U of M workers picket around the state

The Minnesota Star Tribune is publishing live updates on striking University of Minnesota service workers. More than 1,400 Teamsters — including custodial, maintenance, food service and sanitation workers — are on strike, and hundreds are picketing at of U of M campuses across Minnesota. This is the union’s first strike since its creation in the 1970s.

Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea is suing the city for blocking the registration of his recreational-cannabis dispensary in late July, MPR News reports. “The lawsuit was filed Monday and alleges the city’s rejection was based ‘purely on politics — specifically, members’ policy disagreements with Minnesota law.’ It also cites comments made by city council members disagreeing with state cannabis statutes.” MinnPost profiled Schlichter’s efforts back in July.

Gov. Walz made it pretty clear on Tuesday that he will run for a third term. “In his speech at the Iron Ranger bar in St. Paul, Walz said something to the effect of ‘you’re all here making contributions, and you probably know I’m not going to run off to Mexico with your money, so look out for an announcement,’ according to a source who attended the fundraiser and whose account was confirmed by another person there,” Minnesota Reformer Reports.  

Experts are warning that Minnesota tourism might take a hit due to “increased economic uncertainty and down-trending consumer sentiments in response to federal policy.” As the St. Cloud Times reports, Minnesota’s international visitation increased by 8% year-over-year to roughly 614,000 arrivals in 2024, but “that figure is expected to drop 13% to about 532,000 in 2025.”

And St. Paul Brass Foundry has reached a settlement with the EPA over pollution violations. “The agreement requires St. Paul Brass Foundry to reduce its smog and lead pollution, but does not include a financial penalty, according to the EPA,” Sahan Journal reports. “'[The EPA are] not the ones who are impacted,’” Danielle Swift, a community organizer with Frogtown Neighborhood Association, told Sahan. “’Maybe they would feel differently if it was in their backyard.’”

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