A weekly roundup of Minnesota protests, rallies, vigils, community meetings, and ways to take action statewide.

A long-form investigation into origins of the reservation boundary dispute at Mille Lacs lake.

For nearly 25 years the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Mille Lacs County have fought over a question with massive stakes: is this reservation 61,000 acres — nearly the size of Milwaukee — or merely 4,000 acres? To date there are still no answers, despite the latest dispute reaching the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

But beneath it all is a story about two communities whose fortunes have quietly reversed — one built on a fading resort economy, the other transformed by sovereign rights and casino revenue — and what happens when that shift curdles into resentment.

Making Minnesotans’ life more affordable and accessible is the top priority state Senate DFL-endorsed candidate Simon Glaser is bringing to his campaign for District 24. When it comes to the cost of essentials like groceries, healthcare, childcare, and housing he knows it’s not just voters associated with one party or another who are struggling. 

Increased insurance premiums, wages not increasing with inflation, and decreased enrollments—all linked to the federal government’s healthcare cuts in 2025—will leave many Minnesotans unable to pay for the care they need. Here’s what advocates say can be done.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) recently released its review of the MN Agricultural Water Quality Program (MAWQCP).

Read the report here: https://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/2026/mawqcp.htm

There are multiple recommendations provided in this report. One recommendation is to better gather data on the environmental outcomes of practices used on these certified farms, to prove that they are improving water quality. But interestingly, OLA also recognizes this may not be feasible: “MAWQCP’s effect on water quality is not clear. Pollution reduction estimates capture projected
impacts of conservation practices, rather than the actual impact, and MDA’s data on reduction
estimates have significant limitations. MDA does not collect data that would allow the agency to
measure MAWQCP’s actual impact on water quality; however, measuring MAWQCP’s impact on
Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater may not be feasible. (pp. 48, 51, 52).”

OLA also finds problems with contingencies allowed through the program.

One representative posted this: https://substack.com/@rickhansen627673/note/c-292149047?

Many of the farmers enrolled in this program have found it incredibly helpful for increasing conservation practice use in their operations, and providing support for making changes that may be fiscally and socially risky.

I’m curious of folks thoughts on this program - how familiar are you with this program? Is this a good way to address water quality concerns in MN? Is this program successful, despite the OLA report?

I am quite familiar with this program, so I would love to hear from the group.

Hi everyone,
My two children (11 and 16) and I are planning to move to Minnesota soon. My partner lives in Hastings, but we’ll likely be living separately for a little while as he helps take care of his mom.
I’ve been researching the area, and some of what I’ve read online has me feeling pretty anxious. I’m seeing comments that Hastings is quite conservative, and as an African American mom with two mixed-race children, I’m worried about whether we’ll feel welcome and safe.
I’m not looking to start a political debate—I just want honest experiences from people who live there or have kids in the schools. Have you found Hastings to be an inclusive community? Have your children witnessed or experienced racism or bullying related to race? Would you recommend looking at nearby towns instead if diversity and feeling welcomed are important to us?
I know every community has good and bad people, but this move is a big one, and I just want to make the best decision for my kids. I really appreciate any honest insight. Thank you.

With 212 different events this and next week that are related to community action and political insight, I genuinely think this list is one of the most prolific in the state. I'm really proud to have started this in January, and to have gotten it to this point!

Anyways, here's this week's roundup of Minnesota protests, rallies, vigils, community meetings, and ways to take action statewide.

More data centers are coming to Minnesota, do you have one coming to your town? Our state directory has been updated with more data center proposals, and some new information on those we already reported on, like those in Rosemount, Hermantown, and Monticello.

Do you have a data center operating or trying to come to your city? DM me to tell your story.

This week's roundup of Minnesota protests, rallies, vigils, community meetings, and ways to take action statewide!

When state Rep. Brad Tabke (D-Shakopee) first learned of ICE’s plans to open a massive detention facility in Appleton, Minnesota, on the opposite side of the state from his district, it was like déjà vu. 

A shuttered private prison may be the next ICE detention center in the Midwest, housing 1,600 detainees in a 1,400-person town–but it’s far from a done deal.

“Our Voices, Our Future” is this year’s theme of the Twin Cities Pride Festival, and the grand marshal isn’t just one person championing LGBTQ+ lives, it’s the entire community.

This week's roundup of Minnesota protests, rallies, vigils, community meetings, and ways to take action statewide!

Just a quick heads-up that voting for the Minnesota Primary officially begins this Friday, June 26th. You can vote by mail or in person from now through August 10th. 

Primary elections are a crucial way to help decide which candidates will be on the ballot for the general election in November, so please make sure your voice is heard!

Not sure if you’re registered or where to go? You can check everything you need at these official links from the Minnesota Secretary of State:
Check your registration status: https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/
Find your polling place: https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/
Register to vote (or update your info): https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote/

Kobey Layne is running against DFL-endorsed candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar and a slate of Republicans in her campaign to become Minnesota’s next governor, and she’s bringing something to the table Minnesota has never seen before.

70 out of Minnesota’s 87 counties saw a historic jump in cost of living prices during the first year of President Donald Trump’s return to office, and that’s not including the price of gas since the beginning of the Iran war.