4/18/2025 -- Koski withdraws from mayoral race

🏒 As Minnesota sports fans, we can still have good days every now and again. One of those days happened this past week when the Minnesota Wild clinched a playoff spot in unlikely fashion.

Government

Nearly $1.6B In Cuts To Minnesota’s Medicaid Program Loom 💲

The Summary: Minnesota lawmakers are warning of "devastating" consequences if proposed federal Medicaid cuts go through. The cuts could result in a loss of $1.6 billion annually in federal funds for Minnesota.

Impact on Minnesotans: Advocates say these cuts would impact all Minnesotans, not just the 1.5 million who rely on Medicaid for healthcare. Rural hospitals and senior living facilities are particularly vulnerable, and the state may be unable to compensate for the lost federal funding.

State Response and Concerns: Governor Walz and other state officials are voicing concerns and exploring potential solutions, including a special legislative session. Some Republicans have also expressed reservations about the cuts, while Democrats propose measures like a new income tax bracket for high earners to mitigate potential shortfalls.

Politics

Emily Koski Withdraws from Minneapolis Mayoral Race

The Summary: Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski has officially dropped out of the 2025 mayoral race. She cited the difficulty of balancing council responsibilities, fundraising, family life, and a toxic political environment as key reasons for her decision.

Challenges Faced During Campaign: Koski expressed that the political climate prevented her from being her authentic self as a candidate. She also highlighted the additional scrutiny women face in politics, including expectations to change to make others more comfortable and the burden of managing multiple roles.

Future Plans and Message to Voters: Koski confirmed she will not seek re-election to the City Council and encouraged residents to support leaders who unite people and offer practical solutions. She reaffirmed her commitment to Minneapolis and the need for new leadership focused on collaboration and effective governance

What Else We’re Reading…

Chinese Tariffs Hit Minnesota Based Small Business: “I Could Lose My Home.”

This past week the New York Times Daily podcast featured Beth Benike, owner of the Minnesota based baby products company called Busy Baby. The companies products are manufactured in China and the recent tariffs on Chinese products have endangered the company. Benike was named the Minnesota small businessperson of the year this past year.

On This Day In History

On this day in history, the Twin Cities and broader Minnesota experienced some of the state’s worst flooding. The 1965 floods remain Minnesota's most catastrophic, triggered by a record March snowpack (27 inches in the Twin Cities) and rapid April melting, which caused unprecedented Mississippi River crests. This event set enduring flood records across the state, with the Mississippi reaching historic highs, including a 22.18-foot crest at Lake City and widespread damage exceeding $160 million regionally

Sports 🏀

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves secured the #6 seed in the NBA playoffs and will face the LA Lakers in Game 1 tomorrow night. View the full schedule here.

⚾ The Minnesota Twins won their first back-to-back games of the season against the New York Mets. They are now 7-12 on the season.

🏀 The Minnesota Lynx acquired veteran forward Karlie Samuelson in a trade with the Washington Mystics.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ A man with a gun was arrested outside the UnitedHealthcare campus (NBC)

❯ A Marshall man is claiming that ICE detained him for protests over police killings (MPR)

❯ The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, home of the Minnesota Wild, will be getting a new name (WCCO)

❯ Minneapolis is seeking to ban cannabis use in parks, but won't issue fines (Fox9)

The Final Word: Ready For The Playoffs

I am feeling cautiously optimistic heading into the Wolves first round playoff match-up with the Lakers. You know who else is feeling good about it? My dog, Harry.

-Patrick