Minnesota’s news landscape this week is marked by a blend of significant policy action, community change, and spirited debate. According to the Minnesota News Network, one of the state’s top headlines features Scott Jensen, a leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, prioritizing workforce development through the trades, emphasizing the need for more plumbers, carpenters, and electricians to support small businesses rather than relying solely on college graduates. Public safety also remains pressing, with Cass County deputies arresting a suspect in a business lot shooting in Cass Lake, and Becker County authorities investigating a drive-by shooting near Osage, though thankfully no injuries have been reported.

The Minnesota Legislature continues to make headlines as it navigates a complex budget environment. Lawmakers reached a major deal in May to address an anticipated deficit, agreeing to roughly five billion dollars in spending cuts, including controversial changes such as removing coverage for undocumented adults under MinnesotaCare. The health budget narrowly passed in a special session, with some Democratic lawmakers voicing dissent over the cut. Other enacted measures include additional funding for school worker unemployment, reforms to DWI law, and the defunding of the Northern Lights Express rail project. Legislators are also considering new bans on cell phone use in K-12 schools and restrictions affecting transgender inmates in state women’s prisons, while a highly watched bill aims to add a social media sales and use tax. Local governments are also making decisions about infrastructure, such as improvements to Minnetonka’s fire department and the final phase of the Wayzata lakefront project.

Economic concerns are at the forefront as Minnesota Chamber of Commerce leaders warn of slowing productivity and labor force growth. The state now ranks in the lower half nationally for GDP growth, job creation, and household income. To address these trends, the Chamber is launching a major initiative to grow per capita GDP, expand the labor force, and boost net migration. The paid leave law set to take effect in January is fueling ongoing discussion, and recent business developments include the twelve-million-dollar sale of the Prior Works mixed-use campus in St. Paul. Rural business support continues, with the Department of Agriculture urging farmers affected by the Hansen-Mueller Company’s bankruptcy to submit claims, and Cook County’s fund aiding local entrepreneurs.

Schools saw a busy November, as seventy-nine districts put ninety-six funding questions to voters. Districts in Wayzata, Badger, Cook County, and more approved major building bonds and levies to support classroom improvements, safety upgrades, and new facilities. Wayzata in particular is planning a four-hundred-sixty-five-million-dollar building plan to accommodate future enrollment growth and modernize spaces. At the University of Minnesota, the Carlson School’s forty-million-dollar building modernization project, funded entirely by philanthropy, is progressing toward completion next fall, advancing experiential learning and business analytics capabilities for students.

On Minnesota’s infrastructure front, the Department of Transportation completed a multi-year upgrade of Interstate 35 in Hinckley, including bridge replacements and highway resurfacing. This follows new freight rail grants aimed at boosting economic development. Broadband expansion is ongoing, with the Office of Broadband Development rolling out a third round of line extension grants to reach over a thousand previously unserved locations by the end of next month.

Public safety updates this week include protests surrounding new digital survey technology used by Minneapolis police, with advocates concerned about possible surveillance risks ahead of the city’s budget hearing. Tragedy struck near Elizabeth, where an 84-year-old man died...