Let the Summer of Consternation Begin

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Race is Officially Nonpartisan

Early Voting Has Begun Voting for the August 11 primary has begun. If you’ve chosen your candidate, we encourage you to vote early. You can do so in person Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services [https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/vote-early-in-person/], 980 E Hennepin Ave, through July 24. Hours vary from Monday, July 27 through Monday, August 10, so check the website before you go. The office is closed Friday, July 3 for the holiday. If you prefer to vote by mail, visit the city’s Vote by Mail website [https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/vote-by-mail/] to apply for a ballot. Notably, the site includes a feature that lets you track your ballot the way you would a UPS package. Sample Ballot Steve Simon, the incumbent Secretary of State, is the only DFL candidate for that office. His Republican challengers are Wendy Phillips and Tad Jude. Simon’s office maintains an excellent website for voting information. We recommend reviewing a sample ballot [https://myballotmn.sos.mn.gov/] before you vote. When we looked at ours, we discovered an At Large School Board position on the ballot. We know little about the candidates, other than that Michael Baskins ran for Ward 2 City Council last year. We also learned that the Hennepin County Attorney’s race is technically nonpartisan — something we hadn’t realized, given that most of the candidates sought the DFL endorsement. We recognize this doesn’t fit with the hyper-partisan nature of today’s politics, but we’d prefer there be no party endorsements in nonpartisan races. What it means to be DFL isn’t entirely clear to us. We don’t know what it means to be Republican either. From what we can tell, much of the local DFL now aligns more closely with the DSA, while the state DFL more closely resembles what most people think of as the traditional Democratic platform. Those are two quite different things. The Minneapolis Times has been running an informative series of articles examining the DSA platform, which we recommend. Who defines the party seems to depend on who shows up at endorsement conventions, and those showing up appear to be DSA-aligned. There are some DSA platform positions we support. For example, we believe the U.S. healthcare system is overdue for an overhaul. How that would be paid for and what it would cover is a debate worth having, and one where the two wings of the DFL could likely find common ground. Agreement on something like healthcare would expand the party’s reach and demonstrate to non-political-junkies that the DFL can be productive without tearing itself apart. When it comes to candidate endorsements, however, we’d like to know which version of the party is doing the endorsing. In the case of Cedric Frazier’s Hennepin County DFL endorsement, it appears the DSA-aligned wing carried the day. We didn’t discuss this during our interview with him, but we’d welcome him back to explore whether his endorsement makes him the DSA candidate or the DFL candidate. Until the party sorts out its identity, we won’t be placing much weight on endorsement conventions. In fact, we’d prefer more candidates skip the expense and pageantry of these events altogether — the way Angie Craig did. What Does the Hennepin County Attorney Do? The Hennepin County Attorney is the chief prosecutor for approximately 1.3 million residents spread across Minneapolis, 44 cities, and surrounding rural communities. The office has more than 500 staff and a $92 million budget. While prosecution of criminal cases could be seen as nonpartisan that isn’t entirely true in practice. What makes the job inherently political is the setting of policies and priorities that guide prosecuting attorneys: when to charge, when to plea-bargain, when to refer someone to a diversion program. The County Attorney sets the tone for those decisions, and those decisions affect the lives of people being prosecuted, crime victims, and the broader community. Beyond the Criminal Division, the office includes a Civil Division, which provides legal representation to Hennepin County government; Children & Families, which handles youth prosecution, child protection, and child support; and Community Affairs, which oversees victim services and community engagement. It is an important role — one we want filled by the right person. The term is four years, and the bar for recall is intentionally high: at least 25% of registered voters who participated in the previous election must sign a recall petition. The August primary will narrow the field to the top two candidates, who will then appear on the November ballot. Whoever ultimately wins, we predict there will be controversy. This office has been a lightning rod for it for decades. Under Mike Freeman (2007–2023), the office faced backlash over its decision not to press charges in the Jamar Clark case and its slow response to the George Floyd murder. Under Mary Moriarty (2023–present), controversy has followed a plea deal involving Zaria McKeever, the decision to prosecute a Minnesota State Trooper for murder in the shooting of Ricky Cobb II, and an ongoing standoff with the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice over evidence related to the actions of federal agents — an issue that may well land in the next County Attorney’s lap. We can’t predict what controversy the next term will bring, but we’re confident there will be one. That’s why, when we vote, we’ll be focused on qualifications and on which candidate we believe can act with fairness and composure even when the world around them seems to be spinning out of control. Hennepin County Attorney Candidate Forum — Voter Guide Summaries Prepared from the League of Women Voters candidate forum, June 25, 2026. All summaries are nonpartisan and based solely on candidates’ own statements. