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"Mastermind" of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case

"Mastermind" of largest COVID fraud  scheme gets 41 years

Prosecutors say Aimee Bock was at the center of a scheme to steal over $240 million from a federal program.

Politics & Policy

A judge has ordered the Minnesota &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mastermind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-finds-feeding-our-future-mastermind-and-co-defendant-guilty-250-million" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-finds-feeding-our-future-mastermind-and-co-defendant-guilty-250-million" target="_blank">mastermind</a>&quot; in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s largest pandemic fraud case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/09/21/feeding-our-future-indictment-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/09/21/feeding-our-future-indictment-minnesota" target="_self">nation&#x27;s largest pandemic fraud case</a> to serve 41.5 years in prison — the harshest sentence to date in connection with the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.Why it matters: Prosecutors say former Feeding Our Future executive director <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Aimee Bock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/05/21/aimee-bock-sentencing-feeding-our-future-pandemic-child-meals-fraud-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/05/21/aimee-bock-sentencing-feeding-our-future-pandemic-child-meals-fraud-minnesota" target="_self">Aimee Bock</a> was at the center of a scheme to steal more than $240 million from a federally funded child meals program during the pandemic. <ul><li>The case sparked intense scrutiny of the Walz administration&#x27;s oversight of state-run programs and fueled broader <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concerns about fraud under his watch." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-fraud-cases-timeline" data-vars-content-id="12cfb3bf-ee7e-4db1-b635-cfde9213cf92" data-vars-headline="&quot;Mastermind&quot; of Minnesota child meal fraud gets nearly 42 years in Feeding Our Future case" 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">concerns about fraud under his watch.</a></li></ul>

In Minnesota's express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses

The growing violation rate denies the system toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.

