Child marriage with parental consent is still legal in Wisconsin. Republicans have blocked Democratic efforts to change that.
Nearly 300 16- and 17-year-olds were married in Wisconsin over the past decade.
By Gus Pirlot, Wisconsin Watch
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/06/child-marriage-with-parental-consent-is-still-legal-in-wisconsin-republicans-have-blocked-democratic-efforts-to-change-that/

Waymo is on the roads, but some Minneapolitans are hoping to hit the brakes
Political leaders and others met at a forum this week to get out in front of the expected launch of Waymo’s driverless taxis.
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/06/waymo-here-but-some-minneapolitans-are-hoping-to-hit-the-brakes/ ( Read more... )

Minneapolis could soon see the rebirth of its bicycling ride share program
Nice Ride vanished from the streets in 2023, but it could soon be back with a boost from e-bikes.
by Bill Lindeke
https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2026/06/minneapolis-could-soon-see-the-rebirth-of-its-bicycling-ride-share-program/

On HCMC’s list of financial troubles, generosity is a leading culprit
‘Charity care’ is fundamental to the hospital’s mission. But as costs climb, so do concerns about long-term sustainability.
by Maddie Robinson
https://www.minnpost.com/community-health/2026/06/on-hcmcs-list-of-financial-troubles-generosity-is-a-leading-culprit-charity-care-hennepin-county-medical-center/ ( Read more... )

How residential solar installers are weathering a downturn
by Brian Martucci
https://www.minnpost.com/newsletter/how-residential-solar-installers-are-weathering-a-downturn/

Cheeseheads? Nah. Minnesota hosts true fromagières.
At the American Cheese Society competition, hosted annually in Minneapolis, volunteers go home with samples. They’re pretty gouda.
by Sheila Regan
https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2026/06/cheeseheads-nah-minnesota-hosts-true-fromagieres-cheese/ ( Read more... )

I missed the Dragon Cave Birthday drop and one in around March as well. I'd be glad ti breed new dragons to trade for some of those. Thanks!

Happy meteorological summer!

The rise and fall of Minneapolis-Moline
Created by a 1929 merger of three Midwest manufacturers, Minneapolis-Moline became one of the nation’s largest farm equipment companies and a major Minneapolis employer.
by Paul Nelson
https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2026/06/the-rise-and-fall-of-minneapolis-moline/ ( Read more... )

Could Trump’s Iran ‘excursion’ be a bigger global turning point than Vietnam?
The far shorter Middle East war has rapidly revealed the strategic weakness of US firepower in an interconnected world
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/may/31/donald-trump-iran-excursion-vietnam-war

‘It’s never enough’: young Americans struggle to build financial independence as cost of living spikes
A difficult job market and rising costs are making it harder for young adults to enter adulthood
Rainesford Stauffer
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/31/young-adults-financial-independence-affordability-crisis ( Read more... )

Chicago-to-Minneapolis United Airlines flight diverted after attempted cockpit breach
Plane landed in Wisconsin and ‘unruly passenger’ was taken into custody before flight continued to Minnesota
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/30/chicago-minneapolis-united-airlines-flight-diverted-attempted-cockpit-breach

Why $1bn in Balkans energy contracts are going to an obscure company connected to Donald Trump
Guardian investigation shows how US presidency blurs line between policy and enrichment of American ruling family and those around it
Tom Burgis in Sarajevo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/30/why-1bn-in-balkans-energy-contracts-are-going-to-an-obscure-company-connected-to-donald-trump ( Read more... )

Australia announced it is suing 3M for more than $1 billion over contamination from PFAS “forever chemicals” used in firefighting foam at defense bases, accusing the company of withholding information about the risks posed by the foam, the Associated Press reported Thursday.  via MinnPost
https://kstp.com/ap-top-news/ap-top-news-business/australia-launches-record-1-4b-lawsuit-against-3m-over-forever-chemicals-at-defense-bases/

The Minnesota Reformer has a preview of the Minnesota Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor state conventions, which start Friday and run through Sunday. DFLers will gather in Rochester to review their platform and endorse candidates for November’s midterm elections while Republicans will head to Duluth to do the same. Via MinnPost
https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/05/28/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-dfl-gop-conventions-this-weekend/ ( Read more... )

O’Hara resignation unsettles already shaky ground for Minneapolis law enforcement
MPD chief’s abrupt departure lands amid an ongoing battle between Mayor Frey and the Council to confirm the city’s community safety commissioner.
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/05/oharas-resignation-unsettles-already-shaky-ground-for-law-enforcement-in-minneapolis/

What to know about Minneapolis acting police chief Katie Blackwell
Mayor Frey names Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell as interim police chief following the departure of former Chief Brian O’Hara.
by Megan Germundson
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2026/05/what-to-know-about-minneapolis-acting-police-chief-katie-blackwell/ ( Read more... )

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara resigns after allegations he interfered with investigation
Cari Spencer
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/26/chief-brian-ohara-of-minneapolis-resigns-after-interference-with-investigation

Nonprofit fraud: Amid high‑profile prosecutions, an accountant explains what’s really going on
The responsibility for policing nonprofits generally falls to state attorneys general, rather than federal authorities.
By Sarah Webber, The Conversation
https://www.minnpost.com/national/2026/05/nonprofit-fraud-amid-high-profile-prosecutions-an-accountant-explains-whats-really-going-on/ ( Read more... )

Asylum approvals plummet at Fort Snelling immigration court as case numbers soar
A MinnPost data analysis reveals a collapsing approval rate driven by lightning-quick hearings, constantly changing legal standards, and an aggressive push to clear the docket.
by Shadi Bushra
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/05/asylum-approvals-plummet-at-fort-snelling-immigration-court-as-case-numbers-soar/

As our infrastructure deteriorates and prices at the pump rise, elected officials are playing politics with gas taxes
Minnesota and the rest of the country need a more stable system to pay for roads.
by Bill Lindeke
https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2026/05/as-our-infrastructure-deteriorates-and-prices-at-the-pump-rise-elected-officials-are-playing-politics-with-gas-taxes/ ( Read more... )

‘It’s Minnesota’s park’: High rollers and Tilt-A-Whirls, Valleyfair celebrates 50 years
Alex V. Cipolle and Jacob Aloi
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/25/valleyfair-amusement-park-in-shakopee-celebrates-50-years

Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks prompt raft of conspiracy theories in divided US
Ever-growing influence of social media and AI means such ideas spreading at faster rates than before, experts say
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/25/ebola-hantavirus-conspiracy-theories ( Read more... )

Red River Valley farmers worry as strong winds threaten their soil
Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/24/red-river-valley-farmers-worry-as-strong-winds-cause-dust-storms-threaten-their-soil

'Long Leif' siblings go indoors as Detroit Lakes troll artist stages first museum exhibit
The Associated Press
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/23/long-leif-siblings-go-indoors-as-detroit-lakes-troll-artist-stages-first-museum-exhibit ( Read more... )

‘Every health facility said they were full’: alarm over rapid spread of Ebola in DRC
New strain of virus, aid cuts and cultural norms around burials and touch add to difficulties in stemming outbreak
By Carlos Mureithi in Nairobi and Prosper Heri Ngorora in Goma
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/23/ebola-virus-spread-drc-democratic-republic-of-congo

Suspected Ebola cases triple in a week as WHO warns of rapid spread in DRC
Situation described as ‘deeply worrisome’ by officials as aid cuts and community distrust impede responders
Kat Lay Global health correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/22/suspected-ebola-cases-triple-in-a-week-as-who-warns-of-rapid-spread-in-drc ( Read more... )