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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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Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents

Two downtown hotels could lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.

News

The Minneapolis City Council could decide Thursday whether two downtown hotels should lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" target="_self">Operation Metro Surge</a>.Why it matters: Hospitality advocates say revocations would send a chilling message to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hospitality industry facing uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" target="_self">a hospitality industry facing uncertainty</a> in the aftermath of the Trump administration&#x27;s deportation blitz.<ul><li>But some hotel employees and union representatives argue federal agents&#x27; presence created safety concerns that justify a city intervention.</li></ul>

Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years

The Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close for two years

The heavily used Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close on March 3 for major rehab and won&#x27;t reopen for two years. Why it matters: This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" data-vars-content-id="83be5056-132c-4258-a23b-05cf3b99ffdd" data-vars-headline="Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" target="_blank">project</a> will send the roughly 14,000 vehicles that use the bridge on an average day to nearby streets, and also re-route users of the highly popular Minnehaha Parkway below.

Minnesota's Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women's hockey win

Minnesotans have several more shots to make the podium before the Games wrap Sunday.

Sports

The Minnesotan-powered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team</a> toppled Canada in overtime to win Olympic gold Thursday. Why it matters: The dramatic 2-1 victory is golden redemption for a team of stars — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight of whom have Minnesota ties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">eight of whom have Minnesota ties</a> — that came up short four years ago.<ul><li>The all-North American final — which ended on a sick dangle by Megan Keller — doubled as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made-to-order marketing material" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" target="_self">made-to-order marketing material</a> for the fledgling Professional Women&#x27;s Hockey League.</li></ul>

Restaurant Roundup: Dahlia debuts, Hey Y'all closes, Company Bar moves in

Here's some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Food and Drink

Plenty of restaurants have made moves in the new year. Here&#x27;s some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Minnesota "Blackout" license plate sales boomed in 2025

Minnesota motorists purchased over 470,000 &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blackout&quot; license plates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/12/13/blackout-license-plates-minnesota-sale-dvs" data-vars-content-id="0da567be-0ee9-40fe-b62d-e3d8e9b8f398" data-vars-headline="Minnesota &quot;Blackout&quot; license plate sales boomed in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/12/13/blackout-license-plates-minnesota-sale-dvs" target="_self">Blackout&quot; license plates</a> in 2025, per state data, nearly doubling sales from the first year the style hit bumpers. Why it matters: It&#x27;s a sign of the staying power of the increasingly ubiquitous black-and-white design.

Waymo debuts in Minneapolis — with human drivers for now

The autonomous ride-hailing company wants to "lay the groundwork" for an expansion.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s self-driving cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/09/self-driving-car-waymo-taxi-test" data-vars-content-id="2f8ba8b4-64d6-4b14-8f97-c49ad47112eb" data-vars-headline="Waymo debuts in Minneapolis — with human drivers for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/09/self-driving-car-waymo-taxi-test" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s self-driving cars</a> hit the streets of Minneapolis on Thursday. <ul><li>Yes, but: Humans will be driving them for now. </li></ul>

Would you walk 2 miles to a restaurant? Readers weigh in

How much they walk for anything other than fun depends on where they live.

