Gov. Tim Walz is back on the road, with recent trips to Spain for a progressive leaders conference and Los Angeles for a nationally televised late-night interview.

The big picture: The DFL governor's ramped-up travel schedule, combined with this week's announcements that he's writing a book and launching a federal PAC, offer early clues about his post-office plans.

• He says he'll use the PAC to help Democrats "expand the map" by recruiting and supporting candidates in rural areas.

State of play: Walz ditched plans to seek a third term amid declining approval ratings and intensified scrutiny over his administration's response to fraud in state programs.

• But aides say his vice-presidential bid left him with a robust fundraising list and a steady stream of requests to headline events for Democrats across the country.

Case in point: He joined other governors at a fundraiser in Los Angeles last night, recently headlined a Democratic Party gala in Idaho and travels to Maine next week.

• He's also received speaking invites in Hawaii and Washington state this summer.

Between the lines: Walz has said he'll "never" seek elected office again.

• But allies expect him to try to maintain a presence on the national stage as a fundraiser, campaign surrogate and "party leader" in 2026 and beyond.

The intrigue: His book, which will focus in part on resistance to Operation Metro Surge, will be released in 2027 — meaning he could be on a promotional and media tour as the presidential primary picks up.

What he's saying: "I want to go out and find teachers, nurses, small business owners [to run for office]," Walz told ABC's Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday, noting that he'd also like to return to teaching.

Reality check: While he may be in demand nationally, it's unclear how active the governor will be on Minnesota's campaign trail, where DFLers still see the fraud issue as a top liability.

The other side: Minnesota Republicans dismissed Walz's moves as a "lame duck governor personified" and criticized him for going "AWOL" in the closing weeks of session.

What we're watching: Walz's final State of the State address on Tuesday will signal his end-of-term priorities — and how he'll aim to define his legacy.

Campaign funds paid for the recent trips overseas and to Los Angeles, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios.

Yes, but: Taxpayers are still on the hook for some related travel costs.

The reason: Walz's State Patrol security detail accompanies him on out-of-state travel, even when the trips are for personal or political purposes.

By the numbers: The Minnesota State Patrol spent over $700,000 in state funds to protect the governor as he crisscrossed the country between mid-2023 and the end of 2025, data obtained by Axios via a public records request shows.

• Destinations included overseas trade missions, family vacations and dozens of fundraisers and speeches before, during and after his 2024 vice presidential bid.

Zoom in: Troopers also joined Walz on the trail during his vice presidential bid, when he had Secret Service protection.

What we're hearing: University of Minnesota professor Richard Painter told Axios that spending state funds on such security is in the "public interest," even when trips aren't related to the governor's official duties.

• "It's absolutely critical that we prevent any assassinations, any violence against our political leaders," said the former White House ethics lawyer, who has criticized Walz over other spending.

"It's a fraction of what we pay for other things, and it's really key to keeping democracy working."

Full story

Duck Duck Coffee is expanding to East Lake Street, Longfellow Whatever reports.

• Ducks on Lake will open in the former Milkweed space as soon as next month.

☕️ In more coffee news, Eden Prairie's Smith Coffee & Cafe is adding a new location at 50th & France this fall, per the Minnesota Star Tribune.

🇫🇷 Aubergine, the neighborhood French bistro by Gavin Kaysen alums, opens today in Cathedral Hill.

🍗 Beast Barbecue in Northeast Minneapolis announced that it will close on May 2.

🍝 Brian Ingram's North Loop pasta spot Salt & Flour Kitchen will relaunch May 4 with "nothing over $15," Ingram announced on Instagram.

A "wood-fired Polish bistro" and more updates

🏈 The Vikings surprised analysts and fans by picking Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in last night's NFL Draft. (ESPN)

🎤 Basilica Block Party organizers say the music festival, last held in 2024, will not return. (Star Tribune)

🏗️ Minnesota United FC owner Bill McGuire is moving to buy the site of the recently-demolished Midway CVS to develop "market-rate apartments and new retail services," St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced.

• McGuire leads a group that's also building a hotel, offices and restaurants around Allianz Field, just across University Avenue.

The state Senate sent Gov. Tim Walz a bill raising the legal age for purchasing Kratom from 18 to 21. (Background via Axios)

• The widely available substance, which can have opioid-like effects, has surged in popularity.

👋 Kyle here with a few updates from a busy day at Minneapolis City Hall...

🧙‍♀️ The Prospect Park water tower's observation deck — aka "the Witch's Hat" — could finally reopen to the public this fall.

• City council members voted to hire a contractor to complete repairs to reopen the tower, which has been closed since 2019.

❓ Minneapolis' top public safety official's job remains in limbo. The council failed to override Mayor Jacob Frey's veto of their rejection of community safety commissioner Todd Barnette's reappointment.

• Barnette cannot serve past August without an affirmative council vote.

💾 Next month, the city council could, in effect, enact a temporary moratorium on data centers — just by opening debate on the proposal.

• Downtown boosters see data centers as a means of rescuing falling property values, but some council members want the city to study the environmental and development risks.

More on the data center debate

The Minnesota Zoo's "farm babies" are baa-baa-back.

Why it matters: They're super cute. Squee!

What's new: Miniature donkeys and cattle will join this year's barnyard crew of chicks, piglets, lambs and foals at the zoo's demonstration farm.

If you go: The spring exhibit is open daily during zoo hours, tomorrow through May 17.

• Live music and other special activities are scheduled on weekends.

🎟️ Admission is included with your zoo ticket or membership.