>>Final Days of 2026 Legislative Session
(St. Paul, MN) — With just days left in the 2026 legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers remain split on several major budget and policy bills as the May 18th adjournment deadline approaches. Hamline University political science professor David Schultz says the closely divided Legislature is making it difficult to reach agreements on issues like bonding, public safety, and gun legislation. Schultz says the tied House and narrow Senate majority have created an unusually deadlocked session, with some of the most contentious proposals becoming highly partisan battles. Lawmakers are expected to continue working through the weekend in hopes of finishing their work before adjournment.
>>Pawlenty Named President and CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association
(Undated) — Former Republican Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is heading back to the private sector as the new president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. The national trade organization represents the country’s solar and energy storage industry and advocates for renewable energy growth across the U.S. Pawlenty will officially begin the role on June 15th. He served as Minnesota’s governor from 2003 through 2011 and previously led several national business and financial organizations.
>>AG Ellison Hosting Forum on Future of Hennepin County Medical Center
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Attorney General Ellison is hosting a forum this evening (Wed 6pm) on the future of Hennepin County Medical Center. H-C-M-C is facing significant financial challenges, and state officials say closing the hospital is not an option. Ellison will hear from staff, community members, and patients on how to make H-C-M-C stronger. The forum is being livestreamed on Attorney General Ellison’s YouTube channel. H-C-M-C is a level 1 trauma center and the region’s top burn center.
>>Sky-Vu-Drive-In Closed for Now
(Warren, MN) — A northwestern Minnesota drive-in theater is taking an unexpected intermission after Tuesday’s winds literally blew off part of the screen. The Sky-Vu Drive-In in Warren posted on Facebook, “Welp. We’ve had better days,” after strong gusts mangled the giant movie screen. They also asked if anyone knew “a good handyman.” The beloved drive-in has survived since 1954, so locals are optimistic this isn’t the final showing — just a really dramatic plot twist. Wind gusts in the Warren area were reported as high as 49 miles per hour on Tuesday.
>>Urban Ag Day at State Fair Brings Hands-on Farming Lessons to Twin Cities Students
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Hundreds of Twin Cities third graders are getting a hands-on look at farming this week at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It’s all part of Urban Ag Day, where nearly 15 hundred students learn how food is grown and produced — from planting crops to caring for livestock. Organizers say the goal is to connect city kids with agriculture and clear up common misconceptions about the food system. High school F-F-A students help lead many of the lessons, giving them a chance to teach while building leadership skills. The three-day event is supported by farmers, agribusiness, and the Minnesota State Fair.
>>State Awards 1.5 Million in Youth Training Grants
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry is awarding 1.5 million dollars in Youth Skills Training grants to 17 partnerships across the state. The funding will help schools and employers expand programs that give students aged 16 and older hands-on career experience and paid work opportunities. The Youth Skills Training program focuses on high-demand fields including advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care, and information technology. Programs funded through the grants will run from July 2026 through June 2028.
The following 17 partnerships include:
· Big Lake Schools
· Breckenridge Public Schools
· Children’s Dental Services
· Cloquet High School
· Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Public Schools
· Eden Prairie Schools
· Farmington High School
· Fergus Falls High School
· Great River School
· HAP (Hmong American Partnership)
· Hopkins Public Schools
· Itasca Area Schools Collaborative
· Parkers Prairie School District
· St. Cloud Area School District
· Stillwater Area High School
· Warroad Public Schools
· Westonka High School
>>Amazon Launches 30-Minute Delivery Service in Parts of Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — Amazon is rolling out a new ultra-fast delivery service. The company announced “Amazon Now” is now available in sections of the Minneapolis metro, offering delivery of groceries, household essentials, medications, and select electronics in 30 minutes or less. Customers can find eligible items through the Amazon app or website. Prime members pay an added fee of about four dollars per order, while non-members pay more. Amazon says the expansion is part of a nationwide push to compete with companies like DoorDash, Instacart, and Walmart in the growing rapid-delivery market.
>>Journey Playing Grand Casino Arena on Final Frontier Tour
(St. Paul, MN) — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Journey is coming to Minnesota this fall. Journey is bringing its Final Frontier tour to Grand Casino Arena on October 4th. They played Target Field with Def Leppard in 2024 and the Xcel Energy Center in 2022. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
>>Minnesota Wild Face Elimination in Game 5 at Colorado
(Denver, CO) — The Minnesota Wild will try to avoid elimination tonight (Wed 7pm) in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series in Colorado. The Avalanche beat the Wild 5-2 Monday night in St. Paul to take a 3-1 series lead. Minnesota must win three straight games to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Center Joel (zhool) Erikkson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin (BROH’-deen) will both miss another game tonight due to injury.
