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The Voting Rights Act has taken two devastating blows. What comes next?
Kristen Clarke, the NAACP’s top lawyer, says the country needs to have an “honest conversation” about how to protect the rights of Black voters amid the weakening of the Voting Rights Act.
By Amanda Becker, The 19th
https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2026/10/the-voting-rights-act-has-taken-two-devastating-blows-what-comes-next/

In 2024, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law that prohibited schools and libraries from banning books. This year, North Woods School in Cook, Minn., banned 80 — more than all public schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota combined — and landed the state fifth on PEN America’s banned book report. St. Louis County Schools Superintendent Brian Masterson argued that the books were not banned, just removed from the shelves after complaints from parents. (The American Library Association defines a book ban as the removal of a book from the shelves in response to a complaint from a person or a group.) Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/banned-books-minnesota-school-north-woods/601898240?utm_source=gift ( Read more... )

Secretary of State Steve Simon: Minnesota will be ready with ‘war room mentality’ on Election Day
In an interview at Saturday’s MinnPost Festival, the state’s top election official described preparations for responding to Election Day threats or misinformation.
by Brian Martucci
https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2026/10/secretary-of-state-steve-simon-minnesota-will-be-ready-with-war-room-mentality-on-election-day/

Federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home as part of a criminal investigation, AP sources say
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal agents have searched Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home as part of a criminal investigation. That’s according to people familiar with the matter.
by Alanna Durkin Richer, AP
https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2026/10/federal-agents-search-rep-ilhan-omars-home-as-part-of-a-criminal-investigation-ap-sources-say/ ( Read more... )

D.C. Memo: High court won’t hear Native American adoption case
A Minnesota couple had challenged laws that prioritize tribes in Native American adoptions. Plus: GOP lawmakers say Minnesota’s voting system is rife with fraud, with little evidence; campaign coverage from this week; and more.
by Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/dc-memo/2026/10/d-c-memo-high-court-wont-hear-native-american-adoption-case/

Minneapolis expects to fund up to 700 rental vouchers. Here’s how to enter the waitlist lottery
Residents can apply Oct. 13-15 to join the waitlist for a state-funded Bring It Home voucher, which will help shrink the wait for the Section 8 program.
by Katrina Pross
https://sahanjournal.com/housing/minnesota-bring-it-home-housing-voucher-waitlist-minneapolis/ ( Read more... )

Did Lisa Demuth sign a letter in support of Kristi Noem and ICE during Operation Metro Surge?
Noem led the Department of Homeland Security during last winter’s surge but was later fired by President Trump.
by Brian Arola
https://www.minnpost.com/fact-briefs/2026/10/did-lisa-demuth-sign-a-letter-in-support-of-kristi-noem-and-ice-during-operation-metro-surge/

Underdog Trina Swanson eyes Rep. Pete Stauber’s seat in a race that’s coming into focus
While Democrats running for the U.S. House have an advantage this year, Stauber has positioned himself well in the Iron Range district.
by Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2026/10/underdog-trina-swanson-eyes-rep-pete-stauber-seat-in-a-race-thats-coming-into-focus/ ( Read more... )

One simple solution to St. Paul’s budget woes
Free or nearly-free parking is a nice-to-have in St. Paul, but when the city is in the hole, it’s time to rethink old policies.
by Bill Lindeke
https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2026/10/one-simple-solution-to-st-paul-budget-woes-parking/

As the world moves forward, U.S. retreats on climate change
There’s greater than 90% confidence that the 2026-27 El Niño will become the strongest recorded weather event since 1950.
By Rachel Hall Beecroft
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2026/10/as-the-world-moves-forward-u-s-retreats-on-climate-change/ ( Read more... )

Pennsylvania health officials brace themselves as measles outbreak expected to spread
Most counties don’t have their own health agencies, and some specific population groups have low vaccination rates
Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/04/pennsylvania-health-officials-measles-outbreak

Brazil goes to polls in decisive election for future of Latin America
Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro face off in battle between leftwing incumbent and far-right son of jailed ex-president
Tiago Rogero in Rio de Janeiro
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/04/brazil-presidential-election-lula-flavio-bolsonaro ( Read more... )

Republicans: Demuth is nice to her staff. Does that matter to voters? Plus, Ellison’s record on fraud.
by Matthew Blake
https://www.minnpost.com/newsletter/republicans-demuth-is-nice-to-her-staff-does-that-matter-to-voters-plus-ellisons-record-on-fraud/

After 74 investigation, Minnesota senators seek law regulating autism therapy
Lawmakers target private-equity firms that are turning huge profits by providing applied behavior analysis to children as young as 2.
By Beth Hawkins, The 74
https://www.minnpost.com/education/2026/10/after-74-investigation-minnesota-senators-seek-law-regulating-autism-therapy/ ( Read more... )

Crypto ATM scams have wreaked havoc in Wisconsin. A new law is helping change that, but did it go far enough?
Wisconsin opted not to ban the kiosks like some states, but police and regulators say the restrictions are already having a positive effect.
By Jacob Szczap, Wisconsin Watch
https://www.minnpost.com/public-safety/2026/09/crypto-atm-scams-have-wreaked-havoc-in-wisconsin-a-new-law-is-helping-change-that-but-did-it-go-far-enough/

Artscape on the road: Visiting artist Andy DuCett’s homage to Winona
The Minneapolis-based artist’s love for the city comes through in ‘Home(town),’ now featured at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.
by Sheila Regan
https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2026/09/artscape-on-the-road-visiting-artist-andy-ducetts-homage-to-winona/ ( Read more... )

Pearson's Candy Company shuts down St. Paul factory for good
Ahmed Hassan St. Paul
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/28/pearsons-candy-company-shuts-down-st-paul-factory

Twin Cities snowplow drivers get some early practice for winter roads
Matt Mikus St. Paul
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/28/snowplow-drivers-in-the-twin-cities-ready-themselves-for-winter-roads
Now if only they'd run the street designers through the same course... ( Read more... )

What to know about COVID-19 and flu vaccines in Minnesota this fall
Erica Zurek
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/25/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-covid19-and-flu-vaccines-in-minnesota-this-fall

A 'Monarch Highway' in the central U.S. stalled. But states are still planting butterfly rest stops
By Rachel Cramer | Harvest Public Media
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/26/a-monarch-highway-in-the-central-us-stalled-but-states-are-planting-rest-stops ( Read more... )