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Axios Twin Cities
How to make friends in Minnesota as a transplant
As a newcomer to Minnesota, you may have already heard an old joke: If you want to make friends in Minnesota, go to kindergarten.The big picture: You have arrived in a community with a reputation as a difficult place to make new social connections — especially as a transplant.You're also taking this leap at a time when health officials worry that many young adults in our society are lonelier than ever.Why it matters: We love Minnesota. We want you to love it, too — and for that to happen, it's important that you connect with the people here.On top of...
Twin Cities homes with EV chargers could be worth more
Data: Realtor.com, Cox Automotive; Note: Among 100 biggest metro areas; Chart: Axios VisualsElectric vehicle chargers can be a rare find among houses for sale in the Twin Cities, according to a new report.Why it matters: Homes with EV chargers could hold greater resale value as more car buyers make the switch, Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale says.While EV sales are rising, they still represented just 5.4% of all new car purchases in Minnesota in 2022.The big picture: A small but growing share (0.9%) of U.S. homes listed on Realtor.com in 2023 were described as EV-friendly, up from 0.1% five years...
Baroque-inspired Nicollet Island townhome lists for $1.2 million
This 147-year-old townhome filled with character on Nicollet Island is now on the market.Listed for $1.2 million, it's located at 8 Grove St #8B, Minneapolis.Why we love it: Travel through the home and you'll take a trip around the world — and through history. Each level is entirely its own: a Gilded Age-esque main floor with hand-painted walls, a lower level heavily influenced by Asian architecture, and a Baroque-inspired basement with hand-carved woodwork.Layout: The 1,799-square-foot townhouse has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and three assigned parking spaces.Interior features: Custom-designed waterfall feature and mosaics, marble floors, chandeliers, copper ceilings, gas fireplace, solid granite tub and steam shower, wet bar.Exterior features: Patio, riverfront property, skyline views.Take a look around… All photos courtesy of Rob Gintner.
Timberwolves mania invades downtown Minneapolis this weekend
Downtown Minneapolis will be hopping this weekend as a Wolves team taking the sports world by storm returns home for two playoff games against the Denver Nuggets. Why it matters: The team has created a buzz across the Twin Cities and that excitement should provide a shot in the arm for a downtown already seeing a solid visitor rebound. Stunning stat: With a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, there's huge interest in tickets. The games on Friday and Sunday quickly sold out, and the cheapest tickets on the secondary market start around $225 before fees and taxes. Lower-level seats...
It's finally time for Minnesota to fly its new state flag
Minnesota's new state flag officially takes flight this weekend.Why it matters: The high-profile makeover, which turned heads and unfurled hot takes across the state and nation, marks the first major redesign of the state's flag in over 100 years.The big picture: Unlike before, we'll actually be able to tell ours apart from the dozen other states with flags that feature a detailed emblem on a blue field.State of the masts: The new blue-on-blue banner will be raised at several state sites for the first time at sunrise on Saturday.The Minnesota National Guard will retire the outgoing banners and give them...
Twin Cities weekend events: Mother's Day activities, giant plant sale, MN Met Gala
Get ready to garden — the enormous Friends School Plant Sale returns to the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Friday through Sunday. How it works: Volunteers distribute wristbands to shoppers the day of, starting as early as 6:30am. The group encourages bringing your own cart or basket and planning ahead using the map — there are over 2,000 plant varieties.Pro tip: If you're hunting for a deal, all plants are 33% off on Sunday.⏰ Details: Friday 9am–8pm, Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday 10am–2pm. Free entry, free parkingIn other entertainment news...🥄 The inaugural Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair runs Saturday–Sunday, featuring 150 artist booths,...
Minnesota lawmakers have just over a week to cross this big-ticket item off their to-do list
State lawmakers have just over a week left to broker a bipartisan deal to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars for local infrastructure projects.The big picture: The capital investment package, also known as the bonding bill, is the biggest item on lawmakers' to-do list this year. Because it involves borrowing money, it requires a three-fifths vote.That gives minority Republicans leverage to shape the list and cost of included projects and secure other concessions from majority Democrats.Threat level: Tensions over a DFL state senator charged with felony burglary have complicated the already tenuous talks, with just six voting days before adjournment.Senate...
