Minnesota
Minnesota legislators enter final week of session without a budget deal. Here’s where things stand.
The standoff also extends to the state’s essential infrastructure projects.
Lawmakers didn’t pass legislation to authorize bonding last year. Now, they’re in agreement that the state needs to invest in its roads and bridges, repair dams, and clean up its drinking water. But with the looming deficit, they’re in stark disagreement over how much to spend.
The House GOP and DFL have agreed to a $700 million bonding target.
Sen. Sandy Pappas, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Capital Investment Committee, is urging fellow lawmakers to authorize almost twice that much. In a hearing Thursday to go over a $1.35 billion suite of potential projects, Pappas warned it would be difficult for lawmakers to pass a bonding bill two years in a row. She said the state should invest now rather than trying to pass smaller bonding packages this year and next.
“I just don’t know what will happen with interest rates; that’s another concern,” Pappas said. “Construction costs are constantly going up. And the fact that we didn’t do one last year — there’s just a lot of need out there.”
Sen. Karin Housley, the ranking Republican on the committee, emphasized that $1.35 billion is the Senate DFL’s proposal. The GOP, she said, wants to stick to $700 million.
Minnesota
Minnesota weather: What to expect with Thursday’s snow, strong winds
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Temperatures dropping, snow and strong winds are set to come through the state Thursday.
Here’s what to expect for Thursday’s winter weather.
What to expect for Thursday’s snow, dropping temps
What to expect:
A winter weather advisory is in place for parts of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities Thursday.
A warm front overnight Wednesday will bring rain, then a cold front Thursday is expected to bring snow.
Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, which could cause slippery roads for the morning and evening commute.
There is also a blizzard warning for the far northwest of Minnesota Thursday.
A wind advisory is in place for the southwest portion of the state on Thursday, which could bring wind speeds of up to 50 mph.
An inch or two of snow is expected, but road conditions will deteriorate throughout the day Thursday. As the cold front moves through the state late Thursday morning, winds could be 40–50 mph.
Due to strong winds, any snow that falls could reduce viability when driving Thursday. Temperatures are expected to fall into single digits by the evening.
Extended forecast
What’s next:
Friday could see a few flurries with temperatures in the low 20s. Saturday will have occasional passing clouds and highs in the upper 20s, while Sunday is cooler, but comes with more sunshine.
Temperatures warm back into the 30s for the start of next week.
Minnesota
Inver Grove Heights chosen as official location of Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame
The future location of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame (MNHHOF) will be in the city of Inver Grove Heights.
The future location of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame (MNHHOF) will be in the city of Inver Grove Heights.
In the announcement made on Wednesday, the MNHHOF said the new site will be a 120,000-plus-square-foot, multi-purpose facility located adjacent to Interstate 494 and just east of Vikings Lakes and the Minnesota Vikings training complex.
“Since announcing this legacy project in August, the outpouring of support from players past and present, Minnesota-based companies, and hockey fans statewide has been overwhelming,” said MNHHOF CEO Natalie Darwitz. “We’re truly excited to build our permanent home in Inver Grove Heights, honoring the past and inspiring the future of Minnesota hockey.”
The current plans for the facility are to build it on a 40-acre section of land, featuring an ice rink, a 20,000-square-foot performance venue, a 30,000-square-foot museum, a hockey-themed restaurant and taproom and multiple event and community spaces.
“The City is thrilled that the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame has selected Inver Grove Heights as its home, and we look forward to welcoming them to our community,” said Inver Grove Heights Mayor Brenda Dietrich. “The site is in our Northwest Area, which has long been envisioned for major development, and the Hall of Fame offers the opportunity for new amenities and attractions that will benefit Inver Grove Heights for years to come.”
MNHHOF plans to break ground in 2026, with a planned opening in late 2028.
Minnesota
KSTP/SurveyUSA poll results: Trump, Walz both below 50% approval in Minnesota
KSTP/SurveyUSA poll results: Trump, Walz both below 50% approval in Minnesota
The political feud between President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is frequently documented.
While both try to score political points with their criticism of each other, neither has much in the way of bragging rights when it comes to approval ratings in Minnesota.
According to our exclusive KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, the president has a 42% approval rating in Minnesota with 55% disapproval. That 13-point difference is six points worse than our last survey three months ago.
Trump retains the approval of 89% of Republicans but just 35% of independents.
“Trump is always running a bit below the national average in job approval in Minnesota and that is the case here,” says Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier. However, the newest Associated Press/Reuters poll showed the president with a 39% approval rating and 59% disapproval, slightly better than his Minnesota results.
The president’s approval is bogged down by a 43% approval of his handling of the economy.
Gov. Walz doesn’t fare much better in our survey. For the second survey in a row, Walz is at 48% approval and 48% disapproval. Those ratings are his lowest in the 20 times we’ve surveyed his approval in the past four years. He’s seeking an unprecedented third four-year term as governor of Minnesota.
“Gov. Walz’s approval puts him in sort of a flashing yellow light zone,” says Schier. “There’s some danger ahead. He’s below 50% approval.”
The Walz approval numbers are weighed down by just 14% who say he’s done enough to stop state government fraud.
Our survey included 35% Democrats, 31% Republicans and 29% independents.
SurveyUSA interviewed 650 adults from the state of Minnesota 12/09/25 through 12/12/25. Of the adults, 578 were identified as being registered to vote and were asked the questions which follow. This research was conducted online, using nonprobability sample of online adult panelists chosen randomly by Cint USA. The combined pool of survey respondents was weighted to US Census ACS targets for gender, age, race, education, and home ownership.
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