nVent has opened a new production facility in Blaine that will make liquid cooling products for data centers. The 117,000-square-foot facility, located on Naples Street, is expected to employ more than 175 people once fully staffed, according to a company Facebook post. nVent held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening. The company said the facility went from empty to fully operational in 100 working days. nVent first announced the Blaine expansion in September 2025, saying it was the second time in two years the company had expanded what it calls its solutions manufacturing operations. The Blaine facility will build new products for data center customers. ...
More Minnesota Cities Choose Former State Flag as Debate Over Redesign Grows
When St. Francis voted to return to the former Minnesota state flag early this year, city leaders framed the decision as a message to state officials Months later, that message has echoed across the state, with more than a dozen cities choosing to fly the former design or keep it displayed in city buildings. Supporters of the former flag say the issue is less about the image itself than the process used to replace it. They argue voters should have had a direct say before Minnesota retired a flag that had flown in some form for generations. ...
Court Filing: Rep. Stephenson Called Anoka Dam Funding ‘Revenge’ Against County Over Jail Dispute
Anoka County has filed court exhibits showing text messages in which DFL House Leader Zach Stephenson, Coon Rapids, told Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist that Metropolitan Council money for the city’s Rum River Dam project was being taken from Anoka County’s share of metro sales tax revenue and described it as “revenge” tied to the county jail dispute. The text messages were included in exhibits submitted May 13 by Anoka County Administrator Jim Dickinson as part of the county’s legal fight with the Minnesota Department of Transportation over a proposed pedestrian bridge connected to the city’s Rum River Dam project. ...
Area Cities Find Middle Ground as Debate Over State Flag Redesign Grows
When St. Francis voted to return to the former Minnesota state flag in January, city leaders framed the decision as a message to state officials. Months later, that message has echoed across the state, with more than a dozen cities choosing to fly the former design or keep it displayed in city buildings. Supporters of the former flag have offered a wide range of issues with the current flag, including an aesthetic or historical affinity to the former flag. Others said the issue is more about the process used to replace it, arguing that voters should have had a direct say before Minnesota retired a flag that had flown in some form for generations. ...
Photo: Paul Sitz Departs The...
Paul Sitz departs the podium after requesting that the council use nonpartisan city positions to advance a partisan cause. Original Article
Photo: Ramsey Resident Teri Trail...
Ramsey resident Teri Trail speaks in favor of the old state flag at the Ramsey City Council. Original Article
Photo: Mayor Ryan Heineman Pictured...
Mayor Ryan Heineman pictured in between Council Members Kristen Buscher (left) and Chris Riley (right). Original Article
Photo: Resident Dara Grimmer Faces...
Resident Dara Grimmer faces the audience while speaking on the old state flag. Original Article
Ramsey Removes Flag, Walz Censure Items From Agenda
The Ramsey City Council voted 4-3 May 12 to remove three politically charged items from its agenda, including proposals to make the former state flag the city’s official flag, censure Gov. Tim Walz and explore whether the city could take legal action against Walz and other state leaders. The items would have designated the state flag adopted by Minnesota in 1983 as Ramsey’s official flag, expressed formal disapproval and censure of Walz, and authorized city staff to explore whether Ramsey could file a legal claim against Walz and other state leaders. ...
Fridley Approves Code Amendments Clarifying Vehicle Enforcement
The Fridley City Council unanimously approved ordinance changes May 11 that clarify how the city handles inoperable, junk and unlicensed vehicles. Assistant Community Development Director Stacy Stromberg said the amendments to Chapter 404 do not change the city’s existing enforcement process, but add language describing how vehicles may be impounded when they are inoperable, junk or unlicensed. Vehicle violations are consistently among the city’s top five violation types each year, Stromberg said. Those cases can include outdoor storage, unlicensed or inoperable vehicles and parking on grass. ...