Axios Twin Cities

November 07, 2025
❄️ TGIF! Are you team snow this weekend or team no?
- No flakes yet: Cloudy with a high of 46, per NWS.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Twin Cities member Maha Abouelenein! And an early happy birthday to Bradley Kluegel, Patrick Ly, Lori Moline and Matthew Koncar!
⚽️ Playoff awareness: Minnesota United faces the Seattle Sounders tomorrow in the deciding match of the MLS playoff series. Kickoff is at 3pm at Allianz Field.
Today's newsletter is 1,084 words, a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Brace for more shutdown travel pain
Flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport could be cut by up to 10% in the coming week amid air traffic controller shortages linked to the longest-ever government shutdown.
Why it matters: The unusual measure from federal transportation officials comes as air traffic controllers go unpaid and staffing shortages trigger slowdowns at airports coast to coast.
Driving the news: The list of affected airports covers many of the nation's busiest U.S. airfields, including MSP.
- A 4% "reduction in operations" took effect today, per a statement from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford.
- They plan to ramp it up to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Nov. 13 and 10% by Nov. 14.
The big picture: A 10% cut could translate to thousands of flights across the country, per data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
- It estimates that a full reduction could result in the cancellation of dozens of flights a day at MSP.
Between the lines: Cuts at major airports could also affect travelers elsewhere, depending on how they're implemented.
What we're hearing: Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesperson Jeff Lea told Axios that the airport is "actively monitoring updates regarding announced FAA-mandated flight reductions."
- While operations remained normal as of yesterday afternoon, he said travelers should be prepared for disruptions.
The latest: United, American and Delta say they're trying to minimize disruptions — by axing flights at periphery airports, for example.
Zoom in: Delta, MSP's largest global carrier, said yesterday that "most flights, including all long-haul international service, will operate as scheduled."
- Customers whose travel plans may be impacted can cancel or change their flights for free.
- Twin Cities-based Sun Country said it's also bracing for reductions and encouraged travelers to check their flight status online.
What's next: More cuts could follow, potentially upending the busy Thanksgiving travel season.
Go deeper: What to do if the FAA cuts or cancels your flight
2. 🪧 Clock ticks on teacher strike
Minneapolis teachers picketed at six sites across the city yesterday as they prepare to strike on Tuesday if they don't reach a contract agreement with the district.
State of play: The Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE) said yesterday that negotiations were active and that "promising movement" had been made in recent days.
- They're seeking teacher pay increases of 7% this school year and 6% next year, plus smaller class sizes and caseload relief in special education.
The other side: Minneapolis Public Schools said it's offered to accelerate teacher salary schedules and reduce class size and caseloads, "but the district cannot afford all of MFE's current proposals."
- The district is facing a $75 million budget gap this year.
3. The Spoon: The return of Red Panda
🐼 Beloved halftime performer Red Panda, who broke her wrist July 1 during a Lynx game at Target Center, is returning to Minnesota Saturday night for St. Thomas basketball's first game at its new St. Paul arena. (Sports Take)
🌎 New international student enrollments at the University of Minnesota dropped 9% after the Trump administration made changes to the student visa process. (Sahan Journal)
- The data shows a 27% decline in new students from India, one of the top home countries for Gophers who hail from abroad.
🚗 E-ZPass lanes on I-394 between Highway 100 and downtown Minneapolis will reopen Sunday, ending more than three months of construction-related closures. (KARE 11)
🗳️ State Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) will retire next year after over four decades at the Capitol.
- Pappas, who chairs the influential capital investment committee, is the 16th legislator to announce that they won't run for reelection in 2026, according to the Legislative Reference Library.
🏚️ The St. Paul City Council ordered the demolition of the vacant former CVS building at Snelling and University avenues. (Pioneer Press)
4. Oh deer: Still no launch date for DNR's new app
The Department of Natural Resources still doesn't have a target launch date for its new mobile app and online licensing system.
Why it matters: The tech upgrade, originally set to debut in March 2025, is meant to streamline and "modernize" applications and paperwork for Minnesotans who hunt, fish, boat and drive off-road vehicles.
- Outdoor recreation boosters hope that replacing an outdated — and glitchy — system will reduce headaches for current hunters and anglers and attract more young people to the traditions.
- It's also just the latest example of a delayed or bumpy launch of state technology.
State of play: People can still buy their licenses in person or online and store digital copies on their phone.
- State officials say over 200,000 have already done so for the firearm deer season that starts tomorrow.
What we're hearing: DNR commissioner Sarah Strommen said this week that moving the state's "incredibly complex" licensing system to a new platform is "not an easy task."
- While DNR isn't setting a new launch date yet, she said the aim remains to roll it out by the end of the year.
The bottom line: Making licenses easier to buy has an impact on Minnesotans, whether they hunt, fish and boat or not.
- That's because the proceeds fund conservation and other environmental programs.
You don't want to miss out
🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.
Prairie Fire Choir Closes Its 2025 Season with "Great Big Hill of Hope" at the Cedar Cultural Center tomorrow: Join the Prairie Fire Choir for an unforgettable evening celebrating community, creativity, and connection, featuring dynamic new rock/pop choral arrangements plus a special collaboration with local legends Barbara Cohen & Little Lizard.
Rise and Shine Breakfast Fundraiser at The Town & Country Club on Nov 13: Join allies for breakfast, networking, and advocacy in support of elder justice. Learn how efforts to end abuse and exploitation are making a difference for older and vulnerable adults.
Hosting an event? Email [email protected].
5. ⏰ 1 for the road: "It's called a '9 to 5' for a reason"


When it comes to scheduling in-person work meetings, the early bird gets … a lot of side-eye.
State of play: Close to 90% of the readers who responded to our survey said IRL meetings should start at 8am or later.
What we're hearing: Most of you cited early-morning constraints — like school start times — or a need for more shut-eye.
- "It's called a '9 to 5' for a reason," quipped Austin G. of Minneapolis.
Our thought bubble: While we take turns getting up at the crack of dawn to ship this newsletter, our team's first (virtual) meeting of the day is at a much more civilized 9:30am — cameras off!
😬 Torey is heading to the airport this afternoon. Wish her luck.
🌶️ Kyle wolfed down a Spicy Korean Burger at Juche on the East Side.
👨🍳 Nick thinks being a parent means finding a great recipe and realizing your kids won't eat it for an absurd reason like "white cheese is gross."
📚 Audrey is contemplating the Twin Cities Book Festival, but her to-be-read pile is already toppling over.
This newsletter was edited by Lindsey Erdody.
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