Twin Cities

Picture of the Twin Cities skyline with MSP written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Twin Cities with Nick Halter, Torey Van Oot, and Kyle Stokes.

Axios Twin Cities

Standard

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Nick Halter, Audrey Kennedy and Torey Van Oot.

Axios Twin Cities Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Twin Cities Alerts

Alert

Axios Twin Cities Deep Dive

Deep Dive

Twin Cities Members

Membership

A guide to fun things to do in Twin Cities this weekend.

Axios Twin Cities Weekender

Weekender

Axios Twin Cities Partners

Renee Good's family sues Trump administration, ICE agent

The lawsuits are an attempt to hold the feds "accountable" in civil court for both Good's death and the broader immigration enforcement blitz.

News

Renee Good&#x27;s family filed two civil lawsuits over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="her killing during Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-agent-shooting-south-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="9d21a257-7a54-4089-a7bf-6c7b29850ffe" data-vars-headline="Renee Good&#x27;s family sues Trump administration, ICE agent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-agent-shooting-south-minneapolis" target="_self">her killing during Operation Metro Surge</a> — including one against six current and former Trump administration officials, as well as the ICE agent who shot and killed her.The big picture: The lawsuits are an attempt to hold the feds accountable in civil court for both Good&#x27;s death and the broader immigration enforcement blitz.<ul><li>The Trump administration has declined to criminally charge the agents who shot Good or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/25/minnesota-rare-legal-steps-investigation-alex-pretti-shooting" data-vars-content-id="9d21a257-7a54-4089-a7bf-6c7b29850ffe" data-vars-headline="Renee Good&#x27;s family sues Trump administration, ICE agent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/25/minnesota-rare-legal-steps-investigation-alex-pretti-shooting" target="_self">Alex Pretti</a>, and any state-level charges from the shootings would face legal hurdles.</li></ul>

Twin Cities weekend guide: "Paris Couture," Crypticon, fall fun

Calling all fashionistas: This new exhibition is sure to inspire your fall wardrobe.

Things to Do

Calling all fashionistas: The Minneapolis Institute of Art&#x27;s new exhibition is sure to inspire your fall wardrobe.What&#x27;s happening: Sunday marks the debut of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paris Couture" data-vars-click-url="https://new.artsmia.org/exhibition/paris-couture" data-vars-content-id="4684ef9c-a111-4633-ae4e-f93873eba717" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities weekend guide: &quot;Paris Couture,&quot; Crypticon, fall fun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://new.artsmia.org/exhibition/paris-couture" target="_blank">Paris Couture</a>,&quot; a showcase of more than 80 works of haute couture from Paris fashion museum Palais Galliera.

How third-party candidates could shape Minnesota's tight races

Independent, Green and Libertarian candidates are competing in several major statewide races this fall.

Most of Minnesota&#x27;s top statewide races this November have a third-party candidate in the mix. Why it matters: Even a relatively small share of the vote going to someone outside the two major parties can shape the outcome of a close race.

Twins autopsy: What went wrong, and what's ahead 

While there are promising young players, fans want to know if ownership will spend on free agents.

The faces of the people running the Minnesota Twins changed this year, but the results were largely the same: A late-season collapse took them out of the running for a playoff spot, just like 2024 and 2025.Why it matters: As the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Twins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/26/minnesota-twins-2026-preview" data-vars-content-id="d3c57719-0632-418a-a01b-11beeaf4a328" data-vars-headline="Twins autopsy: What went wrong, and what&#x27;s ahead " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/26/minnesota-twins-2026-preview" target="_self">Twins</a> pack up their lockers after Sunday&#x27;s finale, big questions remain about the future of the franchise.

Minneapolis council members propose requiring drivers in driverless cars 

A proposed ordinance revives Minnesota's debate over autonomous vehicles, jobs and public safety.

