Dear John,

Now that an incredible legislative session is over, summer in Minnesota feels like it’s officially descending upon us. For me (Jessica), this means it’s finally time to catch up on a bunch of reading – next to one of Minnesota’s beautiful bodies of water, of course.

Today, we’re excited to share with you a round-up of this week’s news. In the next few weeks, stay tuned for some extra special editions of the News Digest. We’ll be curating special summer reading digests with articles, books, podcasts, and music for your reading (and listening) pleasure. 

Speaking of – what are you excited to catch up on this summer? What’s on your summer reading list or playlist? Send us a message with your best recommendations!

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. Historic... and wild

You’ve probably seen photos of the historic Trump indictment circulating news and social media. The images include stacks of bankers boxes and images of coveted documents in Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence… including his decked out bathroom.

2. Air quality before the EPA

Nearly the entire country faced toxic air quality this week from wildfire smoke. Check out these photos from the 1970s that were commissioned to document air quality and pollution before the EPA started implementing air quality regulations.

3. Win for water

Federal regulators revoked the NorthMet nickel mine wetland permit. Read more in the Star Tribune about how the mine plan would violate water standards set by the downstream Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

4. Rochester nurses

A recent Minnesota Nurses Association report discusses the workload, stress, burnout, and violence that has caused so many to leave nursing, particularly in absence of addressing staffing levels. "I think we need to promote a culture of bedside nursing," [nurse] Hansen said to the Rochester Bulletin, "and there needs to be respect for it."

5. Unions and workers supporting Cop City protestors

Workers are acting in solidarity with the movement to Stop Cop City in Atlanta and against the criminalization of Cop City protestors. Some union leaders say the fight to stop Cop City has significant stakes for the labor movement as a whole. ​“Working people always have to be wary of any repression against protesters, because there is a history in our country that once it’s used against anyone protesting government policies, it can be turned against workers in their union,” said Carl Rosen, the general president of United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America.

6. A win for democracy!

SCOTUS has had a busy week, and we were relieved to hear the justices rule to uphold the Voting Rights Act. Read about how the ruling will affect the 2024 elections and beyond, impacting multiple cases challenging racial gerrymandering schemes.

Also check out this Vox article profiling Justice Ketanji Jackson Brown’s first major opinion protecting access to Medicaid.

7. Renters in Vienna

Vienna is a social housing paradise. Check out this New York Times feature on the renters’ utopia.

8. Sick days for all

Bon Appetit magazine breaks down the new CDC report claiming it’s not corner-cutting chefs or contaminated produce that perpetuate food borne illnesses – it’s restaurant workers having to show up to work sick.

Shout-out to winning paid sick days statewide in Minnesota, which go into effect starting January 2024!

9. Decriminalize drug possession

As too many of us painfully know, criminalization has not stopped the overdose crisis. This Newsweek Op-Ed argues why it’s time to prioritize investment in harm reduction and public health.

10. We Are On Dakota Land

Check out this gorgeous We Are On Dakota Land bus designed for Metro Transit by Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee artist, Marlena Myles.

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching, and listening to.

Until next time,

Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director

Jessica Zimmerman (she/her)
Development Director