Transit

MnDOT&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-ZPass system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/25/mn-ez-pass-scam-text-warning" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/25/mn-ez-pass-scam-text-warning" target="_self">E-ZPass system</a> has a scofflaw problem. Nearly half of the vehicles use the express tolling lanes without permission, according to the latest quarterly report.Why it matters: Aside from being unfair, the rising violation rate threatens to undermine the main goal of E-ZPass — managing congestion — while denying the system the toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.Stunning stats: MnDOT estimated that 29% of vehicles using the lanes had neither a passenger nor an E-ZPass tag in FY2024, according to the annual report for that year.<ul><li>But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more recent field observations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28096401-minnesota-department-of-transportation-mndot-2025-q4-e-zpass-report/" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28096401-minnesota-department-of-transportation-mndot-2025-q4-e-zpass-report/" target="_blank">more recent field observations</a> suggest that vehicle &quot;violation rates&quot; have crept up across the system. On I-35W in the south metro, they&#x27;re now pushing past 50%.</li></ul><div><figure><div id="av-hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-LO9HZ" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-LO9HZ" data-vars-iframe-src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/index.html" class="gtmView"><img alt="A bar chart that shows quarterly E-ZPass lane violation rates by corridor for October to December 2025. Rates range from 32.3% on I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata to 52.6% on I-35W from Minneapolis to Burnsville. I-35E posts 45.7%, and I-35W from Roseville to Blaine reaches 44.1%." class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/fallbacks/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-fallback.png" width="1200" height="788"/><img alt="A bar chart that shows quarterly E-ZPass lane violation rates by corridor for October to December 2025. Rates range from 32.3% on I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata to 52.6% on I-35W from Minneapolis to Burnsville. I-35E posts 45.7%, and I-35W from Roseville to Blaine reaches 44.1%." class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/fallbacks/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-apple.png" width="750" height="740"/></div><figcaption>Data: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MnDOT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/freeway-operations/reports.html" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/freeway-operations/reports.html" target="_blank">MnDOT</a>; Note: Totals from all observation points along each corridor during tolled morning and afternoon commute periods; Chart: Kyle Stokes/Axios</figcaption></figure></div>Between the lines: The toll lanes&#x27; primary goal isn&#x27;t to make money; it&#x27;s to improve traffic flow during peak times — just like a ramp meter, according to MnDOT spokesperson Anne Meyer.<ul><li>Even with high violation rates, E-ZPass lanes maintain higher traffic speeds than general lanes and reduce trip times by as much as 10 minutes during peak times, according to the latest annual report.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: A February <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/2026cav02" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/2026cav02" target="_blank">report</a> from consulting firm AECOM detailed how MnDOT could use more automated tools — such as license plate readers and passenger-detecting cameras — to reduce E-ZPass violation rates.<ul><li>The report noted that the rollout would be costly — and could face legal hurdles and objections on privacy and civil liberties grounds.</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Axios readers come clean on E-ZPass</h2>Axios reader Steven learned his lesson in 2016.<ul><li>While commuting into downtown Minneapolis, he occasionally merged into the E-ZPass lane to cut through the congestion.</li></ul>Finally, a state trooper pulled Steven over and asked why he had no pass. <ul><li>&quot;I matter of factly replied, &#x27;I didn&#x27;t think I would get caught,&#x27;&quot; he told us in an email. &quot;The officer stifled a big laugh.&quot;</li></ul>The big picture: The Minnesota State Patrol dedicates teams of troopers to E-ZPass enforcement.<ul><li>In 2024, those patrols pulled over nearly 6,000 vehicles, and cited or warned about half of those drivers for tolling violations, Meyer said.</li></ul>&quot;E-ZPass lane enforcement is no joke along 394,&quot; wrote reader Kyle F., who says it&#x27;s typical to see two or three people each week pulled over in the E-ZPass lane.Reality check: Most scofflaws aren&#x27;t caught. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 violators used the lanes every day,<ul><li>&quot;There doesn&#x27;t seem to be any penalties for not being a paid user,&quot; wrote Marg P., who uses an E-ZPass to shorten her drive time to Lino Lakes.</li></ul>Follow the money: Violators are dodging tolls that can jump as high as $8 per trip. (The average is about $1.14.)<ul><li>&quot;It can be expensive on high congestion days,&quot; Teri I. said, &quot;so it sucks getting charged for that convenience and others are jumping in hoping to not get caught.&quot;</li></ul>Yes, but: Law-abiding E-ZPass users still praise their passes.<ul><li>&quot;Just eases the travel issues significantly!&quot; Rick said, adding that the modest cost is worth it &quot;to gain the ease of driving in that lane when traffic sucks!&quot;</li></ul>

"Zoë Bakes" star lists Minneapolis home with TV-ready kitchen

François' chef's kitchen served as the backdrop for her HBO Max show "Zoë Bakes."

Real Estate

Want to be the star of your own cooking show? This historic Minneapolis home has the kitchen for you.Driving the news: Twin Cities baker, cookbook author and television host <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zoë François" data-vars-click-url="https://mspmag.com/shop-and-style/zoe-francois-rise/" data-vars-content-id="b53c4956-f651-4ac1-9a0f-6ad5b20afb81" data-vars-headline="&quot;Zoë Bakes&quot; star lists Minneapolis home with TV-ready kitchen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mspmag.com/shop-and-style/zoe-francois-rise/" target="_blank">Zoë François</a> just put her home on the market — and you may recognize that chef&#x27;s kitchen as the backdrop of her HBO Max show &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zoë Bakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/zoe-bakes/85d7df13-47b2-4d07-a5b4-35674ffd86ef" data-vars-content-id="b53c4956-f651-4ac1-9a0f-6ad5b20afb81" data-vars-headline="&quot;Zoë Bakes&quot; star lists Minneapolis home with TV-ready kitchen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/zoe-bakes/85d7df13-47b2-4d07-a5b4-35674ffd86ef" target="_blank">Zoë Bakes</a>.&quot;

Behind the scenes: Target creates testing lab in Brooklyn Park

One focus of the company's new "Epic Lab" is improving its network of 2,000 stores that double as shipping hubs.

