Courier Minnesota

It’s been more than 90 years since the end of Prohibition, but Minneapolis is home to many beloved back bars, lower-level lounges, and secluded spaces that feel like speakeasies in spirit. While the upper Midwest is known for a longstanding legacy of beer brewing, craft cocktail culture runs just as deep in the Twin Cities. Our coupe glass runneth over with high-concept cocktail bars serving high-class classics alongside inventive concoctions swizzled by bartender extraordinaires.

Dark-money PACs have spent $11 million backing Angie Craig in the MN Senate race. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan says that money is coming from AIPAC, the crypto industry, an AI billionaire, and health insurance companies and argues it’s no coincidence. “Because her record shows that she will support what they want.”

Trump’s war on Iran is raising gas prices. This isn’t a secret, but do you know exactly how many bananas or other grocery staples you could have bought instead? Try the online tool yourself at the Washington Post, and follow us for more news affecting Minnesotans.

Former Minnesota state Rep. Karen Clark, the first openly lesbian member of the state Legislature, died June 30 at 80. In 2013, Clark spoke on the House floor before Minnesota voted on her bill to legalize same-sex marriage, calling marriage a question of love, commitment, integrity, and full citizenship.

The Minnesota GOP put out its action agenda for the midterm election and next legislative session, and it’s pretty explicit when it comes to trans and immigrant rights, abortion access, and other priorities. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about what’s happening in Minnesota’s political world.

Minnesota DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy is calling out all three of the leading GOP candidates for governor for their individual plans to ban abortion in the state. This comes just four years after the Dobbs v. Jackson court decision overturned Roe v. Wade, ending nationwide abortion access.

Ashley Walker is Courier Minnesota’s political correspondent focused on everything that matters to Minnesotans. Lifting up stories that go unheard is why they got into journalism, and that passion is only growing. Ashley’s background is in radio, working at Minnesota News Network for three years, but they’ve dabbled in print, TV, content creation, and everything in between. A country kid who had to “go into town” for everything, now living in buzzy Minneapolis.

The 15 Minneapolis residents indicted on federal charges for being legal observers to ICE enforcement actions all pleaded not guilty today at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis. Follow us on social media as we continue to watch this case and see if it goes to trial.

Ashley Walker is Courier Minnesota’s political correspondent focused on everything that matters to Minnesotans. Lifting up stories that go unheard is why they got into journalism, and that passion is only growing. Ashley’s background is in radio, working at Minnesota News Network for three years, but they’ve dabbled in print, TV, content creation, and everything in between. A country kid who had to “go into town” for everything, now living in buzzy Minneapolis.

A new report by North Star Policy Action is confirming what everyone already knew: People are paying more to live under the Trump Administration. For Minnesotans, it’s $4.6 billion more in 2025, the first year of Trump’s return to the presidential office, compared to the previous year. With the midterm elections less than five months away, many voters are looking at their bank accounts as they consider who they’ll vote for.