2026.05.29

[lsanderson]

Australia announced it is suing 3M for more than $1 billion over contamination from PFAS “forever chemicals” used in firefighting foam at defense bases, accusing the company of withholding information about the risks posed by the foam, the Associated Press reported Thursday.  via MinnPost
https://kstp.com/ap-top-news/ap-top-news-business/australia-launches-record-1-4b-lawsuit-against-3m-over-forever-chemicals-at-defense-bases/

The Minnesota Reformer has a preview of the Minnesota Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor state conventions, which start Friday and run through Sunday. DFLers will gather in Rochester to review their platform and endorse candidates for November’s midterm elections while Republicans will head to Duluth to do the same. Via MinnPost
https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/05/28/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-dfl-gop-conventions-this-weekend/

Palestinian American artist Lamia Abdukhadra reframes Gaza’s viral images in new Minneapolis exhibit
Also this weekend: the Flint Hills Family Festival, Plymouth’s Asian Fair and an Indigenous music concert in Minneapolis
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/weekend-events-minneapolis-st-paul-gaza-hip-hop-ordway-asian-fair/

MN Shortlist May 28-June 4: August Wilson, 'Purple Rain' and 'Spirit Trees'
Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/28/mn-shortlist-penumbra-theatre-earth-rider-brewery-highpoint-center-theater-latte-da

Mayor Her hears earful from East Side residents about pollution from Northern Iron foundry
State regulators are trying to strip Northern Iron of its permit. Neighbors on St. Paul’s East Side want Mayor Kaohly Her to take their side.
by Andrew Hazzard
https://sahanjournal.com/climate-environment/mayor-kaohly-her-east-side-residents-northern-iron-foundry/

Air quality alert issued for Twin Cities for Friday afternoon, evening
MPR News Staff
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/29/air-quality-alert-minnesota-twin-cities-friday-afternoon-evening

Dust devils vs. landspouts: Twisting columns of air that confuse everyone
Mandy Thalhuber
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/28/dust-devils-vs-landspouts-twisting-columns-of-air-that-confuse-everyone

Republican mistrust in healthcare widens US health gap, study finds
Republicans increasingly avoid doctors and vaccines, widening health gaps with Democrats, researchers say
Hannah Harris Green
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/29/republican-healthcare-trust

She criticizes capitalism - and also gives investing advice: ‘It’s better to participate than working until we die’
Britany Robinson
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/29/how-to-build-wealth

Experience: we sold everything to live on cruise ships
I used to get seasick – but after taking a chance on a cruise, I fell in love with ship-living, met my future partner onboard, and gave up life on land
Jeff Knapp
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/29/experience-we-sold-everything-to-live-on-cruise-ships

Trump should come clean about his all-too-obvious decline
Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/29/trump-mental-physical-health

WHO puts Ebola outbreak death rate at ‘huge’ 30-50% as chief arrives in DRC
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls for ceasefire among armed groups to help avoid deaths from preventable disease
Rachel Savage and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/29/who-chief-tedros-adhanom-ghebreyesus-drc-ebola-outbreak-epidemic

Bright and breezy: Yotam Ottolenghi on simple summer entertaining
Summertime, and the cooking is easy – or at least it should be. This is the season to spend less time in the kitchen and more round the table. Here’s how
Yotam Ottolenghi
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/may/29/yotam-ottolenghi-simple-summer-entertaining