After years of speculation, the Michelin Guide is coming to Minneapolis — but inspectors won't award stars anywhere else in the state.

The big picture: The prestigious culinary guide announced yesterday the creation of an American Great Lakes edition, covering Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

• The restaurant selections won't be released until 2027, but inspectors are already dining in each city.

Why it matters: Michelin stars are among the top honors a restaurant can receive, and having starred restaurants can boost a city's culinary tourism and public image.

The catch: Getting the guide to come to town comes with a price.

• The Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District, which is funded by a 2% service charge on hotel room revenue, will pay $750,000 for a three-year partnership with Michelin, Meet Minneapolis, the tourism organization, told Axios.

Yes, and: The guide will only cover restaurants in Minneapolis, meaning nationally acclaimed Saint Paul spots like Myriel won't be eligible for stars.

• "We know that increased awareness and recognition in the region can benefit all of us," Visit Saint Paul CEO Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson said in a statement to Axios.

What they're saying: "We have the talent, cultural diversity and hospitality to stand with any culinary destination in the world," Meet Minneapolis CEO Melvin Tennant said at a news conference.

What we're watching: While the star system receives the most attention, the Michelin Guide also awards the Bib Gourmand, which recognizes restaurants that deliver "high-quality food at great value."

• What spot in Minneapolis fits the bill? Hit reply and let us know.

Full story

A push for more transparency around data center projects has brought together four Minnesota legislators from opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Driving the news: The unlikely policymaking partners held a joint presser yesterday to try to shake loose legislation to prohibit local governmental officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with private entities.

Zoom in: Backers of the bill say the growing use of NDAs and code names during talks with tech giants leaves residents in the dark about plans to bring the often controversial projects to their communities.

The other side: Critics, including the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, argue that the bill's "blanket prohibition" on NDAs could "unintentionally undermine economic development negotiations between municipalities and businesses."

The intrigue: Co-authors Emma Greenman and Erin Maye Quade are two progressive Democrats, while Republicans Drew Roach and Steve Drazkowski are two of the Legislature's more conservative Republicans.

• They disagree on many topics — including whether to build more data centers at all.

But several of them represent communities already grappling with the issue, and the authors said they agree that transparency matters in both "blue" and "red" areas.

• "There really aren't that many, if any, Maye Quade-Drazkowski bills," Maye Quade quipped. "So drink it in."

Go deeper on the debate via the Star Tribune

🔎 The Minnesota Legislative Auditor will do a full audit of the state grant program that was meant for businesses hurt by the 2020 civil unrest. (KSTP)

• A KSTP report this week found that multiple businesses got Promise Grants despite appearing to operate miles outside a qualifying neighborhood. And some have addresses that don't match public records.

🚑 Hennepin County paramedics and EMTs are frequently operating below staffing minimums and union leaders say it's leading to burnout. (Fox 9)

• The county's EMS chief responded that staff turnover rates are low and there was not a point when patients didn't receive a timely ambulance response.

🐟 Sea Salt Eatery will reopen for the season on April 17. (Instagram)

🏀 A since-deleted social media post featuring balloons tipped off fans about 10-time WNBA All-Star Nneka Ogwumike's free-agent visit to the Lynx. (Star Tribune)

Minneapolis leaders are mulling new ways to tax city residents.

Why it matters: With rising costs and cratering commercial values, Minneapolis homeowners have been hit with hefty property tax increases, prompting some officials to explore new revenue streams.

State of play: A consultant hired by the city presented five new mechanisms to raise revenue to council members and the city's Board of Estimate and Taxation yesterday.

Zoom in: Here are those options.

💰 An income tax on city residents of 1% or 2% that would raise $291 million to $410 million a year.

🏡 Real estate transfer tax: This would tax property sales at a rate of 1.5% to 3.6%. For example, if you sold a home for $400,000, you would pay between $6,000 and $14,400, depending on the rate.

• That would raise $101 million to $159 million a year, per the report.

🏫 Payment in lieu of taxes: Nonprofits that are exempt from paying property taxes could voluntarily make payments for the city services they receive.

• Estimated annual revenue: $10 to $19 million.

🏚️ Empty homes tax: Paid by residential and commercial properties vacant for more than six months.

• $6 million to $12 million per year.

🪧 Outdoor advertising tax: Use public assets for outdoor advertising and tax it.

• Revenue unknown.

Flashback: Board of Estimate & Taxation member Steve Brandt raised the idea of an income tax last year, when residents were facing another steep property tax hike.

• He told Axios he would prefer to pursue a smaller 1% income tax only on households making more than $200,000. That, he said, would generate $40 to $50 million a year, and his hope is that it would coincide with a curb on rising property taxes.

Reality check: Almost all of these ideas would require approval from the Legislature, which would be an uphill battle.

Where Mayor Frey stands

It's looking like the Twins' decision to trade reliever Griffin Jax to Tampa Bay for starting pitcher Taj Bradley is going to be a big win for Minnesota.

By the numbers: Bradley's first three starts of the season: 3 wins, 16.2 innings, 2 runs allowed and 22 strikeouts.

Why it matters: With Pablo López recovering from Tommy John surgery and Joe Ryan a possible trade candidate this summer, Bradley might be the future ace the Twins desperately need.