The state’s most reliable and exciting pro sports franchise advanced to the WNBA semifinals after a gritty come-from-behind victory. Justin Vernon, also known as Eau Claire-based Grammy winning musician Bon Iver, posted an ode to the team on his social media earlier in the week, saying the magic of the Lynx and their fans are beyond words. “I’ve never been around such a diverse group of people in one place at any one time. There is so much love in that room — and we are all rallying around this particular group of women athletes. Do yourself a favor. Be a part of history.” He urged everyone to watch their championship run, signing off with, “Trust me. Love forever, Justin.” We’re here for it and we’ll see you Sunday.
They’ve piled on to property taxpayers with more increases and a hollowed-out downtown to show for it. St. Paul taxpayers are also being asked to approve a school referendum that would mean double-digit increases for many while City Hall eyes cuts to recreation center and library hours. What is Mayor Melvin Carter’s plan? It’s unclear as he declined to talk to a Minnesota Star Tribune reporter for her story on taxes. Carter did, however, tell another reporter that after eight years in office his goal is “to reinvent downtown forward.” City residents need to see immediate results. The soaring cost of living in the Capitol City will soon, if it hasn’t already, exceed the benefits.
MSP has given Minnesotans a chance to utter their favorite phrase for two years running: We’re No. 1. That’s according to none other than the J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. It gets better: MSP won the top-ranking in the mega airport category for three of the past four years. What don’t we love about MSP other than construction in the arrivals pickup zone? If I’m bragging on this airport, it’s for cleanliness, efficiency, art (especially the mosaics) and the burst of purple pixie dust I conjure up when passing the Prince store in Terminal 1. If you’ve never seen the plow operation on the runways after a snowstorm, make a note to check it out this winter or just follow the airport‘s fun social media account for the videos.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., also sought to strip Omar, the Democrat who represents the Minneapolis-based Fifth District, of her committee assignments for her comments after the killing of Charlie Kirk. In a televised interview, Omar said the news of Kirk’s death and the images were mortifying. She also talked about how his death is being weaponized by conservatives to silence the left. Mace’s motion failed because four Republicans joined Democrats against it. (Jeers to the four Minnesota Republicans who voted to censure Omar.) Mace wasn’t done. She has continued to incite conservatives with vile and dangerous rhetoric about Omar. Although Omar’s exceedingly skilled in the sharp clapback, the attacks on her are unwarranted and far too dangerous. Cheers to Omar’s congressional colleagues who publicly defended her, including Rep. Betty McCollum and Sen. Tina Smith.
The state’s first recreational marijuana dispensaries have finally opened more than two years after the Legislature voted to legalize it. Extra cheer to Legacy Cannabis in Duluth cheekily commencing sales at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday in homage to the slang, 420, for marijuana. Ben Kovler, CEO of Rise’s parent company Green Thumb Industries, said he’s confident there is enough cannabis to meet demand even though Minnesota’s law makes the process more complicated. “We’ve done the medical-to-adult-use transition in many states, and we’re selling our product to lots of new microbusinesses, established stores,” Kovler said. “And so there’s no reason to think that Minnesota would be any different.”
Emergency and trauma doctors testified before the Minnesota Senate Gun Safety Advisory Panel Monday about the grim aftermath of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting and how assault rifles leave blast cavities that cannot be repaired. Hennepin Healthcare’s Dr. Rachel Payne described how the first few children arrived, all bleeding, some stunned into silence, others unconscious or screaming in fear that the gunman was still after them. She implored legislators to pass “meaningful legislation that limits access to the weapons designed for the most maximum permanent damage to human life.” Dr. Rachel Weigert of Children’s Minnesota explained the common thread she heard from the young Annunciation patients that day, “I know what to do because we train for this.” Hennepin Healthcare’s Dr. Tim Kummer told senators: “Your inaction is not neutral. Your inaction is acceptance.” Watch these physicians beginning just before the 47-minute mark and be grateful for their skill and compassion.
The timing of the firing of Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner Eric Grumdahl, who oversaw the fraud-riddled housing stabilization programs, was suspicious. Grumdahl was fired the day before the meeting of the Republican-led House Fraud Prevention and State Oversight Policy Committee. Grumdahl’s firing also came the same day Walz announced his re-election bid and then conveniently dropped a slew of new anti-fraud measures. Those actions rightly frustrated fraud committee chair and gubernatorial candidate Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove. She described Walz’s actions “more like a distraction than a solution.” On Thursday, we learned from the federal prosecutor of new federal charges in the housing program. Can’t we all just work together to stop the stealing?
Moriarty ended the prosecution of felony charges based on pretextual traffic stops for broken taillights, expired tabs and tinted windows. “We’re not talking about dangerous driving behavior,” Moriarty told a Star Tribune reporter in an interview. “When we’re talking about limited resources with law enforcement, you would rather have them focus on dangerous driving rather than these kind of things.” Additional cheers to Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. He implemented a similar policy in 2021 and said it was the toughest decision he’s made. He stood with Moriarty and praised her decision while also calling out law enforcement’s lack of support. “I believe that leaders consistently do the right thing, and they stand for things that are important: justice, equity and safety,” Choi said. “This change is so important.” It certainly is. Pity the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association refused to get on board.