Business

In the big retail <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/amazon-delivery-speed-war-walmart-target" data-vars-content-id="4ddb0f50-daf9-43c4-ae9d-6de74fe51e9e" data-vars-headline="Behind the scenes: Target creates testing lab in Brooklyn Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/amazon-delivery-speed-war-walmart-target" target="_self">race</a> to be fast and efficient, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Target" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/target-shopping-delivery-sortation-centers" data-vars-content-id="4ddb0f50-daf9-43c4-ae9d-6de74fe51e9e" data-vars-headline="Behind the scenes: Target creates testing lab in Brooklyn Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/target-shopping-delivery-sortation-centers" target="_self">Target</a> this month finished building out an innovation lab in Brooklyn Park, where it can test out new ideas. Why it matters: One focus of the company&#x27;s new &quot;Epic Lab&quot; is improving its network of 2,000 stores that double as shipping hubs.

Metro Transit aims to persuade suburban riders to hop Green Line

The agency hopes its public safety efforts pay off

News

As the Green Line extension to the southwest metro nears completion, Metro Transit is beginning a campaign to get people to ride the trains.Why it matters: Metro Transit is still struggling to win back passengers after the pandemic, as train ridership <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fell 14% last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/11/metro-transit-ridership-decline-2025" data-vars-content-id="0f9c9aa3-bf36-4154-984c-a2be7d2c1b2f" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit aims to persuade suburban riders to hop Green Line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/11/metro-transit-ridership-decline-2025" target="_self">fell 14% last year</a> and remains well below 2019 levels.

Dakota County's street grid is the key that unlocks the suburbs

Learn the grid, and you can navigate huge swaths of the county — and reconstruct the history of the suburban boom.

Neighborhoods

Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins can find almost any house in Inver Grove Heights without a phone or GPS, which once made his daughter think he was &quot;some kind of savant.&quot;<ul><li>He&#x27;s not — he just knows the system that much of Dakota County has used to name streets since the 1960s.</li></ul>The big picture: Once you learn the alphanumerical criss-cross, you can navigate huge swaths of the south metro — and see how the suburbs grew.

New Minnesota driver's license law brings wave of adult applicants

The law allows undocumented people to obtain driver's licenses.

Move over, 16-year-olds eager to drive: The number of behind-the-wheel exams taken by adults has increased since Minnesota <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="implemented its &quot;Driver&#x27;s Licenses for All&quot; law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/03/07/minnesota-drivers-license-undocumented-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="c4f867a8-0228-4bed-9d56-f2ffbc4be193" data-vars-headline="New Minnesota driver&#x27;s license law brings wave of adult applicants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/03/07/minnesota-drivers-license-undocumented-immigrants" target="_self">implemented its &quot;Driver&#x27;s Licenses for All&quot; law</a> in 2023, state data obtained by Axios shows.Why it matters: The law opens the door for an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated 95,000 undocumented people" data-vars-click-url="https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/mar-2025/immigrants.jsp" data-vars-content-id="c4f867a8-0228-4bed-9d56-f2ffbc4be193" data-vars-headline="New Minnesota driver&#x27;s license law brings wave of adult applicants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/mar-2025/immigrants.jsp" target="_blank">estimated 95,000 undocumented people</a> living in Minnesota to obtain driver&#x27;s licenses.<ul><li>Before the law, some of these newly credentialed drivers were likely at the wheel without a license.</li></ul>

Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending

Plus, I-494 drivers find out there are four more years of work ahead.

Major road construction projects are kicking off across Minnesota as drivers prepare for another robust season of closures, detours and migraines. The big picture: MnDOT says the 2026 construction season includes 200 road and bridge projects, with a budget of $1.5 billion — on par with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previous years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/03/road-construction-minnesota-2025" data-vars-content-id="cdb6491a-845e-48f3-ad4b-08a4b53bf2fe" data-vars-headline="Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/03/road-construction-minnesota-2025" target="_self">previous years</a>.

