The Step Up Paradox: Minneapolis’ Premier Youth Internship Program Faces Declining Participation Amidst Critical Workforce Needs
MINNEAPOLIS — Jordan Dotson’s daily commute in 2019 was a testament to her ambition. A standout student at Minneapolis South High School, Dotson traveled from her working-class neighborhood on the North Side, navigating two city buses each way to…
The Pulse Returns: Target’s Mandate and the Revitalization of Downtown Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — For years, the Monday morning rhythm at Corner Coffee in downtown Minneapolis was defined by a quiet, steady trickle of local residents and the occasional remote worker. But as September 2025 began, that rhythm underwent a jarring, albeit…
The Sun Sets on a Civic Titan: The Rise and Dissolution of the Itasca Project
For over two decades, the Itasca Project served as the quiet, influential engine behind some of Minnesota’s most significant regional policy shifts. Comprised of a heavy-hitting alliance of CEOs, philanthropic leaders, and public sector officials, the…
The Invisible Landlords: Minnesota’s Legislative Battle Over Private Equity in Eldercare
In the quiet corridors of Minnesota’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities, a fundamental shift in ownership is underway—one that many residents and their families may not even realize is happening. At the heart of this shift is the rise of…
From Weeds to Wonders: The Commercial and Ecological Renaissance of Native Plants
In the humid, glass-enclosed microclimate of the Kilbourn Park greenhouse on Chicago’s north side, a quiet revolution has been taking root for years. What began as a niche interest for dedicated conservationists has blossomed into a full-scale…
Minnesota’s Cannabis Frontier: Inside the High-Stakes Rollout of a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
MINNEAPOLIS — At the bustling intersection of West 25th Street and South Lyndale Avenue, the air often carries the faint, sweet scent of flavored vapor and tobacco. Here, the Loon Smoke Shop has long served as a neighborhood anchor, a place where…
Jurisdictional Defiance: Albert Lea City Council Rejects State-Mandated Cannabis License
ALBERT LEA, MN — In a move that legal experts and city officials warn could trigger a costly and uphill judicial battle, the Albert Lea City Council has voted to deny a business registration for the city’s first licensed cannabis dispensary. The 4-3…
The Silicon Prairie of Power: How Minnesota Became a Global Hub for Microgrid Innovation
In the skyline of Bloomington, Minnesota, just northeast of the busy I-494 and Highway 100 interchange, stands a building that looks less like a corporate office and more like a piece of high-tech sculpture. With its red-and-blue accents and sharp…
Stability in the North Star State: Eric Taubel Appointed Permanent Director of Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management
ST. PAUL, MN — In a move aimed at solidifying the leadership of Minnesota’s burgeoning marijuana industry, Governor Tim Walz officially announced on Wednesday that Eric Taubel will serve as the permanent executive director of the Office of Cannabis…
Bridging the Opportunity Gap: The Critical Role of Minneapolis Step Up in a Shifting Economic Landscape
Main Facts: A Success Story Under Pressure In the competitive corporate environment of a Fortune 500 company, the transition from a working-class neighborhood to a management role is often portrayed as a matter of individual grit. However, for Jordan…
