As moral concerns swirl around ICE's planned detention center in Appleton, even area officials who support it are acknowledging it could be a double-edged sword for the local economy. www.minnpost.com/greater-minn...

Taxes, jobs and housing: Appleton has some other questions about the prison reopening under federal control

The moral quandary over the former Appleton prison that will detain immigrants swept up by ICE is now also an economic one.

minnpost.com

Grab your MinnPost Festival ticket at an early bird discount now! And mark your calendar for Saturday, October 10. www.minnpost.com/festival-2026/

“He has been in office since I was in high school over 25 years ago,” said Angie Nelson, State Sen. Jim Abeler's DFL challenger in this fall’s election. “He does not reflect who our community is now.”

Amid anger at Trump, a moderate Republican in the suburbs tries to hold on

State Sen. Jim Abeler has been in the Minnesota Legislature since the 1990s. But he faces a strong DFL challenger.

minnpost.com

Today is the last day to double your gift to Twin Cities Documenters through our $5,000 matching opportunity from NewsMatch! Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Went on MPR’s Morning Edition to talk about my reporting on data centers and local elections. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Data centers motivate candidates to run in city elections

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with MinnPost reporter Brian Arola, about why data centers are motivating candidates to run in upcoming elections.

mprnews.org

Yesterday’s reporting trip to western Minnesota, mostly featuring Appleton plus stops at the Swift County Fair and the Milkyway in Cosmos.

Fact brief: Does Minnesota have counties that are maternity care deserts?

Does Minnesota have counties that are maternity care deserts?

Maternity health care deserts are defined as regions with no obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities, and they exist in every state.

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Local government decisions are made in public, but only if someone’s there to listen. Support transparency in Minneapolis and St. Paul today and have your gift matched up to $5,000, thanks to NewsMatch. Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Arts journalist @sheilaregan.bsky.social does great work for all of us to read, here writing over at @minnpost.com about @coffeehousepress.bsky.social and the Booker Prize 2026 longlist @thebookerprizes.com. I love reading a writer like this, who works and thinks across disciplines.

Big Booker boost for small Minnesota publisher

‘Helen of Nowhere’ is longlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize, joining ‘The Disappearers’ by Marlon James.

minnpost.com

Which Minnesota candidates for Congress support data center moratoriums? For districts touching Greater Minnesota I know of Matt Little in CD2, and today CD1 challenger Jake Johnson joined the list. www.jakejohnsonforcongress.com/plan-to-stop...

Plan to Stop Data Center Exploitation — Jake Johnson for Congress

Jake Johnson is running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District to bring down costs, take on corruption, and invest in small towns across Southern Minnesota.

jakejohnsonforcongress.com

Nursing home operators have, again, failed to get rid of a first of its kind state board that sets employment rules for their industry.

Judge tosses Minnesota lawsuit that sought to eliminate standards board for nursing home workers

The ruling paves the way for the state to enforce a recently approved $19 minimum wage for all nursing home workers.

minnpost.com

i could have written 1,000 more words here about how confusing/funny it is that in a fight that came down to the difference between TRIplexes and FOURplexes, people largely used FREYplex to mean FOURplex

Bill Lindeke@blindeke.bsky.social · last wk.

“Last month we only permitted 20 units,” he tells me. My eyebrows rose. “In Minneapolis?” I asked, somewhat incredulously. “No!” Smith says. “In the metro!” www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/0...

Documenters are trained, paid neighbors who take notes and make local government easier to understand for everyone. Your support helps train more residents and expand public meeting coverage. Double your impact today: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

“Last month we only permitted 20 units,” he tells me. My eyebrows rose. “In Minneapolis?” I asked, somewhat incredulously. “No!” Smith says. “In the metro!” www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/0...

Frey revives ‘Freyplexes’ in quest for more affordable housing in Minneapolis

Creating affordable multi-unit housing is a tough calculation – one that’s nearly a non-starter without some sort of a government subsidy.

minnpost.com

“[Data centers are] usually the first topic I’m asked about,” said Lexi Temple, one of a half-dozen candidates who advanced to November’s general election for Faribault City Council. “It’s by far the top priority.” @brianarola.bsky.social reports

Data centers: Where projects go, local candidates follow

Six Minnesota cities that have been linked to proposed data centers saw upticks in city council filings this year.

minnpost.com

Gov. Walz said his halt on copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters is “foreshadowing” for what to expect in the final months of his term. Complete guess, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a data center moratorium is in play. Other states already have moratoriums in place.

