The centuries-old sport of fencing is experiencing a renaissance among youth in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Why it matters: Its rising popularity is fueling new club teams and programs across Minnesota, creating opportunities for even more kids to give (supervised and safe) sword fighting a try.

• "It's just … exploded," Paddy Murphy, a coach with Youth Enrichment League in Hopkins, told Axios.

State of play: USA Fencing has added more than 10,000 youth members since the 2016-2017 season — a 68% increase.

• Participation in some state-level fencing tournaments has doubled in less than a decade, coaches say. Nearly 300 middle and high schoolers from across Minnesota signed up for a recent invitational at St. Paul Academy, up from 179 last year.

How it works: The sport has three variations: foil, épée, and sabre. The weapon and rules vary by discipline, but in general, competitors score by touching an opponent in a designated target area with the tip of the weapon.

Driving the interest: Fencing, often called a physical game of chess, requires both skill and strategy.

• "It appeals to people who want to be able to outsmart their opponents," said Roberto Sobalvarro, a former Team USA coach who now leads the Twin Cities Fencing Club.

What they're saying: That's been the case for Caden Lineberry, a 12-year-old from St. Louis Park who picked up the blade four years ago after spending his early childhood "playing swords with sticks."

• "It's the mindset of it," he said between matches at the SPA Invitational. "It's a lot more mental than a lot of people say."

Between the lines: Murphy, who competed in high school, said more people are sticking with it and honing their skills enough to compete on the national youth circuit or collegiate level, where scholarships are sometimes available.

• Lineberry, who trains under Murphy at YEL, regularly travels to out-of-state tournaments.

What we're hearing: Boosters are scrambling to keep up with demand. New students at the Twin Cities Fencing Club can wait two to three months for an opening, Sobalvarro said.

• Meet signups are so high that organizers are looking to find bigger gyms to host statewide tournaments.

Full story

Hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday? You may want to serve boneless wings to your Minnesotan guests.

Driving the news: Minnesota is one of 27 states where customers of Buffalo Wild Wings order more boneless wings than bone-in, according to the restaurant chain that used to be based in Golden Valley.

Reality check: The boneless options aren't actually wings, just chopped-up chicken breast.

Flashback: It was 10 years ago this week that Buffalo Wild Wings said on an earnings call that sales of boneless wings had matched sales of traditional ones.

Zoom out: Nashville Coop, Dave's Hot Chicken grow quickly in the Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is expected to announce later today the finalists to be the next president. (Info)

• In other higher education news, the U is giving admitted students until May 15 to commit for the fall semester in light of FAFSA delays. (Star Tribune)

📃 The Minneapolis City Council voted to override a veto by Mayor Jacob Frey of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Frey issued his own proclamation calling for a ceasefire. (MPR News)

🗳 Former Minneapolis Park Board commissioner Londel French is running for the Minnesota House in District 62B, where Rep. Hodan Hassan is not seeking another term. (X)

🎯 Target is weighing a membership program that's similar to Amazon Prime or Walmart+, according to unnamed sources. (Bloomberg)

🦮 Bring your dog to the ballpark night is among the Minnesota Twins promotions for Target Field in 2024. (Fox 9)

Calling all neutral decor haters — this vibrant downtown Minneapolis condo with maximalist wallpaper is now on the market.

• Listed for $399,000, it's located at 901 S 2nd Street, Unit #509, just steps from U.S. Bank Stadium.

Why we love it: No blank gray walls here — each room has been transformed with colorful wallpaper that stays with the home, like a floral statement wall in the living room and a jungle-themed primary bathroom, writes Axios' Audrey Kennedy.

• Floor-to-ceiling windows let in an abundance of natural light, and the bedroom has a spacious private balcony with a stadium view.

Layout: The 906-square-foot condo has one bedroom, one bathroom, and a garage space.

Take a look around

📅Upcoming events around the city.

Meet at Mia: Institute of Hearts at Minneapolis Institute of Art on Feb. 15: Party with live music, art making, a film screening of Valentine shorts, tours, an art matchmaking quiz, food, drinks, and more.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

With Valentine's Day around the corner, Open Table is touting its roundup of the 100 most romantic restaurants in America.

• Three local haunts made the list.

Their (local) picks: Baldamar in Roseville, Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge in Minneapolis, and  Porterhouse Steak and Seafood in Lakeville.

Our thought bubble: We've been to Murray's — be sure to ask for Sid Hartman's old table if you want to impress your date. As for the other two, we can't vouch for (or against) the lovey-dovey vibe.

• But the list got us wondering: What are your go-to bars and restaurants for an intimate date night out?

Reply to this email with your suggestions. But be sure to book your table first — we plan to share some of the best in an upcoming newsletter.

P.S. If you need inspiration, check out Audrey's list from last year.