to intervene in grand jury probes, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said,

Politics & Policy

Minnesota&#x27;s top federal judge on Monday quashed several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration subpoenas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/20/nx-s1-5683321/minnesota-tim-walz-mayor-jacob-frey-subpoena" data-vars-content-id="fe5b05c2-72a7-4755-8e68-8e8a5ad69630" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Trump subpoenas targeting Minnesota Democrats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/20/nx-s1-5683321/minnesota-tim-walz-mayor-jacob-frey-subpoena" target="_blank">Trump administration subpoenas</a> for immigration-related records from Gov. Tim Walz (D) and a dozen other state and local officials.Why it matters: The grand jury subpoenas — issued when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/28/homan-meets-walz-frey-immigration" data-vars-content-id="fe5b05c2-72a7-4755-8e68-8e8a5ad69630" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Trump subpoenas targeting Minnesota Democrats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/28/homan-meets-walz-frey-immigration" target="_self">Operation Metro Surge</a> was at its height — were clearly meant to &quot;coerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government with enforcing civil immigration laws,&quot; U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concluded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/docs/00043_Immigration-Enforcement-Subpoenas_Order.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fe5b05c2-72a7-4755-8e68-8e8a5ad69630" data-vars-headline="Judge blocks Trump subpoenas targeting Minnesota Democrats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/docs/00043_Immigration-Enforcement-Subpoenas_Order.pdf" target="_blank">concluded</a>.

St. Paul rental repair ordinance headed for November ballot

Tenants would be able to order their own housing repairs, then bill their landlords.

Organizers of a St. Paul campaign to empower tenants to make repairs to their rental housing, then bill their landlords for the work, announced they&#x27;ve gathered the signatures to put their measure on the November ballot. Why it matters: If enacted, the &quot;right-to-repair&quot; ordinance would join St. Paul&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-in-the-Midwest rent control policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/06/st-paul-rent-control-vote-new-construction" data-vars-content-id="7d6ea9f6-c6de-4cd7-adbe-ecf597ec7e9b" data-vars-headline="St. Paul rental repair ordinance headed for November ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/06/st-paul-rent-control-vote-new-construction" target="_self">first-in-the-Midwest rent control policy</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sweeping tenant protections" data-vars-click-url="https://nlihc.org/tenant-protections" data-vars-content-id="7d6ea9f6-c6de-4cd7-adbe-ecf597ec7e9b" data-vars-headline="St. Paul rental repair ordinance headed for November ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nlihc.org/tenant-protections" target="_blank">sweeping tenant protections</a> as another local law giving renters more leverage.Driving the news: The Safe Homes Saint Paul campaign last week submitted more than 7,500 petition signatures from registered voters — at least 2,200 more than needed to trigger an election.<ul><li>The city clerk must still confirm their validity.</li></ul>How it works: The proposed ordinance would require a landlord to address a maintenance issue within 14 days of a tenant&#x27;s notice.<ul><li>If they didn&#x27;t act, the tenant could pay for repairs and then bill the landlord for the cost up to half a month&#x27;s rent or $500, whichever is greater.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;This seems like common sense,&quot; the campaign&#x27;s political coordinator, Cole Hanson, told Axios.<ul><li>He said many petition signatories&#x27; first reaction to the ordinance is: &quot;I didn&#x27;t know [renters] couldn&#x27;t already do this.&quot;</li></ul>The other side: &quot;This feels like one more thing that could make future investors more hesitant to put money into the city,&quot; Nate Hood, a small-time landlord and member of the St. Paul Planning Commission, told Axios.<ul><li>Hood would rather the city strengthen enforcement against bad landlords.</li></ul>Zoom in: If enacted, renters would be empowered to order repairs for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a lengthy list of problems" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.ph/3CqLj" data-vars-content-id="7d6ea9f6-c6de-4cd7-adbe-ecf597ec7e9b" data-vars-headline="St. Paul rental repair ordinance headed for November ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.ph/3CqLj" target="_blank">a lengthy list of problems</a>, ranging from minor — like a broken doorknob — to major, like a failing roof or foundation.<ul><li>In a multi-unit building, tenants could also share the cost of a more costly repair to a shared appliance, such as a broken boiler, Hanson said.</li><li>The ordinance also spells out a procedure for handling disputes, allowing landlords 30 days to obtain a second opinion from an inspector.</li></ul>Friction point: &quot;Deciding what needs fixing, who&#x27;s qualified to do it, and whether a permit is required is real liability. This measure hands it to renters who never signed up for it,&quot; said Cecil Smith, president of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association.<ul><li>The association&#x27;s statement said &quot;unpermitted&quot; repairs could turn small problems into big ones.</li></ul>Yes, but: Hanson frames the ordinance as a &quot;break in case of emergency&quot; safeguard for tenants dealing with a negligent landlord, saying lingering maintenance issues often pose real safety risks.What we&#x27;re watching: If signatures are confirmed, the St. Paul City Council would have until July 6 to either send it to the ballot — or enact the ordinance themselves.<ul><li>Four of the council&#x27;s seven members have endorsed it, though Mayor Kaohly Her hasn&#x27;t publicly taken a position.</li></ul>

Son of slain Minnesota Democrat turns family tragedy into effort to curb political violence

The son of Melissa Hortman hopes sharing his family's story can help prevent future violence.

