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Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates

But many insiders say her DFL rival still has a strong path to the primary.

News

Sharp-elbowed attacks over ICE, fraud and electability are flying in the high-stakes U.S. Senate primary between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Angie Craig" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/29/angie-craig-running-minnesota-senate-2026" data-vars-content-id="9e3101ca-afec-4a8d-a624-410e801bf0ff" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/29/angie-craig-running-minnesota-senate-2026" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Angie Craig</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/13/walz-flanagan-us-senate-tina-smith-race-democrats" data-vars-content-id="9e3101ca-afec-4a8d-a624-410e801bf0ff" data-vars-headline="Minnesota Senate primary heats up as ICE backlash boosts Flanagan among DFL delegates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/13/walz-flanagan-us-senate-tina-smith-race-democrats" target="_self">Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan</a>.Why it matters: Political fallout over Operation Metro Surge has stoked a race that was already seen as a proxy battle over the future of the Democratic Party.

Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota's only James Beard finalist

Shigeyuki Furukawa is up for the Midwest's best chef.

Food and Drink

Kado No Mise chef Shigeyuki Furukawa was named a James Beard Award finalist Tuesday for the Midwest&#x27;s best chef.Why it matters: Out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/21/minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="21195618-766b-4272-b977-0f77534a08a2" data-vars-headline="Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota&#x27;s only James Beard finalist" 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/minnesota-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs</a> who were previously named semifinalists in the Oscar awards of the foodie world, Furukawa is the only nominee who made the shortlist.

What's behind Minnesota's bad January jobs report

While DEED blames the ICE surge, others suggest different factors are slowing job creation

The Twin Cities metro lost 2,000 jobs in January, a development that a top state official partly blamed on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/ice-surge-minnesota-businesses-covid-flashbacks" data-vars-content-id="7d8b2dea-8f1c-4569-827e-6e4cba88b79f" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s behind Minnesota&#x27;s bad January jobs report" 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/ice-surge-minnesota-businesses-covid-flashbacks" target="_self">federal immigration crackdown</a>. Why it matters: The latest Minnesota jobs report shows that the state is losing ground, with 4.4% unemployment, topping the national rate (4.3%) for the first time since May 2007.

Twin Cities weekend guide: Easter egg hunts, psychic fair, dessert contest

If you're looking to branch out from your neighborhood's egg hunt, we know where to go.

Things to Do

Easter is on Sunday, and if you&#x27;re looking to branch out from your neighborhood&#x27;s egg hunt, we know where to go.<ul><li>Here are six unique Easter activities for all ages — and several species.</li></ul>

What to expect for Minnesota air quality this summer

Plan for more smoky skies overhead — and for the first time, air alerts from blowing dust.

Climate

Minnesotans can expect to experience more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crummy air quality days" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/28/air-quality-minnesota-polution-worsens-smoke" data-vars-content-id="a0db76fe-cf56-4806-a308-637620f476b7" data-vars-headline="What to expect for Minnesota air quality this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/28/air-quality-minnesota-polution-worsens-smoke" target="_self">crummy air quality days</a> than usual in the coming months. The big picture: A hot, dry spring and summer raises the risk that wildfires in Canada and elsewhere will saddle the state with smoky skies, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency meteorologists predict.

Wildfires

What to expect for Minnesota air quality this summer