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Pair of suburban-centered Minnesota congressional districts attract differing levels of attention

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Pair of suburban-centered Minnesota congressional districts attract differing levels of attention


They’re adjacent Minnesota congressional districts with suburban populations at their core. One features an Democratic incumbent with a well-stocked campaign account; the other is an open seat that not long ago was seen as Republican turf.

But only one has been on national watchlists for U.S. House races this year — and it’s the south-east metro 2nd Congressional District. There, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig is in pursuit of a fourth term.

Just across the Minnesota River in the western Twin Cities suburbs, Democratic state legislator Kelly Morrison is methodically marching toward joining the federal House delegation in the 3rd Congressional District, where she’s seen as favored over Republican Tad Jude. It has been a sleepy race by comparison.

In the 2nd, which runs from Eagan and South St. Paul down past Northfield, it’s a been another tug-of-war for Craig. She’s trying to hold off a stiff challenge from political newcomer Joe Teirab, a former federal prosecutor and ex-Marine. 

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Katie Kendrick, who lives in Burnsville, said she doesn’t know much about Teirab but plans to vote for him.

Katie Kendrick lives in Burnsville. Although she says she doesn’t know much about Teirab, she said on Friday she plans to vote for him.

Mark Zdechlik | MPR News

“Angie’s been there for a while,” Kendrick said as she took a break from arranging Halloween decorations. “I think it’s time for a change.”

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Kim Nutting, who lives in Eagan, said she’ll happily cast her ballot for Craig.

“She’s smart,” Nutting said. “I think she’s for the people.” 

2nd-Congressional District stat graphic

Minnesota U.S. House District 2

Elisabeth Gawthrop | APM Research Lab

Craig has the benefit of name recognition after having run four times already in the district. (She lost narrowly in 2016 to Republican Jason Lewis.) And she’s way ahead in the money race, which comes in handy for the ads that have been on air since late August and for get-out-the-vote efforts.

Fundraising reports out last week showed Craig has spent almost three times more than Teirab — about $5.3 million to nearly $1.9 million — and with substantially more left at her disposal for the final weeks.

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The race has already had more advertising exposure than the U.S. Senate race, which is a statewide contest.

On Saturday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stopped by to campaign for Craig. Jeffries, of New York, is in line to become House speaker if Democrats can erase a narrow Republican edge in the chamber, which makes the Minnesota race that much more important to those prospects.

man with a microphone

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says holding on to Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District is key to his effort to win back control of the House from Republicans.

Mark Zdechlik | MPR News

“We’ve got to make sure, certainly, that every single one of our frontline members, our 31 frontline members goes back to Congress, and Angie is in one of the toughest seats,” Jeffries said as he kicked off a door-knocking push in West St. Paul.

In the 3rd District, Morrison also has a yawning financial edge over Jude. Morrison is a state senator and doctor; Jude is a former state legislator, past county commissioner and retired judge.

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Morrison had spent about $900,000 through the end of September, compared with $240,000 for Jude. But Morrison had more than $1.1 million available for the final stretch to Jude’s $58,000. Morrison began airing TV ads last week. 

Congressional District stat graphic

Minnesota U.S. House District 3

Elisabeth Gawthrop | APM Research Lab

Some voters said that race has flown under the radar.

“I guess there really hasn’t been a lot of news about those folks. We haven’t heard too much about them,” said Bloomington resident Susan Bongaarts who voted early for Morrison.

Open seat races tend to attract more attention than this one has, particularly in an area that sent a line of Republicans to Washington. That was until 2018, when Democrat Dean Phillips defeated a Republican incumbent and went on to cruise to two more terms. He opted against a bid for another term amid a short-lived run for the Democratic presidential nomination that ended in March.  

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Roz Johnson, another Bloomington resident supporting Morrison, said she thinks Phillips helped change the district. New district boundaries set after the most-recent census also made it more favorable to Democrats.

“This area was 50-50 split when we moved here in the 80s, but it has been leaning more Democratic,” Johnson said as she took in a warm fall day in a riverside park.

Retired Carleton College political science professor Steven Schier said former President Donald Trump has a lot to do with the shift.

“The 3rd has always been a high-education, high-income district traditionally that was represented by moderate Republicans like Bill Frenzel and Erik Paulsen and Jim Ramstad,” Schier explained.  “But high-education, high-income people in this state, and nationally, have been trending in the Democratic direction.”

man with glasses sits at table

In October 2024, Retired Carleton college political scientist Steven Schier says Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District no longer seems to be the intense battleground it once was.

Mark Zdechlik | MPR News

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Stan Danielson, an 86-year-old who lives in Bloomington, said he voted for many Republicans over the years but now is exclusively backing Democrats.