Transit

Four Minneapolis City Council members are moving to pump the brakes on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s plans to launch driverless robotaxis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/20/waymo-minneapolis-cars-rollout-testing" data-vars-content-id="53dcf73b-2896-4b91-bc9c-4faec05fd9d9" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council members propose requiring drivers in driverless cars " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/20/waymo-minneapolis-cars-rollout-testing" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s plans to launch driverless robotaxis</a> on local roads.Why it matters: A proposed ordinance getting its first public hearing this month is the latest twist in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/18/waymo-autonomous-vehicle-minnesota-labor-debate" data-vars-content-id="53dcf73b-2896-4b91-bc9c-4faec05fd9d9" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council members propose requiring drivers in driverless cars " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/18/waymo-autonomous-vehicle-minnesota-labor-debate" target="_self">political fight</a> over regulating autonomous vehicles in Minnesota. <ul><li>Competing proposals to regulate or ban the technology statewide stalled at the narrowly divided Legislature last spring.</li></ul>

Nice Ride might be making return

The new iteration would have e-bikes, too.

The Nice Ride bike share program that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ended its operations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/03/02/nice-ride-minneapolis-ending-service" data-vars-content-id="499787d5-a410-4874-8457-2c586d88a2ef" data-vars-headline="Nice Ride might be making return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/03/02/nice-ride-minneapolis-ending-service" target="_self">ended its operations</a> in 2023 could be coming back to the Twin Cities.Pedaling the news: Minneapolis-based environmental nonprofit Great Plains Institute (GPI) bought Nice Ride&#x27;s assets three years ago. <ul><li>It&#x27;s working to secure funding — possibly by tapping a metro-wide sales tax meant for transportation — to get them back on the streets, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to MinnPost" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2026/06/minneapolis-could-soon-see-the-rebirth-of-its-bicycling-ride-share-program/" data-vars-content-id="499787d5-a410-4874-8457-2c586d88a2ef" data-vars-headline="Nice Ride might be making return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2026/06/minneapolis-could-soon-see-the-rebirth-of-its-bicycling-ride-share-program/" target="_blank">according to MinnPost</a>. </li></ul>

In Minnesota's express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses

The growing violation rate denies the system toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.

