🚴 Don’t door me

Minnesota Schools Lost 1,700 Students After Operation Metro Surge

A Sahan Journal analysis of enrollment data at 29 Minnesota school districts and charter schools with a high concentration of English language learners revealed a dramatic drop-off of at least 1,700 students in March 2026 compared to October 2025. Those same districts and schools only saw an enrollment decrease of fewer than 80 students during the previous school year. [Sahan Journal]

• Where did they go? St. Paul bilingual education assistant José Pecina Galvan said some students moved to another state or city, some returned to their home countries, and there were some students whom he simply couldn't get in touch with. Fridley Superintendent Brenda Lewis said students "literally disappeared" in an "unprecedented manner." [Sahan Journal]
• Funding impacts: With the decline of English learners in St. Paul Public Schools, the school board voted to cut 16.3 English language teacher positions. With fewer English learners enrolled, the district is not obligated to employ as many teachers per the union contract. Mara Solis, an elementary school teacher in St. Paul, said the positions being cut will further affect students who were impacted by Metro Surge. [Sahan Journal]

Crop art controversy: At the request of the artist, State Fair staff removed a piece of crop art that spells out “8647” on Sunday. The artwork drew right-wing backlash after it was posted by Alpha News, and the artist has reportedly received death threats and even had to leave the state. Restaurant workers know “86” is code for getting rid of a menu item or removing an unruly customer, and, well, President Trump is the 47th president. [Star Tribune]

Bragging rights: New Brighton took home the trophy for having the tastiest tap water in Minnesota. Fairgoers crowned the city in an informal tap water tasting contest at the State Fair’s Eco Experience building. Whether your faucet water tastes bad or looks funky, you can rest assured because 99% of the state’s public water systems comply with the federal law. [MinnPost]

Midway’s comeback: The desolate former site of Herberger’s is one step closer to becoming an indoor adventure park. The St. Paul Planning Commission enthusiastically approved zoning modifications for LuLuLand Adventure Park, which will span two floors and feature trampolines, obstacle courses, and ziplines. [Pioneer Press]

Headed back to Phalen: When executing a search warrant in response to a shots-fired call, St. Paul police found multiple firearms and … the stolen statue of gymnast Suni Lee's head. Plans are underway to reinstall the statue at Phalen Regional Park. [Pioneer Press]

No charges: Federal prosecutors announced last week they will not charge ICE agent Christian Castro for the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in North Minneapolis, though Castro is still wanted in Minnesota. The decision came just before Castro was released from a Texas jail. Castro is currently suspended without pay, and the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office is investigating whether to bring charges against him for lying under oath. [MPR News]

• Detainee Rights Project Lead at Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota | $72,810 per year
• Compensation and Labor Relations Specialist at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity | $72k–$80k per year
• Arborist at Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board | $24.93–$37.36 per hour
• Greater Minnesota Urban Transit Coordinator at Minnesota Department of Transportation | $76k–$113k per year