⏳ Just one week 'til Election Day!

• Dreary today with morning showers. High around 60, NWS says.

Today’s newsletter is 1,082 words — a 4-minute read.

All of Minnesota's constitutional offices are on the ballot next Tuesday.

Why it matters: While the U.S. Senate and governor's races have sucked up most of the oxygen, the outcome of other competetitive statewide contests will also shape Minnesota's future.

State of play: Polling and past results suggest some of these down-ballot battles could give Republicans their best shot at winning a statewide office for the first time in 20 years.

Attorney general

Who's running: Incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) faces attorney Ron Schutz (R).

Why it matters: The attorney general defends state laws and represents Minnesota in state and federal courts. The office also prosecutes Medicaid fraud and brings civil cases over consumer issues.

Top issues: Ellison argues that he's used the office to stand up against President Trump — including on Operation Metro Surge — and lower costs by taking on corporations.

• Schutz , a longtime GOP donor, says Ellison's time in office has been too politicized and that there should be a bigger focus on fraud and supporting law enforcement.

Go Deeper: Watch the two candidates debate on "Almanac."

Secretary of state

Who's running: Incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon (D) faces former state Rep. Tad Jude (R).

Why it matters: The secretary of state oversees elections and business registrations in Minnesota.

Friction points: Simon, who is running for a fourth term, told KAXE that he'll continue to push back against "unjustified federal interference" in elections and champion laws that protect and expand access to the polls.

• Jude told Forum News Service that he'd prioritize "transparency and accountability," including by pushing for a voter ID law. He also told KAXE he wants to go back to flying the old state flag.

The intrigue: The rivals agree that protecting voter privacy should be a priority when it comes to federal requests for data.

Go deeper: Watch the "Almanac" debate.

Keep reading…

In the state auditor race, it's former Duluth council member and accountant Zack Filipovich (D) faces doctor and former state legislator Scott Jensen (R).

Why it matters: The auditor serves as a check on local government finances, overseeing some $56 billion in spending.

• The office can investigate allegations of misuse of local funds but largely lacks authority to root out fraud in state programs.

Context: Outgoing incumbent Democrat Julie Blaha won the office by the slimmest margin of any statewide race in 2022.

Zoom in: Jensen, a two-time gubernatorial candidate and former school board member, says he'd fight fraud by hiring more forensic auditors, leaning on artificial intelligence for data analysis and advocating for more whistleblower protections.

• Filipovich says he'll focus on transparency and helping local governments address a workforce shortage for accountants in addition to providing more training and resources, per MPR News.

Between the lines: Auditor has served as a springboard to higher offices in the past.

Go deeper: Watch the rivals debate on KSTP.

Worth noting

🏛️ Ellison's office sued two businesses, claiming they defrauded the state out of millions in federal child nutrition funds during the pandemic. (Star Tribune)

🎤 Popular left-wing streamer Hasan Piker appeared in Minneapolis yesterday with U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. and state Sen. Omar Fateh. (KSTP)

• The visit split Democrats, with some objecting to Piker's history of controversial remarks, and drew strong condemnation from Republicans.
• The Star Tribune characterized the content of the event as "comparatively tame."

⛺️ St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her vowed to move ahead with planned homeless encampment sweeps amid pushback from the City Council. (MPR News)

Jonathan Weinhagen, who pleaded guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars while CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, will be sentenced on Jan. 7, according to federal court filings.

Catch up quick: Weinhagen pleaded guilty in December to mail fraud. Federal prosecutors allege he created a sham consulting business to funnel more than $200,000 in chamber money to himself and falsified documents to pay for a $15,000 Hawaii vacation.

• He's also accused of pocketing $30,000 in unclaimed chamber funds that were meant to help bolster a Crime Stoppers reward for info on the shooting death of two Minneapolis kids.

The latest: U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel on Oct. 14 ordered Weinhagen, also a former Mounds View school board member, to forfeit $203,200 as well as any property he obtained through the $30,000.

Link to this story

Fan-favorite popup Sushi by Baaska is opening a standalone restaurant in Minneapolis' Mill District soon, the Star Tribune reports.

• Expect an omakase counter, an à la carte dining area and a private dining space inspired by Japanese basement bar dens.

🍕 One month after closing to search for a replacement restaurateur, Good Times Pizza in Kingfield has found a new tenant, Bring Me The News reports.

• Cultured Crust, which started as a sourdough bread company tabling at farmers markets, is now open serving sourdough pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and bagels.

🤳 Popular TikTok food influencer Tony Cu is opening his own restaurant, he announced on social media this week.

• Tony Cu's will debut at the B-Dale Club in Roseville on December 1 with "classic club fare" and egg rolls using his secret recipe.

Two new closures

Today marks 35 years since a Minnesota major league men's team last won a championship: the 1991 Twins.

Flashback: It was one of the greatest World Series ever played.

• Kirby Puckett's Game 6 heroics put the Twins into the game.
• Gene Larkin's 10th-inning single ended it.
• St. Paul native Jack Morris' stellar pitching performance won it.

Since then, the Twins have played in one ALCS but have mostly oscillated between division series cannon fodder and the AL Central doghouse.

The bottom line: At least we still have the Lynx — and this clip.

🐻 Bristol (above) is one of three orphaned brown bears that recently arrived at the Minnesota Zoo. They're expected to debut publicly next spring.

• 🦌 Hubert and another still-unnamed nyala — it's a type of African antelope — were both born earlier this month at the Como Park Zoo.

What they're saying: Awwwwww…

🖖 Kyle salutes Walter Koenig. Rest in peace, Mr. Chekov.

🙀 Audrey's brother got her a cat stroller for her birthday. She's excited — the cats are not.

🎂 Torey is wishing a happy birthday to her father-in-law!

🌴 Nick was off yesterday.

Today's newsletter was edited by Larry Graham.