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City Cast Twin Cities

🌪️ Turmoil continues for MN U.S. Attorneys

March 2, 2026

Happy Monday, Twin Cities. It’s Adam today. It's a big week for me personally because Animales Barbecue is celebrating National Adams Day on Thursday, and they will be giving out a free drink to every Adam in attendance. But don't worry, non-Adams – you can also partake if you dress up like Adam, the leader of the bar program at Animales.

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Today’s Must-Know

A pedestrian perspective of a federal building. The walls are white marble. The sign reads "Warren E. Burger Federal Building"
The patience of federal judges is wearing thin as the U.S. Attorney's Office struggles to keep up with court orders relating to Operation Metro Surge. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities)

Turmoil Continues in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office

A federal judge said it will "take a generation" to rebuild the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office following a mass resignation that resulted from Operation Metro Surge. The understaffed office is facing an unprecedented number of wrongful detention cases while fraud investigations have stalled, and the impending trial of Vance Boelter, who is accused of assassinating Rep. Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman, looms in the future. U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen is turning to increasingly young and inexperienced lawyers to fill the empty positions in the office. [Star Tribune]

  • Tensions mount with judges: Federal judges have grown increasingly frustrated with U.S. prosecutors representing ICE, as the agency failed to comply with nearly 100 court orders. A federal judge found a DOJ lawyer in contempt on Feb. 18. Now, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz has threatened to hold Trump administration officials in contempt with possible jail time, saying, "One way or another, ICE will comply with this Court’s orders." [Minnesota Reformer]

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What the Cities Are Talking About

Bid on MN history: After more than 30 years covering the weather on KARE 11, Belinda Jensen is retiring. Now, her large collection of colorful coats is up for auction to support the Intercongregation Communities Association, which distributes food and clothing to families in need in the western suburbs. The auction runs now through March 30. [KARE 11]

Certified care: The White Earth Nation has become the first tribe in Minnesota to receive national accreditation for its healthcare system. Cyndy Rastedt, the public health coordinator for the White Earth Nation, says that earning the accreditation increases opportunities for sustained funding and ensures accountable systems are in place to serve the people of White Earth. [MPR]

Around town this week: There's a ton to do around town this week. See Celtic punk legends the Dropkick Murphys play a free acoustic set near Alex Pretti's memorial, bedazzle your favorite romance books at Graze Food Hall, or catch hip-hop legends Slum Village playing with one of my favorite local bands, Room3 at the Dakota. Find details on these events and more on our website. [City Cast Twin Cities]

A pedestrian view of a large red building. The material looks to be brick. The building has a large number of windows
This building just sold for a dollar. (Raymond Boyd / Getty Images)

What a steal: The historic, 12-story Lumber Exchange building in downtown Minneapolis has sold for $1. Yes, a single dollar. The previous owners have been losing $100,000 per month on operating expenses for the building, but the buyer hopes to turn it into a hub for artists and small businesses. [Star Tribune]

On the Radar: The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has launched a weekly podcast spotlighting Black creatives in Minnesota. The inaugural episode featured actress, author, and educator Michelle Purdue. New episodes come out on Thursday, and you can nominate artists to be featured on the show here. [Spokesman-Recorder]

30 more indicted: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the indictments of more protesters involved in the disruption at the Cities Church in St. Paul. A total of 39 people have now been charged in connection with the protest, including journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, and local activist and minister Nekima Levy Armstrong. [MPR]

What to Do

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Have a fantastic week, y'all!

— Adam Sage

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