⚡️ Should Minnesota "Free the Nukes"?

Should Minnesota "Free the Nukes"?

Have you seen the billboards that say "Free the Nukes" around town? Turns out they're being funded by the conservative think tank American Experiment. The campaign aims to repeal Minnesota’s requirement to reach 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 and to allow the construction of new nuclear power plants. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

• "Carbon-free" vs. "renewable": On its website, American Experiment incorrectly claims Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard requires 100% renewable electricity by 2040 and bars the use of nuclear power, as it is not renewable. The RES actually requires 55% renewable energy by 2035. The Clean Electricity by 2040 Law includes the RES and sets a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. The law explicitly includes nuclear power as a viable option to meet that goal. [mn.gov]
• What's actually stopping new nuclear power? There has been a moratorium on building new nuclear power plants in Minnesota since 1994. Other states have lifted their moratoriums in recent years to allow the construction of new nuclear power plants, and there have been pushes in Minnesota's state legislature to do the same. [Minnesota Reformer]
• What's next for nuclear in MN? Some state lawmakers are backing a bill to commission a study on the impacts of building new nuclear power plants. The bill would not lift the moratorium or advance the construction of new nuclear power plants, but the resulting study could inform how Minnesota approaches nuclear power in the future. [MPR]

Beefing at Boludo: Co-owners of the Minneapolis Boludo restaurants are facing off in court, accusing each other of impropriety. Meanwhile, their downtown location is being threatened with eviction by their landlord. Drama isn't new for Boludo; the restaurant was fined over $100,000 by the U.S. Labor Department in 2024 for illegally firing an employee, withholding tips and overtime pay, and violating child labor regulations. [Star Tribune]

Ahead of schedule: Minneapolis’ 20-year plan to address inequities in neighborhood parks is ahead of schedule, with improvements completed at 46 parks and all 180 on track for upgrades by 2036. The plan prioritizes historically underinvested areas, especially in North and South Minneapolis, using an equity ranking to direct funding where it is needed most. [Spokesman-Recorder]

Hide your cars: Vehicle thefts are up this year in the Twin Cities as thieves are employing electronic key programming devices to get into cars. Local locksmiths report being robbed of their tools several times in the past couple of years, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed that he was informed that a "couple of groups of offenders got this tool" to steal cars. [Star Tribune]

After No Kings: Organizers of Saturday's No Kings protests are aiming to harness the momentum of the largest day of protest in U.S. history, going into this year's high-stakes midterm elections. Speakers at the St. Paul rally encouraged protesters to keep showing up and carry their energy forward into the election. Organizers are planning for a nationwide general strike on May 1 as their next major day of action. [MPR / Common Dreams]

DOJ sues Minnesota: The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota, alleging the state violated Title IX by allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the case is "a sad attempt to get attention over something that’s already been in litigation for months." The lawsuit is a step towards taking billions of dollars of federal funding away from the Minnesota Department of Education. [Politico]

Absences Add Up: Minnesota child care centers are seeing growing absences tied to Operation Metro Surge, as families keep kids home out of fear of immigration enforcement. That is creating a financial crunch for providers and putting some families at risk of losing subsidies if children miss more than 25 days. Providers warn that the ripple effects could worsen an already strained system, with fewer spots available and less stability for both workers and parents. [MPR]

Tuesday, Mar 31

• 🍻 Break the Bubble | Boom Island Brewing
• 🆓 Taylor Ngiri Seaberg & Friends | Indeed Brewing
• ⚾ Saint Paul Saints Opening Day | CHS Field
• 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Day of Visibility with Mayhem and Menagerie | Black Hart of Saint Paul
• 💥 Ashnikko | Palace Theatre
• 🌼 Midwest Mavens: The Foxgloves | Dakota
• 🎸 Bruce Springsteen | Target Center

Wednesday, Apr 1

• 🆓 Mini Mia | Minneapolis Institute of Art
• 🍽️ Art & Dining After Dark: Chef Yia Vang | Minneapolis Institute of Art
• 🔥 Spring Open(Hot) House | Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
• ❓ You’re Not From Here, Are You? | Black Hart of Saint Paul
• 🇺🇦 Kalush Orchestra feat. Ukrainian Village Band | Amsterdam
• 🏝️ Sue Scott’s Island of Discarded Women | Crooners
• 📜 Gutenberg! The Musical! (Preview Night) | Theater Latté Da

• Podcast Producer at City Cast | $38 – $48 per hour (PT Remote)
• Large Animal Medical Director at UMN College of Veterinary Medicine | $113k - $217k per year
• Manager of School Programs at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts | $60k – $70k per year
• Kitchen Production Assistant at Front Porch Pies | $18.50 – $20.50 per hour (PT)
• Lecturer at UMN Hubbard School of Journalism | $70k - $88k per year