“I’m not going to vote for Republicans because they are much too far right and I’m just afraid of them,” Danielson said.

man on bridge

86-year-old Stan Danielson lives in Bloomington and says he’s voted for many Republicans but now is exclusively backing Democrats. “I’m not going to vote for Republicans because they are much too far right and I’m just afraid of them,” he said in October, 2024.

Mark Zdechlik | MPR News

Back across the river in the 2nd District, 30-year-old Nathan Schmidt voiced concern about the economy and border security. He plans to vote Republican up and down the ballot.

“The 2nd District does still have some more of those rural areas that lean heavily conservative,” Schmidt. “So, I think that kind of balances out some of the more left-leaning suburbs that are part of the 2nd District.”

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Even so, Schmidt said he thinks Craig will win again.

Craig has had her closest races in presidential election years, losing narrowly in 2016 and winning by fewer than 3 percentage points in 2020. Two years ago, she won by about 5 percentage points.

The top of the ballot this year could also be instructive: Four years ago, Democrat Joe Biden won the district by the same margin he won statewide – about 7 percentage points.

Schier, who lives in the district, said despite the visible campaigning on both sides it no longer seems to be the intense battleground it once was.

“The 2nd District, I think, is a very good microcosm of the state as a whole because it has large rural areas that are deeply red,” he said, while noting the “inner-ring suburbs that are strongly blue and so it can, in many ways, be a bellwether for the state.”

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Caribou Coffee in Minnesota launches value menu

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Caribou Coffee in Minnesota launches value menu


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  • Caribou Coffee has launched a new value menu, with items priced as low as $2.
  • The coffee chain made the change to expand the options for customers and create more flexibility, a company officer said.
  • Check the list for Caribou Coffee locations in central Minnesota.

Caribou Coffee, a coffeehouse known for its handcrafted beverages made with real ingredients, is rolling out a new value menu at participating locations nationwide. 

Beginning May 7, a company release stated, Caribou Coffee is serving Caribou Everyday Value Menu items, including to-go favorites and barista-made beverages. 

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The Everyday Value Menu features a curated lineup of Caribou classics now offered at prices starting at $2, the release stated. Guests will be able to enjoy signature items such as a small, specialty-grade brewed coffee, streusel-topped blueberry muffins and Caribou’s Cold Press, its version of cold-brewed coffee.

The value menu also introduces a new a bacon breakfast sandwich. It features crispy bacon, a cage-free scrambled egg patty and melted cheddar cheese layered on a toasted English muffin for $4. These prices are before tax.  

“For many of our guests, their daily coffee ritual is a meaningful part of their day, and we know how much it matters that it delivers on quality, convenience and value,” Matt Reiter, chief commercial and strategy officer for Caribou said in a release. “At Caribou, we’re committed to creating a consistent, high-quality experience every time someone walks into one of our coffeehouses, with a range of options that fit into their day. The Everyday Value Menu expands the ways we do that and creates even more flexibility and value for guests.”

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Caribou’s Everyday Value Menu includes:

  • $2 small brewed coffee: A rotating selection of regular and seasonal coffees, brewed every hour to ensure maximum freshness
  • $3 Blueberry Muffin: A blueberry muffin topped with streusel 
  • $3.50 small Cold Press coffee: Caribou’s cold brew coffee served over ice 
  • $4 Bacon Breakfast Sandwich: Crispy bacon, cage-free scrambled egg patty and melted cheddar cheese layered on a toasted English muffin

Caribou is also offering non-dairy customization at no extra charge, the release stated. Also, the Caribou Perks loyalty program allows guests to earn points with every Caribou purchase. These points are redeemable for free handcrafted beverages, bakery items and more. 

Guests can order items from the Everyday Value Menu in-store, at the drive-thru and through the Caribou Coffee app for pickup or delivery.

Caribou Coffee serves handcrafted beverages and food items in more than 800 coffeehouses worldwide. It opened its first location in 1992. Focused on smart growth, the coffee shop operates and franchises coffeehouses across 11 countries.

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Caribou Coffee locations in central Minnesota

  • 2423 Division Street West, St. Cloud
  • 4135 W. Division Street, St. Cloud
  • 2510 W. Division St., St. Cloud
  • 310 Lincoln Ave., St. Cloud
  • 900 Cooper Ave. S, St. Cloud
  • 201 Second Ave. S, Cold Spring
  • 18157 Carson Court, Elk River
  • 19425 Evans St. NW, Elk River
  • 324 Lowell Ave. NW, Elk River
  • 533 12th St. S, Sauk Centre
  • 701 Third Ave. NE, Buffalo
  • 800 Hwy 55 E, Buffalo
  • 630 Ryans Way, Buffalo
  • 110 First St. S, Sauk Rapids
  • 880 18th St. NW, Sauk Rapids
  • 2319 First St. S, Willmar
  • 620 First St. S, Willmar
  • 12495 Fifth Ave. N, Zimmerman
  • 703 Northland Drive, Princeton
  • 1500 Elm St. East, St. Joseph
  • 520 Jefferson Blvd. NW, Big Lake
  • 705 County Road 75 NW, Clearwater
  • 1725 Pine Cone Road S, Sartell
  • 113 S. Waite Ave., Waite Park



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3M faces new lawsuit over ‘forever chemicals’ pollution in Minnesota

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3M faces new lawsuit over ‘forever chemicals’ pollution in Minnesota


The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is taking 3M back to court, saying the company hasn’t done enough to stop PFAS pollution in local water.

