8/5/2024 -- Walz VP Momentum Picks Up

Politics

Governor Walz Interviews With Kamala Harris For Vice President Role

The Summary: On Sunday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz travelled to Washington D.C. where he interviewed directly with Kamala Harris for her open Vice Presidident role.

Other Contendors: Harris interviewed three final candidates over the weekend with the other two being U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

Walz Gains Endorsements: According to The Hill, Nancy Pelosi has been leaning in Walz’ favor as her preferred VP choice. He also recently gained an endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders.

Up Next: Kamala Harris is expected to make her final decision for her running mate as soon as today.

"That's a decision that needs to be made by the vice president and she will make it on what she sees. I am who I am." -Tim Walz

Business

Minnesota Overpaid An Estimated $430M In Unemployment Payments During the Pandemic

The Summary: According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota overpaid an estimated $430 million in unemployment benefits during the pandemic, primarily due to errors made by people claiming benefits. Despite this significant overpayment, the state's overpayment and fraud rates for unemployment insurance were among the lowest in the nation.

Audit Details: The U.S. Department of Labor conducted an audit of more than 1,400 claims and estimated that Minnesota overpaid about $430 million in jobless benefits from July 2020 through June 2023. Ninety-five percent of these overpayments were attributed to errors by claimants, employers, or a combination of both.

State Performance: Minnesota was among a handful of states with overpayment rates below 10%. The state’s estimated fraud rate was also low, at about 2%.

What Else We’re Reading…

A Proposed “Muslim-Friendly” Neighborhood Has Sparked Controversey in Lino Lakes

The New York Times published an article over the weekend about a proposed "Muslim-friendly" housing development in Lino Lakes which has has sparked significant controversy. The development, planned by Faraaz Yussuf, would include homes, shops, and a 40,000-square-foot mosque. Opponents of the project are arguing that the project would create a segregated community. Read the full article here.

Sports

Minnesotans at the Olympics:

🏊‍♀️ Lakeville’s Reagan Smith snagged a gold medal in the women’s medley relay, helping the U.S. to break the world record. It was the fifth medal she earned at the Paris Olympics.

🏀 The Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards was the leading scorer for Team USA in their dominant victory over Puerto Rico. He also had this viral dunk. 

🤸‍♀️ St. Paul’s Suni Lee won a bronze medal on the uneven bars in women’s gymnastics. It’s her third medal of the Paris Olympics.

🏐 Edina’s Jordan Thompson helped Team USA women’s volleyball advance to the quarterfinals where they will play Poland.

Other Sports

⚾ The Minnesota Twins swept the Chicago White Sox over the weekend and currently sit 4.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central.

⚽ Minnesota United shut out Necaxa 1-0 thanks to a record 16 saves from goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ A new child safety seat law has gone into effect in Minnesota with age being used as a criteria (KSTP)

❯ Edina officials are denying a claim that police asked for man in crisis be injected with ketamine (MPR)

❯ A Met Council report says that Twin Cities population growth is slowing (WCCO)

❯ Suicide rates are down in Minnesota, still more common in Greater Minnesota (MN Reformer)

❯ Minneapolis and St. Paul rank near the top of best U.S. cities for individuals with accessibility needs, according to a new study from Forbes Health (Forbes)

The Final Word: New Twins Outfielder?

The Twins had a great weekend against the Chicago White Sox and they also may have found a new outfielder. Twins employee Colin Howell made an incredible one handed grab on a foul ball and his interview after was even better.

-Patrick