Rising costs for supplies and labor are prompting more people to undertake DIY appliance repairs and other home projects.

Why it matters: The approach can save money and be rewarding, handy readers tell us.

Case in point: Ivy J. couldn't afford to pay someone for her dream kitchen renovation, so she decided to do it herself.

• The project, which includes installing new hardwood floors and cabinets she bought on Facebook Marketplace, is on track to cost less than $4,000 — a fraction of what a contractor might charge.

"I've been able to reuse a ton of materials, which feels great in a world with too much waste," she added.

Other readers shared stories of repairing home features and appliances big and small.

• "Found out I'm decent at mixing concrete," Courtney H. wrote of an ongoing project to replace a wind-damaged fence.
• "It was extremely satisfying to complete the project myself (with the aid of YouTube how-tos)," Rozanne R. said of spending a few hours fixing a decade-old box fan.

The big picture: It's not just Minnesotans getting resourceful: Record-low consumer sentiment, the Iran war and a relatively dormant housing market are suppressing sales of big-ticket home items, Whirlpool said recently.

Zoom in: Whirlpool's data also indicates that appliance owners are trying to fix their own machines to save money.

• "One of the strongest businesses which we had in Q1 was actually our spare parts and repair business," CEO Marc Bitzer said on an earnings call this month.

If you try (to DIY): There are plenty of local resources (beyond YouTube tutorials) to guide the work.

• For example, the Minnesota Tool Library offers rentals for an annual $70 membership.

Plus: Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties all offer free "fix-it" clinics for residents.

"Folks can bring in their broken stuff, and volunteers guide them through the repair process," Brad K., who volunteers at them with his adult son, told us.

• "It's a free service and is fun, educational, and helps with reducing waste ending up in landfills."

What we're watching: Inflation is worsening, which could increase pressure on more people to fix things themselves.

Lawmakers at the narrowly divided Capitol worked late into the night to pass the final pieces of a bipartisan deal ahead of their midnight deadline.

The big-ticket bills: Cash aid for HCMC, temporary relief from rising car tabs and property taxes, and $1.2 billion in borrowing to pay for construction projects statewide, as we reported last week.

• Plus: More money for lawmaker security, outdated IT systems, anti-fraud measures and mental health initiatives for schools.

🚗 Follow the money: The car tab cut rolls back recently hiked vehicle fees by 18% for 2027 only.

• A driver with a $50,000 vehicle will save about $145 next year, while someone with a $25,000 car will save $72, per MPR News.

🏡 Homeowners who made less than $143,000 in 2025 can also expect to see their homestead credit increase by 15% under a deal to provide one-time property tax refunds.

• MinnPost reports that the average participant will save $215. No paperwork beyond the regular credit application is needed.

🛑 A number of top priorities for both sides didn't make it across the finish line.

• That included new gun restrictions in the wake of the Annunciation shooting and a Metro Surge relief package (DFL) and proposals to boost school security funding and extend the federal "no tax on tips" law to state tax code (GOP).

What's next: The House and Senate return today for retirement speeches.

What we're watching: Leaders from both sides pledged to take the session's wins — and issues that failed to make it through — to voters in the fall campaign, per the Star Tribune's live blog.

Go deeper via MPR News

🔎 Several regulators at Minnesota's Department of Education told FBI investigators that department leaders dismissed and discouraged their early warnings about widespread fraud targeting a federally funded meal program, documents obtained by the Star Tribune show. (Star Tribune)

• One veteran MDE employee told the FBI in 2022 that abuse in the program was an "open secret." Staffers said agency leaders were worried about lawsuits and accusations of racism from Feeding Our Future.

🔥 Dry, windy conditions fueled the spread of wildfires across Greater Minnesota over the weekend, prompting evacuations and a mobilization of the National Guard. (WCCO)

• One blaze, just north of Two Harbors, had destroyed over 30 structures as of yesterday morning.

🛸 The city of Bloomington is launching a two-week test to explore using drones for emergency response and other purposes.

• Other cities, including Minneapolis, are weighing similar applications.

🍔 The Red Cow on Hennepin in Minneapolis will close when its lease ends June 1. (Jason DeRusha via X)

🚧 The I-94 Lowry Hill Tunnel will close in both directions for overnight cleaning today and tomorrow, per MnDOT. Expect the closures to span from 10pm to 5am.

The Wolves' season ended in a blowout loss Friday, making it clear they are in a class below the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The good news is that the Wolves' young core of Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid kept their shine through this year's postseason.

Yes, but: Big questions remain for the rest of the roster.

🤔 Here are three to ponder this offseason:

Will they remake the front court? The Spurs exposed the flaws of Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, and it's fair to wonder whether the team will trade one or both of the post players, who are 33 and 31, respectively.

Will they re-sign Ayo Dosunmu? Acquired in a midseason trade, Ayo has impressed in his first stretch with the Wolves.

• The pending free agent will come with a hefty price tag, but the Wolves can't afford to lose Dosunmu while fellow guard Donte DiVincenzo spends most of next season recovering from a torn Achilles. 

What is Chris Finch's future? There's a segment of the fan base that wants a new head coach, but Finch has won five playoff series in the last three years.

• The Athletic reported he will be back next season.

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