Axios Twin Cities

June 10, 2026
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Today's newsletter is 1,092 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Har Mar Mall and the wrecking ball
Roseville's Har Mar Mall could be demolished to make way for a major redevelopment, according to marketing materials obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Vacancies have been piling up at the 63-year-old mall under owner Fidelis Realty Partners, fueling speculation that the Houston firm is planning an overhaul.
The latest: A marketing brochure from mall manager and leasing agency JLL calls for "a full scrape and rebuild of the existing shopping center" with tenants able to move in in 2028.
- A Fidelis site plan obtained separately by Axios shows a long strip of retail spaces along the east side of the property, with a 65,000-square-foot Cub Foods store as the only remaining named tenant from the current Har Mar lineup.
- It also shows 30 row houses on the south side of the property, as well as several smaller restaurants and retail spots along Snelling Avenue and County Road B.
JLL declined to comment on the plans, and Fidelis did not return an email seeking comment.
- Cub confirmed to Axios that it will remain a tenant.
State of play: As of early May, 35 of the 58 storefronts in Har Mar Mall were empty, according to the Roseville Reader.
- Since Fidelis bought the mall in 2022, most of the anchor tenants have closed, including Burlington, Marshalls and Home Goods. The remaining large tenants are Cub, Barnes & Noble, K&G Fashion Superstore and Michaels.
- The mall has also struggled with retail theft, according to the Reader, and many of the remaining stores don't allow access from the interior of the mall — shoppers need to enter from the parking lot.
What we're watching: It's typical for plans like this to change as leases are signed and city officials push back on details.
- Fidelis has not submitted plans to the city yet, according to Roseville Community Development director Janice Gundlach.
2. DFL hopes ICE watchers will GOTV
Minnesota Democrats are trying to turn tens of thousands of "ICE watch" volunteers into a "GOTV army" of door-knockers and "poll protectors" ahead of the midterm elections.
Why it matters: Boots on the ground can make a big difference in close campaigns.
By the numbers: The Minnesota DFL Party trained 10,000 residents to be constitutional observers during the Trump administration's 10-week immigration crackdown, chair Richard Carlbom told Axios in a recent interview.
What they're saying: "I've never seen a sign up and lean in moment for Minnesotans like I did in those 48 days," said Carlbom, who led the 2012 campaign to defeat a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
- Getting those volunteers to register and turn out voters this fall would create the "largest GOTV program in the history of our state," he said.
What we're hearing: People who signed up during the ICE surge skewed younger than the average DFL activist, Carlbom said, noting that suburban women made up much of the wave.
- For many, it was their first time getting involved in the DFL.
Reality check: The news cycle moves quickly, and the issues that fired up some voters in February may not be their top concern come the fall.
Yes, but: Carlbom wrote on X that the party had 600 volunteers knocking doors last weekend —"September or October level of volunteer engagement."
The other side: Minnesota Republican Party chair Alex Plechash said in a statement that the GOP has also seen several surges of volunteer sign ups, including one tied to the House DFL's boycott at the start of the 2025 session.
- "We are thrilled with the growing number of volunteers signing up and mobilizing to restore common sense to [Minnesota]," he said.
3. The Spoon: Deal keeps funding for med school
🏥 The University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services and M Physicians have finalized a 10-year deal to fund the U's medical school after months of tense negotiations. (MPR News)
- "University of Minnesota" will be dropped from the Medical Center's name.
⚡️Last night's strong storms left tens of thousands of Minnesotans without power as of early this morning. (KSTP)
🔎 Vice President JD Vance says he wants federal prosecutors to investigate Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison over their response to fraud targeting state programs. (AP)
- It's "unclear what, if any, potential violations of federal law could support a probe," the AP writes.
🧑🍳 The State Fair is publishing a cookbook featuring "blue ribbon" recipes for the first time since 1994. (Info)
🚧 A month-plus of ramp closures impacting access to Highway 12, Interstate 394 and Interstate 494 in Minnetonka and Wayzata starts today, MnDOT says. (Full details)
🏒 Detroit Red Wings star center Dylan Larkin included the Wild on his list of three teams where he wants to be traded. (Axios Detroit)
4. New amphitheater luxury suites
Shakopee's new Mystic Lake Amphitheater will feature 18 luxury suites within 125 feet of the stage, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported.
Between the lines: The music venue's operator, Live Nation, wants to allow VIP concertgoers to choose a suite without sacrificing proximity.
- The 19,000-seat amphitheater includes two 32-person suites; and 16 "bunker" suites, each with seating for 10.
What's next: A Minnesota-heavy lineup at an "opening night celebration" on June 20, led by Morris Day and the Time with Motion City Soundtrack, Ber, and Rocket Club.
- MGK (formerly Machine Gun Kelly) headlines the venue's first full-fledged show on June 22.
You don't want to miss out
🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.
SIX at the Ordway June 17-28th: From Tudor Queens to pop icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak.
5. 🎨 1 incredible mural to go

After five days of work, an international artist's new mural at Boom Island Park has provided a stunning foreground image for the Minneapolis skyline.
Catch up quick: It's the first U.S. painting in the "Beyond Walls" series by Franco-Swiss artist Saype, who has created similar work in 21 other countries.
The Minneapolis mural is 310 feet long and 75 feet wide. It came at no cost to the Park Board.
What we're watching: The Park Board says people are welcome to walk on the painting, which will fade over the next few weeks.
Go deeper on the artist and see more of Saype's "Beyond Walls" murals
🍲 Torey found this recipe to be a fast and easy crowd-pleaser.
😋 Audrey highly recommends the mango fish at Khâluna. Get the basil wings too!
🏫 Nick's daughters' daycare had a special guest reader this week: Alan Page. They were buzzing about his perpendicular pinky.
📝 Kyle may be a little rusty, but he's going to trivia tonight.
This newsletter was edited by Tyler Buchanan.
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