It was a gloomy month at Target Field, and we're not talking about the weather.

The big picture: The Twins drew an average of 17,030 fans per game in April — the fifth-worst in MLB this year, and the team's second-worst month for attendance since it left the Metrodome in 2009, according to an Axios analysis.

• We didn't count two seasons with heavy COVID restrictions on fans at Target Field, which has a capacity of 38,544.

Case in point: Fewer fans turned out on April 14 (10,240) than for any other non-COVID Twins home game since 2010.

• Of the 15 smallest crowds in Target Field history, five have come this month.

The on-field product has given fans few reasons to buy more tickets. A late-season collapse that cost the Twins a playoff spot last year carried over into this season, with losses in 12 of the team's first 17 games.

What they're saying: Some of the smaller crowds might also stem from a membership program the team debuted this year, club spokesperson Dustin Morse told Axios.

• The program features flexible ticketing, so members may have swapped their April seats for a game in warmer months, Morse explained.

The other side: Many Minnesota sports fans are fed up with Twins ownership after their "difficult business decision" to slash payroll, The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman argues.

The intrigue: April weather usually keeps fans at home — but this spring has been no colder or wetter than usual, according to our analysis of game day climate data.

• This April's average game day high (59.5) was slightly warmer than in previous years (58.5).

Reality check: April 2019 shows empty early-season seats aren't always an omen.

• A record-low 17,008 fans per game turned out that month, when the average game day high was 50.9.
• But that year's "Bomba Squad" won an AL Central title — and became the last Twins team to draw more than 2 million fans.

What's next: Team officials still believe hitting the 2 million-fan benchmark is still possible, Morse said.

• He noted the Twins' schedule their biggest promotional events between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

What we're watching

Minnesota lawmakers are weighing whether to give a green light to online drivers' license renewals

Why it matters: No one likes waiting in line at DVS.

Driving the news: A proposal directing the Department of Public Safety to establish a process for online renewals of regular and Real ID-compliant driver's licenses cleared the divided House this week as part of a broader transportation spending and policy bill.

The fine print: Online renewals would only be permitted for existing Minnesota license holders 18 and older whose address has not changed and who have had their ID picture snapped within the last five years.

The catch: The language isn't in the latest version of the DFL-led Senate's transportation budget bill, though Gov. Tim Walz put the change in his budget proposal.

What's next: Lawmakers in both chambers and Walz will work to reconcile differences between the bills as they sprint toward the May 19 adjournment deadline.

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The hockey player who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after his skate fatally sliced Minnesota native Adam Johnson's neck during a 2023 in-game collision will not face charges. (WCCO-TV)

• British prosecutors said there is "not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence" in connection with what they called a "a shocking and deeply upsetting incident."

🗳️ Republican Keri Heintzeman won yesterday's special election to fill the state Senate seat left open by the resignation of former Sen. Justin Eichorn. (KSTP)

🛒 Asian grocers in Minnesota are bracing for the impact of President Trump's steep tariffs on China. (MPR News)

• Seoul Foods in North Mankato, for example, says half its inventory comes from Chinese suppliers.

Moms in Minnesota are approaching 30 1/2 when they give birth, on average, per the latest provisional CDC data.

By the numbers: That's up from 28 in 2003, and slightly above the national average of 29.7.

The big picture: Increased access to fertility treatments and reliable birth control are helping more women delay parenthood, although obstacles remain to getting pregnant later in life.

💭 Torey's thought bubble: I had my son at 34, but I swear I'm not "like a regular" (older than average) mom, I'm a cool (older than average) mom.

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🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Urban Classic - The Music of Earth, Wind and Fire at Main Stage Showroom on May 23: Urban Classic, Minneapolis' latest funk, soul, and R&B band, returns to Crooners to present once again an evening of hit songs by one of the greatest bands in history: Earth, Wind & Fire. $54.63-$65.80.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Bloomington will build a new memorial honoring veterans at Harrison Park.

What to expect: The memorial, slated for 1701 W. 100th St., will feature "armatures representing military branches, service branch crests and symbolic dog tags honoring veterans," according to the city.

• Designs call for walking paths, digital storytelling elements, native plants and space for community gathering or quiet remembrance and reflection.

What they're saying: "This memorial will be a lasting tribute to area veterans and their families," said Bloomington Remembers Veterans president Kate Blessing, whose foundation raised $320,000 for the project.

Zoom out: The new monument, which is also getting city and state funding, is part of a bigger effort to add improvements to Harrison Park and Nine Mile Creek Corridor.

What's next: The goal is for construction to be done by Veterans Day 2026.