iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Wes Burdine @wesburdine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Mayor Her needs to resign today. Full stop.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

This was a fun trip through the memory banks. #My9Games These got me fully hooked and were foundational all for their own reasons and moments in time.

Cover art for the following 9 video games, with the title "My 9 Games: the Games that Shaped Who I Am": Microsoft Space Simulator, Sid Meier's Civilization III, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, SimCity 2000, Pokemon Blue, Myst, The Sims, Neverwinter Nights, and The Witcher.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Notable lack of Loons-posting tonight during this #MNUFC away match... ...matching the lack of tactics, energy, and execution by the team down by 2 in 35 minutes. Just actively bad and being out-played.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

UMN President email subject: "A new approach to budget planning during unprecedented times" Email content: 15% additional across the board budget cuts. "A new approach" indeed. You'd have thought UMN would avoid euphemistic corpo-speak after the backlash to the massive healthcare cuts, but no.

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

MPR News @mprnews.org · 22/09/2026

Schools across the state started offering free breakfasts and lunches to all students in the fall of 2023. The number of students eating school lunch went up 15 percent the first year. The number of kids eating breakfast at school went up 40 percent.

mprnews.org

Fewer skipped meals, less stigma: New data on the impact of Minnesota’s universal school meals

A trio of new studies shows Minnesota’s universal school meals program is providing a sense of relief to Minnesota families and students who are no longer skipping lunch and worrying less about family...

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#MNUFC is underperforming at historic rates. This 10th Anniversary season is the Loons most underperforming season ever, with the closest being 2023 when Adrian Heath was fired.

Faceted scatter plots of xPoints on x-axis and Points-xPoints of the y-axis 2023-2026. MNUFC in the bottom 4 in 2023 and one of the two unluckiest teams. In 2026, MNUFC in bottom two and the unluckiest team.

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Jared Yates Sexton @jysexton.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Notice what’s happening just in the past few days. AI caused war crimes. AI hacked corporations. AI is denying healthcare. AI nearly caused war with China. Already the concept is becoming a catchall and hiding that, in all cases, there were people and systems getting desired results.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm shocked (well, not that shocked) how often insights from this accessible qualitative academic book are relevant in my personal conversations about public schools. When I read it, it immediately reminded me of Minneapolis, though the author does a great job pseudonymizing in her ethnography.

nyupress.org

White Kids

Winner, 2019 William J. Goode Book Award, given by the Family Section of the American Sociological AssociationFinalist, 2019 C. Wright Mills Award, given by ...

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

@futi.live / @johnspacemuller.com, it might be useful seeing some of how an individual player's match rating is derived. E.g. the range for #MNUFC 's inconsistent striker Kelvin Yeboah is huge -- he's been rated as low as 9(!!) last match but 81 a few before that -- which I find hard to parse.

Screenshot of a player match log for Kelvin Kwarteng Yeboah of Minnesota United, detailing recent match outcomes, scores, minutes played, goals, and player ratings from late August to mid-September.

* **Sun, 13 Sep vs. St. Louis City:** Final score 4 - 2 (St. Louis City win). Yeboah substituted off or played until 78', scored a goal (soccer ball icon), with a match rating of **9** (red background).
* **Thu, 10 Sep vs. FC Dallas:** Final score 1 - 2 (Minnesota United win). Played 74', scored a goal (soccer ball icon), with a match rating of **18** (red background).
* **Sun, 6 Sep vs. Portland Timbers:** Final score 5 - 4 (Portland Timbers win). Played 86', match rating of **70** (yellow background).
* **Sun, 30 Aug vs. Orlando City:** Final score 3 - 3 (Draw). Played 88', scored a goal (soccer ball icon), with a match rating of **81** (green background).
* **Sun, 23 Aug vs. San Jose Earthquakes:** Final score 1 - 5 (Minnesota United win). Played 86', scored a goal (soccer ball icon), with a match rating of **81** (green background).

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Norm Charlatan @normcharlatan.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Kaoly Her wasted so much time, money, and good will to get the result that every expert told her would happen, but at least she got to show everyone who is mayor while inflicting needless pain on our neediest neighbors.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This puts the meager-to-non-existent #MNUFC spending amount over the past three windows into even starker contrast. MLS has changed; the Loons have not.

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Justin Horneker @hornekerjustin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

It's possible that MNUFC could miss the playoffs while 3rd in the season-long expected points table. It's an unreal underperformance. Similar to Nashville's "overperformance," matchwinners (or lack thereof) can outweigh the underlying structure.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The story of this season, in 10 minutes for #MNUFC Start strong, multiple shots on goal, set pieces, etc, all over the other team and nothing to show for it. Next, the opponent has a single attacking move, there's a defensive lapse and the Loons have shipped the first goal cheap as can be, again.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Per Matt Doyle's MLS transfer window grades, #MNUFC get a well earned F (1 of 4 given) "The Loons are a team fighting for their playoff lives right now. They did not act like it this summer."

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Whereas MLS is a salary-cap league, Whereas #MNUFC has the most unused cap space in MLS, Whereas the Loons are top-5 in GAM reserves, Whereas MNUFC could have opened a DP slot for 3 windows, Whereas the FO promised a focus on this summer transfer window, Be it resolved to only add 3 backups.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Uh, MLS, what's a handball? Was VAR asleep...all match for Orlando vs #MNUFC?