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. We encourage readers to watch the forum [https://reflect-ccx.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/show/40528?site=15] to learn which of these candidates best represents the values they believe are important. Better Minneapolis interviewed each of the candidates. Links to those candidate interviews are embedded in the candidate names. Anders Folk [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/interview-anders-folk-candidate-for?r=304p16&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=2.0] Anders Folk is a lifelong Minnesotan and University of Minnesota graduate who served as a Marine Corps lawyer before becoming a federal prosecutor. He later served as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, in which capacity he signed the indictment charging Derek Chauvin with civil rights violations, and subsequently worked under the U.S. Deputy Attorney General in Washington, D.C. Folk frames his candidacy around “compassion and consequence,” arguing that effective prosecution requires experience navigating the full criminal justice spectrum. On key issues, he supports proactive community education on gun violence alongside vigorous enforcement, advocates for diversion and restorative justice programs to reduce racial disparities, and proposes establishing a federal prosecution task force to pursue state-law violations by federal agents. He emphasizes transparent and consistently applied plea policies, a victim-centered approach he plans to codify in a “Victims’ Bill of Rights,” and regular public office hours as county attorney. Folk points to his leadership experience at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and in the Marine Corps as preparation for managing the 500-person office. Cedric Frazier [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/interview-cedric-frazier-candidate?r=304p16&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=1.5] Cedric Frazier is the DFL-endorsed candidate in this race, having received over 61% of the vote at the party convention. He came to Minnesota to attend college on a football scholarship. He grew up in a high-poverty, high-violence neighborhood on Chicago's South Side and was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He went on to gain his law degree. His professional background spans public defense, legal counsel for Minneapolis Public Schools, labor law with Education Minnesota, service on the New Hope City Council, and three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, where he was vice chair of the Public Safety Committee and co-chaired the Ways and Means Committee. Frazier authored Minnesota's Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law and championed additional resources for investigating non-fatal shootings. He emphasizes a broad, systemic view of public safety — stressing accountability alongside prevention and rehabilitation — and plans to address racial disparities through school partnerships, diversion programs, and juvenile justice reform. He commits to transparent public dashboards, clear charging policies developed collaboratively with office staff, and has the endorsements of Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and the union representing county attorney office staff. Diane M. Krenz [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/interview-diane-krenz-candidate-for?r=304p16&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=1.2] Diane Krenz is the only candidate in the race with direct prosecutorial experience inside the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, having worked there for over 40 years — from a law clerkship in 1983 through April 2025, most recently leading the fraud unit and serving in union leadership. She argues the office has become politicized under current leadership and pledges that, if elected, partisan considerations in prosecution decisions would end the day she takes office. Krenz emphasizes following sentencing guidelines, reinstating clear and consistently applied charging policies, and rebuilding relationships with law enforcement across all Hennepin County departments. She supports prosecuting felons in illegal possession of firearms to the statutory maximum (60 months) and charging gun cases arising from traffic stops that she says are currently being declined. On racial disparities, she advocates a race-neutral application of the law while acknowledging that most victims of the crimes she prosecuted were people of color. She also pledges to restore victim communication practices she says have deteriorated, reinstate website publication of case results, and reinstate community victim impact statements. Hao Nguyen [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/interview-hao-nguyen-candidate-for?r=304p16&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=7.9] Hao Nguyen came to the United States as a refugee, was raised by a single mother, and learned English as a second language. He worked as a correctional officer and police officer to put himself through college, then became a career prosecutor. He currently serves as Division Director of the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office — the second-largest prosecution unit in the state — where he oversees more than 40 attorneys. Nguyen highlights concrete results from his current role: raising the clearance rate for non-fatal shootings from 33% to 67% through a