🤳 Why you got that Instagram health warning

New Minnesota Laws Start Today

Despite major partisan gridlock, the Minnesota Legislature passed dozens of laws this spring – many of which go into effect today. Here's how some of the new laws could impact your life in the Twin Cities:

• Before you doomscroll: Next time you open Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or another social media service, you may see a pop-up about mental health before you're served any content. A new law requiring social media companies to display a "conspicuous mental health warning" to users goes into effect today. It may not last though, as a lobbying firm representing several big tech companies is currently arguing to block the law in court. A judge blocked a similar law from being implemented in Colorado on free speech grounds. [Pioneer Press]
• Mandatory reporting: Police are now required to notify the appropriate licensing board when a teacher is charged with a crime that would trigger an automatic license denial. This requirement is a part of a larger law going into effect on Aug. 1 that makes grooming a felony. [Star Tribune]
• Money starts flowing: State funding for local infrastructure projects was freed up today, including $10 million for updates to Grand Casino Arena, $1.3 million for a new health clinic in North Minneapolis, and $6.1 million for upgrades on an Apple Valley water treatment plant to address PFAS in the water supply. [MPR News]

"Not Punk Rock": Shortly after warehouse workers at local punk music merch company Kings Road Merch unanimously voted to unionize, parent company Sony Music announced plans to close down the Minneapolis warehouse in September. In a statement, Sony Music said they are "committed to negotiating a fair separation agreement" with the union. The closure announcement came just hours before the first contract bargaining session between the union and management. [see/saw]

Frey picks Craig: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her in endorsing Rep. Angie Craig for Senate. Craig is a centrist Democrat running against the more progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in next month's Democratic primary election. [Star Tribune]

Democracy defense: One of the groups that organized trainings to teach Twin Cities residents to legally observe immigration enforcement actions is now offering trainings on "democracy defense". Monarca's democracy defense trainings are focused on trying to help every eligible individual vote in November's midterm elections and getting folks to start thinking about what the federal government could do to undermine election results. [The Guardian]

Soccer, food, and community: The Ethiopian Sports Federation of North America's annual soccer tournament is going on now through July 4 at TCO Stadium in Eagan. In what ESFNA spokesperson Yared Negash calls a "World Cup for Ethiopians," 32 Ethiopian teams and thousands of fans from around the country are in town for a week of competition and cultural festivities. The tournament was almost cancelled this year due to Operation Metro Surge, but Negash said protests against the operation made attendees feel welcome in Minnesota. [MPR News]

Health comes first: Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chughtai announced that she is taking one month of mental health leave to receive treatment for depression and anxiety. She said the toll from several mass shootings and ICE's occupation of the Twin Cities contributed to her decision to step away. Chughtai's office will remain open to continue serving the people of Ward 10, and she expects to return stronger and energized. [KTSP]

Wednesday, July 1

• 💚 Shrek the Musical | Stages Theatre
• 🆓 Groovin' in the Garden: Em and the Gems | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
• 🐦 Bird Puppet Parade | Arts At Large
• 🤖 Robopocalypse: The Musical! | The Cedar Cultural Center
• 🇮🇪 Late Night Irish Music | Waldmann Brewery
• 😆 MNProv Live | The Hive Collaborative
• 🎷 Mindi Abair | Dakota

Thursday, July 2

• 🆓 Firefly Nights | Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
• 👽 CONvergence: Science Fiction Convention | Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
• 🧘 Yoga in the Pines | Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter
• 📚 Once Upon a Crime Book Club | Once Upon a Crime Books
• 🎵 Super Diamond: The Neil Diamond Tribute | First Avenue
• 🆓 Prairie Potluck Band | Minnehaha Bandstand

• On-Call Roving Producer & Writer at City Cast | $34 - $45 per hour
• Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra | $125k – $145k per year
• Director of Finance at 360 Communities | $108k – $116k per year
• Executive Director at National Council of Jewish Women - Minnesota | $63k – $67k per year PT
• State Director at Best Buddies International | $85k – $105k per year