📃 Would you hand over MN’s voter rolls?

Election Security is Now a Partisan Issue

This election season is shaping up to be tenser than usual – not just because one party could retake control of the Legislature, but because election security is weighing heavy on local officials’ minds. The biggest threat, according to Secretary of State Steve Simon to the Star Tribune: “The federal government itself is now the potential obstacle — or even the instigator.” While federal officials usually provide election security resources to states, like classified intelligence, Simon reports that help has vanished this year. [Star Tribune]

• Legal standoff: The state and the U.S. The Department of Justice are locked in a court battle over Minnesota’s voter rolls. The DOJ has requested this information from nearly every state and sued 30, in the name of checking for voter fraud. Minnesota Republicans want the state to hand over this information. A cleverly titled 2024 University of St. Thomas study called “Needles in Haystacks: Noncitizen Voting Violations in Minnesota” reports: “There is no evidence of systematic or widespread voter fraud by noncitizens, whether intentional or accidental.” [MPR News / Brennan Center for Justice]
• Voting time: If this is all stressing you out, there’s a new way to cast your ballot early. Early voting starts this year, and it’s the same process as showing up to your polling place except, well, early. That starts July 24, and you can find locations that offer early voting here. Or, you can turn in a primary absentee ballot via mail or in-person right now. [CBS Minnesota]

Trash wars: The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy is suing Hennepin County over its garbage incinerator, aka the HERC. The center alleges the county has failed to manage the toxicity of the incinerator ash. The county maintains the ash does not exceed legal levels for pollutants. [Star Tribune]

Francophone fare: The Harrison neighborhood is getting extra French, Justine Jones reports. Marc Heu Patisserie Paris is getting a third location at Alliance Française this summer. The space is unfortunately too small for the desserts you’d expect at the patisserie, so go for the pastries and savory treats. [MSP Mag]

Dancing with Carla: We’re spotlighting artist Carla Rodriguez, aka Blkk Hand for the residue left behind from handling silver nitrate. Rodriguez is known for her tintype photography; starkly contrasted gray photos imprinted on metal. Listen to Rodriguez talk about her favorite hidden gem and where to get arepas. [🎥 City Cast Twin Cities]

Insider’s guide: We wrapped up a month in Northeast Minneapolis with a brand spanking new neighborhood guide to show for it. Hear straight from neighbors about everything from best counter-service restaurants to grocery stores. Yes, we do take constructive criticism if your favorite wasn’t included. [City Cast Twin Cities]

Miracles wanted: The Diocese of Duluth is petitioning the Vatican for Minnesota’s first saint. Monsignor Joseph Buh, who died in 1922, could be the twelfth saint from the United States. Buh was a Slovenian immigrant, newspaper editor, and apostle to the Indigenous people of Northern Minnesota. The diocese is seeking people whose prayers to the monsignor were answered to include as part of their case. “Please get back to us and let us know, so that we can make that as part of the process,” Rev. Richard Kunst said. [Pioneer Press]

Thursday, July 9

• 🎹 BZ3 Organ Trio: Album Release Show | Dakota
• 🆓 Cole Diamond | Animales BBQ Co.
• 🎬 Goodfellas | The Parkway Theater
• 💃 North Star Nerdlesque Festival Opening Spectacular | Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• 🆓 Lowertown Sounds: Ashley Dubose and Mae Simpson | Mears Park
• 🆓 Brewed Comedy: Standup Comedy | Dual Citizen Brewing Co.

Friday, July 10

• 🎤 Nur-D | Dakota
• 🆓 The Belfast Cowboys | Lake Harriet Bandshell
• 🎵 Death Cab for Cutie | Armory
• 🤖 Trader Joe's vs. Aldi Rave | First Avenue
• 🎬 Willow | Walker Art Center
• 🆓 Roller Disco in Rice Park | Rice Park
• 🆓 Sunset Sounds: Eli Gardiner | Dual Citizen Brewing Co.
• 🆓 Fanfiction Read-A-Loud | Black Garnet Books

• Humanities Officer at Minnesota Humanities Center | $65k – $75k per year
• American Indian Education Aid Specialist at Minnesota Department of Education | $54k – $78k per year
• Public Relations & Communications Manager at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts | $58k – $65k per year
• Parks and Trails Area Supervisor at MN Department of Natural Resources | $78k – $113k per year
• Community Engagement Manager at American Public Media | $85k – $105k per year