collaborative law enforcement program; co-filing a lawsuit against Glock over illegal machine-gun conversions; developing a traffic stop policy with law enforcement that reduced racial disparities in stops and searches by more than half; and launching a “Reimagining Youth Justice” program that reduced racial disparities in youth recidivism by over 53%. He is endorsed by Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt and describes himself as the only candidate already actively prosecuting cases arising from Operation Metro Surge. Nguyen also points to personal lived experience — a brother who faced deportation proceedings, an LGBTQ transgender child, and a decade of leadership at a domestic violence shelter — as informing his commitment to balancing public safety with fairness. Matt Pelikan [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/p/aiming-for-the-spot-between-pro-reform?r=304p16&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web×tamp=47.7] Matt Pelikan has spent nearly 15 years as a civil litigator, including extensive pro bono work representing victims of harassment and domestic abuse in obtaining protective orders. He describes himself as the only candidate running from outside the political and prosecutorial establishment, arguing that restoring public trust requires new leadership and fresh perspectives. Pelikan resigned from his law firm in January over its representation of a federal agent involved in the Operation Metro Surge shootings, and has since advised municipalities nationally on accountability for gun industry actors and federal agents. He frames his campaign around the dual pillars of safety and justice, arguing neither is achievable without the other. He is critical of what he views as inconsistent charging decisions and a lack of written policies under the current administration. He cited the contrast between how a Tesla-keying incident and a first-time offense by a young Black woman were handled in the same week. Pelikan supports data-driven diversion programs — noting the current office has nearly halved youth recidivism rates through such approaches — while pledging to reclaim public spaces from untreated addiction and mental illness. He proposes a dedicated task force to pursue prosecutions of federal agents who violated state law during Operation Metro Surge, and emphasizes that these cases will require experienced, independent legal judgment. Summary In addition to interviewing each of these candidates, we have seen them speak at two separate forums. Each time, different aspects of their platforms have stood out to us. Hennepin County residents may find this a difficult race to call. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Silence Around Shootings

On a recent trip to Chicago, we found ourselves contradicting ourselves as we explained to friends that Minneapolis is safe. We live in South Minneapolis, and we have never referred to it as “unsafe.” We still wouldn’t. But it was difficult to explain how, in the past year alone, our house was broken into and a man with a knife fled through the front window. Then a dozen neighborhood vehicles had their windows smashed in a single night. A man was chased through our yard at 7:15 AM by an extremely large and agitated man claiming the chased man had broken into his car. Days later, the catalytic converter of our car was stolen. We added to the litany: we were blocked from using Nicollet recently because of an active shooter, one that drew armored vehicles and multiple snipers to the area of Alex Pretti’s murder. We hadn’t intended to be shocking. Our friends, visiting from Brooklyn via Chicago, laughed when we defended our city as safe. Nothing similar had happened to them on the streets of New York. The Stubborn Statistics We’d like to see our local politicians as preoccupied with crime as they are with bath houses and whether our city codes have the correct gender-inclusive language. They may not have noticed, but unlike the rest of the country, nearly every crime category in Minneapolis is trending at or above where it was this time last year. If July 4th marks the heart of summer, there might be much more to come. There have been a few disturbing examples lately that received little attention. On Sunday, one person was shot and killed and another wounded near the Wedge Coop [https://www.startribune.com/man-killed-another-wounded-in-south-minneapolis-shooting/601859850]. Police said one group fired on another. Then on Monday, three people were shot near University Avenue Northeast [https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minneapolis-shooting-hospitalizes-multiple-people/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KSTP+Evening+2026-06-22&utm_term=KSTP+Newsletter+List], one with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Multiple rounds of gunfire erupted, and several people were seen running from the area. Here’s what we typically learn about these shootings: “No arrests have been made and MPD forensic scientists processed the scene and collected evidence.” The lack of concern from elected officials occupying City Hall is disappointing. They seem to have plenty of time to chatter on social media about causes they personally care about, but when it comes to families and victims impacted by shootings and other serious crimes in this city, they are quiet. One gets the sense they believe that if they simply ignore what is happening, it will go away. We recognize the city has initiated its coordinated Operation Safe Summer [https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2026/june/summer-safety/], but recent events give us reason to think its effectiveness will be marginal. Violence