Axios Twin Cities

March 27, 2026
Happy Friday!
π₯Ά Sunny, windy and only 38. Not cool, Mom Nature. At least the weekend looks warmer.
π Situational awareness: The Gophers women's basketball team takes on UCLA at 6:30 tonight in the Sweet 16. TV: ESPN.
π Happy early birthday to our members Susan Wratkowski, Julie Daniels, and Gregory Goodwine!
Today's newsletter is 967 words βΒ a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Survey shows scope of immigration surge
One in four Minneapolis residents and one in five St. Paul residents encountered an ICE or Border Patrol agent during Operation Metro Surge, a new survey found.
Why it matters: The university-backed poll is a stunning measure of how deeply the immigration enforcement surge disrupted daily life in the Twin Cities.
Flashback: At the height of the operation, more than 3,000 federal agents were deployed to Minnesota β a force far larger than any police agency in the metro.
- Highly coordinated efforts emerged to protest agents' presence and track their movements, bringing agents and residents into frequent contact.


What they're saying: Residents' reports suggest agents "frequently engaged in broad, non-targeted stops," wrote Tom Wong, who authored the survey for the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego.
- The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to an Axios request for comment about the survey.
By the numbers: Among those who reported encountering ICE or Border Patrol, the vast majorities of both Minneapolis (73%) and St. Paul (91%) respondents reported the agent did not show a warrant.
- More than half of the Minneapolis respondents (54%) said the agent stopped them "randomly" while driving. In St. Paul, more than one-third (36.5%) were "randomly" stopped on the street.
Zoom out: The findings reflect a long list of anecdotes from residents, activists, metro police agencies and even state lawmakers about their encounters with federal agents.
- Agents followed DFL state Rep. Brad Tabke, an ICE watch volunteer, to his Shakopee home and ran his license plates, the Star Tribune recently reported.
- Rep. Jessica Hanson (DFL-Burnsville) said at a committee meeting that agents called her a "slut" after they recognized her as a lawmaker.
Plus: The survey suggests agents drew their weapons, used physical force, or deployed chemical irritants at higher rates than national statistics say is typical during encounters with police agencies.
What's next: Gov. Tim Walz this week ordered the creation of a council to document the surge's effects through interviews and hearings.
2. π Annunciation hero honored
Victor Greenawalt, the 11-year-old boy who shielded his friend from bullets during the shooting at Annunciation, received the Citizen Honors Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society on Wednesday.
Flashback: Classmate Weston Halsne credited Greenawalt with saving his life in the church sanctuary that day.
- "His courage and selflessness became a powerful symbol of hope and humanity for a community in crisis," the Congressional Medal of Honor Society wrote.
3. The Spoon: Police training facility delayed
βΈοΈ The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 to delay a property purchase that would've kicked off construction on a new training facility for police, firefighters and other emergency workers. (Background via Axios)
- The council also greenlit more money for rental assistance funding, though it failed to override Mayor Jacob Frey's veto to extend the pre-eviction waiting period to 60 days.
π£οΈ City Council Member Pearll Warren has asked city officials to begin the process of renaming the short Cesar Chavez Avenue near the Minneapolis Farmers Market to "North 4th Avenue." (Background via Axios)
- Warren's request eliminates the need for a lengthy public petition process, but the name change would still take time.
The St. Paul City Council approved a $9.5 million settlement with JuVaughn Turner, who was shot in the head by a Jimmy Lee Recreation Center worker in 2023. (KSTP)
- Turner, then 16, survived, but he suffered permanent brain damage.
4. St. Paul at heart of No Kings protests
Tens of thousands of Minnesotans are expected to march to the State Capitol Saturday for a star-studded No Kings rally.
The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect the nationwide anti-Trump demonstrations to surpass last year's No Kings rallies in June and October.
- St. Paul will serve as the "flagship" protest, according to organizers, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers,Β Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen scheduled to attend.
Zoom in: The main Twin Cities march will kick off from three separate locations β Saint Paul College, Harriet Island and Western Sculpture Park β at noon before the crowds converge for the 2pm rally on the Capitol grounds.
- Local politicians scheduled to speak include Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.
Zoom out: Similar demonstrations are planned in thousands of locations across the country, including several smaller gatherings across the metro and state.
- Organizers say the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, the war in Iran and the threat of authoritarianism are top issues driving participation.
Worth noting: St. Paul Police plan to close Wabasha Street from Harriet Island to the Capitol starting around 11:45 am, per the Pioneer Press.
- Sections of John Ireland Boulevard and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the Capitol, as well as some nearby highway exits, will also be closed to traffic.
- When they reopen will depend on the crowd size and length of the rally, but officials said to expect the closures to last at least an hour.
5. Church's brewery plans gets green light
Mount Olivet's plans to demolish an old Southwest Minneapolis chapel and build a brewery won a victory at City Hall.
- The City Council voted unanimously yesterday to override a denial by the city's Historic Preservation Commission to protect the building from the wrecking ball.
Pending the mayor's signature and some formalities, the church will be able to apply for a demolition permit.
π Nick enjoyed this video recap of the bonkers Wolves win on Wednesday night.
π₯ Torey devoured a delicious BLT at Darling.
π Kyle plans to kick some tail in Five Crowns at family game night tonight.
π Audrey is dining at Sidebar.
This newsletter was edited by Tyler Buchanan.
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