Minnesota sues 3M for ongoing PFAS contamination

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What we know:

The MPCA filed the lawsuit May 1, alleging that 3M is responsible for ongoing groundwater and surface water contamination, including industrial and stormwater discharges into the Mississippi River near its Cottage Grove facility.

In its argument, the state says some locations tested for PFAS showed concentrations as high as 310,000 parts per trillion, far above the state standard. The agency claims that although the specific site “does not routinely discharge to surface waters,” a heavy rainfall could lead to contamination entering the river.

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The MPCA also alleges that 3M has not completed required cleanup work under a 2022 order and that its groundwater extraction system is not sufficient.

Minnesota previously sued 3M over PFAS, resulting in a 2018 settlement where the company paid $850 million to help clean up drinking water in the east metro. In 2024, 3M also agreed to pay $10.3 billion over 13 years to address PFAS in drinking water systems nationwide.

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Dig deeper:

In the lawsuit, the state is seeking civil penalties of up to $30,000 per violation per day, as well as increased cleanup efforts and compensation for damage to wildlife and natural resources.

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A full copy of the complaint can be found below:

3M responds to lawsuit

The other side:

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In its own court filing, 3M argues that some of the PFAS pollution came from testing firefighting foam made for the U.S. military, following Department of Defense requirements. The company says it warned the federal government about PFAS risks and should not be held responsible for contamination tied to military work.

3M wants the case moved from state to federal court, saying the environmental damage cited by the state is linked to its role as a government contractor.

The company stated it completed its planned exit from all PFAS manufacturing at the end of 2025.

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The Source: Information provided by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and 3M court filings.

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Minnesota Senate approves bills to rein in ICE agents

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Minnesota Senate approves bills to rein in ICE agents


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  • The Minnesota Senate passed a package of bills in response to a large-scale ICE operation.
  • The bills would allow Minnesotans to sue federal agents for constitutional violations in state court.
  • The legislation also aims to ban federal immigration agents from schools and hospitals.

The Minnesota Senate on Monday approved a package of bills aimed at reining in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers after more than 3,000 federal agents descended on Minnesota for what the Department of Homeland Security called its largest immigration enforcement operation ever.

Swarming groups of federal agents racially profiled and arrested people in the streets during Operation Metro Surge, which ignited massive resistance and resulted in the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. Citizens.

“All we want are safe communities and the fair treatment under the law,” said Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, and chief author of the bill package. “The way ICE agents and Border Patrol agents went about (immigration) enforcement was an absolute abuse of our Constitution. It contravened our constitutional principles. It was without warrants. It was stopping people without lawful basis. It was arresting people without probable cause. It just crossed so many constitutional lines.”

The Minnesota Senate is controlled by Democrats, who have made Operation Metro Surge recovery and accountability a top issue. The Minnesota House is deadlocked between Republicans and Democrats, and Republicans have largely opposed Operation Metro Surge-related bills this session. The legislative session ends on Sunday.

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The bill passed 34-33 in the Senate with no Republican votes.

The package includes a bill to allow Minnesotans to sue federal agents in state court if their constitutional rights are violated.

For much of American history, people have had the ability to sue federal agents, but the U.S. Supreme Court has rolled back that precedent. The high court has suggested that only Congress can authorize lawsuits seeking money from federal officials.

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Some legal scholars believe state legislatures, too, can authorize lawsuits against federal officials for violating the Constitution. The Illinois Legislature last year passed such a law, and the Trump administration promptly sued, arguing the Constitution’s supremacy clause limits states from enacting policies that conflict with federal law.

The Trump administration has said that federal agents have “absolute immunity” if they are conducting immigration enforcement. Legal experts say that immunity doesn’t extend to unreasonable or excessive use of force. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charged one ICE officer with assault for allegedly brandishing a weapon and is weighing charges against the agents who killed Pretti and Good.

The package of bills also includes banning law enforcement from wearing face masks, and it creates a “civil right of action” in shootings in which a person can be held civilly liable if they shoot someone and fail to provide aid to the victim.

It also prohibits federal immigration agents from schools, hospitals, childcare centers and courthouses.

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Senate Republicans say the package would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential litigation because the state will likely be sued. States cannot regulate immigration law, and Republicans argue the bill package does just that.

Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.



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