interrupters, Community Safety Ambassadors, and other programs continue to show few results, but they are liked in theory and so they continue without question. If anyone claims these programs are effective, they’re implying the level of violence in the city would be even worse than current levels without them. Preventing crime is complex. We understand there are many factors that lead to gun violence. One of them: gangs fueled by money earned from selling destructive drugs like crystal meth and fentanyl on our streets. They have turf to protect. Grievances are settled with guns. These crimes don’t fit neatly into calls for harm reduction and voluntary treatment. There must be a more holistic approach, one that spans multiple agencies and treats the sale and use of these highly addictive and dangerous drugs as having consequences beyond the individual user. Before that user bought their packets, a string of laws was broken and lives were ruined to get it to them. A friend of mine showed me live video from outside his apartment building a few weeks ago. Within fifteen minutes, at least half a dozen drug deals took place. Multiple calls to police were met with resistance. He was told that if they don’t allow the drug dealing, dealers will simply move somewhere else. Neighbors feel held hostage, unable to walk safely on their street. These problems extend beyond the user. There must be a mix of incentives that encourage treatment, education, healthcare, housing, and job placement that can slow down shootings and drug use in this city. However, we won’t get there without sustained attention from elected officials, and that is currently absent. The Citizen Responsibility To be clear: highlighting these issues is more than a call for more police. As we see time and again, they are picking up shell casings after the shootings take place. They rarely prevent crimes, and the rate at which they solve them is terrible. More police could act as a deterrent, but that is but one factor. More police could also contribute to higher clearance rates. Crime victims deserve greater accountability from the system. Family. Economic development. Jobs. Education and the opportunity for improving an individual’s life, these would seem as great, or greater, determinants of crime involvement than the current anti-violence programs being funded by the city and county. Residents and politicians who stoke the flames of righteousness will need to stop turning their backs on the problem for progress to be made. At the recent DFL endorsing conventions, some delegates literally turned their backs on Sheriff Witt. This act of performative virtue signaling accomplished nothing other than showing that the DFL is bereft of ideas for how to address the daily harm victims of crime are experiencing. It’s easy to oppose the police with a poster or a post on social media. It’s incredibly difficult to give someone a reason to stay in school, work hard, and start a family. Those actions take time. They’re difficult. And the sense of pride they elicit contains more private joy than flash. The violence taking place in our streets. The dismissive attitude about it. The families forced to care for the wounded and maimed. These are causes worth our attention. Until we can change the current trajectory in a meaningful way, Minneapolis will continue to tread in the murky waters of stagnation. This is a public episode. 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My Father’s Father Was Tough to Love

His name was Kenneth White. He was 19 years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. According to my father, Ken ran naked from his barracks in search of cover. It wasn’t until he found the safety of a bunker that he realized the bottom of his feet were cut and bleeding. As many military men do, he moved his family all over the world, Puerto Rico (my grandmother loved it), North Carolina, Germany, Kansas, and others. He was married four times. My grandmother was his third wife. Three divorced him; one died before she could. After retiring from the military, Ken lived in San Diego and then moved to the Villages in Florida, where he died at 94. He enjoyed tending his roses, driving a Dodge Charger extremely fast, reading cheap Old West novels, and long-distance running. When he visited my father in Kansas City, he’d sit on a kitchen stool most of the day, telling stories. He smelled of Old Spice aftershave and talcum powder. Around 3 p.m., he’d start drinking Budweiser and wouldn’t stop until he stumbled to bed around 11. By dinner, he was pretty well sloshed, spending the night talking about how the country was going to s**t. The reasons varied, but mostly they had to do with Black people, Hispanics, gays, women, and Jews. There was no use trying to change his mind. He believed his travels and experience qualified him as an expert. Short of throwing him out on the lawn, we were forced to endure him. Keep in mind that Fox News launched in 1996. Ken was his own version of it, and if you’d heard him speak, the success of Fox News would come as no surprise. I am the only one in my immediate family who went to college instead of joining the military. My father and brother were in the Navy. My uncles were both in the Army. Even my aunt spent her life doing logistical planning for the Special Forces. Luckily, my father didn’t stay in. I don’t think he wanted that life for his family. Instead, he started his own company as a salesman. It meant traveling most weeks, but at least his family could stay in one place. His choice brought about a generational shift. Modern Parenting Fatherhood has changed significantly in the last few decades. More men are involved in their children’s lives, attending