Dear John,

We come to you in today’s digest with a wide range of stories from the municipal to the global — examining Twin Cities labor news, local government updates, and big victories beyond Minnesota that offer hope for our collective future.

We’re keeping a close eye on the effects of creeping fascism, including a militarized takeover of DC, a proudly Christian nationalist executive branch, and US-sponsored assassinations of journalists.

We’re also reminded of the joy and power in small community initiatives — our last two stories highlight two rad Minneapolis couples doing their part for people and planet.

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

Union news recap
News from the labor front this past week includes the cancellation of all union contracts by the VA, a deeply troubling result of the Trump administration’s continued hostility toward the working class. In Minnesota, Saint Paul teachers reached a tentative agreement with the district, state employees approved a new contract, UMN teamsters voted to strike, and Minneapolis teachers continue to fight for their demands.
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Frey announces 2026 budget proposal
Mayor Frey released his 2026 Minneapolis budget proposal on Wednesday, which includes a 7.8% increase in the property tax levy, cuts to community events like Open Streets, and an end to “double-time” overtime pay for MPD (a policy that was already set to expire at the end of the year alongside the current police union contract). Councilmembers criticized Frey for failing to meet with them one-on-one to discuss budget priorities as he’s done in previous years, as well as for a proposal to move funds from the Council-approved emergency housing voucher program to the Stable Homes Stable Schools program.
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Trump takes over DC police and deploys National Guard
In the latest iteration of his authoritarian takeover, Trump seized control of the DC police and deployed around 800 National Guard troops to aid them in what he referred to as a “crime emergency.” The city’s unhoused population has already begun to feel the effects, and Trump indicated that this is likely a test case for other major Democratic-led cities.
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Xp Lee wins special election primary
Former Brooklyn Park City Councilor Xp Lee won the DFL special primary election on Tuesday to fill late Rep. Melissa Hortman’s house seat in District 34B. Lee will face off against Republican candidate Ruth Bittner in the general election on Sep. 16, and is projected to win the solidly blue district.
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Israel murders six journalists in targeted assassination
An Israeli airstrike killed one of the most prominent Palestinian journalists, Anas al-Sharif, and five of his Al Jazeera colleagues in what they’ve admitted was a targeted assassination against al-Sharif. Israel has now killed 238 journalists in Gaza.
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Maryland PDAB takes critical first step in drug affordability
The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board ruled that two drugs for type-2 diabetes are unaffordable, which positions them to be the first PDAB in the nation to implement upper payment limits on the drugs. TakeAction led the campaign to pass legislation to establish Minnesota’s PDAB in 2023 and now we’re looking to examples like Maryland for how the PDAB can act as powerfully as possible to ensure our drugs are affordable.
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Zohran and others might be the answer to Trump
A new report from the Center for Working-Class Politics and Jacobin magazine confirms what working folks have always known — the answer to Democratic losses is to focus on economic populism.
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A deep dive into one of Minnesota’s worst
Behind the Bastards did a fantastic two-part episode series last week on Minnesota-born Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his terrifying 2020 book that’s looking more and more like a daily playbook for Christofascism in America. Hegseth has also been in the news recently for appearing to support the repeal of the 19th Amendment. 🙃
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Turn your lawn into an urban farm
Are you a South Minneapolis resident who loves grassroots but hates grass lawns? The Black Radish, an urban farming project and CSA founded by two local artists to combat food insecurity and wasted land, might just be for you.
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A climate-conscious cup of Joe
A Minneapolis-based company, Coffeewomple, is gaining national recognition for being among the first in the country to utilize commercial-scale electric coffee roasting technology. We love to see it!
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And that’s a wrap!

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

Until next time,

Charlie Bartlett
TakeAction Member



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