Minnesota

98 Minnesota mayors sign letter to Gov. Walz on state spending concerns

Published

2 months ago

December 23, 2025

98 Minnesota mayors sign letter to Gov. Walz on state spending concerns

Almost 100 Minnesota mayors, including over half a dozen in the Northland, have signed a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and members of the legislature, raising concerns about the rising costs and financial pressures cities are facing due to state mandates.

The group of 98 mayors published the letter publicly on Monday, December 22nd, highlighting rising property taxes, declining state budget projections and the recent fraud investigations as reasons for “deep concern—and growing frustration” about the state’s fiscal direction.

“As mayors, we see firsthand how these decisions ripple outward. Fraud, unchecked spending, and inconsistent fiscal management in St. Paul have trickled down to our cities—reducing our capacity to plan responsibly, maintain infrastructure, hire and retain employees, and sustain core services without overburdening local taxpayers,” the letter says, in part.

Rising property taxes are preliminarily set to increase by nearly $950 million across the state next year — a 6.9% increase from 2025. The local leaders say those increases are necessary because of state policies and unfunded mandates, which include requirements for schools, health and human services systems, and public safety policies.

“Every unfunded mandate or cost shift forces us into difficult choices: raise taxes, cut services, delay infrastructure, or stretch thin city staff even further,” the letter states.

The mayors also cited a recent report from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, which showed the state slipping in national rankings over the past six years, something the chamber said should be a “wake-up call” to state leaders.

According to those statistics, Minnesota’s GDP has grown by just 1% per year since 2019, compared to the national average of 1.8%; the labor force has increased just 0.2% annually, ranking 40th nationally; and nearly 48,000 more Minnesotans left the state than moved here between 2020 and 2024.

In their letter, the mayors called on state lawmakers to “course-correct” and focus on policies that encourage growth and local stability.

The League of Minnesota Cities lists 856 cities in the state, so the 98 mayors would account for roughly 11.5% of cities. The map below shows the locations of each city in the Northland whose mayor signed the letter.

A spokesperson for Governor Walz sent our Hubbard sister station KSTP the following statement:

“The Governor’s focus on lowering property taxes is exactly why he has provided more funding than any administration in history directly to local governments.
“The surplus went directly back into the bottom line of local governments: $300 million for their police and fire departments, the largest infrastructure budgets in state history, funding to remove lead lines, the largest-ever increase in flexible local government aid, and property tax relief directly to taxpayers.
“The governor will continue to focus on ways to lower costs, but local governments also have a responsibility to manage their budgets and state aid responsibly.”

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Minnesota

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Iranians in Minnesota react to Khamenei death

Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. While many Iranian-Americans expressed hope for regime change, anti-war protesters also took to the streets to condemn the military strikes, with some members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation calling the operation “unlawful” and “illegal.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East. Anti-war protesters also took the streets of Minneapolis Saturday.

Plus, Jewish communities say they are on high alert over concerns of potential retaliatory acts in major cities across the U.S.

‘Massive moment’

What we know:

Following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran, Khamenei was killed in an attack, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday.

What they’re saying:

Iranian community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street on Sunday to express hope for regime change.

Dozens of Iranian-Americans said they are celebrating the news.

“We are here to support Iranian people. Today, everybody is happy, very happy,” said Beheshteh Zargaran, an Iranian-American.

“Killed Khamenei, which was the supreme leader, and hopefully they will continue this action and help Iranians finally topple the Islamic regime,” said Faraz Samavat, an Iranian-American.

“That means a lot. We are fighting for almost half a century to destroy this cruel regime against people of Iran,” said Ali Mohammad, an Iranian-American.

Iranians in MN celebrate strikes by Pres. Trump

Iranians in the Twin Cities are gathering in downtown Minneapolis to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation. Community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street to express hope for regime change after news that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in Saturday’s airstrikes.

The other side:

Protesters also took to the streets in the Twin Cities over the weekend condemning the strikes.

Some people are criticizing the military operation including members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation. Congresswoman Betty McCollum called the strikes “unlawful” and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the war “illegal and unjustified.”

Heightened security:

Jewish communities in Minnesota say they are also on high alert following security guidance across the country to prevent potential retaliatory violence.

“A heightened sense of vigilance making sure that everybody is aware of their surroundings and that all of the protective measures are in place,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

There are currently no known specific threats against local Jewish communities.

WorldDonald J. TrumpPoliticsMinneapolisReligion

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Minnesota

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

Published

18 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

article

Storm reports in from Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 28.

LANESBORO, Minn. (FOX 9) – Impressive snow totals were reported in parts of Minnesota after a narrow band of heavy snowfall worked its way across the state.

Minnesota snow totals for the last day of February 2026

Snow totals for Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (FOX 9)

By the numbers:

Many areas saw more snow than was expected before temperatures warm up in the coming days.

The following snow totals were reported across Minnesota:

Lanesboro: 10 inches
Preston: 10 inches
St. Peter: 7 inches
Stewartville: 7 inches
Caledonia: 6 inches
Nicollet: 6 inches
New Ulm: 5.5 inches
Rochester: 4.9 inches
Mankato: 4.5 inches

The Source: This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather forecast and the National Weather Service.

WeatherWinter Weather

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Minnesota

East Range Police Department officer passes away

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

East Range Police Department officer passes away

A police officer in northern Minnesota unexpectedly passed away earlier this week.

The East Range Police Department said that Sgt. Cody Siebert passed away on Friday, less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with a brain infection.

The department said that Siebert was known for his happy-go-lucky personality and that “if you couldn’t get along with Cody, it was your fault.”

Siebert started at the K9 program in Babbitt with K9 Taconite (Tac) before going to the East Range Police Department.

“The hole left by Sgt. Siebert’s passing will be impossible to fill,” East Range police said. “We at ERPD love you and will miss you always. We have it from here.”

Mesabi East Schools also stated that the district was “truly blessed to have him walking our halls, greeting students, encouraging staff, and building relationships that went far beyond the badge.”

Click here for a GoFundMe to support Siebert’s family.

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