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Today’s newsletter is 943 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Some St. Paul City Council members are calling on Mayor Kaohly Her to explain how she'll oversee police matters while simultaneously being sued by the city's police chief.

Why it matters: An independent investigator's report released last week concluded the mayor and Chief Axel Henry's working relationship broke down months ago — and warned that the ongoing strain is untenable.

What they're saying: City Council President Rebecca Noecker called on Her to "take accountability" in a public statement and "assure us that the two of them can continue to work together."

• "The responsibility is on them — and I would say particularly on the mayor — to tell us how this story ends," Noecker told Axios late last week.

Catch up quick: An outside investigation found Her touched Henry's upper thigh during a meeting and shared "inappropriate" images — including a meme about SPPD's "Weiner Wednesday" tradition — with city employees.

• The investigator concluded this didn't amount to Her sexually harassing Henry.

State of play: Though the redacted version doesn't name Henry, the report suggests Her and the chief have been communicating through an intermediary — which is "not a sustainable solution," the investigator wrote.

• While SPPD and Her's office are still "operating as expected," the investigator said interactions with the mayor herself have been "limited, but strained."

The other side: Mayor Her has taken the same approach to managing police as with all other city departments, a spokesperson told Axios.

• An assistant mayor — in SPPD's case, Erica Schumacher — oversees day-to-day operations "and delivers high-level updates to the Mayor," the statement said.

Yes, but: The mayor is SPPD's "commander-in-chief," Noecker said, adding that Her's relationship with the chief is key in an emergency.

Henry's attorney, Chris Madel, pushed back when Axios asked whether the chief has considered resigning.

• "Apparently, the appropriate response to being sexually harassed by your boss is to resign and let your boss get on with business as usual," Madel wrote. "Would anyone even ask about Chief Henry resigning if he was a woman?"

When asked whether Her or Henry should resign, Noecker said, "We're not at that point."

What we're watching: Council Member Molly Coleman called the mayor's workplace conduct "inexcusable."

• "I'm looking to the Mayor to show us, quickly, that there's a path forward," she wrote on Bluesky. "Until and unless that happens, every option needs to be on the table."

Full story

State fire officials are emphasizing battery safety for this year's national Fire Prevention Week.

By the numbers: Since 2021, there have been at least 225 fires and three deaths attributed to lithium-ion batteries in Minnesota, according to the State Fire Marshal.

Between the lines: Such fires make up a small share of all the blazes in Minnesota (home cooking remains a big one), State Fire Marshal Dan Krier told Axios. But lithium-ion batteries are becoming ubiquitous in homes.

• Think not just cell phones, but also power tools, e-bikes and scooters.

Some tips: Charge devices on hard, flat surfaces, not on beds, couches or soft surfaces; and use the charger and cord that came with a device or one approved by the manufacturer.

• If you are storing batteries inside, make sure they aren't damaged because they can overheat and start a fire.

📉 Violent crime is down significantly in Minneapolis this year — including a 29% decline in homicides — but motor vehicle thefts and window smashing sprees are a growing problem. (Star Tribune)

🚚 Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson is planning to buy Charlotte-based freight broker RXO in a deal valued at $5.8 billion. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

⚖️ The state trial for Vance Boelter has been postponed until May 2027 after a Hennepin County judge granted his defense more time. (KARE 11)

• Boelter is already serving consecutive federal life sentences after pleading guilty to murdering Melissa and Mark Hortman.

🏈 Vikings guard Donovan Jackson — a rising star on the team — tore his meniscus and will likely miss the rest of the regular season. (Fox9)

If you envision tiptoeing through tulips or dancing among daffodils next spring, now might be the time to get those bulbs in the ground.

Why it matters: Spring-flowering bulbs need cool soil but also enough time to establish roots before the ground freezes. Planting too early or too late can hurt their chances for a strong bloom.

Zoom in: The timing largely follows climate, according to Axios' analysis of Cooperative Extension, a nationwide network of state university-based programs that provides research-backed local advice.

Twin Cities gardeners should plant spring bulbs between mid-September and mid-October, while the soil is workable; the University of Minnesota Extension suggests.

• Yes, but: Tulips are one exception, the U says. Plant them until the ground freezes.

Nicolas Cage is in town filming the post-apocalyptic action-thriller "Parish" in the Stillwater area.

Driving the news: A Star Tribune editor sat near Cage and his family at Oro by Nixta in Northeast Minneapolis and social media buzz says he was spotted at the Renaissance Festival as well, the paper reported.

Why it matters: He's a National Treasure (2?).

The local angle(s): Cage starred in the Coen Brothers' "Raising Arizona" and is also playing Austin-native John Madden in the upcoming biopic about the football legend.

Have you seen him? Let us know!

😱 Nick's 4-year-old called him "dude" and his 8-year-old called him "bro." What is going on?

🐝 Kyle's reminiscing about "Wicker Man" for no particular reason.

Torey and Audrey are off.

This newsletter was edited by Larry Graham.