Where to treat your mom in the Twin Cities this Mother's Day
Mother's Day is this Sunday. We're taking the guesswork out of picking a place to celebrate with some tailored picks for treating mom or mom-like figure in your life. If she...Goes gluten-free: Treats from Sift or Atuava Bakery. Loves a good BEC: A bodega-style bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich from Egg on a Roll. We also love the egg-and-sausage on fresh-baked focaccia from Marty's.Digs doughnuts: SoYen Desserts' popular filled brioche doughnuts are available by the half-dozen, or swing by Mel-O-Glaze for a classic glazed. Wishes Minnesota made better bagels: Saint Paul Bagelry or Asa's Bakery. Raises a flute to boozy...
Minnesota Book Awards announce 2024 winners
Avid readers looking for something Minnesotan to pick up should consider one of the recently announced winners of a Minnesota Book Award. Driving the news: The Friends of the Saint Paul Library winnowed a field of 252 books authored by Minnesotans and this week announced ten winners:Novel & Short Story: "A Council of Dolls," by Mona Susan PowerChildren's Literature: "Beneath," by Cori DoerrfeldGeneral Nonfiction: "Lessons on the Road to Peace," by John NoltnerGenre Fiction: "Ink Blood Sister Scribe," by Emma TörzsMemoir & Creative Nonfiction: "Half-Life of a Secret," Emily StrasserMiddle Grade Literature: "Shannon in the Spotlight," by Kalena MillerMinnesota Nonfiction: "Making the Carry," by Timothy CochranePoetry: "Wail Song," by Chaun WebsterYoung Adult Literature: "The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be," by Shannon GibneyMinnesota History Award: "Minescapes," by Pete KeroGo deeper: Contest organizers also honored author Bao Phi and book artist Vesna Kittelson.
Engineers make the most money out of college in Minnesota
Data: Data: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Chart: Axios Visuals. Chart: Axios VisualsTo make a lot of money right out of college in Minnesota, consider an engineering degree, which lands the typical grad a salary of $70,500 a year after commencement.Why it matters: As thousands of students in Minnesota colleges and universities graduate this month, some will quickly find high-paying jobs while others will struggle financially.Driving the news: It's easy for Minnesota students to find out what their degree might mean for their future salary and job prospects, thanks to a recently updated state Graduate Employment Outcomes (GEO)...
Beer U: Minnesota college adds online craft brewing certificate program
Dakota County Technical College's beer degree is going digital. Why it matters: The Minnesota school's new online-only Brewing Science and Production certificate trains aspiring brewers, regardless of where they live or the hours they work. The big picture: Stagnating consumption and production have sparked closures and consolidations across the Twin Cities' once-booming craft beer scene. Yes, but: Boosters of the program say those shifts make opportunities for continuing education more important, not less. "One of the things about a mature industry is you need a skilled workforce," instructor Andrew Burns told Axios. "As much as we see the occasional brewery...
Sun Country is getting a smartphone app
Sun Country will finally roll out a smartphone app sometime this month, according to Thrifty Traveler. Why it matters: The Minneapolis-based airline admitted it was the only one in the U.S. without an app. It used to have one, before canning it in 2017.What they're saying: CEO Jude Bricker told analysts that Delta's rebuilding of its service at MSP Airport post-COVID is creating more competition.The good news for travelers: That means lower fares, according to Thrifty Traveler.Yes, but: The airline might slash its fall schedule by a third, Bricker said. That could mean canceled flights between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. More coverage: We tried Sun Country's 21-minute flight to Eau Claire
We tried the new TokiDoki Japenese burger in Minneapolis
The owner of the popular local Ramen Kazama restaurants branched off this spring to bring the Twin Cities a Japanese burger joint. TokiDoki, which opened in March at 3406 Nicollet Ave., features a menu of burgers, fried chicken, and appetizers. Dig in: I tried the TokiDoki burger, a 5-ounce house blend patty on a brioche bun with futsu sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onions.The futsu sauce tasted similar to the Big Mac's special sauce. Between the lines: This burger was by no means unique, though the patty had a fatty and almost sausage-like flavor. It's a solid B-level burger for me. I wanted to try the Karai Burger, which has bacon, Thai chili fish sauce, choto karai sauce, housemade pickled carrots, and cheddar, but I was there for lunch and it's only served during dinner. What to expect: A casual hybrid service model in which you order from your phone at the table, though a host will also take your order if you want.Burgers and sandwiches are in the $12.50 to $15.50 range.
