Axios Twin Cities

August 20, 2022
Hello, Saturday.
๐ฆ๏ธWeather: Scattered showers today and sun tomorrow, with highs in the mid-70s.
This newsletter is 600 words, a 2.5 minute read.
1 big thing: Gather, reflect and celebrate
The Grand Entry ceremony at Wacipi. Photo: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Wacipi is this weekend, and SMSC is opening its grounds for everyone to join in.
What's happening: Wacipi, commonly known as powwow and meaning "they all dance" in Dakota, is an annual Native American celebration of life.
Background: The event was traditionally held at the end of a season to celebrate a good hunt or important event โ "a time to gather, share, reflect and thank the Creator," according to SMSC.
What to expect: Over a dozen dance competitions in full regalia, drum circles, honorary songs and traditional ceremonies called "Specials," which usually celebrate a specific individual.
- Native American artists will also sell traditional beadwork and other handmade goods.
Yes, but: Remember to be respectful. The arena has a grassy, sacred area that's blessed for the gathering โ don't travel through it or play there.
- Photography is also not allowed during some ceremonies.
Details: Wacipi continues today and tomorrow at SMSC; times vary. Free!
- ๐ 3212 Dakotah Parkway, Shakopee.
Check out a clip from a dance ceremony last year on our Instagram
2. Fair food showdown
The Flamin' Hot Cheeto funnel cake and rainbow grilled cheese. Photos: Linh Ta and Monica Eng/Axios
Which Midwest state fair has the most creative, wackiest and potentially grossest food? I asked our friends at Axios Chicago and Axios Des Moines to share some of their fair food finds.
- Here's a quick look at what other states have to offer.
๐ถ๏ธ Iowa State Fair: Reporter Linh Ta tried a Flamin' Hot Cheeto funnel cake โ mild spice, lots of nacho cheese sauce and a few jalapeรฑos on top.
- "Not bad, but I'll stick with a sweet rather than savory funnel cake."
๐ง Illinois State Fair: Reporter Monica Eng ordered a rainbow grilled cheese with layers of colored colby jack cheese on crispy Texas toast.
- "No taste difference โ just colorful."
๐ My pick: Nordic Waffles' "Chicken and Macaroni" from last year's fair wins for creativity. A spicy drumstick on a bed of mac and cheese, wrapped in a waffle? That's innovation.
- Yes, but: I docked a point for execution. It's very hard to eat.
Keep an eye on next week's newsletters for my official new fair food reviews.

3. What I learned this week
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
๐๏ธ We're giving five followers Minnesota State Fair tickets! I explain how to enter on our Instagram.
๐ฅต Parts of Minnesota could see heat indexes hit 125ยฐF at least one day a year by 2053, Torey writes.
๐ Wells Fargo is shrinking its home mortgage business, potentially hurting thousands of Twin Cities employees. Nick has the details.
๐ฅ Nurses in the Twin Cities and Duluth voted on Monday to authorize a strike, with talks expected in the weeks ahead. Torey explains why.
๐ธ Target will continue its big discounts through the fall as the retailer clears out inventory, Nick reports.
4. The Spoon: News from around the state
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
๐ฉ Evan Johnson is the new mayor of Dorset, a northern Minnesota town with a population of 22 that picks its mayor out of a hat. (River967)
๐ฃ๏ธ The Plymouth City Council will rename County Road 47 to Chankahda Trail, a Dakota word that loosely translates to โnear the woods." (Twitter)
๐บ๐ธ The Fargo school board will reinstate reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at its monthly meetings following backlash from conservative lawmakers and citizens. (US News)
๐จ Rochester business owners can apply for up to $5,000 to hire a muralist as part of a new program bringing more art into downtown. (KTTC)
5. ๐ 1 coffee to go: The Satan special
The coffee menu at Disco Death Records. Photo: Audrey Kennedy/Axios
Disco Death Records, a new combination record store and coffee shop in south Minneapolis, might have the most demonic menu in the metro.
- I tried the Satan: a cold brew with horchata, bitters and maple syrup. It was fantastic.
๐ Visit: 721 26th St. W., Minneapolis. Open daily from 7am-7pm.
Thanks for reading, and for sending your thoughts on Corn Days last week.
- For those asking, I'll sell my authentic corn t-shirt for $1,000. Email [email protected] for details (but not really โ that shirt is priceless).
- ๐ฅณ If you need me, I'll be partying at Racket's 1-year anniversary celebration. See you next week!
Sign up for Axios Twin Cities

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Twin Cities with Nick Halter, Torey Van Oot, and Kyle Stokes.




