Axios Twin Cities
The streak of extremely hot and dry summers may be coming to an end
The streak of scorching hot and bone-dry summers in the Twin Cities might be coming to an end.Why it matters: Three straight years of significant drought in Minnesota has ruined crops, hampered outdoor recreation, and turned a state that is normally lush green to brown.Driving the news: The National Weather Service released its summer outlook last week. Most of the state is leaning toward a warmer-than-normal June-August, but some of it could just as likely be cooler than normal, per the NWS.The outlook also suggests a coin-flip likelihood of getting normal amounts of precipitation — far better than our recent...
Mid-century "Edward Hillstrom" house in Minneapolis lists for $695k
This picturesque midcentury modern home in Tangletown is now on the market for $695,000.The big picture: Known as the "Edward Hillstrom House" and featured in the architecture handbook AIA Guide to the Twin Cities, the home is located at 348 Elmwood Place W in Minneapolis. Why we love it: The 1961 home stands out from the crowd with its midcentury modern flair, like the custom wood built-ins and floating stairs, while expansive walls of windows on every floor show off treetop views.It's just steps from Minnehaha Creek and Lyndale Avenue's many shops and restaurants.Layout: The 1,813-square-foot house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a two-car detached garage.Features: Open concept layout, wood-burning fireplace, floating staircase, workshop, patio and back deck, garden.Take a look around... All photos by Landmark Photography.
These Minnesota breweries were just named some of the best in the world
Minnesota breweries took home six medals — including two golds — at the 2024 World Beer Cup Awards.Why it matters: The World Beer Cup, announced in Las Vegas on Wednesday, is the world's most prestigious beer competition. The big wins: Minneapolis-based Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub's German-style Doppelbock won first place in that category.Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth got a gold for its "Little Dussel Do-Ya" German-style Altbier.Plus: Judges awarded silver medals to Excelsior Brewing Co.'s "Big Island Citrus Blonde Ale (fruit beer) and Lupulin Brewing's "Dortmunder" (Dortmunder/Export of German-style Oktoberfest). BeerClub Brewing's "Doppel (doppel) Bock (bock)" and Pryes Brewing Co.'s "Idyll Forest - Soirée" scored bronze medals.Flashback: Last year, Minnesota breweries took home three medals, including one gold. What they're saying: "These awards reinforce something craft beer fans have known all along: some of the best beer in the world is made right here, by our neighbors and friends," Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild executive director Jess Talley said in a statement. Go deeper with the full list of winners.Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note that Beer Club Brewing and Pryes won bronze medals in their respective categories (not in the same category).
Twin Cities weekend events: Keith Haring, Art in Bloom, Indie Bookstore Day
Over 40 years after Keith Haring's residency at the Walker, his works will take over the Minneapolis art museum once again beginning Saturday for the "Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody" exhibition.Catch up quick: The celebrated artist is known for his colorful pop art works commenting on issues like environmentalism, capitalism, race, religion and sexuality. Several of his most significant pieces highlight his activism within the HIV/AIDS crisis; Haring died from AIDS-related illness at age 31. What to expect: The much-anticipated exhibit includes more than 100 works spanning the entirety of Haring's career, ranging from paintings to sculptures to material...
Minnesota Senate Republicans file ethics complaint against Sen. Nicole Mitchell over burglary charge
Fallout over the DFL state senator charged with felony burglary dominated discussion — and upended business — at the Capitol on Wednesday. State of play: Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who was arrested Monday for allegedly breaking into her stepmother's home to retrieve her late father's belongings, did not attend session or vote remotely as lawmakers returned to St. Paul after a two-day Passover break.The Woodbury Democrat, who denies she was stealing, has said through an attorney that she has no plans to resign over the incident.Driving the news: Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint against Mitchell and sought to expedite its...
Restaurant Roundup: Icehouse faces eviction, Hark! Cafe closes, Chimborazo comes to St. Paul
Ramen Shoten in Eat Street Crossing is closing April 28, but the food hall has already found a new tenant. "Staff Meeting," created in partnership with the group behind Asia Mall, will serve Asian fusion cuisine and open in a few weeks, per a news release.💰 Eat Street restaurant and music venue Icehouse is facing eviction due to unpaid rent, the Star Tribune reports. A lawsuit filed by its landlord alleges that the venue owes at least $85,000.Icehouse's owners declined to comment to the Star Tribune. ☕️ Corner Coffee will open a fifth location at the end of April, Downtown...