sporting events and dance recitals, knowing their kids’ teachers, helping find activities, visiting schools to ensure they’re a good fit. We spend our paychecks on baseball bats, skates, piano lessons, and gymnastics. Many fathers, certainly not all, have chosen to be more accountable, more involved, and more caring than the fathers they knew. There’s an emphasis on being good people. While racism is still woven into the American fabric, the parts of the country where you can speak like my grandfather and not be knocked off your chair are fewer. Father’s Day is Sunday. While men continue to show their faults, it’s worth taking a moment to recognize that generational change is occurring, too slowly for many, but it is occurring. Many men are making an effort to be more emotionally intelligent, less selfish, more open, more flexible. There are role models of men who lead with integrity, for whom violence is the last and worst solution to problems. These ideas feel particularly sharp right now because we recently heard the Obamas speak at the opening of their Presidential Library in Chicago. If you haven’t had a chance, it’s worth listening. The contrast to our current government is stark, shocking, even. It was a reminder that we were hopeful once, that we did believe positive change was possible, and that people of different origins, races, and religions could work together in big, audacious ways to accomplish what previously seemed impossible. It’s easy to forget that America has had leaders who inspired us. Leaders who spoke with eloquence and thoughtfulness. Leaders who sought to bring out the best in each of us rather than turn us against one another. Michelle Obama’s words keep circling through my thoughts: Because hope is the essential spark that lights the fire of change. But hope is a choice. Whether or not we use our voices to speak up is a choice. Voting is a choice. Being a decent human being is a choice. Believing that we still hold the power to build a country that reflects us all is a choice. Being a decent father is a choice. Whether you are a biological father, a stepfather, a coach, a teacher, or any man in a position responsible for another human being, you make a choice to treat them with dignity. Men choose whether to emulate the Kenneths of this world or to open their hearts to those who are different from them. They choose whether to be curious about a stranger or to react with fear and hatred. Most of us have had examples of both. We’re grateful that more and more men are choosing to pass on their finest qualities instead of lazily accepting their worst selves. We’re also grateful there are fathers in the world like Barack Obama, men who can appreciate and care for a woman as confident and successful as Michelle Obama, and who set an example to other men of what a husband and father can be. A man who earned the praise Michelle gave him: And you did it all with such grace and class and cool that you made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park. Happy Father’s Day to all the men striving to be a positive force in the lives of their families and children. The world needs you. Keep going. Thank you for reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Political Money Race

The Obama Precedent It’s ancient history, but Barack Obama was the first candidate to forgo public campaign financing and spending limits for his presidential campaign. On June 19, 2008, he sent a video message to supporters explaining that small-dollar donations would easily surpass the money he’d gain from public matching funds and those same donations would allow him to avoid spending limits. Obama broke the system with his popularity. No presidential candidate since has accepted limits. In his campaign for Mayor of New York City, Mamdani made a video asking people to volunteer instead of sending money. He had raised too much. He agreed to a $7.9 million expenditure cap and had to announce in both the primary and general election that he was halting his fundraising. It’s a rare politician indeed who finds themselves in such an awkward position. We mention these examples because the latest round of Minnesota campaign contributions were just released [https://www.transparencyusa.org/mn/candidates]. We understand that money is the lifeblood of a political campaign, but that doesn’t mean we like it. Without donations, campaigns are unable to hire staff, make commercials, or mail flyers and print yard signs. The fact is that modern society is awash in distractions. TV was only the beginning. Now there are multiple streaming services, social media platforms, newsletters, radio, and podcasts. For a candidate to break into the consciousness of the average voter, it takes significant effort and funding. However, we can recognize the reality of modern campaigning and still be uncomfortable with it. There are simply too many examples of how donors curry favor and influence over our political arena. When Too Much Is Too Much Influence isn’t always bad. There are certainly people aligned with our values who donate to candidates. But it works both ways. Elon Musk is now a trillionaire. His values are often opposed to our own, and yet his wealth gives him tremendous sway over elections. We would argue that democracy is damaged when he, or others like him, threaten to primary an elected official if that official doesn’t do their bidding. This type of influence goes far beyond buying ads or yard signs to promote a candidate. We may be in the minority, but we would like to see more elections where candidates qualify for public funding and adhere to spending limits. We’ve watched as vast amounts of money have been spent on unsuccessful