MnDOT&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-ZPass system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/25/mn-ez-pass-scam-text-warning" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/03/25/mn-ez-pass-scam-text-warning" target="_self">E-ZPass system</a> has a scofflaw problem. Nearly half of the vehicles use the express tolling lanes without permission, according to the latest quarterly report.Why it matters: Aside from being unfair, the rising violation rate threatens to undermine the main goal of E-ZPass — managing congestion — while denying the system the toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.Stunning stats: MnDOT estimated that 29% of vehicles using the lanes had neither a passenger nor an E-ZPass tag in FY2024, according to the annual report for that year.<ul><li>But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more recent field observations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28096401-minnesota-department-of-transportation-mndot-2025-q4-e-zpass-report/" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28096401-minnesota-department-of-transportation-mndot-2025-q4-e-zpass-report/" target="_blank">more recent field observations</a> suggest that vehicle &quot;violation rates&quot; have crept up across the system. On I-35W in the south metro, they&#x27;re now pushing past 50%.</li></ul><div><figure><div id="av-hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-LO9HZ" style="max-width:100%" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="axios-visual" data-vars-asset-id="av-hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-LO9HZ" data-vars-iframe-src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/index.html" class="gtmView"><img alt="A bar chart that shows quarterly E-ZPass lane violation rates by corridor for October to December 2025. Rates range from 32.3% on I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata to 52.6% on I-35W from Minneapolis to Burnsville. I-35E posts 45.7%, and I-35W from Roseville to Blaine reaches 44.1%." class="axios-visual-newsletter-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/fallbacks/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-fallback.png" width="1200" height="788"/><img alt="A bar chart that shows quarterly E-ZPass lane violation rates by corridor for October to December 2025. Rates range from 32.3% on I-394 from Minneapolis to Wayzata to 52.6% on I-35W from Minneapolis to Burnsville. I-35E posts 45.7%, and I-35W from Roseville to Blaine reaches 44.1%." class="axios-visual-apple-fallback-image" src="https://graphics.axios.com/hermesv2/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles/fallbacks/2026-05-06-2301-share-of-vehicles-apple.png" width="750" height="740"/></div><figcaption>Data: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MnDOT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/freeway-operations/reports.html" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dot.state.mn.us/freeway-operations/reports.html" target="_blank">MnDOT</a>; Note: Totals from all observation points along each corridor during tolled morning and afternoon commute periods; Chart: Kyle Stokes/Axios</figcaption></figure></div>Between the lines: The toll lanes&#x27; primary goal isn&#x27;t to make money; it&#x27;s to improve traffic flow during peak times — just like a ramp meter, according to MnDOT spokesperson Anne Meyer.<ul><li>Even with high violation rates, E-ZPass lanes maintain higher traffic speeds than general lanes and reduce trip times by as much as 10 minutes during peak times, according to the latest annual report.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: A February <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/2026cav02" data-vars-content-id="28673455-3aef-46a8-a71e-a77c54027b48" data-vars-headline="In Minnesota&#x27;s express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/2026cav02" target="_blank">report</a> from consulting firm AECOM detailed how MnDOT could use more automated tools — such as license plate readers and passenger-detecting cameras — to reduce E-ZPass violation rates.<ul><li>The report noted that the rollout would be costly — and could face legal hurdles and objections on privacy and civil liberties grounds.</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Axios readers come clean on E-ZPass</h2>Axios reader Steven learned his lesson in 2016.<ul><li>While commuting into downtown Minneapolis, he occasionally merged into the E-ZPass lane to cut through the congestion.</li></ul>Finally, a state trooper pulled Steven over and asked why he had no pass. <ul><li>&quot;I matter of factly replied, &#x27;I didn&#x27;t think I would get caught,&#x27;&quot; he told us in an email. &quot;The officer stifled a big laugh.&quot;</li></ul>The big picture: The Minnesota State Patrol dedicates teams of troopers to E-ZPass enforcement.<ul><li>In 2024, those patrols pulled over nearly 6,000 vehicles, and cited or warned about half of those drivers for tolling violations, Meyer said.</li></ul>&quot;E-ZPass lane enforcement is no joke along 394,&quot; wrote reader Kyle F., who says it&#x27;s typical to see two or three people each week pulled over in the E-ZPass lane.Reality check: Most scofflaws aren&#x27;t caught. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 violators used the lanes every day,<ul><li>&quot;There doesn&#x27;t seem to be any penalties for not being a paid user,&quot; wrote Marg P., who uses an E-ZPass to shorten her drive time to Lino Lakes.</li></ul>Follow the money: Violators are dodging tolls that can jump as high as $8 per trip. (The average is about $1.14.)<ul><li>&quot;It can be expensive on high congestion days,&quot; Teri I. said, &quot;so it sucks getting charged for that convenience and others are jumping in hoping to not get caught.&quot;</li></ul>Yes, but: Law-abiding E-ZPass users still praise their passes.<ul><li>&quot;Just eases the travel issues significantly!&quot; Rick said, adding that the modest cost is worth it &quot;to gain the ease of driving in that lane when traffic sucks!&quot;</li></ul>

Metro Transit aims to persuade suburban riders to hop Green Line

The agency hopes its public safety efforts pay off

As the Green Line extension to the southwest metro nears completion, Metro Transit is beginning a campaign to get people to ride the trains.Why it matters: Metro Transit is still struggling to win back passengers after the pandemic, as train ridership <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fell 14% last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/11/metro-transit-ridership-decline-2025" data-vars-content-id="0f9c9aa3-bf36-4154-984c-a2be7d2c1b2f" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit aims to persuade suburban riders to hop Green Line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/11/metro-transit-ridership-decline-2025" target="_self">fell 14% last year</a> and remains well below 2019 levels.

Dakota County's street grid is the key that unlocks the suburbs

Learn the grid, and you can navigate huge swaths of the county — and reconstruct the history of the suburban boom.

Neighborhoods

Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins can find almost any house in Inver Grove Heights without a phone or GPS, which once made his daughter think he was &quot;some kind of savant.&quot;<ul><li>He&#x27;s not — he just knows the system that much of Dakota County has used to name streets since the 1960s.</li></ul>The big picture: Once you learn the alphanumerical criss-cross, you can navigate huge swaths of the south metro — and see how the suburbs grew.

New Minnesota driver's license law brings wave of adult applicants

The law allows undocumented people to obtain driver's licenses.