The Minnesota Vikings will be at the center of the NFL Draft spectacle
Thursday's NFL draft will be must-see TV for Vikings fans.Why it matters: The draft is a spectacle, with 54 million viewers last year, and the Vikings are at the center of this year's drama as they desperately search for a quarterback of the future.Catch up fast: After six seasons in purple, Kirk Cousins departed Minnesota and signed with the Atlanta Falcons.Instead of paying Cousins a king's ransom to stay, the team is turning to what many experts consider an excellent class of available QBs in the draft.State of play: There are three or four passers widely believed to go in...
St. Paul proposes 100 new miles of protected bike lanes
Many St. Paul bicycle enthusiasts are elated about a city proposal to build more than 100 miles of new protected bike lanes over the next 15 years.Why it matters: St. Paul is proposing a massive expansion of the city's current network of bikeways, especially by adding "off-street" or "separated" lanes on high-traffic streets.That's a change. Most of the city's protected bike paths are currently found along scenic parkways, with mostly painted lanes on high-traffic streets.What they're saying: "What we really want to do is attract new riders," said city planner Jimmy Shoemaker."We've heard from a lot of people in the...
Minnesota senator faces pressure to resign after burglary charge
A Democratic state senator from a Twin Cities suburb is facing calls to resign after prosecutors accused her of breaking into her stepmother's home to retrieve ashes and other items she said belonged to her late father.Catch up quick: Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) was arrested on Monday following an early morning call to police reporting a break-in at a Detroit Lakes home.On Tuesday, the Becker County Attorney's Office charged her with first-degree burglary, a charge that Mitchell denies. The felony carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The criminal complaint stated the senator told officers her...
Suni Lee excited, nervous to continue comeback bid at Olympic trials in Minnesota
Gymnastics star and St. Paul native Suni Lee says says she's both excited — and nervous — for Minneapolis to host the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team trials this summer. What they're saying: "I can't wait to compete in my hometown," Lee told reporters last week. "I'm excited to have my family there, my friends there. A lot of people are flying in to see it."Yes, but: Lee hasn't competed in all-around competition yet this year after a kidney ailment threatened to end her gymnastics career.Lee hasn't disclosed what the disease is but says it's now in "remission," and that she hopes to qualify for the U.S. championships as well.Zoom out: Amid this comeback bid, having the team trials in Minnesota adds "a lot more pressure," Lee said."I'll be walking the streets," she said, "and people are like, 'Oh my god, see you at trials!'""I'm like, 'Yeah, hopefully, if I make it there!' So it's really nerve-wracking."What's next: The U.S. Olympic Team gymnastics trials are set for June 27-30 at Target Center.
We tried the 21-minute MSP to Eau Claire Sun Country flight, and it was weird
Before boarding the 21-minute MSP to Eau Claire flight, I asked the pilot if that day's 16 passengers on an 186-seat plane was normal.He half-grinned and said, "This is full for us."Why it matters: Despite its short time frame, passengers, airport officials, and Sun Country executives told me the federal grant that brought the low-cost carrier to Chippewa Valley Regional Airport 16 months ago has been a big win for the community 90 miles east of Minneapolis.The big picture: The U.S. DOT subsidizes carriers through its Essential Air Service (EAS) program at what would be money-losing cities to better serve...
This competitive Minnesota House race is heading for a primary
One of two leading Republicans running in Minnesota's most competitive congressional district now says he'll stay in the race — regardless of whether he wins the state party's endorsement next weekend.Why it matters: The reversal by former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab increases the likelihood that the GOP's pick to challenge DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig will be decided in an August primary. The move will prolong a potentially costly intraparty battle in a district Republicans are hoping to flip this November. State of play: Teirab and attorney Tayler Rahm are locked in a heated race for the support of GOP...
Meet the newest members of the Minnesota Supreme Court
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Monday named two state judges to fill vacancies on the state Supreme Court. The big picture: Once Walz's picks are sworn in, all seven justices on state's highest court will be Democratic appointees.A majority will be women.Driving the news: Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas and Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy will join the court as associate justices. Gaïtas will replace Justice Margaret H. Chutich and Hennesy will replace Justice G. Barry Anderson. Both plan to retire in the coming months.Bios in brief: Gaïtas has served on the Minnesota Court of Appeals...
