8/23/2024 -- Walz Center Stage at DNC

Politics

Governor Tim Walz Takes Center Stage At Democratic National Convention

The Summary: Tim Walz was the headliner on Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The speech came a day after Democrats nominated Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as their President and Vice President ticket.

Coach Walz: Throughout his speech, Walz drew upon his experience as a football coach and public school teacher in Mankato. Before he spoke, roughly a dozen of the players on the team he helped coach to a Minnesota state championship decades ago took the stage.

The Policy: Walz spoke about the policies the Minnesota legislature passed during his time as Governor including universal free lunch, reproductive protections, and lowering prescription drug costs. He parlayed this into speaking about contrasts between the Harris/Walz and the Trump/Vance platforms.

I Love You Dad: Walz’ son was captured in numerous moments crying while supporting his father and at one point shouting “I love you dad.”

Polling Effect: Vice President Kamala Harris has maintained a slight lead in Minnesota in the first state poll since Gov. Tim Walz was announced as her running mate.

Watch the full speech

Business

❯ Kim’s Closing Suddenly: Kim's, a restaurant in Uptown operated by James Beard Award winner Ann Kim, is closing on August 30, citing ongoing financial losses. The closure comes less than two months after the staff voted to unionize, though no contract had been negotiated.

❯ North Memorial Financial Strain: North Memorial Health's Robbinsdale hospital is facing a severe funding crisis, losing approximately $124 million annually due to the high percentage of patients on government insurance like Medicare and Medicaid. Hospital leaders are urgently seeking state legislative action to secure federal funding.

Crime

Man Killed in Shooting After Fight at South Minneapolis Homeless Encampment

The Summary: A fight at a homeless encampment in south Minneapolis escalated into a fatal shooting on Monday. The incident occurred near the 3300 block of Third Avenue South, leading to the death of a 33-year-old man.

Police Response and Investigation: Minneapolis police responded to the scene late Monday afternoon, finding the injured man on the sidewalk. Despite receiving aid and being transported to Hennepin Healthcare, the man later died.

Encampment Status: Since the shooting, the encampment has been cleared according to police.

What Else We’re Reading…

Minnesota Supreme Court Declines to Review Lawsuit Against Minneapolis 2040 Plan

The Minnesota Supreme Court declined to review a lawsuit challenging Minneapolis's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which aims to increase housing density. This decision marks a victory for the city, allowing it to continue implementing the plan, though the lawsuit will proceed in district court.

Sports

🏀 The Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 98-87 and are looking to ride that momentum into the weekend when they take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever this weekend.

⚾ The Minnesota Twins salvaged their series with the Padres with an 11-4 win in the third game. They are two games back of the Cleveland Guaridans in the AL Central.

🏈 Gopher Football coach PJ Fleck spoke at the State Fair and told listeners that he likes his team’s chances, especially headed into a newly realligned Big 10 Conference.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ The first of 4 Minneapolis police officers convicted in the murder of George Floyd was released from prison (Fox9)

❯ The House GOP is launching a probe into Walz’s ties to China for ‘possible CCP influence’ (Star Tribune)

❯ Hennepin County commissioners are set to vote on smaller pay bump (MPR)

❯ Uptown's highest-profile buildings are largely empty — and for sale (Axios)

❯ Minnesota sees nation's sharpest car insurance hikes (Fox9)

❯ St. Paul’s new affordable housing development is being built to be a large net-zero community (MinnPost)

The Final Word: Sweet Summertime ⚾

I loved this article about a group of South Minneapolis neighborhood kids who have spent their summer days playing endless wiffle ball games. With matching t shirts, painted base paths, and a league name, the kids have taken their games seriously.

-Patrick