3/17/2025 -- Aaron Rodgers to the Vikings?

📃 A new piece of legislation from five Republican Minnesota Senators is looking to classify “Trump derangement syndrome” as an official mental illness.

Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Rodgers To The Vikings? 🏈

The Summary: Aaron Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP, is reportedly interested in joining the Minnesota Vikings. The 41-year-old quarterback is currently waiting for the Vikings to make a decision on his future, with some sources suggesting it's a "50-50" chance he signs with Minnesota.

What To Know: Rodgers, who reportedly has offers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, is holding out for the Vikings to see if they will make him an offer. The Vikings' decision lies with head coach Kevin O'Connell, who must decide between pursuing Rodgers or sticking with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy, the Vikings' 2024 first-round pick, missed his entire rookie season due to a meniscus injury and is expected to be fully recovered for the 2025 season.

What Fans Are Saying: As you might expect, Vikings fans have quite a few opinions about their long-time rival in the NFC North joining the squad. You can read them here, here, and here.

Government

Minneapolis Cancels Planned Iftar Due to Church-State Separation Concerns

FYI: An iftar meal is the meal the Muslims eat at sunset to break their fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The Summary: Minneapolis City Council members canceled a planned community iftar, citing concerns raised by city officials about the separation of church and state. The event, organized by the council’s four Muslim members, was advertised as an interfaith gathering and scheduled to take place at the Public Service Building. However, city attorneys advised that hosting a religious event using public funds and city property would violate constitutional principles.

Reactions from Council Members and Officials: Council Member Aurin Chowdhury expressed disappointment over the cancellation but vowed to reschedule the event with community partners. Mayor Jacob Frey defended the decision, stating that it was legally necessary and rejecting allegations of anti-Muslim bias. In response to claims of double standards regarding past iftar events hosted by Police Chief Brian O’Hara, city officials clarified that those events did not use public funds or city property.

Next Steps for the Community Iftar: While the original plan was scrapped, council members have indicated that they will explore hosting the iftar at a non-city location with alternative funding sources. The event remains a priority for fostering interfaith dialogue and community connection during Ramadan.

What Else We’re Reading…

University of Minnesota Under Federal Investigation for Alleged Racial Discrimination in Scholarships

The University of Minnesota is among 52 universities under federal investigation by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for alleged racial discrimination, specifically for awarding race-based scholarships. This investigation is part of a broader effort to enforce the 2023 Supreme Court decision that declared affirmative action in college admissions unconstitutional, extending scrutiny to scholarships and other programs that consider race. The Department of Education has warned that institutions failing to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could potentially lose federal funding.

GAME: Mini Crossword

Sports 🏒

🏒 The Gopher Women’s Hockey team punched their ticket to the Frozen Four which is being hosted at the University of Minnesota.

🏀 The Gopher women’s basketball team is on the outside looking in after Selection Sunday. Instead of the NCAA tournament, they will be playing in the WBIT.

⚽ The Minnesota United Loons ended their fourth game of the season in a draw to Sporting KC after leading 3-0 through 68 minutes.

🏀The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Utah Jazz for their 8th straight win in a row.

⚾ The Minnesota Twins got some bad news when Royce Lewis left their spring training game early with a hamstring injury.

🏒 The Minnesota Wild have lost four out of their last five with their most recent loss coming on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ A new study found that childcare is more expensive in MN than almost any other state (MN Reformer)

❯ The intersection at 50th and Penn is partially re-opened after a water main break flooded the street and surrounding businesses a month ago (Bring Me The News)

❯ A bill ending subminimum wages for disabled workers failed to pass in the Minnesota Senate (MN Reformer)

The Final Word: March Madness Picks 🏀

The brackets have officially been revealed for both men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. My picks: UCLA on the women’s side and Michigan State on the men’s side.

-Patrick