No-mow lawns are having a moment in Minnesota
Anthony Hauck spent the first spring in his new Tangletown home tearing the grass out of his front lawn. His goal: "to make a yard better for the birds, bees and other bugs."The big picture: No (or low) mow lawns are sprouting up across the metro this spring, as Minnesotans embrace landscaping that requires less maintenance and water.State of the seeds: Interest in drought-resistant fescue grass blends, pollinator-friendly wildflowers, and other native plants is growing, landscaping and gardening pros tell Axios.At Mother Earth Gardens, sales of "Bee Lawn," a "low-grow" grass with flowers added in, have doubled to tripled each...
Why these Minnesotans want you to eat more bugs
If you're worried about the impact the food you eat has on the planet, two Minnesota entrepreneurs have some advice: eat more bugs.Why it matters: The world will somehow need to double food supplies by 2050 to feed a booming population. The United Nations says insects have "huge potential" to solve this problem.They're nutritious, a regular part of the diet in many cultures, and likely more climate-friendly to produce than chicken or cattle.Yes, but: Solving this problem will require changing minds in Westernized cultures.Enter Chad and Claire Simons, whose business, 3 Cricketeers, represents a bet they can win converts to...
Minnesota food/drink experiences you've gotta try (at least) once
If you are among the thousands of people who move to Minnesota each year: Welcome! Now, it's time to learn to eat like a Minnesotan.We made a starter pack of food and drink places and experiences for Twin Cities newcomers to check out, picked with the help of Axios readers.Why it matters: These recommendations can help spark deeper explorations of our region's vibrant — and award-winning — food scene.Things you've gotta try (at least) onceIf you're a newbie in town, here's a checklist of Twin Cities food and drink experiences to earn your bona fides as a Minnesotan.1. 🍔 Smash...
Spring cleaning fever hits the Twin Cities early
Source: The Freedonia Group; Chart: Deena Zaidi/Axios VisualsSpring (cleaning) fever is hitting the Twin Cities a little earlier than normal this year, according to local organizing professionals.Why it matters: Home organization consults are on the upswing as record winter warmth pushes people to tidy up before summer, Home by Eleven owner Melissa Klug tells Axios.The big picture: There can also be a psychological perk to clearing clutter, says Lauren Greenwood, founder of home organization brand YouCopia."It's a place that's within your control, in a world that sometimes feels out of control," she tells Axios.Yes, but: If you find yourself struggling...
Timberwolves prepare to run the Western Conference gauntlet. First up: Phoenix Suns
The Timberwolves picked the wrong year to put together the second-best team in the franchise's 35-year history.State of play: In their quest for a first-ever trip to the NBA Finals, the Wolves will need to navigate a Western Conference field stacked with seven teams that won 49 or more games — something that hasn't happened since 2015.Why it matters: A long-suffering Wolves fan base finally has a real contender to cheer for this season, but their prospects of a deep run took a hit when they drew the Phoenix Suns in the first round.Threat level: Despite being the lower-seeded team,...
Contemporary downtown Wayzata mansion lists for $5.25 million
This modern west metro mansion just steps from downtown Wayzata is now on the market. Listed for $5,250,000, it's located at 152 Birch Lane West.Why we love it: The contemporary home in one of the Twin Cities' most desirable (and expensive) suburbs is all about luxury, with features like 31-foot ceilings in the great room, a chef's kitchen with a 16-foot island, and a spacious owner's suite on the second floor with an attached outdoor lounge.Plus: It's just a few blocks away from downtown Wayzata's shopping and restaurant district on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.Layout: The 8,240-square-foot home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms with a four-car attached heated garage. It sits on just under an acre of land.Interior features: Soaking tub, gas fireplaces, library, balcony, finished basement with gaming area, workout room, and guest suite.Exterior features: Screen porch with 24-foot glass wall, patio, landscaping pond, outdoor kitchen.Take a look around... All photos by Spacecrafting.
Minnesota college applications are way behind pace amid FAFSA delays
New data show applications for federal college financial aid are down sharply in Minnesota — and thousands of students who have applied are still waiting to hear how much aid they can expect.The big picture: Minnesota's not alone. A rocky rollout of a new version of the federal financial aid application known as the FAFSA has led to steep drops and huge processing backlogs in submissions nationwide.Why it matters: "Without urgent intervention, we risk a catastrophic decline in college enrollment," eight college access organizations warned Gov. Tim Walz in a letter this week. That would have "far-reaching implications for our state's...
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Axios Twin Cities, anchored by Torey Van Oot and Nick Halter, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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