Gov. Walz throws a zinger at the Trump administration. "These people can't manage a reflecting pool, so why would we think they could manage this mine?” Walz expects a hyperbolic response from Trump admin on copper-nickel ban near Boundary Waters, but says “there’s nothing they can do about it."

Meet Tashawna Williams, one of the Twin Cities residents trained through the Documenters program to attend public meetings and share what matters most with the community. Right now, every donation to TC Docs will be matched up to $5,000. Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Gov. Walz’s executive order goes beyond nonferrous mining IN the Boundary Waters. It halts the state’s permitting process for copper-nickel mines in the wider Rainy River watershed.

Governor Tim Walz@governorwalz.mn.gov · last wk.

I’m using my executive authority to ban nonferrous mining in the Boundary Waters.    As far as my administration is concerned, the fight for the future of the Boundary Waters is over. The verdict is in. The decision is made. We will protect this place.

“Without the state funding and the federal funding, we’re not going to be able to stay up to date,” said Annika Bankston, director of the Water Treatment and Distribution division in the Minneapolis Public Works department.

With funding set to dry up, Minneapolis faces tough choices on lead pipe removal

The city is prioritizing historically disenfranchised neighborhoods, daycare and childcare facilities, and streets due for utility work.

minnpost.com

There is not a single record of a complaint regarding a trans athlete filed with the MN Department of Human Rights, or the state attorney general. But Minnesota Republicans say a ban is crucial if they take control of the Legislature and governor’s office. @rlyrealmattblake.bsky.social reports

Minnesota Republicans want trans girls out of girls sports, but complaints are hard to find

Examples aside, gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth and other politicians say it’s about protecting girls’ rights.

minnpost.com

Can't say enough good things about the Twin Cities Documenters program! Coverage of local meetings is generally light (or nonexistent) unless something controversial comes up. LOTS of things come up at these meetings that are worth reporting on. If you can donate, it's much appreciated!

MinnPost@minnpost.com · last wk.

Too often, local government operates without public awareness. Twin Cities Documenters is changing that. But we can’t do it without your support. Today we’re kicking off a week-long campaign to raise $5,000 to support Twin Cities Documenters. Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Too often, local government operates without public awareness. Twin Cities Documenters is changing that. But we can’t do it without your support. Today we’re kicking off a week-long campaign to raise $5,000 to support Twin Cities Documenters. Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Yesterday’s reporting trip, featuring downtown Lonsdale, Randolph’s chicken feed and Kilkenny’s Irish ties.

A few local election results caught my eye in Greater Minnesota. In Mankato, progressive Julia Hamann advanced to the general election. She’ll face incumbent Najwa Massad, a donor to Republican congressman Brad Finstad’s campaign.

Full story: @tjm613.bsky.social spent the evening at the watch party for @cedrickfrazier.bsky.social, who handily took first place in the primary with 35.95% of the vote, with Folk bringing in 22.86%.

‘A clear choice for voters’: Hennepin County Attorney field narrows to Frazier, Folk

The results set up a November contest that will likely serve as a referendum on the policies of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.

minnpost.com

Full story: @rlyrealmattblake.bsky.social on Lisa Demuth's comeback after being snubbed by the state GOP convention and President Trump.

Snubbed by the state GOP and Trump, Demuth rallies to win the GOP nomination for governor

At a no frills campaign night party, Demuth supporters said she is a better bipartisan negotiator than Klobuchar, her opponent in November.

minnpost.com

📍The Market at Malcom Yards, Minneapolis

Full story from @radelat.bsky.social and @clairecarlson.bsky.social: Flanagan ran to the left of Craig in an election season that is rewarding progressive candidates in Democratic primaries.

Peggy Flanagan overcomes Walz baggage in beating Angie Craig for the DFL Senate nomination

Flanagan ran to the left of Craig in an election season that is rewarding progressive candidates in Democratic primaries.

minnpost.com

📍First Avenue, Minneapolis