Twin Cities

Picture of the Twin Cities skyline with MSP written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Twin Cities with Nick Halter, Torey Van Oot, and Kyle Stokes.

Axios Twin Cities

Standard

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Nick Halter, Audrey Kennedy and Torey Van Oot.

Axios Twin Cities Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Twin Cities Alerts

Alert

Axios Twin Cities Deep Dive

Deep Dive

Twin Cities Members

Membership

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

Axios Twin Cities Weekender

Weekender

Axios Twin Cities Partners

Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood

The 50-year-old bookstore was destroyed in 2025 after a city water main break.

News

A long-running south Minneapolis bookstore destroyed by a city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water main break" data-vars-click-url="https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/paperback-exchange-bookstore-a-loss-for-now,141103" data-vars-content-id="a08f6c77-6664-4e99-b0cd-1ec806f9ed20" data-vars-headline="Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/paperback-exchange-bookstore-a-loss-for-now,141103" target="_blank">water main break</a> last year has finally found a new home — literally.Driving the news: Paperback Exchange will reopen in a converted single-family house near its original location next spring.<ul><li>The shop, which opened at 50th and Penn in 1975, boasted more than 150,000 titles before a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burst pipe flooded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/after-dark-chapter-flooded-minneapolis-bookstore-works-to-turn-page/601227409?utm_source=gift" data-vars-content-id="a08f6c77-6664-4e99-b0cd-1ec806f9ed20" data-vars-headline="Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/after-dark-chapter-flooded-minneapolis-bookstore-works-to-turn-page/601227409?utm_source=gift" target="_blank">burst pipe flooded</a> its building in February 2025.</li></ul>

Gang task force proposal gains traction and stirs anxiety

Police in multiple suburbs have tied a recent string of gun violence to Somali American gangs.

Representatives of around 40 Twin Cities law enforcement agencies will meet with state officials this week to discuss growing calls for a regional police response to gang violence.Why it matters: Residents and city leaders are clamoring for solutions after police in multiple Twin Cities suburbs tied an alarming string of gun violence to Somali American gangs.

Hourcar shutting down car sharing service

The nonprofit faced a $1.1 million deficit and couldn't crawl out

Car-sharing service Hourcar is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shutting down" data-vars-click-url="https://hourcar.org/news/sunset" data-vars-content-id="55865822-0f80-4eab-a70e-510ca95f2817" data-vars-headline="Hourcar shutting down car sharing service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hourcar.org/news/sunset" target="_blank">shutting down</a> on Oct. 15 after a 20-year run in the Twin Cities. Why it matters: Hourcar allowed people to ditch their own vehicle in favor of a low-cost alternative, but a financial crunch prompted the nonprofit&#x27;s board of directors to end the service.

Rising diesel prices strain Minnesota school bus budgets

Some districts are cutting bus routes as soaring diesel costs add to existing financial pressures.

Education

Rising fuel prices are squeezing already cash-strapped Minnesota school districts. Why it matters: Some districts are consolidating or reducing routes to cut costs, disrupting student and family routines.

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.

Minnesota State Fair prices mostly held steady in 2026

Here's how prices for Sweet Martha's, Mouth Trap Cheese Curds and other fair staples have changed.

Inflation has eased this year — at the Minnesota State Fair, at least.By the numbers: The University of St. Thomas&#x27; &quot;On-A-Stick&quot; fair inflation index was up 3.1% this year, much milder than last year&#x27;s 7.4% jump.<ul><li>This year&#x27;s rise is also much more comparable to the overall inflation rate of 3.4%. Last year, overall inflation hovered around 2.7%.</li></ul>

What to eat — and skip — at the Minnesota State Fair

braved five hours of lines and calories to find the new fair foods actually worth your money.

Don&#x27;t say we didn&#x27;t warn you: The Minnesota State Fair&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pickle Pie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/07/10/make-your-state-fair-food-plan" data-vars-content-id="8f371fc2-cb13-4531-8259-e24c9151706c" data-vars-headline="What to eat — and skip — at the Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/07/10/make-your-state-fair-food-plan" target="_self">Pickle Pie</a> may leave you wanting to puke. Driving our discomfort: We spent five hours braving the crowds, lines and calories to taste-test this year&#x27;s buzziest and most intriguing new foods. Why it matters: We did it for you! Our goal was to help readers weigh which &quot;official&quot; new foods are worth the cash (and wait) and which you can — and probably should — skip without feeling an ounce of FOMO.

Hot tip: State Fair attendance dips in warmer weather

Hoping for temps in the 90s, then going to brave the heat, might be as good a crowd-fighting strategy as any.