Minneapolis, state lawmakers reached a rideshare driver pay deal. Uber and Lyft aren't happy.
Minneapolis council members and top DFL legislators have announced a "compromise" to create a statewide pay floor for rideshare drivers. But rideshare companies aren't on board.Why it matters: A spokesperson for Lyft — which had previously only threatened to leave Minneapolis — said the company would be forced to end operations "throughout the state" if the deal became law.Uber has threatened to leave since Minneapolis' ordinance increasing driver pay passed in March.Yes, but: House Majority Leader Jamie Long told reporters he thinks the companies are "bluffing."If he's right, officials may have secured huge raises for more than 8,000 Twin Cities...
Trump to headline Minnesota Republican Party fundraising dinner
Former President Trump will return to Minnesota this month to headline the state Republican Party's annual Lincoln Reagan fundraising dinner.Why it matters: The visit announced Monday is the latest example of Trump's effort to expand the map to put states President Biden won handily in 2020 in play this November. Just last weekend, donors at the Republican National Committee's spring meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., were shown a deck arguing that Minnesota could be flipped, Axios' Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei write.State of play: Minnesota hasn't gone red in the presidential election since 1972. However, recent polls have shown Trump...
Several Twin Cities suburbs are move away from #NoMowMay
Some Minnesota cities are easing off their #NoMowMay campaigns as turf experts warn about the drawbacks of taking a month off from lawn care.The big picture: The campaign has spread widely on social media in recent years, with local and state governments — including Minnesota's — urging people to stop cutting their grass for the month to help the environment and boost habitat for bees and other pollinators.The intrigue: Some experts say the one-month mowing hiatus doesn't help bees all that much and could ruin your lawn, Axios' Ned Oliver reported.An academic study supporting the theory that a month off...
Stillwater could get the state's second "sip and stroll" social district
Stillwater is making a bid to host Minnesota's second social district. State of play: A new bill, introduced Tuesday by GOP state Sen. Karin Housley, would authorize the border city to follow in Anoka's footsteps by allowing patrons to carry and drink boozy beverages between restaurants and bars. What they're saying: Housley, who lives in Stillwater, told Axios that an outdoor social district would further boost economic development in the popular tourist destination along the St. Croix River. "Our downtown is booming ... it's a fun, social place to be," she said. "It would just be nice to be able...
A newcomers guide of things to do in the Twin Cities
If you're new to Minnesota, here are a few good ways to get to know the people, spirit and landscape of the state:Getting to know us🎡 Minnesota State Fair: It's the melting pot of the state. Deep-fried foods make all the headlines, but there's no better place to quickly get a taste of Minnesota's people, music, history and culture. Aug. 22-Sept. 2🚲 See the cities by bike: Consistently rated a top U.S. city for biking, Minneapolis is easy to take in on two wheels. The Grand Rounds system includes trails that hug the Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, Mississippi River...
How Twin Cities will be impacted by the national Realtors lawsuit
The National Association of Realtors and brokerages including the parent company of Edina Realty recently agreed to settle a big lawsuit that questions how real estate agents are paid — and who foots the bill.The big picture: If approved, come summer, agents won't be able to make offers of compensation in the Multiple Listing Service, the database where agents post homes for sale.Why it matters: The seemingly small change, which a court preliminarily approved last week, is causing major confusion.How it works (currently): Sellers and their agent negotiate a fee, which is typically 5%-6% of the purchase price and is...
Minneapolis Public Schools backtracks, says budget deficit "may increase" after labor deals
Minneapolis Public Schools officials, retracting an earlier statement to Axios, say a new teacher union contract could worsen the district's budget shortfall.Why it matters: Minneapolis schools are projecting a $110 million budget deficit, with millions in spending cuts lined up for next year and potential school closures looming.The recently announced tentative agreement includes raises for unionized teachers.What they're saying: In an interview Thursday, school district CFO Ibrahima Diop told Axios the communications mistake was likely the result of this year's difficult — and fluid — budget-writing process."Between when you sent [your question] to [MPS] communications and when they were drafting...
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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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