Since losing both his parents in a politically motivated attack, Colin Hortman has channeled his grief into a simple goal: preventing another family from experiencing a similar loss.The big picture: In recent months, the 31-year-old programmer met privately with members of Minnesota&#x27;s divided House, participated in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="workshops on bridging the partisan divide" data-vars-click-url="https://braverangels.org/" data-vars-content-id="c76271a7-8551-43b0-8e5c-29ebb42a1c21" data-vars-headline="Son of slain Minnesota Democrat turns family tragedy into effort to curb political violence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://braverangels.org/" target="_blank">workshops on bridging the partisan divide</a>, and gave his first public talk on the need to lower the temperature when talking politics. <ul><li>&quot;When someone is framed as a danger to survival or as fundamentally immoral, as an enemy, it invites fear. And fear, when repeated often enough, turns into permission,&quot; he said <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at an April event in Rochester" data-vars-click-url="https://youtu.be/fYimVCuy3AU?t=4052" data-vars-content-id="c76271a7-8551-43b0-8e5c-29ebb42a1c21" data-vars-headline="Son of slain Minnesota Democrat turns family tragedy into effort to curb political violence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://youtu.be/fYimVCuy3AU?t=4052" target="_blank">at an April event in Rochester</a>. &quot;Permission to harass, permission to threaten, and eventually, permission to act.&quot; </li></ul>&quot;I&#x27;m standing here — the human cost of the shift,&quot; he told the crowd.

Minnesota Democrats look to turn ICE watch volunteers into GOTV force

The DFL says thousands of new activists could help power its midterm ground game.

Minnesota Democrats are trying to turn tens of thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;ICE watch&quot; volunteers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/26/ice-watch-rapid-response-minnesota-network" data-vars-content-id="129c72cf-4bc1-4646-b880-9bc23c06c345" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Democrats look to turn ICE watch volunteers into GOTV force" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/26/ice-watch-rapid-response-minnesota-network" target="_self">&quot;ICE watch&quot; volunteers</a> into a &quot;GOTV army&quot; of door-knockers and &quot;poll protectors&quot; ahead of the midterm elections. Why it matters: Boots on the ground can make a big difference in close campaigns.

Minneapolis council faces another difficult George Floyd Square vote

"If there's not significant public funding, nobody's going to be able to do that project," one developer warns.

The Minneapolis City Council faces a tough choice this week: Approve a controversial plan to redevelop the former gas station at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Floyd Square" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/04/george-floyd-square-compromise-proposal" data-vars-content-id="3c06b9ac-59fb-499d-af7f-60fa1b037124" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council faces another difficult George Floyd Square vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/04/george-floyd-square-compromise-proposal" target="_self">George Floyd Square</a> or send an already delayed project back to the drawing board.Why it matters: The drawn-out search for a developer at the site — known as &quot;The People&#x27;s Way&quot; — has shown how private investors are still leery of funding revitalization projects at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling intersection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/23/george-floyd-square-anniversary-street-project" data-vars-content-id="3c06b9ac-59fb-499d-af7f-60fa1b037124" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council faces another difficult George Floyd Square vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/23/george-floyd-square-anniversary-street-project" target="_self">struggling intersection</a>.

Minnesota Medicaid providers caught up in fraud crackdown

Advocates say legitimate providers are losing payments and scrambling to keep care going.

Advocates say thousands of legitimate Medicaid service providers are getting swept up in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota&#x27;s fraud crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" data-vars-content-id="fcf10313-d7cc-4838-a8da-95cb61defcc1" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Medicaid providers caught up in fraud crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" target="_self">Minnesota&#x27;s fraud crackdown</a>.Why it matters: Many of these companies and nonprofits provide critical support for Minnesotans who rely on government-funded programs for autism, mental health and disability services.

Trail mix: Mayor Pete's Minnesota battleground endorsement

It&#x27;s official: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Speaker Lisa Demuth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/02/lisa-demuth-minnesota-governor-republican-primary-tim-walz" data-vars-content-id="8a0d2cf4-1689-40d3-8470-eaaea22171d4" data-vars-headline="Trail mix: Mayor Pete&#x27;s Minnesota battleground endorsement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/02/lisa-demuth-minnesota-governor-republican-primary-tim-walz" target="_self">House Speaker Lisa Demuth</a> and running-mate Ryan Wilson will compete in the Republican primary for governor after losing the MNGOP endorsement. <ul><li>Their announcement — a reversal from Demuth&#x27;s earlier pledge to drop without it — came one day after the MNGOP chair issued a rare statement giving his blessing for candidates to proceed to the primary given problems with the voting tech. </li></ul>

Minnesota Republicans delay major fundraising dinner

The dinner will be rescheduled for after the primary, the chair said.

The Minnesota Republican Party is postponing a major fundraiser scheduled for this week until after the August primary, Axios has learned. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The annual Lincoln-Reagan" data-vars-click-url="https://mngop.com/lincoln-reagan-dinner/" data-vars-content-id="a3584a5b-3140-4c8c-bc62-2f3d15775a40" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Republicans delay major fundraising dinner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mngop.com/lincoln-reagan-dinner/" target="_blank">The annual Lincoln-Reagan</a> dinner is meant to be one of the GOP&#x27;s biggest buckraking events ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

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