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10 Minnesotans set for 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics

Medal hopes are high as the Paralympic Winter Games open Friday in Italy.

News

Minnesota will have 10 athletes competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, which start Friday.Why it matters: The competition gives Minnesotans another chance to cheer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for gold on the world stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/20/minnesota-medal-count-womens-hockey-gold-medal" data-vars-content-id="947a7de4-94e3-42d5-90a6-9add0b244c35" data-vars-headline="10 Minnesotans set for 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/20/minnesota-medal-count-womens-hockey-gold-medal" target="_self">for gold on the world stage</a>.

Hennepin Healthcare's crisis is a warning for safety net hospitals

HCMC won't be the first safety net hospital pushed to the brink by recent Medicaid cuts, experts predict.

Health

Hennepin County Medical Center is not only at &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="real risk of closing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hennepin-healthcare-minneapolis-financial-troubles-patient-care/" data-vars-content-id="41167eda-d430-4e04-a3b0-aea550814c36" data-vars-headline="Hennepin Healthcare&#x27;s crisis is a warning for safety net hospitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hennepin-healthcare-minneapolis-financial-troubles-patient-care/" target="_blank">real risk of closing</a>.&quot; It&#x27;s a canary in the coal mine for safety net hospitals everywhere, experts say.Why it matters: HCMC is Minnesota&#x27;s largest emergency room, trains a raft of future medical professionals, and serves patients whose needs or incomes often prevent them from seeking care anywhere else.<ul><li>Experts predict it won&#x27;t be the last hospital pushed to the brink by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting threats to Medicaid funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/aca-medicaid-hospitals-changes-2026?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosvitals&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="41167eda-d430-4e04-a3b0-aea550814c36" data-vars-headline="Hennepin Healthcare&#x27;s crisis is a warning for safety net hospitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/aca-medicaid-hospitals-changes-2026?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosvitals&amp;stream=top" target="_self">mounting threats to Medicaid funding</a>.</li></ul>

Fhima's Minneapolis closes, but restaurateur has new downtown plans

Look for the owner of Fhima's to open a new skyway restaurant soon.

After 10 years in downtown Minneapolis&#x27; City Center building, French-Moroccan restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fhima&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/03/17/david-fhima-chef-new-restaurants-chicago-soldier-field-golden-bachelor" data-vars-content-id="c4e7f433-ddf8-4b0d-9f85-211efa705f4b" data-vars-headline="Fhima&#x27;s Minneapolis closes, but restaurateur has new downtown plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/03/17/david-fhima-chef-new-restaurants-chicago-soldier-field-golden-bachelor" target="_self">Fhima&#x27;s</a> quietly closed on Saturday night.What they&#x27;re saying: Owner David Fhima told Axios multiple factors led to what he described as a &quot;heartbreaking&quot; decision.

Twin Cities weekend: International Women's Day, friendship speed dating, bug ballet

Try friendship speed dating or a free self-defense class.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s the first full weekend of Women&#x27;s History Month, and venues, restaurants and museums have plenty of events planned — particularly for International Women&#x27;s Day on Sunday.

Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes

Prices at the pump are now over $3 a gallon.

Gasoline prices are jumping as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oil prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" target="_self">oil prices</a> spike following the U.S. and Israel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strikes on Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" target="_self">strikes on Iran</a>, reflecting market fears of extended geopolitical upheaval.Why it matters: Americans use about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="370 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=23&amp;t=10" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=23&amp;t=10" target="_blank">370 million</a> gallons of gas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&amp;s=mgfupus2&amp;f=m" data-vars-content-id="e1607373-f6d5-4452-b8e0-54b35ce3d893" data-vars-headline="Gas prices rise in Minnesota as oil spikes after Iran strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&amp;s=mgfupus2&amp;f=m" target="_blank">per day</a>, so price increases have an immediate effect on their pocketbook and mood about the economy.

What Sun Country sale means for MSP travelers

Sun Country says the deal will be good for Minneapolis travelers, but time will tell.

Business

Sun Country is saying all the right things about what a sale to Allegiant would mean for the Twin Cities, but time will tell if this is good for the local economy. Catch up quick: Sun Country and Las Vegas-based Allegiant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced the acquisition" data-vars-click-url="https://ir.suncountry.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-and-sun-country-airlines-combine-creating-leading-more" data-vars-content-id="2284a76f-74a2-46bb-a3f9-2dff15a218d5" data-vars-headline="What Sun Country sale means for MSP travelers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ir.suncountry.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-and-sun-country-airlines-combine-creating-leading-more" target="_blank">announced the acquisition</a> Sunday in a deal that values the hometown airline at $1.5 billion.

The price MSP travelers pay for Delta's dominance

MSP travelers pay more than average to fly domestically. Here's how much — and why.