Many Axios Twin Cities readers love to walk, but how much they do it for utility depends on where they live.Here&#x27;s a sampling of what some of them said in response to our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/14/minnesotans-walk-excercise-utility" data-vars-content-id="8f160ec4-44f6-452e-9fc0-6e41c71984c9" data-vars-headline="Would you walk 2 miles to a restaurant? Readers weigh in" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/14/minnesotans-walk-excercise-utility" target="_self">recent report</a> on Minnesotans&#x27; walking habits: 🇬🇧 Robert F. loves walking the trails near his Rosemount home. &quot;As a Brit I walk everywhere if I can but between the weather and the lack of pedestrian-friendly routes, Minnesota makes it very hard!&quot;📆 Stephanie F. liked to do brainstorm meetings with colleagues before retirement. &quot;We&#x27;d put on our jackets or sweaters and get out for a half an to hour walk/talk. Love it!&quot;🏙️ Deb M. lives in downtown Minneapolis and walks everywhere. &quot;I put on a minimum of 10,000 steps per day&quot; going out to eat, getting happy hour drinks, shopping for groceries or visiting Life Time. 🛑 Felicia C. walks anywhere under two miles and takes a bus or bike for longer trips. &quot;By far the biggest problem I witness is that drivers are wildly unpredictable and terrifyingly disrespectful to the lives of pedestrians.&quot;🅿️ Matt E. of Pelican Rapids travels the Midwest for work. &quot;I cannot tell you how much my daily life improved when I stopped caring how close in proximity to my destination I park.&quot;🌳 Heidi V. walks her South Minneapolis neighborhood daily. &quot;Yes, it takes longer to walk that it would to drive but I like to just walk, be in the present moment, enjoy nature and slow down.&quot;🚦 Araceli C. moved to Uptown from Houston and loves the walkable neighborhood. &quot;There have been great improvements, even in the short time I&#x27;ve been here, but I have seen many places in the metro that are missing sidewalks or basic amenities for pedestrians.&quot;🚶‍♀️ Sue D. lives in the North Loop and doesn&#x27;t own a car. &quot;My goal is to walk 6-10 miles each day. I love to walk in every season. I am 69 years old.&quot;

Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much

We might walk 3 miles around a lake, but a few blocks to a restaurant is too much.

The Twin Cities rank <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among the most active" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-and-st-paul-among-americas-fittest-cities-survey-says/601443671" data-vars-content-id="f3851206-15fb-4771-9dd7-4664788ded34" data-vars-headline="Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-and-st-paul-among-americas-fittest-cities-survey-says/601443671" target="_blank">among the most active</a> metro areas in the nation, but do we only walk for pleasure?The big picture: Our willingness to walk for utility has come under recent scrutiny. At a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RE Journals Summit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/10/downtown-leaders-divided-kupchella-documentary-crime" data-vars-content-id="f3851206-15fb-4771-9dd7-4664788ded34" data-vars-headline="Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/10/downtown-leaders-divided-kupchella-documentary-crime" target="_self">RE Journals Summit</a>, Eric Anderson of City Center Realty Partners lamented that it&#x27;s hard to get people to walk four blocks from Target Field Station to a building in the North Loop.

Waymo gears up to push for driverless cars in Minnesota

A change in law would be needed to launch its driverless robotaxis here.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/09/self-driving-car-waymo-taxi-test" data-vars-content-id="e3f4e550-4633-4747-9095-1a0851bff669" data-vars-headline="Waymo gears up to push for driverless cars in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/09/self-driving-car-waymo-taxi-test" target="_self">Waymo</a> is making moves in Minnesota.Why it matters: The California-based company would need a change in state law to launch its driverless robotaxis here, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="since current statute requires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/17/waymo-car-minnesota-snow-delay" data-vars-content-id="e3f4e550-4633-4747-9095-1a0851bff669" data-vars-headline="Waymo gears up to push for driverless cars in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/17/waymo-car-minnesota-snow-delay" target="_self">since current statute requires</a> that a person is on board and able to take over driving if necessary.

E-motos ride circles around Minnesota's e-bike laws

Cycling advocates worry that justified concerns about e-motos could lead to unjustified restrictions on e-bikes.

Some Twin Cities suburbs are raising alarms over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electrified bikes and scooters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/09/08/minnesota-e-bike-lottery-rebates-awarded" data-vars-content-id="bf6a6caa-2603-4e50-9ed6-1ab71c5d3ed0" data-vars-headline="E-motos ride circles around Minnesota&#x27;s e-bike laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/09/08/minnesota-e-bike-lottery-rebates-awarded" target="_self">electrified bikes and scooters</a> zipping down streets and trails, some of them at illegal speeds.Why it matters: E-bikes have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exploded in popularity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ecycleelectric.com/blog/2025/2/12/how-big-is-the-usa-e-bike-market-in-2024-25" data-vars-content-id="bf6a6caa-2603-4e50-9ed6-1ab71c5d3ed0" data-vars-headline="E-motos ride circles around Minnesota&#x27;s e-bike laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ecycleelectric.com/blog/2025/2/12/how-big-is-the-usa-e-bike-market-in-2024-25" target="_blank">exploded in popularity</a>, but cycling advocates say education — and regulation about which devices are allowed — hasn&#x27;t kept up with the boom.

