Wicked Boring

Cinco de Mayo, May Day and a weekend of comedy and art across the Twin Cities
This weekend: Cinco de Mayo on St. Paul’s West Side, May Day at Powderhorn Park, comedy at Sisyphus Brewing and a group art show at Fresh Eye Gallery
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/twin-cities-things-to-do-cinco-de-mayo-may-day-comedy-art/

MN Shortlist May 1-7: Musicals, a secret circus and an exhibition on Native American treaties
Alex V. Cipolle, Jacob Aloi and Emily Bright
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/01/mn-shortlist-may-1-7 ( Read more... )

US supreme court ‘demolishes’ key Voting Rights Act provision that prevented racial discrimination
Justices rule in landmark 6-3 decision that Louisiana will have to redraw its congressional map
Sam Levine
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/29/supreme-court-louisiana-congressional-map-case-ruling

Inver Grove Heights is joining several other Minnesota cities in switching back to the old state flag after the city council voted 3-2 on Monday night to make the change, following more than an hour of public comment, MPR News reported. The decision came on the same day that eight House DFL lawmakers introduced a bill that would impose a 10% reduction in state aid on cities and counties using a state flag other than the one approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission in 2024, KTTC reported. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/28/old-minnesota-state-flag-inver-grove-heights-switches-back
https://www.kttc.com/2026/04/28/house-bill-introduced-penalize-minnesota-cities-not-flying-current-state-flag/ ( Read more... )

Walleye: The history of Minnesota’s favorite fish
From Indigenous traditions to modern sport fishing, the walleye has long been prized in Minnesota.
by Marjorie Savage
https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2026/04/walleye-the-history-of-minnesotas-favorite-fish/

After a wait, Uptown looks to ‘ambassador’ program to promote safety and boost vibe
In two Minneapolis neighborhoods and downtown St. Paul, paid ambassadors have shown success in managing what otherwise could’ve resulted in calls to police.
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/04/uptown-ambassadors-program-to-promote-safety-and-boost-vibe/ ( Read more... )

The Legislature wants to save HCMC. How will it happen?
Lawmakers are expressing confidence in keeping HCMC afloat but wrestling with imperfect options, including raising taxes, one-time funding or a combination of both.
by Maddie Robinson
https://www.minnpost.com/community-health/2026/04/hcmc-the-legislature-wants-to-save-it-how/

A new thermal battery could help this Minnesota campus electrify heat
Cache Energy’s pilot project harnesses excess wind power from UMN Morris’ two turbines to heat a carpentry shop and could be expanded across campus.
By Brian Martucci, Canary Media
https://www.minnpost.com/energy/2026/04/new-thermal-battery-could-help-minnesota-campus-electrify-heat/ ( Read more... )

Explaining Republicans and DFLers different points of view on fraud
A House debate over a fraud prevention bill this week illustrated a contrast in how each party contemplates fraud.
by Matthew Blake
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/capitol-conversations/2026/04/minnesota-fraud-prevention-house-republicans-dflers-different-points-of-view/

Minneapolis City Council finds something to agree on: process
In a moment of cohesion, the Council has made clear to the Minneapolis Charter Commission that they’d like to approve the mayor’s appointments, thank you very much.
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/04/minneapolis-city-council-finds-something-to-agree-on-process/ ( Read more... )

More than 70 Minnesota children were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during Operation Metro Surge, according to an analysis of court records and federal deportation data by Sahan Journal. The analysis also found that nearly two dozen children were held in custody for more than 20 days. And seven Minnesota children ages 4 to 17 remained in detention as of March 10. Via MinnPost
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/ice-detention-data-minnesota-children-operation-metro-surge/

An estimated 3,000 to 3,500 gallons of crude corn oil spilled from a barge into the Mississippi River Monday afternoon near Red Wing, KTTC reported. The Red Wing Fire Department responded to the ADM riverfront facility around noon, where ADM staff had placed a containment boom around the barge to prevent downstream drift, the city said in a news release. The scene has been turned over to ADM staff and Clean Harbors for continued response, with no immediate risk to the public, officials said. Via MinnPost
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/thousands-of-gallons-of-crude-corn-oil-spilled-into-mississippi-river-near-red-wing/89-4099127a-b22c-4273-bbee-84273732c035?tbref=hp
https://www.redwingmn.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/938 ( Read more... )

As Democrats debate their relationship with Israel, AIPAC donations to Angie Craig complicate her campaign
Craig stopped taking direct money from the pro-Israel group after declaring her candidacy for the Senate, but it continued holding fundraisers for her.
by Ana Radelat and Shadi Bushra
https://www.minnpost.com/national/washington/2026/04/as-democrats-debate-their-relationship-with-israel-aipac-donations-to-angie-craig-complicate-her-campaign/

A Minnesota group’s lawsuit says immigration courts are hiding behind locked doors, closed video conferencing
The Advocates for Human Rights’ lawsuit argues the public has a right to witness court hearings, including the growing number being held virtually.
by Shadi Bushra
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/04/immigration-court-hiding-minnesota-groups-lawsuit/ ( Read more... )