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| |  | You might see federal election monitors at the polls in 11 days. You're not required to talk to them. (Tim Evans / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Things Aren't Going Smoothly | I don't think anyone expected tensions between the federal government and Minnesota to disappear overnight, but several stories this week offer a reminder of just how fraught the situation remains. | - Take backsies: The Department of Justice, which initially blocked local investigators from accessing evidence in the shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti before agreeing to share it in July, has reversed course yet again. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen told her cooperation would be paused “indefinitely” because of “challenges with D.C.” [Star Tribune]
- Silence! After filing an ethics complaint against nearly every federal district judge in Minnesota over statements made during Operation Metro Surge, Associate U.S. Attorney General Stanley Woodard Jr. filed motions seeking to remove Judges Patrick Schiltz and John Tunheim from two immigration cases. A University of St. Thomas law professor suggested the move is meant “to send a message to every other federal judge” who may make statements that are critical of the Justice Department. [MPR News / Politico]
- Keeping a close eye: The DOJ announced its intention to send election monitors to both Hennepin County and Ramsey County as a part of "the largest monitoring effort" in the department's history. Federal election monitors routinely observe elections, but many experts say the Trump administration could weaponize false claims of election fraud to interfere with the midterms. Anyway, early voting is open now. [NPR]
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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| A call for more time: The St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Mayor's office to give at least 60 days’ notice before any clearing of a homeless encampment, install a tent staffed with resource providers at an encampment prior to clearing, and take steps toward providing more low-barrier housing. Mayor Kaohly Her said she would consider the council's requests, and officials say Her will likely delay the next encampment clearing until after Dec. 1. [Pioneer Press] | | Documentary at home: A MONTH IN MINNESOTA, a 39-minute documentary about life in the Twin Cities during ICE's occupation, has sold out of all of its showtimes during the Twin Cities Film Festival. The film is still available to stream at home today and tomorrow with a $10 streaming ticket from TCFF. We asked the director Annie Sundberg which story from the film has stayed with her the longest. She said, “Nora’s, who is navigating a broken family in the wake of her husband's detainment. The collateral damage from ICE this winter is enormous. The psychological impact of fear that changed how people feel and see themselves in their communities is one of the hardest to overcome.” [Twin Cities Film Festival] | | "In limbo": After city leaders elected to award Minneapolis' behavioral crisis response team contract to a new vendor, the City Council voted to reject the contract in favor of continuing with the current vendor, Canopy Roots. Mayor Frey is expected to veto the council's vote, which would leave the city with no provider for its 24/7 mental health crisis response program. Frey says he's hopeful they can come to an agreement on a path forward. [Star Tribune] | | | Not safe: Following the raid of her Washington, D.C. home by Homeland Security Investigations agents, Rep. Ilhan Omar said she will have to move. Omar noted that with the number of death threats she receives, it's not feasible to live there now that her address has been made public. Border czar Tom Homan said the federal government has a "strong case" to deport her, but Rep. Omar told MS NOW she's confident she will be just fine. [Star Tribune] | | Last debate: Minnesota gubernatorial hopefuls Sen. Amy Klobuchar and House Speaker Lisa Demuth faced off in their final debate before the election, and both candidates were on the attack. Read Michelle Griffith's excellent summary in the Minnesota Reformer, and watch the full debate on YouTube. [Minnesota Reformer / FOX 9] | | Neighborly disputes: Do you ever have any issues with neighbor etiquette? Maybe the folks next door really like being naked with the blinds open, or the house behind you loves to leave their trash cans blocking the alleyway. On an upcoming episode of the Your City Could Be Better podcast, City Cast hosts from across the country will give advice on your pressing pet peeves. Submit your city etiquette conundrum by Nov. 2, and it may be answered on the episode. [City Cast] |
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 | Archie is a hat guy now. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Our Friday Floof this week is my sweet doggy Archie, definitely wearing his Neighbor hat in real life, because he supports local journalism. You probably won't look as cute as him in the hat, but you can become a Neighbor today and give it your best shot. |
| — Adam | Anna Weggel and Sean McPherson edited the City Cast Twin Cities newsletter this week. Feedback? Email twincities@citycast.fm. |
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