By J. Patrick Coolican | Editor-in-chief
Good morning, Reformers.
Six months since the killing of Alex Pretti, and no accountability to date. Same, of course, in the case of Renee Good.
Mostly under the radar, but two DFL senators are running in tough primary campaigns: Sen. Ron Latz faces former St. Louis Park City Council Member Lynette Dumalag, in a race covered here. And Sen. Susan Pha in the north metro faces Nehemiah Garley, whose wife was killed by gun violence and is a foster parent and father of three. No doubt the races could affect a Senate DFL leadership struggle after the November election, should the challengers win and then back a challenge to Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig debate on MPR Monday ahead of their DFL primary for U.S. Senate.
The primary is two weeks from Tuesday.
Borrowing costs are up, oil is up and American voters are focused on the economy. How will the Dems blow it?
To some news:
Sophie Hortman, Colin Hortman, and Gov. Tim Walz stand behind the caskets of Melissa and Mark Hortman during funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Minn., on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Mark and Melissa Hortman were shot and killed in their homes on June 14, 2025. (Pool photo via Alex Kormann)
By Michelle Griffith
A tough day for friends and family of the Hortmans, and all Minnesotans who care about peace and freedom.
Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed in less than 30 seconds on June 14, 2025, in a shocking act of political violence.
But their quick deaths are of no comfort to their son, Colin Hortman, who on Thursday told a federal judge that he falls asleep every night picturing a waterfall of blood flowing down the stairs of his childhood home in Brooklyn Park. It’s the same image he awakens to.
Thanks to Michelle for taking on a difficult assignment, as friends and family told the judge about how the attacks have changed their lives forever.
By Madison McVan
The proposal flies in the face of Trump’s mass-deportation agenda, just one week after Trump endorsed Lindell, pushing him to the top of primary polls.
The plan never mentions the state of Minnesota.
In the hours since news of his plan broke, Lindell seemed to backtrack, denying that his plan is in any way an amnesty.
He also posted on X his support for Trump’s mass deportation agenda: “As always, I stand with President Trump and fully support his policies to deport illegal aliens from the United States,” in apparent contradiction of the plan he released just hours before.
By Patrick Hamilton
Countries in East Asia, South Asia, Africa and Europe — heavily dependent on energy imports from the Persian Gulf — are dramatically ramping up their investments in renewables.
In Vietnam, what was going to be the country’s largest liquefied natural gas plant now will be a wind, battery storage and solar facility. South Korea recently decided to fast-track the deployment of 100 gigawatts of renewables — enough to power at least 75 million homes — by 2030.
The flow of solar components to India jumped nearly 150% and those to Africa by 176% between February and March. In Europe, demand for rooftop solar is surging. Overall, 50 countries set records for Chinese solar imports in March.
Imagine what Minnesota and the rest of the U.S. could accomplish if those who say that the clean energy economy can’t be done would get out of the way of those getting it done.
IN OTHER NEWS
Number of women seeking a governor’s seat hits an all-time high | Reformer via States Newsroom
States move to limit classroom screen time | Reformer via Stateline
I’m Native American. Land Acknowledgements are infuriating. | New York Times gift link
OH BY THE WAY
Looking forward to reading this profile of Colson Whitehead.
We got a sitter for early evening (5-9) Saturday. What should we do? What are your favorite thrift/vintage stores and cheap eats?
Song of the day is a rare standalone “Fire on the Mountain” with Clarence Clemons on sax.
Have a great weekend all! JPC
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