11/8/2024 -- Walz Comes Home

Election 2024

After Trump Won The President Convincingly, What Is Next For Walz?

The Summary: With Donald Trump’s re-election, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’s running mate, returned to Minnesota after the concession speech. Walz, who has two years left in his term, committed to focusing on state issues.

Shift in State Power: Republican gains in the Minnesota House have disrupted the DFL’s control of the House, Senate, and governor’s office. Recounts are pending, and a tie is possible, setting up a tough legislative environment for Walz’s remaining term.

Future Uncertainty: Political experts suggest that Walz’s path to another term or national role may be limited. It’s unclear if he will seek out a third term as governor.

2025 Budget Showdown: Walz faces immediate budget challenges as the DFL’s 2023 budget initiatives, including a record-high $72 billion budget, meet potential resistance from Republicans in 2025.

“While the outcome is not what we wanted, I am grateful to the millions of Americans who joined our campaign and stood up for our greatest ideals: decency, compassion, and love of our neighbor.” - Tim Walz

Election 2024

Let’s Get You Caught Up On The Latest Election Results 🗳

❯ Dead Heat in MN Legislature: The Minnesota House faces an unprecedented tie after Republicans flipped three seats, with two tight races likely heading to a recount that could decide control and potentially end the DFL "trifecta." Meanwhile, the DFL retained a narrow majority in the Senate.

❯ More of the Same: About 45% of Minnesotans voted for Trump which is about the same amount as in 2016 and 2020. However, Trump did outperform his 2020 numbers in all but three counties.

❯ Lottery Ballot Measure Passes: Minnesota voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to continue allocating 40% of state lottery revenues to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund through 2050.

❯ STP Voters Say No To Tax Levy: St. Paul voters rejected a proposed tax increase for child care subsidies, a measure Mayor Melvin Carter opposed, citing concerns over the city's readiness to implement it.

❯ Royce White Announces 2026 Bid: After losing to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, GOP-endorsed Royce White announced plans to run for U.S. Senate again in 2026, this time against Sen. Tina Smith.

❯ Swinging Right: Minnesota's 2024 legislative races saw an average shift of two points to the right, with DFL vote shares shrinking across the state, including urban and rural districts.

Business

Minneapolis Business Leaders Push Back as City Council Considers New Labor Standards Board

The Summary: The Minneapolis City Council is considering establishing a 15-member Labor Standards Board that would advise on workplace policies and industry-specific regulations. This board would consist of employers, workers, consumers, and other community stakeholders.

Support for the Board: Advocates believe the board will empower workers by giving them a direct role in shaping workplace policies. Council Member Aurin Chowdhury highlighted the board’s potential to address issues in sectors like janitorial and security services, where labor concerns are significant.

Opposition from Business Leaders: Local business owners and organizations, such as the Minneapolis Downtown Council, oppose the board, fearing it adds unnecessary regulatory burdens.

Next Steps: The Minneapolis City Council could vote on the Labor Standards Board proposal as early as next week.

What Else We’re Reading…

Minneapolis Man Has Murder Charge Dismissed And Is Released From Prison After 16 Years

Edgar Barrientos-Quintana, who spent 16 years in prison for the 2008 murder of Jesse Mickelson, was released after a review revealed evidence of his innocence. A three-year investigation by Minnesota's Conviction Review Unit found substantial errors in the original trial, including the omission of exculpatory evidence and coerced witness statements. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office subsequently dismissed all charges, affirming that the conviction was unjust.

Read the full story on Fox 9

Wordle: Presented by The Hustle

The Hustle is where 2.5 million entrepreneurs, CEOs, business owners and professionals get their business and tech news. All of the day’s news is summed up in a digestible 5-minute read. Think Twin Cities Insider, but for business and tech news.

Play the weekly wordle

Sports 🏒

Minnesota Wild Season Preview 🏒

The Summary: The Minnesota Wild are off to a strong start, opening the season with an 8-2-2 record. The team narrowly missed the 2024 playoffs and is looking to change that this season.

Projection: According to The Athletic, the Wild are projected to finish around the league's mid-tier, with a 91.6-point forecast and a 47% playoff chance.

Can They Score Enough: After a promising 2021-22 season, the Wild’s scoring rate has declined, placing them near the league’s bottom. Through 12 games this season, the Wild are in the top half of the league in goals scored per game.

Wild Card Factor: Minnesota's goaltending dipped last season with Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury underperforming. To address this, the Wild may rotate in young goalie Jesper Wallstedt.

Relying on Defense: The Wild’s defense remains a defining strength. Forwards such as Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek contribute defensively, backed by elite defensemen like Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon, and rising talent Brock Faber.

Other Sports News

🏀 The Gopher Men’s Basketball team opened their season with a win at home over Oral Roberts by a score of 80-57.

🏀 The Gopher Women’s Basketball team dominated Central Connecticut in their season opener, winning by a score of 89-48.

🏒 The Minnesota Frost released their new uniforms for the upcoming PWHL season.

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Chicago Bulls on the road to improve their record to 5-3.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Black Minnesotans began receiving text messages after election day telling them to ‘go to the nearest plantation.’ (MPR)

❯ Minneapolis Park Board budget proposal includes elimination of 5 outdoor ice rinks (KSTP)

❯ Minneapolis leaders are calling for the shutdown of a Hennepin County incinerator (MPR)

❯ Dog and cat bites are up 30% in Minneapolis in 2024 (MN Daily)

❯ Prince’s siter and only full sibling, Tyka Nelson has died at 64 (AP News)

The Final Word: A Voting Queen 👑

You have to read this story about a 92-year-old election judge from Brainerd who has served voters for 7 decades. She became a judge in 1950 and has helped secure thousands of ballots ever since.

-Patrick