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Amy Klobuchar wins Minnesota Democratic primary for governor

Klobuchar will face the GOP nominee in November.

Politics & Policy

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/22/amy-klobuchar-minnesota-governor-fundraising-filing" data-vars-content-id="4d069a10-5e78-406f-aed4-3b9da0e32772" data-vars-headline="Amy Klobuchar wins Minnesota Democratic primary for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/22/amy-klobuchar-minnesota-governor-fundraising-filing" target="_self">U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar</a> sailed to victory in Minnesota&#x27;s Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday. The big picture: Polling indicates that the four-term senator and 2020 presidential candidate will be a formidable contender in Democrats&#x27; bid to hold the open seat this November.

Frey proposes steep Minneapolis levy hike

Years of generous salary increases and mounting inflationary pressures are beginning to overtake City Hall.

News

Minneapolis may soon endure its largest property tax levy hike in recent memory — 11.3% — but still would have to cut jobs under a budget proposal Mayor Jacob Frey rolled out Wednesday.Why it matters: Years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="generous salary increases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/07/18/minneapolis-police-contract-city-council-approval" data-vars-content-id="17d5c085-f624-4b38-89f8-5740b93f6c72" data-vars-headline="Frey proposes steep Minneapolis levy hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/07/18/minneapolis-police-contract-city-council-approval" target="_self">generous salary increases</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting inflationary pressures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/13/minneapolis-budget-tax-hike-mayor-frey" data-vars-content-id="17d5c085-f624-4b38-89f8-5740b93f6c72" data-vars-headline="Frey proposes steep Minneapolis levy hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/13/minneapolis-budget-tax-hike-mayor-frey" target="_self">mounting inflationary pressures</a> are beginning to overtake City Hall.The big picture: Now, the mayor’s proposal will tee off the most painful budget fight in years, with some City Council members likely to go to bat for pet programs and other members likely to push just as hard for deeper cuts and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller levy hike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/19/property-tax-increases-minnesota-minneapolis-metro" data-vars-content-id="17d5c085-f624-4b38-89f8-5740b93f6c72" data-vars-headline="Frey proposes steep Minneapolis levy hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/19/property-tax-increases-minnesota-minneapolis-metro" target="_self">smaller levy hike</a>.

Peggy Flanagan wins Democratic primary for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat

Flanagan's victory over U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is seen as a win for progressives.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/30/minnesota-senate-primary-flanagan-craig-ice-raids-dfl-endorsement-delegates" data-vars-content-id="11e14895-e73e-4285-847b-b14b377eda6d" data-vars-headline="Peggy Flanagan wins Democratic primary for Minnesota&#x27;s open U.S. Senate seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/30/minnesota-senate-primary-flanagan-craig-ice-raids-dfl-endorsement-delegates" target="_self">Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan</a> defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig to win Tuesday&#x27;s Democratic primary for Minnesota&#x27;s open U.S. Senate seat, the AP projects. Why it matters: Flanagan&#x27;s victory over the moderate congresswoman is another win for progressives in the broader fight over the future of the Democratic Party.

Michele Tafoya wins Minnesota Republican U.S. Senate primary

Tafoya secured the nomination despite losing the GOP endorsement.

Former NFL sideline reporter <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michele Tafoya" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/21/michele-tafoya-us-senate-race-minnesota-republican" data-vars-content-id="d503d7d3-4ea5-453b-a146-b8b3a3334658" data-vars-headline="Michele Tafoya wins Minnesota Republican U.S. Senate primary" 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/michele-tafoya-us-senate-race-minnesota-republican" target="_self">Michele Tafoya</a> will be the GOP nominee for Minnesota&#x27;s open U.S. Senate seat, the AP projects. Why it matters: Name recognition and a big fundraising advantage helped propel Tafoya to victory despite losing the Minnesota Republican Party endorsement this spring.

St. Paul backs away from tolerance of homeless encampments

Mayor Kaohly Her's ambitious and controversial plan signals a new approach to a growing crisis.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her has announced a plan to close three <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless encampments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/02/homeless-shelter-funding-cuts-winter" data-vars-content-id="39625aea-b309-4950-ac34-8f284b84fde9" data-vars-headline="St. Paul backs away from tolerance of homeless encampments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/02/homeless-shelter-funding-cuts-winter" target="_self">homeless encampments</a> in the city, starting with the largest, in Pig&#x27;s Eye Park, on Aug. 5.Why it matters: The mayor&#x27;s ambitious and controversial plan signals a big shift in St. Paul officials&#x27; approach to a growing problem with unsheltered homelessness.<ul><li>Previously, despite laws against unsanctioned camping, city officials have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tolerated encampments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/st-paul-homeless-camp-grows-fish-hatchery-road/601523350" data-vars-content-id="39625aea-b309-4950-ac34-8f284b84fde9" data-vars-headline="St. Paul backs away from tolerance of homeless encampments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/st-paul-homeless-camp-grows-fish-hatchery-road/601523350" target="_blank">tolerated encampments</a> up to a point.</li></ul>

Minneapolis heeds call: Don't call 911 for fireworks noise

Noise complaints tie up dispatchers who need to direct first responders to higher-priority calls.

