Minnesotans will get the chance to weigh in on a proposal by Xcel Energy to raise residential electric rates by 9.6% this year and another 3.6% in 2026.

Why it matters: If the hike is approved, the average residential customer would see their bills increase $13 a month by the end of 2026.

The big picture: Minneapolis and St. Paul homeowners are facing hefty proposed property tax increases next year, and home insurance rates have also been surging.

Zoom in: Xcel justified the rate hikes by arguing that it needs the extra money to improve infrastructure, build clean energy projects that protect customers from rising fuel costs and meet renewable energy goals.

• It also says it needs to prepare for expected increases in electricity use, including from vehicles and data centers.

What they're saying: Customers have already filed 6,000 comments with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which will decide how much of a hike Xcel gets, said Annie Levenson-Falk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota.

• That's a response level she's never seen before and it's likely tied to people facing affordability challenges. The number of customers who had their Xcel service shut off last year surged. She said too much of the proposed increase is tied to shareholder profit.
• "A lot of people are very upset by the idea that someone wants to increase their rates and I think that is really going to get the PUC's attention," said Levenson-Falk, whose nonprofit organization advocates for utility consumers.

The other side: In a statement, Xcel said its Minnesota customers' electric bills are 32% below the national average over the last year and its residential bills have only increased by 1.55% per year since 2013, well below inflation.

What we're watching: Hearings over the next two weeks will help the PUC decide how much of a hike to approve.

• A decision will come in the summer of 2026. If approved, the 9.6% increase would take effect immediately but would not be retroactive. It would be followed by the 3.6% increase.
• The PUC has approved a 5.2% interim increase, which is already reflected on Xcel bills. If the commission approves a smaller hike, customers would get a refund.

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The Lynx started their revenge tour yesterday with a 101-72 win over Golden State in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.

Why it matters: The No. 1-seeded Lynx need to win eight more games in their quest to get the WNBA championship trophy that head coach Cheryl Reeve said was stolen from them last year.

The latest: The Lynx started slow in yesterday's Game 1, but by the second half, the rout was on. Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 20 points and four other teammates were in double-digits.

State of play: Minnesota has home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and is the heavy favorite to win it all.

Yes, but: The path won't be easy. If the New York Liberty and Lynx advance, it would set up a second-round rematch of last year's WNBA Finals that went to a decisive Game 5.

• Beyond that, the No. 2-seeded Las Vegas Aces finished the season on a 16-game winning streak and the No. 3 Atlanta Dream won 15 of their last 18 matchups.

What to know: The Lynx feature Collier, the potential league MVP, and a solid supporting cast that includes Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith.

How to watch: Game 2 in San Jose is scheduled for 9pm Wednesday on ESPN. The Lynx advance with a win.

🕯️ "She was only 10, and yet she taught us more than most people ever could," the parents of slain Annunciation student Harper Moyski told hundreds of mourners at yesterday's memorial at Lake Harriet Bandshell. (Star Tribune)

🪧 University of Minnesota workers have ended their strike after receiving a new contract offer from the school. (KSTP)

• The Teamsters' work stoppage had interrupted some dining hall and custodial services — and also threatened to cancel Saturday's Farm Aid 40 concert, which will now go on as planned.

👗 Irish fast-fashion retailer Primark will open a Mall of America location "very soon" as the competitor to Zara and H&M expands its U.S. footprint. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

🏈 Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy threw two interceptions as Minnesota dropped its home opener against Atlanta. Final score: 22-6. (ESPN)

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Most Twin Cities residents aren't seeing their wages rise as fast as the national average, according to the new federal data.

Zoom in: Ramsey County wages increased by 5.3% between early 2024 and early 2025. It was the only one of the state's five largest counties to see average pay increase more than the national rate.

• That's per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released data for the country's 372 largest counties.

Yes, but: Inflation rose about 2.7% during the period, cutting into or completely erasing some wage gains.

Go deeper: Inflation and unemployment filings are up, with no silver lining this time

With balloon animals and bubbles in hand, over 120 people took over a corner of Powderhorn Park Saturday for the newest goofy event around town: the Minneapolis Clown Picnic.

• The inaugural gathering, which was only advertised via posters around town and by word of mouth, welcomed those who "clown around regularly" and newbies alike.

What they're saying: "I wanted to do some kind of gathering for a random thing, and I like clowns," said organizer and "lemon clown" Brianna Lindquist, who plans to make the picnic an annual event.

Keep an eye on our Instagram today for a recap