State Rep. Kaohly Her's central argument against incumbent St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is that during his two terms, City Hall officials have been too slow to answer constituents, developers or lawmakers calling for help.

Why it matters: Carter's reelection chances likely hinge on whether voters buy this claim from his highest-profile challenger — especially with very little ideological daylight between the two Democrats.

The big picture: Her says city officials are either slow or "not responsive" to answer a range of critical requests, from handling businesses' permit applications to courting developers, big and small.

• At the Legislature, "When you don't return phone calls to your St. Paul delegation … you will have problems passing bills," Her said. (A city-backed proposal to renovate Grand Casino Arena received little consideration last session.)
• Her also said Carter's disengagement has affected his relationship with the City Council, leading to clashes with members.

What they're saying: "The attitude in the mayor's office is always, 'We're the mayor's office. We don't have to consult with anyone,'" Her said at a Sept. 17 forum.

The other side: While "there isn't such a thing as 'hands-on enough,' our goal is to be as high-touch as we can," Carter told Axios.

• Topping Carter's list of counterexamples from his tenure: major new redevelopment underway at Allianz Field, Highland Bridge and on the Greater East Side, and a $1 billion pipeline of new public works projects.
• He also pointed to "Paulie," the city's new online portal designed to streamline permitting and inspections.
• Carter has downplayed talk of tension with the council, framing their disagreements as productive.

Friction point: During the September forum, Her claimed Cub Foods closed its Midway store after city officials were "not responsive" to the store's public safety concerns.

• "Fundamentally untrue," Carter replied, saying the city had met with Cub and "built a plan." (Her wouldn't back down: "It is factual.")

Yes, but: Carter said some developers or applicants with praiseworthy projects walk away frustrated because city officials don't always have capacity: "We don't have an army of people," he told Axios.

Also on the ballot: Biophysicist Yan Chen — whose tax-cutting and back-to-basics mayoral campaign has gotten less attention, though it may wind up spending more than Her's.

• Business owner Mike Hilborn and engineer Adam Dullinger are running, too.

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Minnesota and 24 other states led by Democrats sued the Trump administration yesterday to force it to resume Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments as the government shutdown drags on.

The big picture: SNAP benefits — which help sustain 440,000 Minnesotans — are set to stop on Saturday.

What they're saying: The administration's actions "aren't just cruel though, they're unlawful," Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement, which notes up to $6 billion in emergency funds are available.

The other side: "Democrats chose to shut down the government knowing full well that SNAP would soon run out of funds," an OMB spokesperson told Axios.

Threat level: A SNAP shutdown would cause a "hunger catastrophe," Second Harvest Heartland CEO Sarah Moberg told MPR News.

• "There is simply not enough food in the system, especially following state and federal cuts, to meet the current need," Moberg said.

More on the lawsuit

💰 Political action committees that support Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have combined to spend $1 million influencing this year's mayoral and City Council races, new campaign finance reports showed. (Background via Axios)

• That's more than four times the total spending by PACs allied with Frey's opponents and council critics.

📚 Robbinsdale school district officials are weighing two options for closing and consolidating campuses next school year as they grapple with deep financial troubles. (CCX Media)

🏛️ The Edina City Council may join St. Paul's pressure campaign on state lawmakers by passing a local gun control ordinance that would only take effect if the Legislature acts. (Sun Current)

🏧 St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker plans to introduce legislation banning cryptocurrency kiosks in the city next week. (Background via Axios)

🏋️‍♀️ "It's never too late," advises a 65-year-old powerlifter from a Minneapolis gym who recently won four silver medals at the world championships — only six years after she took up the sport. (KARE11)

Target informed 815 Twin Cities-based corporate employees yesterday they have been laid off.

• In a notice sent to state officials, the retailer said 528 of those employees worked at the downtown Minneapolis headquarters and another 287 at its Brooklyn Park campus.

Why it matters: Target, which has been slumping for nearly three years, told employees that the cuts are meant to make the corporation move faster and simplify work.

Zoom out: The company said last week it would lay off 1,000 workers, with 80% of those in the U.S., plus eliminate another 800 positions.

• There are not yet media reports of layoffs in India, which has a large presence of Target corporate workers.

Zoom in: As Target has said previously, the layoffs were focused on leadership roles.

• Of the nearly 300 positions listed in the state layoff notice, 87 had director titles, 59 had manager titles and 51 had "lead" in their title.

What we're watching: Whether Target shakes anything else up, especially regarding remote work and in-office requirements.

• "In the next day, you'll hear from your leader to learn what these changes mean for your team specifically and how to move through the next few weeks," chief human resources officer Melissa Kremer wrote in a letter to remaining employees.

What they're saying

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

• The Object LIVE at Minneapolis Institute of Art tomorrow: Join a special live taping of Mia's award-winning podcast, The Object. The Halloween Eve-themed event will feature special guest Chan Poling (The Suburbs, The New Standards), fun quizzes and prizes, and of course, storytelling. Tickets are free.
• Così Fan Tutte at Ordway Music Theater Nov 1-9: Mozart's Così fan tutte follows two couples whose test of love spirals into temptation, chaos, and wit. An honest look at fidelity, performance, and the unpredictable nature of the heart. Experience Mozart's beloved classic, where YOU choose the ending.
• Early Childhood Open House at City of Lakes Waldorf School Nov 8: Discover a screen-free, nature-based education. Explore beautiful classrooms, meet dedicated teachers, and enjoy a cozy morning of bread-making, beeswax crafting, and a puppet show. RSVP today.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Halloween is this Friday, and we want to see your Minnesota-inspired costumes!

• Got photos from previous years, or early looks at this weekend's outfit? Hit reply to this email!

Pictured is Instagram follower Andrew George, who dressed up as Gov. Tim Walz cuddling a piglet at the Minnesota State Fair.