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Vetshak @vetshak.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#MNUFC That is BAD officiating by Allen Chapman. It's a well-established soccer referee principle that if the GK is injured play should be stopped immediately. It's such a liability to not have a capable GK that play stoppage is mandatory. Dike scoring into an open net there is bullshit.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Had a strikingly similar conversation to this 🧵with my Boston-area residing (Omaha-native) brother-in-law last night who was in town visiting. He was perplexed as we described crop art and just assumed the State Fair would be all MAGA, all the time.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

And the worst part is, the Leagues Cup (as the kids say) "has no rizz" to boot

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Around MLS this morning: millions of dollars splashing around as players hop teams and are brought into the league. #MNUFC: "making a splash" ...with sponsored volunteerism, not on the transfer market, after CSO departure

static.klipy.com

Awkward Puppet Side Eye

Alt: Awkward Puppet Side Eye

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

It begs the question of whether the nonsense competition format for the Leagues Cup has anything to do with MLS looking like crap tonight... ...or everything to do with MLS teams looking like crap tonight.

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

With @jonmarthaler.com's excellent piece (below) on MLS Next Pro coaching of #MNUFC 's striker prospect, Marcus Caldeira, thought it would be fun to check him out here. In an extremely small sample size of 176 MLS mins (1g/1a), his numbers are close to projected...and his radar is the same shape?

Data visualization showing current MLS Next Pro performance and projected first 1,000 MLS minutes performance for soccer player Marcus Caldeira across six metrics: Shooting, Receiving, Passing, Dribbling, Interrupting, and Fouling.

Detailed Description

Header Information

Player: Marcus Caldeira (Striker, age 21.8)

Team Transfer: MIN → MIN (1,091 trailing MLSNP minutes)

Metric: Goals added above average per 96 minutes compared to the average MLS striker.

Current — MLS Next Pro Performance

Overall Rating: +0.12 (placed high among 124 MLSNP strikers with 1000+ minutes)

Receiving: +0.07 (highest positive contribution)

Dribbling: +0.03

Shooting: +0.02

Passing: +0.01

Fouling: -0.01

Interrupting: -0.01

Projected — First 1,000 MLS Minutes

Overall Rating: -0.01 (placed near average among 123 MLS strikers with 1000+ minutes)

Passing: +0.01

Dribbling: +0.01

Shooting: +0.00

Receiving: +0.00

Fouling: -0.01

Interrupting: -0.01

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

#MNUFC scored 5. Beer was thrown, babies on the field. Just insanity all around. That was fun!

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Loons score 3 *in one half* The first is a rabona. The other two a brace from Kelvin Yeboah?! All after giving away a 3rd minute handball PK. This is wild, #MNUFC!

static.klipy.com

The Iconic Kazoo Kid

Alt: The Iconic Kazoo Kid, looking excited, confused and happy

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The cliche's will continue until morale improves. #MNUFC

“We just keep moving on,” he said. “It’s like player rumors. When something happens, it happens. And we keep moving on. We do the work on the grass and we get ready for the next game.”

Does it feels as if the walls are closing in?

“Look, we are here to focus on the next game and that’s continually our focus,” Knowles said. “What is ahead of us? Get prepared for it and hopefully put in a good performance (Saturday).”

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

So, just to be sure I have this straight @mnufc.com -- the two C-suite execs promoting the upcoming MLS schedule change, gaslighting fans about it, while dismissing all concerns as ridiculous are both going to be gone before the change actually occurs?

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Wes Burdine @wesburdine.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Sure seems inconvenient that the club didn't make any signings while the guy in charge of making signings had his foot out the door!

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The Loons now shooting for the trifecta: losing to the worst in the West, now the East, and in Liga MX. Fun. Happy 10th and stuff. #MNUFC

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Loons look better, but still down at half. Hurumph. #MNUFC

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Game 1 of 2 on this Minnesota versus Atlanta doubleheader. #Twins #MNUFC

Target field, Twins with bases loaded versus Atlanta

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Sustain Saint Paul @sustainstpaul.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

"Saint Paul has progressive, liberal values, but for us to truly be a welcoming and affordable city, we must build enough housing so working-class people can afford to live here."🏘️📈💵 On how a lack of housing hurts affordability and our working poor - our new article below!🧵

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Mark @markoftheeast.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Loons have now gone 11 matches without a goal from Yeboah/ Dieng in the run of play. (Yeboah scored 1 pen, Dieng has yet to score for MN.) It’s been almost 1 year since Tani left and the Loons have repeatedly chosen to neglect the striker position. This choice helped torpedo two seasons. #MNUFC

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Uh, Cam. Diaz is getting smoked and is on a yellow and you have these things called "Subs"... #MNUFC

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Mike Beckstrand @beckstrand.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Loons control the second quarter, but the familiar refrain rings out: lack of quality in the final third. Markanich's run and chip produced 0.75 of their xG, and Pereyra settled for some hopeful long shots toward the end of the half as the stagnancy took hold. #MNUFC needs a change to capitalize.

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Jon Collins @jcollins.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Legal documents released today show federal law enforcement officials extensively surveilled public meetings and activists during the ICE surge, and created dossiers on political enemies. I've been busy, but will post some takeaways on this thread soon: (1) www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

mprnews.org

Attorney: Homeland Security spied on Minnesotans who spoke out against ICE

Defense attorney Kevin Riach alleges that just four days after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents, that Homeland Security Investigations launched Operation Puppet Master. The agency cou...

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Reposted by Mike Beckstrand

Sam Ulmschneider @samulmschneider.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Normally I just appreciatively read @jamellebouie.net 's columns-sharable video content just isn't my bag. But this is a very, very, very trenchant piece of commentary that captures a lot of how I increasingly understand the disjunction between the commentary environment and on-the-ground politics.

youtube.com

The pundits have completely lost the plot

YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie

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