Travel

Delta raised some eyebrows among savvy travelers this week for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="charging $699" data-vars-click-url="https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/airfare-discrepancy-skiplagged/" data-vars-content-id="5842115e-86df-4f6b-bdf4-da6a8052b777" data-vars-headline="The price MSP travelers pay for Delta&#x27;s dominance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/airfare-discrepancy-skiplagged/" target="_blank">charging $699</a> to fly one-way from Minneapolis/St. Paul International to Atlanta — in basic economy!Why it matters: It&#x27;s an extreme example of what Minnesota-based travel analyst Kyle Potter calls the &quot;hub penalty&quot; that travelers pay for Delta&#x27;s dominance at MSP.

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.

MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush

TSA agents and air traffic controllers continue to show up for work — for now

MSP Airport has so far been able to operate smoothly despite a federal government shutdown that has caused pain for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flyers in other cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" data-vars-content-id="fe68c61b-f9c9-46a7-be8d-02149efa034b" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" target="_self">flyers in other cities</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota Educators Academy week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/19/mea-weekend-travel-advice-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="fe68c61b-f9c9-46a7-be8d-02149efa034b" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/10/19/mea-weekend-travel-advice-minnesota" target="_self">Minnesota Educators Academy week</a>, which means the airport is much busier than normal as families head out on mini-vacations while there&#x27;s no school Thursday and Friday. <ul><li>Several districts also hold conferences this week and some parents take advantage of an additional day or two.</li></ul>

What Minnesota can learn from Japan about street safety

Most major U.S. cities, including Minneapolis, have struggled to reduce traffic deaths. Japan has all but eliminated them.

I recently returned from vacation in Tokyo, Japan, where I was excited to try the nation&#x27;s legendarily efficient train system.<ul><li>I left wowed by another mode of transit: its surprisingly safe streets.</li></ul>Why it matters: Most major U.S. cities — including Minneapolis — have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/12/1224252507/vision-zero-ending-traffic-deaths-transportation-bicycling-parking-driving" data-vars-content-id="c07c229d-aef9-473e-98ea-d283f7be55e1" data-vars-headline="What Minnesota can learn from Japan about street safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/12/1224252507/vision-zero-ending-traffic-deaths-transportation-bicycling-parking-driving" target="_blank">struggled</a> to reduce traffic deaths. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Japan has all but eliminated them" data-vars-click-url="https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/estimated-road-traffic-death-rate-(per-100-000-population)" data-vars-content-id="c07c229d-aef9-473e-98ea-d283f7be55e1" data-vars-headline="What Minnesota can learn from Japan about street safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/estimated-road-traffic-death-rate-(per-100-000-population)" target="_blank">Japan has all but eliminated them</a>.<ul><li>And it&#x27;s done so despite many neighborhood streets feeling barely wider than the average Twin Cities alleyway, with walkers, bikers and cars often sharing the same pavement.</li></ul>

Terminal 2 expansion slated to bring Lucky's 13 to MSP

The expansion project is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

Local gastropub chain Lucky&#x27;s 13 will likely be the anchor restaurant and bar for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expansion of Terminal 2" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/06/msp-airport-terminal-2-renovation-expansion" data-vars-content-id="9598910b-cc91-4c09-af2c-32b2160f86a1" data-vars-headline="Terminal 2 expansion slated to bring Lucky&#x27;s 13 to MSP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/06/msp-airport-terminal-2-renovation-expansion" target="_self">expansion of Terminal 2</a> at MSP Airport.Driving the news: The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) will soon vote on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lease agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://metroairports.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&amp;event_id=41686&amp;meta_id=115282" data-vars-content-id="9598910b-cc91-4c09-af2c-32b2160f86a1" data-vars-headline="Terminal 2 expansion slated to bring Lucky&#x27;s 13 to MSP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metroairports.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&amp;event_id=41686&amp;meta_id=115282" target="_blank">lease agreement</a> with the group behind Lucky&#x27;s 13, called Eclectic Culinary Concepts.

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.

MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule

Travelers flying out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MSP Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/02/08/twin-cities-airport-minneapolis-st-paul-msp-travel-guide" data-vars-content-id="ed6fb07d-deae-428e-8935-61f937e67d64" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/02/08/twin-cities-airport-minneapolis-st-paul-msp-travel-guide" target="_self">MSP Airport</a> can expect to keep their shoes on while going through security — no <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PreCheck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/08/02/tsa-precheck-clear-privacy" data-vars-content-id="ed6fb07d-deae-428e-8935-61f937e67d64" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/08/02/tsa-precheck-clear-privacy" target="_self">PreCheck</a> required.The big picture: The change, announced on Tuesday, marks the first time in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="close to two decades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/06/14/new-screening-tech-shoes-on" data-vars-content-id="ed6fb07d-deae-428e-8935-61f937e67d64" data-vars-headline="MSP Airport flyers can skip shoe removal under new TSA rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/06/14/new-screening-tech-shoes-on" target="_self">close to two decades</a> that general passengers can skip the footwear removal rule.

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.