Metro Transit ridership recovery was slow. Now it's in decline

Metro Transit ridership is down 7% this year — a troubling sign as more Twin Cities workers return to the office.

Metro Transit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sluggish" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/03/metro-transit-twin-cities-ridership-increases-2024" data-vars-content-id="0e29aa77-a5f4-4eee-8092-8be1eff6684a" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit ridership recovery was slow. Now it&#x27;s in decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/03/metro-transit-twin-cities-ridership-increases-2024" target="_self">sluggish</a> post-pandemic recovery is growing even more concerning as ridership numbers are sliding in the wrong direction.Why it matters: A 7% decline so far this year is especially worrisome considering the backdrop — Twin Cities employers have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tightening their remote work policies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/08/3m-calls-office-workers-back-four-days-a-week" data-vars-content-id="0e29aa77-a5f4-4eee-8092-8be1eff6684a" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit ridership recovery was slow. Now it&#x27;s in decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/08/3m-calls-office-workers-back-four-days-a-week" target="_self">tightening their remote work policies</a>, which means more people commuting.

Minneapolis' Stone Arch Bridge reopens early

It's a popular spot for strolling, cycling and taking pictures.

<figure><img alt="People walking and cycling on a sunny urban bridge with red railings and street lamps, city skyline visible in the background under a blue sky." height="450" id="99f4abf5-908e-448a-abe9-209933e170bf" src="https://images.axios.com/JDgs6lPFWw_hyaSV_ZM5-WQ6tmY=/2025/07/21/1753133278009.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Walkers were ready to hit the bridge as soon as the ceremonial ribbon dropped. Image: Torey Van Oot</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minneapolis&#x27; Stone Arch Bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/04/12/stone-arch-bridge-closure-construction-detour-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="01806f27-f6b9-4be0-a1a6-c819ed8a3dc4" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis&#x27; Stone Arch Bridge reopens early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/04/12/stone-arch-bridge-closure-construction-detour-minneapolis" target="_self">Minneapolis&#x27; Stone Arch Bridge</a> fully reopened to the public Monday, months ahead of schedule.Why it matters: Strolling across the historic bridge is a peak summertime activity.

Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead

Lane closures and detours on I-94 and I-394 could slow  west metro commuters.

Daily <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commutes downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/24/commute-times-lower-remote-work" data-vars-content-id="b40d5af9-f71c-4e8d-ae6e-3b70687cf966" data-vars-headline="Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/24/commute-times-lower-remote-work" target="_self">commutes downtown</a> could get a lot worse starting Monday.Driving our pain: MnDOT is kicking off a fresh <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction and paving project on I-94 and I-394" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i94-i394minneapolis/" data-vars-content-id="b40d5af9-f71c-4e8d-ae6e-3b70687cf966" data-vars-headline="Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i94-i394minneapolis/" target="_blank">construction and paving project on I-94 and I-394</a>, bringing lane closures and more bottlenecks to the west end of downtown.

Twin Cities drivers report crashes roughly every 7 years, data shows

Local motorists report collisions more frequently than the average American, according to Allstate.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Twin Cities drivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/06/20/how-far-we-drive" data-vars-content-id="680c4dd6-1e3e-485a-b1b5-c766cc8d17d0" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities drivers report crashes roughly every 7 years, data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/06/20/how-far-we-drive" target="_self">Twin Cities drivers</a> get into collisions more frequently than the national average, according to Allstate claims data provided to Axios.Why it matters: The stat serves as a good reminder to drive safely as many of us <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit the road" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/16/twin-cities-summer-road-trips-michigan-black-hills-grand-marais" data-vars-content-id="680c4dd6-1e3e-485a-b1b5-c766cc8d17d0" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities drivers report crashes roughly every 7 years, data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/16/twin-cities-summer-road-trips-michigan-black-hills-grand-marais" target="_self">hit the road</a> for summer travel.

Transit 🚗

Minnesota "Blackout" license plate sales boomed in 2025

Waymo debuts in Minneapolis — with human drivers for now

Would you walk 2 miles to a restaurant? Readers weigh in

Minnesotans love to walk for exercise. But for utility? Not as much

Minneapolis drivers slowed at speed cameras — even when they didn't issue tickets