Voters in two open state Senate districts head to the polls today for consequential primary elections.

Why it matters: The winners advance to November special elections that will determine which party controls the narrowly divided chamber next year.

How we got here: The Woodbury-based Senate District 47, which also includes parts of Maplewood, is up for grabs following DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell's resignation after her felony burglary conviction this summer.

• Senate District 29, which covers much of Wright County and parts of Hennepin and Meeker counties, became vacant following the late July death of longtime GOP Sen. Bruce Anderson.

State of play: The session ended in May with Democrats holding a 34-33 majority in the Senate and the House locked in a rare tie.

Reality check: Neither open Senate seat is considered a true swing district.

• But the high stakes could attract serious attention and spending heading into November, especially in the more competitive Woodbury district.

Zoom in: Mitchell won her first term in that seat with 58% of the vote in 2022.

• But some strategists have argued that the political fallout from her high-profile criminal case, combined with the opportunity to flip the chamber in a low-turnout special election, could create an opening for Republicans.

Senate District 29, meanwhile, is considered safe for Republicans.

Who's running: In Woodbury, state Reps. Ethan Cha and Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger are going head-to-head in a DFL primary. Hemmingsen-Jaeger won the DFL endorsement.

• Republican Dwight Dorau, who also sought the Senate seat in 2022, is running unopposed on his side.

Three Republicans — Rachel Davis, Michael Holmstrom Jr. and Bradley Kurtz — are running to succeed Anderson.

• Holmstrom, a small business owner from Buffalo, is the Republican Party's endorsed candidate.

Democrat Louis McNutt didn't draw a primary challenger in Wright County.

What's next: Polls are open 7am to 8pm.

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Rematches are brewing in two state legislative districts likely to determine the balance of power at the Capitol next year.

• In Shakopee, Republican Aaron Paul says he'll run again for the seat he lost by just 15 votes last year. DFL Rep. Brad Tabke's razor-thin win in that race sparked a court challenge over missing ballots that derailed the start of the session.
• In the east metro, Rep. Tom Dippel will again seek the GOP nomination to run against DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger. She won by just over 300 votes in 2022.

The big picture: All 201 seats in the House and Senate are up for grabs in the 2026 midterms.

What a difference nearly a month makes.

• When the first photo was taken on July 27, the streets of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds were quiet.
• On Sunday, 184,176 visitors streamed through the gates.

By the numbers: This year's fair has drawn 674,175 visitors through its first weekend — the second-strongest attendance start in 30 years.

🩺 Average premiums for plans on Minnesota's health insurance exchanges are expected to increase between 7% and 26% in 2026. (MPR News)

🏡 Minneapolis is considering legal action against a landlord who has allowed a homeless encampment on his property in defiance of city officials' orders to clear it. (Star Tribune)

🏳️‍⚧️ A larger share of adults in Minnesota identify as transgender — 1.2% — than in any other state, according to new research. (MinnPost)

🕹️ Minnetonka police have officially launched a program that uses six drones to help the city respond to 911 calls. (KSTP)

Our apologies to the legendary Minneapolis Lakers.

Catch up quick: Yesterday, we incorrectly wrote that no men's professional sports franchise in Minnesota history has won back-to-back titles.

Reality check: The Lakers won five NBA crowns in six years from 1949 to 1954.

Plus: After also briefly rabbit hole-ing on Minneapolis Millers history, we would revise ourselves to say none of the Twin Cities' existing, major league men's teams have won consecutive championships in Minnesota.

• Thanks to the faithful reader who caught our mistake!

America's favorite fall flavor is already brewing.

Driving the autumnal vibes: Starbucks' fall menu debuts today, four days later than last year's earliest-ever Pumpkin Spice Latte release.

• Even before today's release, PSL-flavored drinks and foods were popping up on grocery shelves and menus at Dunkin' Donuts, Caribou and other coffee chains.

The big picture: Pumpkin spice isn't just a flavor; it's big business, pulling in $500 million for Starbucks every season, according to MarketWatch.

Our thought bubble: While Axios Twin Cities' long-held belief is that August is way too early to pivot to all things fall, the cooler temperatures are warming us to the idea this year.

🍦 What's next: Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat returns Friday.

Go deeper

In honor of National Dog Day, we bring you a ranking of Minnesota's most popular breeds.

The big winner: Golden retrievers are Minnesotans' favorite four-legged friends, according to a new U.S. News & World Report analysis.

• Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers took second and third place.

The fine print: The annual report relies on pet insurance data, so it doesn't account for all dogs in the country.