Public Safety

Do your neighbors turn into pyrotechnicians on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fourth of July" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/03/july-4-safety-tips-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="64a9f7dc-029c-4035-83e5-5dd7f5569bfc" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis heeds call: Don&#x27;t call 911 for fireworks noise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/03/july-4-safety-tips-minneapolis" target="_self">Fourth of July</a>? Twin Cities public safety officials want you to think twice before calling 911.Why it matters: Fireworks calls have historically made Independence Day one of the busiest holidays in the region&#x27;s 911 dispatch centers.

July 4 becomes Minnesota's DWI hotspot

Minnesota's totals for stops and crashes hit a decade-long high last year.

Move over New Year&#x27;s and St. Patrick&#x27;s Day.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fourth of July weekend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/03/july-4-safety-tips-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="d1f63a01-dcb0-41ac-a7e0-a804f70d8c7e" data-vars-headline="July 4 becomes Minnesota&#x27;s DWI hotspot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/03/july-4-safety-tips-minneapolis" target="_self">Fourth of July weekend</a> has become an increasingly important holiday for keeping drunk drivers off Minnesota&#x27;s roads, an Axios analysis of state data shows.</li></ul>

Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara resigns

An outside investigator concluded O'Hara had interfered with an official inquiry into his workplace conduct.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O&#x27;Hara resigned Tuesday after an outside investigator concluded he interfered with an internal investigation into allegations about his workplace conduct, Mayor Jacob Frey announced.Why it matters: O&#x27;Hara&#x27;s departure comes as Minneapolis police continue to navigate a monumental, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="court-ordered reform process" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/07/02/minneapolis-police-union-contract-mpd-reforms" data-vars-content-id="5fa6f1a2-82f6-4f6d-9c12-b081422fc0ca" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis police chief Brian O&#x27;Hara resigns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/07/02/minneapolis-police-union-contract-mpd-reforms" target="_self">court-ordered reform process</a> and rebuild their depleted ranks amid a leadership shake-up.<ul><li>Assistant MPD chief Katie Blackwell will serve as acting chief effective immediately, Frey said.</li></ul>

Some Minneapolis council members sour on city's public safety office

The office was created in 2022 to elevate alternatives to traditional policing, but has faced persistent criticism.

Some City Council allies of Mayor Jacob Frey recently floated an idea to resolve a standoff over who should serve as Minneapolis&#x27; top public safety official: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hire no one for the role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" data-vars-content-id="8e0228ad-6c4f-4148-892c-f8e9cc20faea" data-vars-headline="Some Minneapolis council members sour on city&#x27;s public safety office" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" target="_self">Hire no one for the role</a>, at least for now.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a sign of how deeply frustrated some city leaders have grown with the Office of Community Safety (OCS) — the agency meant to unify the city after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="divisive 2021 police ballot measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/11/03/minneapolis-police-amendment-election-results-public-safety" data-vars-content-id="8e0228ad-6c4f-4148-892c-f8e9cc20faea" data-vars-headline="Some Minneapolis council members sour on city&#x27;s public safety office" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/11/03/minneapolis-police-amendment-election-results-public-safety" target="_self">divisive 2021 police ballot measure</a>.

Minneapolis embraces St. Paul policing strategy

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey admitted he stole the idea from St. Paul.

Minneapolis is borrowing a St. Paul strategy aimed at preventing homicides by solving more nonfatal shootings. Why it matters: Minneapolis has struggled to bring its homicide rate back down to where it was before a surge that began in 2020. <ul><li>Meanwhile, St. Paul and Ramsey County&#x27;s focus on solving nonfatal shootings has led to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dramatic decline in homicides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/12/homides-fall-sharply-saint-paul-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="82591830-5b93-4e8e-9d36-b6868d6ba175" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis embraces St. Paul policing strategy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/12/homides-fall-sharply-saint-paul-minneapolis" target="_self">dramatic decline in homicides</a>, which dropped from 33 in 2024 to 15 last year, the lowest total in St. Paul since 2013. </li><li>Minneapolis reported 64 in 2024, which was still above the 48 murders in 2019. </li></ul>

Hall Monitor: Witch's Hat repairs move forward

Plus: A top public safety official's job remains in limbo after a busy day the Minneapolis City Council.