Here&#x27;s one strategy for beating the crowds at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="e6f524ea-3323-41ff-81c5-1c1b34c61c5c" data-vars-headline="Hot tip: State Fair attendance dips in warmer weather" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" target="_self">Minnesota State Fair</a>: Hope for temps in the 90s, then go brave the heat.By the numbers: Daily attendance was 13% lower when the high was 90ºF or greater, on average, than on days with highs of 89ºF or less. That&#x27;s according to an Axios analysis of attendance and climate records since 1994.

What's new at the Minnesota State Fair (besides the food)

Fairgoers will find plenty of fresh opportunities for fun at the Great Minnesota Get-Together beyond the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gut-busting new foods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/24/minnesota-state-fair-new-foods-taste-test-vote" data-vars-content-id="089a3c6a-6461-4701-bb8c-80bb93ea29d8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new at the Minnesota State Fair (besides the food)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/24/minnesota-state-fair-new-foods-taste-test-vote" target="_self">gut-busting new foods</a>.

Vote: Pick what new Minnesota State Fair foods Axios will try on day one

Axios Twin Cities readers are calling the shots on our annual opening-day food adventure.

Audrey here! For the last five years, I&#x27;ve been the one choosing what new Minnesota State Fair foods the Axios Twin Cities team should try on day one of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Help us make the most of the rest of summer in the Twin Cities

The State Fair is almost here, school is starting and we're tackling our summer bucket lists.

Things to Do

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but this weekend marks the halfway point of August.Why it matters: Summer — the hope at the end of that long, dark, cold winter tunnel we suffer through year after year — is slipping away.

Yelp: Minnesota has America's best State Fair food

The 2026 Fair is now officially less than a month away.

Food and Drink

We didn&#x27;t need Yelp to know the Minnesota has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the best state fair food in the U.S." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/21/best-worst-of-new-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="409429a1-c3c4-4139-805e-1dee6a305db3" data-vars-headline="Yelp: Minnesota has America&#x27;s best State Fair food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/21/best-worst-of-new-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">the best state fair food in the U.S.</a>, but Yelp was nice enough to confirm it anyway.The big picture: The Great Minnesota Get-Together landed at No. 1 on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yelp&#x27;s new ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/article/state-fairs-festival-eats-food" data-vars-content-id="409429a1-c3c4-4139-805e-1dee6a305db3" data-vars-headline="Yelp: Minnesota has America&#x27;s best State Fair food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/article/state-fairs-festival-eats-food" target="_blank">Yelp&#x27;s new ranking</a> out this morning, which was based on the website&#x27;s reviews.

State Fair attendance fails to reach 2 million

Despite the perfect weather, State Fair attendance was flat

Despite near-perfect weather, Minnesota State Fair <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attendance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="cfdc930a-6488-48f0-ae82-0af2339d866f" data-vars-headline="State Fair attendance fails to reach 2 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" target="_self">attendance</a> failed to reach 2 million this year and barely surpassed last year, when heat and storms slowed the turnstiles on a couple of days.Why it matters: The State Fair can serve as a gauge of Minnesotans&#x27; economic mood, and this year was surprisingly lackluster considering that highs in the 70s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="usually bring big crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/20/best-day-attend-minnesota-state-fair-data" data-vars-content-id="cfdc930a-6488-48f0-ae82-0af2339d866f" data-vars-headline="State Fair attendance fails to reach 2 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/20/best-day-attend-minnesota-state-fair-data" target="_self">usually bring big crowds</a>.

New foods to try, skip at the Minnesota State Fair

We actually liked the Uncrustaburger, even if it fell apart in our hands.

It might have been a mistake to eat the Uncrustaburger from Coasters first thing in the morning.

Grouped bar chart comparing percentage increases by category in 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Minnesota State Fair. Overall growth slowed from 7.79% last year to 3.13% this year; rides had the largest increase this year at 7.48%, while transportation and admissions were unchanged.

Year-over-year change in cost of Minnesota State Fair attendance

Data: University of St. Thomas' On-A-Stick Index; Chart: Axios

A line chart showing the maximum, average, and minimum attendance at the Minnesota State Fair each day from 1994 to 2024. Day 1 generally has the lowest attendance, while days 9-11 have the highest attendance. Between 100,000 and 200,000 people visit the fair on a single day.

Minnesota State Fair daily attendance, 1994-2025

Note: Excludes COVID-restricted 2021 fair; Data: Minnesota State Fair; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios