>>Minnesota State Budget and Economic Forecast Released Thursday
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesotans will get an update today (Thurs) on the financial shape of the state budget. The Minnesota Budget and Economic Forecast will be announced at noon. After crunching the numbers, this is like a report card from budget leaders and economists. They look at the state budget passed during the special session in June, and other factors like federal cuts, fraud, and inflation. One year ago the projected budget showed a surplus for 2026-27, but a deficit of $ 6 billion by the end of the decade. Lawmakers will use this forecast to shape policy for the next legislative session.
>>Richmond Woman Running for Republican House Speaker Demuth’s Seat
(Richmond, MN) — A woman from Stearns County is running for the Minnesota House seat of Republican Speaker Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring next year. Tanja Goering of Richmond is seeking the Republican nomination in House District 13-A. Demuth is campaigning for governor in 2026 and not seeking re-election. Goering says in a statement that she’s running because the state is headed in the wrong direction. She is a former chair of the St. Cloud Chamber.
>>SBA-Backed Lending in Minnesota Up $90 Million in Fiscal Year 2025
(Minneapolis, MN) — The U-S Small Business Administration is reporting a total of 936 million dollars in SBA-backed capital in the state last year. Minnesota District Director Brian McDonald says lending was up by 10.6 percent. He says, “Fiscal year ’25 we were up about 90 million dollars compared to fiscal year ’24. So that’s a pretty significant increase.” McDonald says the 5-04 program was up by 57 percent last year. That program helps businesses finance major equipment purchases, property, and capital improvements.
>>Minneapolis Blocks City Lots from Immigration Enforcement Use
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is banning federal, state, and local agencies from using city-owned parking lots, ramps, garages, or vacant lots to stage immigration enforcement operations. The executive order also directs staff to create signage templates for businesses that want to mark their property as off-limits. Frey says the move reinforces Minneapolis as a welcoming city. The order follows federal plans to target Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities.
>>Victim Critically Injured in Shooting near Eveleth on Iron Range
(Fayal Township, MN) — Authorities on the Iron Range are investigating a shooting near Eveleth that left a man in critical condition. Officers found a man with gunshot wounds Tuesday afternoon in Fayal Township and he was taken to a Duluth hospital with critical injuries. The Eveleth Police Department says another man was arrested and is expected to be charged today (Thurs). No names have been released.
>>Gopher Men’s Basketball Upsets #22 Indiana in Big Ten Opener
(Minneapolis, MN) — The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team upset number 22 Indiana 73-64 Wednesday night in the Big Ten opener at Williams Arena. Cade Tyson and Langston Reynolds led the Golden Gophers with 17 points each and five players scored in double figures. The U of M improved to 5-and-4 overall and 1-and-0 in conference play. The Hoosiers were 7-and-0 before last night’s loss at the Barn. The Gophers play next Wednesday at top-ranked Purdue.
>>Wolves and Lynx Hosting Locker Room Liquidation Sale Thursday
(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx are hosting their Locker Room Liquidation Sale today (Thurs 9am-4pm) at Mayo Clinic Square. Fans can purchase discounted merchandise, team-issued apparel, and signed items. The list includes Wolves and Lynx t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, pants, and shorts. All purchases must be made with a credit card or Apple Pay; no cash is being accepted. All proceeds go to the Minnesota Fastbreak Foundation.
