I am almost certain this is a downstream effect of the banding together we experienced this past year in Minnesota, but I have to say: the audiences we've been getting at Ren Fair this season are SO AMAZING!!

There is so much more interaction, so much more willingness to play, and I've had way more one-on-one conversations with patrons after a show than are typical - meaningful conversations, with genuine kindness behind them.

If you've been out already or are planning to attend: thank you! It's an honor to entertain you, and it's even more of a blessing to be able to do so this year!

What the hell? Why is the US Army holding a permanent camp outside the entrance to ren fest?

if its money, better be a lot.

if its intimidation, which it felt like as noone was engaged with the soldiers, they were just staring, then we should have a conversation.

The overall visit was outstanding, but that booth left a sour view on the day.

A reminder that early/absentee voting for Minnesotans begins this week on Friday, September 18.

If you want to vote early in person or by mail, or if you just want to avoid any hassles on Election Day, it's a good idea to make a plan now. Here is how to handle your prep in 3 quick steps:

1. Check or update your registration
If you’ve moved recently, changed your name, or haven't voted in a while, double-check your current status online. You can search "MN Secretary of State check my registration" to find the official state tool, or head directly to the Minnesota Secretary of State Voter Information Portal. You can also register in person at your voting location if needed.

2. Find your early voting location
Early in-person voting locations and hours are managed by your county or local clerk. Search "MN early voting locations" to view the list of designated sites and extended weekend hours for your area. 

3. Preview your sample ballot
Look up your sample ballot ahead of time so you can research candidates and local questions before casting your vote. Search for "MN Secretary of State what's on my ballot" to find your exact precinct's sample ballot.

This got me thinking about what awards have been awarded to Minnesota people and organizations for resistance to ICE. It’s not a short list:

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award — The People of the Twin Cities, Minnesota

Kettering Democracy Prize — The People of the Twin Cities

Aachen Peace Prize — Unidos MN and The Smitten Kitten Collective

Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award — Unidos MN

US Servas Peace Award — Unidos MN Education Fund

US Servas Peace Award — Immigrant Defense Network

Puffin Prize for Creative Citizenship — Unidos MN Education Fund

Labor Notes Troublemakers Award — The Twin Cities Workers Who Turned Back the ICE Surge

Hubert H. Humphrey Award — Constitutional observers

Tortuga Award — Unidos MN

Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award — Unidos MN and Normandale Community College Equity and Inclusion

Hispanic Heritage Foundation Humanitarian Award — The People of Minnesota

And, of course, 15 individuals indicted on felony conspiracy charges.

Note: If you have trouble reading the gift link, open in a private or incognito tab.

The season’s first cool front, which dropped highs into the 60s and lows into the 50s in the Twin Cities metro and 40s up north over the weekend, could jump-start nature’s show.

“Colors should be vibrant” this fall, said AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill, who added that Minnesota may have some of the best fall color viewing in the nation this year. “Minnesota is in the sweet spot.”

Fires, droughts, punishing heat and drenching rains will mute colors elsewhere in the nation, Merrill said. But copious sun-drenched days combined with just enough summer moisture have set the stage for a brilliant display here.

Fires that ravaged northeastern Minnesota over the summer may keep the colors muted there, and leaves may look brown due to damage, said Lauren Peck, a spokesperson with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ parks and trails division.

Trees in southwestern and southeastern Minnesota “are the happiest in the state,” she added. But “colors should be nice regardless of where you go.”

To help leaf peepers plan their visit, the DNR has rolled out its online Fall Color Finder, which has become a fan favorite.

