Cheers to newly elected House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson, who has quickly shown a knack for pointed and illuminating comments on the issues of the moment, a skill that will serve the caucus well and could make him a media darling. In an attempt to play it safe, many politicians at the Capitol stick to cliches and rote talking points, developing an unfortunate ability to speak at length without saying anything. In his short tenure as the House DFL leader, Stephenson’s shown a willingness to be bolder and more direct, as evidenced by his strong statement that the House DFL wants to vote on an assault-rifle ban in light of the assassinations of former leader Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert. “If there is not a special session, we will still need to address it,” he said.
Jeers to the untimely death of Uhu, the huge, sweet Eurasian eagle owl who reigned as the showstopper at the International Owl Center in Houston, Minn. The 13-year-old owl died recently from severe heart disease, a surprising diagnosis, as owls generally live 30-40 years. In Uhu’s short life, Owl Center Executive Director Karla Bloem said the owl served as a wildlife ambassador and a gentle giant with startling orange eyes and a five-foot wingspan that drew gasps whenever she flapped loudly overhead. “Most people just had their breath taken away,” Bloem said. During Uhu’s tenure, she interacted with roughly 100,000 visitors, helping Bloem educate, celebrate and respect wildlife. Uhu’s work here is done; long and free may she fly.
Cheers to the late, beloved Granite Falls Mayor Dave Smiglewski getting his due with a newly dedicated bridge in the western Minnesota city. Smiglewski was the mayor for a quarter century. He also served on the Granite Falls City Council and, for a time, published the weekly newspaper the Advocate Tribune. In 2016, he won a Bush Fellowship, designed to find ways to encourage civic engagement among rural youth. Smiglewski died in 2023 at 70 from complications of ALS. The bridge on Hwy. 212 spans the Minnesota River and might serve as a reminder to all of a most honorable public servant. Sen. Amy Klobuchar summed it up on social media: “To have the bridge that connects Granite Falls named after a leader in making connections and getting things done is a beautiful legacy.”
Jeers to U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad’s call for the resignation of a tenured political science professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Finstad, a Republican whose southern Minnesota district includes the Mankato campus, sent a letter to Edward Inch, campus president, denouncing the comments by Prof. Kevin Parsneau about the killing of Charlie Kirk. Parsneau condemned Kirk’s death but also called the deceased a racist. Instead of bowing to Finstad, Inch sent a letter to the campus urging respect and a free exchange of points of view. Inch acknowledged that Parsneau’s social media posts “caused distress for many.” Perhaps Finstad can now pivot to addressing other concerns in his district such as access to health care and the collapse of the Chinese market for Minnesota soybeans thanks to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Cheers to Robert Small, executive director of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, for many achievements dating to his combat service with the U.S. Marine Corps on the ground in Vietnam and tenure as a leader in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and as a Hennepin County judge. Most recently, Small receives cheers for his judicious nonresponse to the online battle of barbs between Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. Johnson started the recent digital dust-up with a pointed comment on Moriarty’s decision to stop charging most felony cases arising from low-level traffic stops. Moriarty responded sharply. Asked by a reporter for comment on the exchange, Small “let out a sigh” and declined. Those who know Small are familiar with that judicious sigh and ensuing silence.
Jeers to the passage of a month since the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting and no movement toward a special session on an assault-weapons ban. Gov. Tim Walz continues to say he wants to hold a session and see a floor vote on a ban. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, faults the governor for not providing a written proposal. Fair enough. Walz could have a bill drafted and presented overnight if he chose. But so could Demuth if Republicans had any interest in controlling access to the weapons of war and high-capacity magazines instead of just talking about addressing mental health concerns. But it was Walz who started the special session talks, so he should either end it or call it.
Jeers to Luke Keaschall’s demoralizing thumb injury taking him out for the remaining five games of the season, meaning there’s no remaining reason to acknowledge the existence of the Minnesota Twins and their lost season. Luckily for us, the dynamic rookie second-baseman’s likely to be back in a Twins uniform next season. Maybe the Pohlad family, the Twins owners, will use the offseason to rebuild the team around him and reveal the names of their new minority owners. Thanks to the Minnesota Timberwolves — yes, the basketball team — for bringing back Baby Jesus, aka hometown Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, for a sweet little hit of nostalgia and a reminder of what once was. Mauer’s looking stoic, of course, in dark sunglasses at Target Field wearing the throwback Timberwolves trees jersey that’s returning for a stretch of the NBA season. So cheers to the Timberwolves for resurrecting the Mauer mojo.
Cheers to the “StudBudz” for sharing the pink-haired sisterhood of the WNBA and a joyous celebration of individuality. Minnesota Lynx guards and BFFs Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams started their “StudBudz” Twitch channel as a fun little internet side project in early June and quickly became an online and real-life phenomenon. The duo drew a huge crowd for their playful appearance at the Minnesota Star Tribune’s booth at the State Fair. We’re cheering for the Lynx in the playoffs, of course, but the “StudBudz” have already won the season. Pink hair has never looked so good, and what’s not to love about the authenticity, attitude and energy of this dynamic duo?