Better Minneapolis

Jesse Welles at #firstavenue tonight. Great show.

A Statue of Trump and Epstein Re-enacting ‘Titanic’ Pose Appears on National Mall

I love that they have a permit and the statue will be up until tomorrow night.

A Statue of Trump and Epstein Re-enacting ‘Titanic’ Pose Appears on National Mall www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/u...

When Solidarity Starts to Fracture A recent Minneapolis speech highlights a growing tension inside progressive politics: how to build coalitions without dividing them.

A recent Minneapolis speech highlights a growing tension inside progressive politics: how to build coalitions without dividing them. #Minneapolis https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/when-solidarity-starts-to-fracture

Trust, Taxes, and Results Residents are asked to fund government programs. What they want in return is competence, accountability, and a clear plan for Minneapolis’ future.

I wrote a piece about trust and why making big changes in Minneapolis and Minnesota will be difficult if residents don’t believe their local government can deliver results. #Minneapolis https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/trust-taxes-and-results

Can’t we all ignore Jake Lang? He gets too much attention.

Hard to believe that America once had Obama as leader. A true leader and thinker.

The entire thing is political theater, and it makes me pessimistic about the ability of Congress to get anything done. It doesn't surprise me to see so many people retiring.

Summary of House Fraud hearing with #Walz and #Ellison. Republicans: Why didn't you do more to stop the fraud? Democrats: ICE invaded the city for retribution and did not make us safer. Neither side has a convincing response. #Minneapolis

Avoid Saying Recession But act like we’re in one

Minnesota has a $3.7B surplus, but with city revenue losses, layoffs, small business closures, and long-term budget gaps ahead, Minneapolis still feels economically unsettled. #Minneapolis https://open.substack.com/pub/betterminneapolis/p/avoid-saying-recession

Attorney general announces indictment against 30 more people who protested at a Minnesota church Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges Friday against 30 more people who are accused of civil rights violations in a January protest inside a Minnesota church where a pastor works for Immigratio...

Like much of what they do, they'll get the headline and then forget about the follow-through. I'm guessing most of these charges are dropped once they are challenged. www.startribune.com/attorney-gen...

I'm not saying you do have it wrong; I'm saying I wish you were wrong because I don't want to see teachers lose their jobs.

That's terrible news. I hope you've got it wrong.

March 2026 HLP Print PDF - Hill & Lake Press You can view a PDF of the print edition here.

hillandlakepress.org/march-2026-h...

It will be a few days before the paper version reaches mailboxes. Molly's story speaks to her participation in mutual aid. Several people who write for the paper have been involved in different ways.

Minneapolis is Unifying. America is Dividing. - Hill & Lake Press An editor’s perspective on ICE actions in Minneapolis, the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and how propaganda is fracturing shared truth and civic trust.

That was from the February issue. March will be out soon. I think it's best to read the full article for context. The point of the piece was to deconstruct the propaganda being put out by the federal government. hillandlakepress.org/minneapolis-...

Interview: Community Safety Commissioner, Todd Barnette Navigating the ICE Surge, Budget Strains, and the Long Road to Rebuilding Community Safety in Minneapolis

I sat down with Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette to find out how Operation Metro Surge has impacted the city's police, fire, 911, and neighborhood safety departments — and what comes next. https://ow.ly/8tPt50YmHLg

Good Governance Still Matters Boring, competent, and consistent are excellent qualities for local leaders

Good governance still matters: Minnesota Democrats may have the edge, but if they cannot fix school deficits, healthcare shortfalls, fraud, and infrastructure delays, voters will eventually look for leaders who can deliver results. #minneapolis https://ow.ly/xPiS50Yl61Y

I wondered if the vote confused him the way it did Wonsley and Chowdhury. They both changed their votes after the initial vote.

Good point. I thought it was strange how much they paid. Makes you wonder if there are parts of the deal that aren’t public.

I am scheduled to interview him on Monday, 2/23. Let me know the questions you'd like to have asked.

Thanks for covering

City Council Divided Over Withholding Hotel Liquor Licenses Emotions ran high as council members debated whether denying liquor licenses could deter cooperation with ICE agents

Minneapolis City Council is split 7–6 on whether to deny liquor license renewals to hotels that housed ICE agents, with members divided over safety concerns, business impacts, and whether using licensing power this way sets a risky political precedent. #minneapolis https://ow.ly/kB4250YhLuu

The World is Watching Minnesota, No Pressure Watch now | A discussion of “Moral Injury” with political consultant Frank Spring

Minnesota is at the center of a national debate over “moral injury,” public trust, and who gets to shape the story of what’s really happening in our communities. #minneapolis https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/the-world-is-watching-minnesota-no

www.betterminneapolis.com/p/the-2300-m...

www.betterminneapolis.com/p/the-2300-m...

I wrote about the Walk for Peace and how Minneapolis is responding to ICE activity, local economic fallout, and what peaceful resistance looks like here at home. #minneapolis https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/the-2300-mile-walk-for-peace-arrives

The Toll on Businesses in Minneapolis is Steep Restaurant owners want people to feel safe

I reported on how Operation Metro Surge is emptying restaurants and pushing Minneapolis small businesses toward a deeper economic crisis unless real city and state action comes soon. #minneapolis

Thom Hartmann: the NFL is a regulated market with enforced rules that prevent monopolies, protect labor, and preserve competition . . . If the American economy were run more like the NFL, we’d have fewer oligarchs, more competition, and a much healthier middle class.

How Republicans Could Win Statewide in Minnesota And why they won’t

Minnesota Democrats are stronger by standing up to overreach and extremism, but if they want to win elections they must also confront fraud, govern competently, and clearly show voters that effective government can help people without wasting taxpayer dollars. #minneapolis

The Toll on Businesses in Minneapolis is Steep Restaurant owners want people to feel safe

I reported on how Operation Metro Surge is emptying restaurants and pushing Minneapolis small businesses toward a deeper economic crisis unless real city and state action comes soon. #minneapolis

Bad Bunny vs. Turning Point USA The conservative organization announces its alternative halftime lineup

I use the Super Bowl halftime showdown between Bad Bunny and Turning Point USA to show how culture, politics, and immigration enforcement are colliding, and what that says about America’s image right now.