A few notes from a busy day at Minneapolis City Hall on Thursday:🧙‍♀️ The Prospect Park water tower&#x27;s observation deck — aka &quot;the Witch&#x27;s Hat&quot; — could finally reopen to the public this fall.<ul><li>City council members voted to hire a contractor to complete necessary repairs to reopen the tower, which has been closed since 2019.</li><li>Minneapolis originally budgeted $350,000 for the work in 2024, but needed to reopen the bidding process three times before a suitable contractor came forward, a city spokesperson told Axios.</li></ul>❓ Minneapolis&#x27; top public safety official&#x27;s job remains in limbo. The council failed to override Mayor Jacob Frey&#x27;s veto of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their rejection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" data-vars-content-id="a1fc9477-b617-491e-a518-556f0a5b3e90" data-vars-headline="Hall Monitor: Witch&#x27;s Hat repairs move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/09/minneapolis-council-votes-to-oust-top-public-safety-official" target="_self">their rejection</a> of community safety commissioner Todd Barnette&#x27;s reappointment.<ul><li>Barnette, who oversees all emergency response in the city, including police, cannot serve past August without an affirmative council vote.</li></ul>💾 Next month, the city council could, in effect, enact a one-year moratorium on data centers — just by opening debate on the proposal.<ul><li>Under city zoning codes, any &quot;interim ordinance&quot; becomes effective as soon as the council takes what&#x27;s usually a pro-forma vote to &quot;introduce&quot; the legislation, city attorney Kristyn Anderson explained.</li><li>Some downtown boosters see data centers as a means of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rescuing falling property values in office towers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" data-vars-content-id="a1fc9477-b617-491e-a518-556f0a5b3e90" data-vars-headline="Hall Monitor: Witch&#x27;s Hat repairs move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" target="_self">rescuing falling property values in office towers</a>, but some council members want the city to study the environmental and development risks.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I do see the upside of increasing revenue for the city, but I want to know what the cost of it is, and I don&#x27;t feel like that&#x27;s clear,&quot; ordinance co-author Council Member Aurin Chowdhury told Axios.<ul><li>She moved to delay the ordinance&#x27;s introduction to May 21.</li></ul>

Minneapolis council votes to reject top public safety official

Minneapolis ousts public safety chief, setting up search for third commissioner in four years.

Minneapolis City Council members voted 7-6 on Thursday to reject <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Todd Barnette" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/17/todd-barnette-community-safety-commissioner-appointment" data-vars-content-id="3f05efa0-7afb-4ff3-a613-6728a08c9025" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council votes to reject top public safety official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/17/todd-barnette-community-safety-commissioner-appointment" target="_self">Todd Barnette</a> for a second term as the city&#x27;s top public safety official.Why it matters: Minneapolis could soon be looking for its third community safety commissioner, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="only four years after the role&#x27;s creation," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/07/20/cedric-alexander-retires-minneapolis-community-safety" data-vars-content-id="3f05efa0-7afb-4ff3-a613-6728a08c9025" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council votes to reject top public safety official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/07/20/cedric-alexander-retires-minneapolis-community-safety" target="_self">only four years after the role&#x27;s creation,</a> overseeing all emergency response, including MPD and non-police alternatives.<ul><li>Barnette has also served as the city&#x27;s point-person on an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MPD reform settlement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/07/02/minneapolis-police-union-contract-mpd-reforms" data-vars-content-id="3f05efa0-7afb-4ff3-a613-6728a08c9025" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council votes to reject top public safety official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/07/02/minneapolis-police-union-contract-mpd-reforms" target="_self">MPD reform settlement</a> to reverse years of heavy-handed, racially biased policing.</li></ul>

Killer of Justin "Juice" Marshall pleads guilty

A 19-year-old man admitted to shooting Marshall six times, prosecutors say

A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing Justin &quot;Juice&quot; Marshall last summer, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had begun to feel stalled.The latest: The Hennepin County Attorney&#x27;s Office <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hennepinattorney.org/news/news/2026/April/davis-plea" data-vars-content-id="5dceca17-fa75-41a9-b4f2-e37e63cfb3a5" data-vars-headline="Killer of Justin &quot;Juice&quot; Marshall pleads guilty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hennepinattorney.org/news/news/2026/April/davis-plea" target="_blank">announced</a> Monday that it reached a plea deal with Dijon Jacquez Davis of Las Vegas, who will be sentenced to 261 months for second-degree intentional murder.

What's behind the spat over the Hennepin County sheriff's budget

County leaders are bracing for major shocks to their $3.1 billion budget.

A Hennepin County commissioner&#x27;s remarks on the Sheriff&#x27;s Office budget sparked outrage in Twin Cities law enforcement agencies last week.Yes, but: The serious money troubles facing Hennepin County that caused the controversy in the first place got lost in the headlines.Why it matters: Not only is the sheriff&#x27;s budget at stake, but so are county-run <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety net programs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/13/mutual-aid-evictions-rental-assistance" data-vars-content-id="c99ba695-ec62-48d2-be0b-d99e50f6bde8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s behind the spat over the Hennepin County sheriff&#x27;s budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/13/mutual-aid-evictions-rental-assistance" target="_self">safety net programs</a>, library services, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fraud" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" data-vars-content-id="c99ba695-ec62-48d2-be0b-d99e50f6bde8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s behind the spat over the Hennepin County sheriff&#x27;s budget" 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">fraud</a>-fighting efforts, the survival of Hennepin County Medical Center — and property taxpayers&#x27; bills.