campaigns. In his 104-day campaign for President, Michael Bloomberg spent approximately $1.1 billion. On his campaign for governor of California, Tom Steyer, another billionaire, spent $216 million. Michelle Cottle sums up our feeling about this spending in her New York Times opinion piece: “He Spent $558 Million. What a Waste.” [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/opinion/tom-steyer-california-governor.html] It’s nearly impossible not to think about the good in society that could be accomplished if these campaign funds were funneled into more human-centered projects. How many homeless could have been housed? How many lives could have been saved from drug overdoses? The list of worthy pursuits is long. There’s also no guarantee that the candidate who raises and spends the most will be the best leader. They may have charisma and connections, but the nuts and bolts of political office are more mundane. Often the “candidate” may not be a talented “politician,” or someone who can work the levers of compromise in order to achieve the best outcomes for their constituents. The skills involved frequently do not align. If you review the figures that candidates have raised in their quest to be Minnesota’s next Governor, Senator, or Attorney General, you may be tempted to decide who will win based on who has raised the most money. But it’s worth pausing to consider who you like best, regardless of their purse size. Reforms to our campaign financing are needed, but they won’t be enacted anytime soon. Until then, it’s up to us to sort through the distractions and spin and elect the best person for the job. Thank you for reading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

An Insider's View of the Uptown Real Estate Market

The Counter Argument For today’s interview, I sought out someone with real-world experience in property ownership around Uptown. I wanted to test the claims made in Christian Heller’s May 26 Star Tribune Commentary, “Stop scapegoating homeless people for Uptown’s problems” [https://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-urban-revival-public-safety-affordable-homes/601847919?utm_source=gift], particularly his explanations for the area’s vacant storefronts. Heller argued, first, that landlords are using spaces for passive speculation and that store size is part of the problem. Bruce counters that major tenants like the Kitchen Window, Urban Outfitters, and Apple were successful for years. Many attribute the subsequent vacancies to the upheaval following George Floyd’s murder, which drove away both shoppers and businesses. The mayor’s proposed “more doors” approach, subdividing larger spaces for smaller, independent retailers, sounds logical but, as Bruce explains, isn’t the solution many hope it is. But what struck me most was Heller’s claim about affordable housing: “The property owners who hold vacant space hostage would rather use it as a tax write-off than provide stable homes for the community.” I’ve heard this refrain in progressive circles often enough, but Bruce, who has firsthand market experience, calls it unfounded. As he points out, any tax benefit a landlord receives falls far short of the losses from vacancy. It’s like spending a dollar to get back 60 cents. Yes, you could lose the entire dollar, but 40-cent losses on every dollar will still destroy your business. The real issue, then, isn’t economics, it’s credibility. If Heller had two decades as a landlord under his belt and could explain how to profit from vacant buildings, his argument might land. Instead, the piece follows a familiar pattern: people without business experience telling those who operate in it what they should do. It mirrors a city government stocked with policy experts and nonprofit leaders who have high confidence in their ability to shape business operations, despite limited exposure to how markets actually work. That’s not an argument for excluding nonbusiness voices from government, but there’s a strong case that Minneapolis would be stronger if our leaders solicited more input from the business community and genuinely grappled with the real-world costs of the policies they pass. Wanting to Be Positive Tuesday morning started poorly. My wife’s urgent texts arrived during a meeting: someone had stolen our muffler overnight. She discovered it when she tried to leave for work, the noise had even woken neighbors down the block. Later, heading to record with Bruce, I was rerouted off 28th Street. A dozen squad cars, armored vehicles, a helicopter, and what became Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson’s first crisis was unfolding. A man released from prison, a wanted fugitive, had fired on police. The lockdown lasted hours. During our interview, sirens continued and cell phone alerts went out. After we finished, the entire block where Alex Pretti was murdered remained swarmed with police. According to Star Tribune reports, the area “has been stressed for months by immigration enforcement, drug use and the rising cost of living.” Some days in Minneapolis, staying positive takes real effort. But Bruce and I did find a few reasons for optimism. We closed discussing the bright spots Uptown has lately, less visible drug use, returning businesses, the Art Fair coming back August 7–9, and a new movie club started by Uptown United. There are wins to celebrate. On days like Tuesday, though, you have to work harder to see them clearly. Thank you for reading. For paid subscribers, we’re planning a special happy hour on July 9. Save the date, more details to follow. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe [https://www.betterminneapolis.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]