Move over, 16-year-olds eager to drive: The number of behind-the-wheel exams taken by adults has increased since Minnesota <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="implemented its &quot;Driver&#x27;s Licenses for All&quot; law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/03/07/minnesota-drivers-license-undocumented-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="c4f867a8-0228-4bed-9d56-f2ffbc4be193" data-vars-headline="New Minnesota driver&#x27;s license law brings wave of adult applicants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/03/07/minnesota-drivers-license-undocumented-immigrants" target="_self">implemented its &quot;Driver&#x27;s Licenses for All&quot; law</a> in 2023, state data obtained by Axios shows.Why it matters: The law opens the door for an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated 95,000 undocumented people" data-vars-click-url="https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/mar-2025/immigrants.jsp" data-vars-content-id="c4f867a8-0228-4bed-9d56-f2ffbc4be193" data-vars-headline="New Minnesota driver&#x27;s license law brings wave of adult applicants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/mar-2025/immigrants.jsp" target="_blank">estimated 95,000 undocumented people</a> living in Minnesota to obtain driver&#x27;s licenses.<ul><li>Before the law, some of these newly credentialed drivers were likely at the wheel without a license.</li></ul>

Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending

Plus, I-494 drivers find out there are four more years of work ahead.

Major road construction projects are kicking off across Minnesota as drivers prepare for another robust season of closures, detours and migraines. The big picture: MnDOT says the 2026 construction season includes 200 road and bridge projects, with a budget of $1.5 billion — on par with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previous years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/03/road-construction-minnesota-2025" data-vars-content-id="cdb6491a-845e-48f3-ad4b-08a4b53bf2fe" data-vars-headline="Minnesota road construction 2026: 200 projects, $1.5B in spending" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/03/road-construction-minnesota-2025" target="_self">previous years</a>.

Popular Minneapolis bike route opens after 7-year hiatus

The popular bike routes were closed for 7 years for light rail construction

After an astonishing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven-year closure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/13/kenilworth-cedar-lake-bike-trails-minneapolis-closed-2025" data-vars-content-id="647999c2-fc4e-4fe4-9e37-fa9bda1931e5" data-vars-headline="Popular Minneapolis bike route opens after 7-year hiatus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/13/kenilworth-cedar-lake-bike-trails-minneapolis-closed-2025" target="_self">seven-year closure</a>, two of Minneapolis&#x27; most popular bike trails are finally open. Why it matters: The Kenilworth and North Cedar Lake trails provide an easy link to downtown from St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Southwest Minneapolis. <ul><li>You can bike right into the western fringe of downtown without sharing space with vehicle traffic.</li></ul>

Debate over driverless cars heats up at Minnesota's Capitol

The debate at the Capitol is revving up, with competing proposals under considation.

Some of Minnesota&#x27;s most powerful labor unions want lawmakers to pump the brakes on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/20/waymo-minneapolis-cars-rollout-testing" data-vars-content-id="5eb391a5-0cd3-4d10-a258-99db43de9b03" data-vars-headline="Debate over driverless cars heats up at Minnesota&#x27;s Capitol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/20/waymo-minneapolis-cars-rollout-testing" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s expansion</a>. The big picture: To labor, the fight over driverless vehicles isn&#x27;t just about hailing robotaxis — it&#x27;s about the future of work.<ul><li>Boosters, meanwhile, argue that Minnesota will fall behind without action to authorize the rapidly expanding technology here. </li></ul>

Metro Transit ridership fell 3% last year

Bus usage was flat while light rail ridership fell steeply

Metro Transit finished 2025 with ridership about 3% below the previous year.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" troubling trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/06/metro-transit-ridership-recovery-was-slow-now-its-in-decline" data-vars-content-id="df299a70-c314-4a5b-bad3-33dfb37ea83d" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit ridership fell 3% last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/06/metro-transit-ridership-recovery-was-slow-now-its-in-decline" target="_self"> troubling trend</a> for an agency that is making big investments in service but is still struggling to gain rider buy-in after years of public safety concerns.<ul><li>It also came at a time when transit ridership nationally was on pace to increase by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 7% in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-Q3-Ridership-APTA.pdf" data-vars-content-id="df299a70-c314-4a5b-bad3-33dfb37ea83d" data-vars-headline="Metro Transit ridership fell 3% last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-Q3-Ridership-APTA.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 7% in 2025</a>.</li></ul>

Transit 🚗

Minneapolis council members propose requiring drivers in driverless cars

Nice Ride might be making return

In Minnesota's express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses

Metro Transit aims to persuade suburban riders to hop Green Line

Dakota County's street grid is the key that unlocks the suburbs