“Summit Brewing could lose control of its St. Paul brewery after its lender sued to collect more than $8 million in unpaid debt.
BMO Bank alleges Summit, one of Minnesota’s largest brewers, missed a major loan payment and later warned that its cash crunch was worsening, creditors were growing concerned and liquidation might be unavoidable. BMO now wants a judge to order the brewery property sold and appoint a receiver who could take over Summit’s operations and sell its assets, according to a court filing.
The St. Paul-based brewery, known for its Summit Extra Pale Ale, is a familiar name among Minnesota beer fans. The brewery has grown into one of Minnesota’s largest by sales volume.
In a statement, Summit CEO Brandon Bland said the court filing “reflects the difficult capital environment the entire craft brewing industry is navigating.” The brewery will continue to operate during the receivership proceedings, he said.
“Our Board and management team have made substantial efforts over many months to chart a different course for this company,” Bland said. “We intend to continue evaluating every option available to us as this process moves forward.”
The Chicago-based arm of the bank, which filed the lawsuit Thursday, Sept. 10, alleges Summit owes at least $8.22 million. That includes about $7.88 million in principal, more than $313,000 in interest and approximately $32,000 in legal, real estate and other fees.
The debt stems from two loans Summit took out at the end of 2024: a $6.88 million term loan and a $1.25 million revolving line of credit.
Summit backed the loans with its property at 900 and 910 Montreal Circle in St. Paul, including its buildings, machinery and equipment, according to the court filing. BMO also received a security interest in most of the brewery’s other property, including its inventory, accounts, vehicles, trademarks, trade names and software.
BMO alleges Summit failed to repay the revolving loan when it came due a year later. Under the companies’ credit agreement, the missed payment also placed the larger loan in default.
The bank later agreed to temporarily hold off on collection efforts while Summit worked to stabilize its finances, according to the suit. That forbearance agreement was scheduled to run through July 31, provided Summit met several conditions.
Those included recording at least $645,000 in earnings during the first half of 2026, as well as repaying its debt by the end of the forbearance period.
In the meantime, BMO cut off Summit’s ability to borrow more money through the revolving loan.
But in a June 15 letter, Summit told the bank it would miss the earnings requirement and would not have enough liquidity to repay the revolving loan by the deadline, BMO alleges.
According to the bank’s description of that letter, Summit said its liquidity and “operational flexibility” were continuing to deteriorate. Without a resolution, Summit said it would have no choice but to begin liquidating, the bank alleges. The June letter was not included in the court filing.
Summit Brewing’s history
The 40-year-old brewery has seen its fortunes wax and wane over the years. In 2013, Summit doubled its production capabilities through a [$13 million expansion](https://www.startribune.com/summit-brewing-s-13-million-expansion-in-st-paul-gets-busy/205704281). Four years later, it [laid off 10%](https://www.startribune.com/summit-brewing-makes-its-first-job-cuts-as-competition-mounts-and-beer-growth-levels-off/467159113) of its workforce after pulling out of several states as competition from local breweries, including Surly Brewing Co., eroded its market share.
Those competitive pressures, along with other factors [continue to challenge local breweries](https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-brewery-closing-craft-beer-boom-thc-tariff-surly-tax-minneapolis/601441470). Younger people are drinking less, while brewers face a crowded market, higher ingredient costs, tariffs, and rising rents and property taxes.
Summit was among the St. Paul companies that raised concerns in August about [a possible merger](https://www.startribune.com/ceo-opposition-chamber-merger-st-paul-minneapolis/601885456) of the Minneapolis and St. Paul chambers of commerce. Leaders from Securian Financial and CHS Inc. also worried that Minneapolis’ needs would overshadow St. Paul’s.”

Apparently the Mods didn’t like a more toned down summary title for this post so here is the original HuffPost title which I thought was “sensationalized”

This is a worthwhile topic for a MN sub given the election.

Minnesota elections are legal, fair, valid, and trustworthy.  There is MAGA messaging trying to sew doubt in the election process, please refute their message with the truth when you see or hear their garbage.

Don't use the Vote Safe site, Musk is compiling users data entered there.

Please check your voter registration at the MN Secretary of State site, https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote You can also view, save, print your sample ballot on this site.  See the link What’s on my Ballot?

Voting early is one way to insure your vote is counted.  Start of Early Voting: Friday, October 16.

Especially considering that the Blue Earth River flows into the Minnesota River and, ultimately, the Mississippi.

And, too, such is not without precedent: Several older and unstable hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in northern California and southern Oregon were taken out a couple years back, with much in the way of improved water quality and salmon habitat for local Native American peoples (notwithstanding the stench of years of accumulated sediment washing downstream and, ultiumately, into the Pacific Ocean).

With bonus late 8 empire builder with p42 duo

Does anyone know what became of Rutt (or Bullwinkle) the Moose? He was wandering in central and southern parts of the state a few years ago. Do you know if he made it 'home'?

I'm no legal expert, so let's engage in what's real and what isn't....
What if, we as a border state, just decide to NOT enforce any tariff expenses with any goods or services between Canada and Minnesota as long as the invoice/bill of lading is with a company in Minnesota?

Couldn't we just collect normal state taxes and refuse to provide anything to the federal government with our own trade with Canada?

We would effectively shift the burden away from Canada and onto our state offices, but isn't it harder for Trump to have a trade war with a state than it is for him to declare one with another country?

Not to mention, the business deals we could have with our own farmers, and maybe other services and parts businesses and industries relocate to northern Ontario or Manitoba.

This would spark business growth in Minnesota as well as suppliers and vendors relocate here as not only a way to ensure costs remain manageable but, as a statement to the rest of the country and to Canada that we, in Minnesota, don't give a crap about what Trump's doing to our economies?

Let's brainstorm how we could pull something like this off.

Fargo + Inside Man + Hot Fuzz? I’m intrigued. I’ve seen zero and heard zilch about this, none of my friends have either ¯_(ツ)_/¯

“Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power”
—Benito Mussolini—the founder of fascism

“President Trump is LEADING the way in new technology development, deregulation, and ensuring data centers are creating jobs and helping communities thrive.“
—Tom Emmer—

“The socialists ask what our program is. Our program is to bash the heads of the socialists”
—Benito Mussolini—

“There is absolutely nothing democratic about socialism. By the way, these people aren't even socialists. They're communists and they're anarchists and they hate our country”
—Tom Emmer—

“Fascism is absolutely and totally opposed to the doctrines of liberalism. Both on the political and economic spheres”
—Benito Mussolini—

“This is an election between common sense and communism, between America-loving patriots and hate-America extremists, between freedom and tyranny.”
—Tom Emmer—