>>Bill For License Tab Relief Stalls
(St. Paul, MN) — A law passed by Democrats in 2023 is being blamed for a sharp increase in license tab fees in Minnesota. GOP Senator John Jasinski of Faribault says the provision was added late in the session by a conference committee, without public input. He says, “The chairs of both the House and Senate basically got behind closed doors at the end of the session and put this in the bill, and it went through. We didn’t have a hearing. Can you imagine if people had a hearing and wanted to raise license tab fees?” Jasinski says he requested a Senate hearing this session on a bill to restore the previous license tab rate and depreciation values, but the request has not moved forward.
>>Minnesota Law Enforcement Steps Up Distracted Driving Enforcement
(Undated) – Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota are stepping up patrols this month to crack down on distracted driving. The campaign follows thousands of crashes statewide, including a deadly one involving the family of Shakopee’s mayor, who says the impact has been devastating. State officials warn too many drivers still believe it won’t happen to them. In 2025 alone, distracted driving led to 21 deaths. Police say the goal of this enforcement effort is simple: save lives.
>>Ruby’s Pantry Abruptly Ending Minnesota Food Shelf Operations
(Undated) — Ruby’s Pantry, a food distribution program that has helped families stretch their grocery budgets for years, has announced it will be closing. The organization has provided low‑cost food options to communities across Minnesota and beyond, relying largely on volunteers and donated goods. Leaders say the closure will impact thousands who depend on monthly distributions. The pantry specifically pointed to economic challenges, including rising transportation and distribution costs, as well as broader financial pressures impacting its pop‑up pantry model. Community partners are now working to connect families with alternative food resources as Ruby’s Pantry prepares to wind down operations.
>>Xcel Energy Announces Customer Refunds
(Minneapolis, MN) — Xcel Energy customers will soon see some relief on their energy bills.
The utility says it’s issuing more than $130 million in refunds, thanks to federal tax credits generated at its nuclear power plants in Monticello and Prairie Island. In Minnesota, customers can expect an average refund of about $2.46 per month over the next nine months. The total refund for Minnesota customers comes to $83.1 million. The federal nuclear energy production tax credit was created in 2022 and expired last year. In 2025, Xcel’s two nuclear plants supplied 27 percent of the electricity used by customers across the company’s five-state Upper Midwest system.
>>Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Opens, Expected to Draw Prince Fans
(New Ulm, MN) — The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm opens today (Thurs) for the season. Officials are expecting Prince fans from around the world to come to Minnesota in commemoration of “10 Years.” Prince died on April 21st, 2016, at Paisley Park in Chanhassen at age 57. The museum has Prince memorabilia and artifacts, including a Purple Rain motorcycle. It is open Thursday through Saturday until October 31st.
>>Omni Brewery Planning Taprooms in Duluth, Rochester, and Hudson
(Maple Grove, MN) — Maple Grove-based Omni Brewery plans to open three new taproom locations next year. The targeted openings are March 2027 in Duluth, June or July in Hudson, Wisconsin, and next November in Rochester. Omni also has beer and wine taprooms in Rosemount and Victoria. They stopped distributing products to bars and liquor stores in February 2024.