Popular Minneapolis bike route opens after 7-year hiatus

The popular bike routes were closed for 7 years for light rail construction

After an astonishing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven-year closure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/13/kenilworth-cedar-lake-bike-trails-minneapolis-closed-2025" data-vars-content-id="647999c2-fc4e-4fe4-9e37-fa9bda1931e5" data-vars-headline="Popular Minneapolis bike route opens after 7-year hiatus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/13/kenilworth-cedar-lake-bike-trails-minneapolis-closed-2025" target="_self">seven-year closure</a>, two of Minneapolis&#x27; most popular bike trails are finally open. Why it matters: The Kenilworth and North Cedar Lake trails provide an easy link to downtown from St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Southwest Minneapolis. <ul><li>You can bike right into the western fringe of downtown without sharing space with vehicle traffic.</li></ul>

Debate over driverless cars heats up at Minnesota's Capitol

The debate at the Capitol is revving up, with competing proposals under considation.

Some of Minnesota&#x27;s most powerful labor unions want lawmakers to pump the brakes on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/20/waymo-minneapolis-cars-rollout-testing" data-vars-content-id="5eb391a5-0cd3-4d10-a258-99db43de9b03" data-vars-headline="Debate over driverless cars heats up at Minnesota&#x27;s Capitol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/20/waymo-minneapolis-cars-rollout-testing" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s expansion</a>. The big picture: To labor, the fight over driverless vehicles isn&#x27;t just about hailing robotaxis — it&#x27;s about the future of work.<ul><li>Boosters, meanwhile, argue that Minnesota will fall behind without action to authorize the rapidly expanding technology here. </li></ul>

Metro Transit ridership fell 3% last year

Bus usage was flat while light rail ridership fell steeply

Metro Transit finished 2025 with ridership about 3% below the previous year.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" troubling trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/06/metro-transit-ridership-recovery-was-slow-now-its-in-decline" data-vars-content-id="df299a70-c314-4a5b-bad3-33dfb37ea83d" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit ridership fell 3% last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/06/metro-transit-ridership-recovery-was-slow-now-its-in-decline" target="_self"> troubling trend</a> for an agency that is making big investments in service but is still struggling to gain rider buy-in after years of public safety concerns.<ul><li>It also came at a time when transit ridership nationally was on pace to increase by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 7% in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-Q3-Ridership-APTA.pdf" data-vars-content-id="df299a70-c314-4a5b-bad3-33dfb37ea83d" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit ridership fell 3% last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-Q3-Ridership-APTA.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 7% in 2025</a>.</li></ul>

Speeding still dropping at Minneapolis speed camera sites

Speeding dropped when the cameras only issued warnings. Tickets have curbed it even more.

Minneapolis&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new traffic enforcement cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/09/30/speed-cameras-go-live-in-minneapolis-on-wednesday" data-vars-content-id="4c45666f-422d-4fb8-b746-d5927a857210" data-vars-headline="Speeding still dropping at Minneapolis speed camera sites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/09/30/speed-cameras-go-live-in-minneapolis-on-wednesday" target="_self">new traffic enforcement cameras</a> have cut speeding rates in half since they began issuing tickets at five intersections in November, city officials will tell the City Council on Tuesday.Why it matters: That&#x27;s an improvement on the already-sharp drop in speeding city officials noticed after turning on the cameras in October — when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they were only issuing warnings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/10/minneapolis-drivers-slowed-at-speed-cameras-even-when-they-didn-t-issue-tickets" data-vars-content-id="4c45666f-422d-4fb8-b746-d5927a857210" data-vars-headline="Speeding still dropping at Minneapolis speed camera sites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/10/minneapolis-drivers-slowed-at-speed-cameras-even-when-they-didn-t-issue-tickets" target="_self">they were only issuing warnings</a>.

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.

Transit 🚗

In Minnesota's express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses

Metro Transit aims to persuade suburban riders to hop Green Line

Dakota County's street grid is the key that unlocks the suburbs

New Minnesota driver's license law brings wave of adult applicants

Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending