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University of Minnesota professor shares what’s at stake for local businesses amid trade talks

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University of Minnesota professor shares what’s at stake for local businesses amid trade talks


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How tariffs could impact small businesses in Minnesota

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How tariffs could impact small businesses in Minnesota

02:19

New tariff rates are set to go live next month, but the effects on Minnesota small business owners could be felt in a matter of days.

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From Minnesota Ice and All Energy Solar in St. Paul to Healthy for Life Meals in New Hope, tariffs are the talk of the town.

WCCO spoke with Paul Vaaler, a trade law professor from the University of Minnesota, about tariffs.

“That’s the worst part, is the uncertainty that it creates,” Vaaler said.

He says if the 3-month tariff ban lifts later this week, things could change fast. 

“For Minnesota businesses, we should care a lot about three things, three countries, Canada, Mexico and China, as they are three of the biggest sources so far.”

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He’s particularly worried about imported metals and all the Canadian fuel for energy, which could mean big problems for small businesses.

“They don’t have the margins to eat that the stock, the credit line to hold them over,” Vaaler said.

He says the worst case is “bankruptcy,” and the best case “would be threats but not actual tariffs.” 

Vaaler says the best way to gauge impacts on small businesses will be to monitor bankruptcy court.

He says the overall Minnesota economy is in better shape because of the number of Fortune 500 companies located in the state.

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Hennen: Can Minnesota be saved?

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Hennen: Can Minnesota be saved?


I grew up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes — Minnesota born, Minnesota bred — and I can tell you without hesitation the state I once knew is slipping away. What was once a model of common sense and good governance has become a national embarrassment under one-party Democratic control, where incompetence, corruption, and a complete lack of accountability now define state government.

Start with the Gov. Tim Walz administration’s Housing Stabilization Services program — sold as a way to help people in need — which became so consumed by fraud that the Minnesota House voted unanimously, 134-0, to shut it down. Think about that. In today’s political climate, nothing is unanimous unless it’s a total disaster. That wasn’t a disagreement — it was an admission of failure.

Then there’s the Department of Human Services, where basic oversight has simply vanished. At the same time, every single House Democrat voted to block mandatory reporting to ICE when a criminal illegal alien breaks the law, despite the fact that 85% of Minnesotans support cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration authorities. A bill designed to focus on violent criminal illegal immigrants and prevent the chaos we saw earlier this year was rejected outright. So who are they representing?

Meanwhile, a program meant to help children with autism exploded from $38 million to $325 million in just five years, with providers jumping from 150 to more than 500, and when credible allegations surfaced that some providers were offering kickbacks to parents, three separate complaints were closed without investigation. The Walz administration’s excuse? A broken, 30-year-old rule written incorrectly, which they claim limits what they can investigate. They’ve known about it, they could have fixed it, and they didn’t. Now they say it could take two more years. That’s not governance — that’s avoidance.

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And while fraud runs rampant, Democrats somehow found time to call emergency Friday hearings to push through 16 bills targeting your Second Amendment rights. Apparently, restricting your rights takes priority over protecting your tax dollars.

Speaking of tax dollars, consider this: Democrats blew an $18 billion surplus, grew the size of government by over 40%, and raised taxes by $10 billion—and now Walz wants to raise your taxes again. Even after all that, they still feel entitled to more of your money.

Then there’s the Feeding Our Future scandal, where Ikram Mohamed pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving $14 million, with over a million going into her own pocket, and federal investigators believe she was involved in efforts to bribe a juror. She even secretly recorded Attorney General Keith Ellison while seeking help, yet under her plea deal, she avoids prosecution for other potential crimes. What message does that send? This is what happens when no one is held accountable and government grows too large to manage.

So the question is simple: can Minnesota be saved? Not without restoring accountability, transparency and leadership that actually puts citizens first, because right now those principles are missing, and Minnesotans are the ones paying the price.

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Scott Hennen hosts the statewide radio program “What’s On Your Mind?” heard on AM 1100 “The Flag” in Fargo and on AM 1090 KTGO “The Flag” in Watford City/Williston. Email him at ScottH@FlagFamily.com.





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Former Minnesota Twins Prospect Speaks on Retiring from MLB

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Former Minnesota Twins Prospect Speaks on Retiring from MLB


Does The NWSL Know What Soccer Fans Actually Want? | Full Time Podcast

In this episode, Meg and Tamerra dive into the world of NWSL fan supporter groups. As the NWSL is coveting new eyeballs and growth, an announcement that the league would be establishing a “league supporter’s group” as a sponsorship collaboration with an energy drink named Unwell, has sparked questions and concern among fan led groups – who have been on the ground building the league for over a decade now.

Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan discuss tension in the relationship between the league and its supporters. With the help of voices from four different NWSL supporter’s groups from across the country, Tamerra and Meg unpack what values are most important to key community stakeholders and where the NWSL might well be falling short.

Thumbnail credit: Roy K. Miller/ISI Photos / Contributor / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images and Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

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Chapter descriptions:
00:00 Intro
00:13 What is a supporters group?
02:49 Guest introductions
05:06 What do supporters groups do?
08:02 Who are supporters groups for?
13:38 Growth & Tension
16:02 The need for a third space for fans
20:11 Is the NWSL doing enough to protect fans?
31:16 Outro

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#nwsl #uswnt #wsl

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Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter to get all the latest women’s soccer news straight to your inbox every Tuesday: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/full-time/

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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Catch the full episodes of Full Time right here 🎙️👇
➡️ https://apple.co/3RJUen2
➡️ https://spoti.fi/3W25Q77

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How to buy Minnesota Regional 2026 March Madness women’s tickets

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How to buy Minnesota Regional 2026 March Madness women’s tickets


The women’s NCAA Tournament bracket has been revealed, and Minnesota fans can enjoy watching their team’s March Madness run begin at home.

Minnesota will be hosting an NCAA Tournament regional, playing up to two games on its home court during the first weekend of March Madness.

Minnesota is back in the big dance after last qualifying in 2018.

Shop Minnesota Regional women’s basketball tickets

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Minnesota played well enough during the regular season to earn a No. 4 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and a top four seed in the Sacramento 2 region, and will host during the opening weekend of the tournament.

Here is everything you need to know in order to buy Minnesota women’s March Madness tickets.

Minnesota women’s March Madness opponent

Minnesota earned a No. 4 seed in the Sacramento 2 Region. It will take on No. 13 Green Bay in its opening game.

Minnesota women’s March Madness regional teams

Minnesota, along with Green Bay, No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 12 Gonzaga will play in Minneapolis for the first and second rounds of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Shop Minnesota Regional women’s basketball tickets

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Minnesota women’s March Madness Regional basketball tickets

Limited Minnesota women’s regional NCAA Tournament tickets are still available. Get your Minnesota women’s March Madness tickets today as they start their NCAA Tournament on home court.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Minnesota March Madness game schedule

Minnesota will take on Green Bay on Friday, March 20 . The game is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. ET. Shop Minnesota vs. Green Bay tickets now.

Shop Minnesota Regional women’s basketball tickets

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Minnesota March Madness game locations

Minnesota will play its Round of 64 and potential Round of 32 games in Minneapolis .

Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in the twin cities are available. Shop your Minnesota NCAA Tournament Tickets now.

Minnesota best NCAA Tournament result

Minnesota’s best result in the NCAA Tournament: Reached Final Four in 2004.



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