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Brian Arola

@brianarola.bsky.social
211 followers 74 following 168 posts

Greater MN Reporter at @minnpost.com. Sign up for my newsletter: www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota-…

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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 8h
Another sign of Democrat challenger Jake Johnson closing the gap in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District: @cookpolitical.com shifted his race with Rep. Brad Finstad from likely R to lean R. Not a toss-up, but it reflects strong polling for Johnson in a seat once seen as a safe Republican hold.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Much appreciated! Thanks for reading.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
A lobbyist once told DFL state Sen. Aric Putnam there are 3 types of legislators: 1/3 are dedicated public servants. 1/3 are furniture. 1/3 are dangerous morons. Putnam considers himself part of the first 1/3. He needs to overcome attack ads claiming otherwise to hold a key seat in St. Cloud.
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Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General @keithellison.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
“You want an AG who is focused on what’s going to happen to my electric bill,” The Attorney General of Minnesota is supposed to be the people’s lawyer, and the people should never have to wonder whether their lawyer is actually just in it for himself. www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
Scrutiny of Schutz's stock holdings reveals the perils that data centers pose for candidates
AG candidate Ron Schutz's promise to divest of certain stocks reflects how pushback against data centers is influencing races in Minnesota.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Minnesota attorney general candidate Ron Schutz's vast stock portfolio includes financial interests in Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and dozens more companies tied to data centers. It brings new conflict of interest concerns into a tight race with AG Keith Ellison. www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
Scrutiny of Schutz's stock holdings reveals the perils that data centers pose for candidates
AG candidate Ron Schutz's promise to divest of certain stocks reflects how pushback against data centers is influencing races in Minnesota.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A local DFL official in a deep red Minnesota county told me walking in parades as a Democrat used to be no fun. “People didn’t want to give their kids Democrat candy,” he said. “Now it’s more calm and polite.”
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
More than in most state House districts, candidates in 58A and 18A would do well to dorm knock. Northfield’s Carleton College and St. Olaf College are in 58A, while St. Peter's Gustavus Adolphus College is in 18A. Young voters pour in each election cycle, and they cast ballots at high rates.
minnpost.com
Cows, colleges and competitive districts: DFL, GOP eye key House seats covering Northfield and St. Peter
High voter turnout by students at Carleton, St. Olaf and Gustavus colleges adds a wrinkle to legislative races.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Rice Lake in Aitkin County doesn't draw attention like the Boundary Waters. But Mille Lacs tribal leaders say the wetland and its precious wild rice stands deserve just as strong protections against copper-nickel mining. www.minnpost.com/environment/...
minnpost.com
Far from the Boundary Waters, the Mille Lacs tribe resists another copper-nickel mine
The Tamarack Mining Project, unaffected by Gov. Walz's executive order on nonferrous mineral mining, is moving through the review process.
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MinnPost @minnpost.com · 31/08/2026
Mark Legvold wants to put the “F back in DFL.” He's running in what a national Democratic fundraising arm calls one of the ‘most consequential’ state-level races in the nation.
minnpost.com
A Northfield farmer hopes to add a rare rural voice to the Minnesota Senate’s DFL caucus
Mark Legvold faces Sen. Bill Lieske in what a Democratic fundraising arm calls one of the most consequential state-level races in the nation.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
As moral concerns swirl around ICE's planned detention center in Appleton, even area officials who support it are acknowledging it could be a double-edged sword for the local economy. www.minnpost.com/greater-minn...
minnpost.com
Taxes, jobs and housing: Appleton has some other questions about the prison reopening under federal control
The moral quandary over the former Appleton prison that will detain immigrants swept up by ICE is now also an economic one.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Yesterday’s reporting trip to western Minnesota, mostly featuring Appleton plus stops at the Swift County Fair and the Milkyway in Cosmos.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Appreciated the opportunity! Here’s the article Cathy Wurzer and I discussed. www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
Data centers: Where projects go, local candidates follow
Six Minnesota cities that have been linked to proposed data centers saw upticks in city council filings this year.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Went on MPR’s Morning Edition to talk about my reporting on data centers and local elections. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
mprnews.org
Data centers motivate candidates to run in city elections
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with MinnPost reporter Brian Arola, about why data centers are motivating candidates to run in upcoming elections.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Which Minnesota candidates for Congress support data center moratoriums? For districts touching Greater Minnesota I know of Matt Little in CD2, and today CD1 challenger Jake Johnson joined the list. www.jakejohnsonforcongress.com/plan-to-stop...
jakejohnsonforcongress.com
Plan to Stop Data Center Exploitation — Jake Johnson for Congress
Jake Johnson is running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District to bring down costs, take on corruption, and invest in small towns across Southern Minnesota.
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MinnPost @minnpost.com · 18/08/2026
“[Data centers are] usually the first topic I’m asked about,” said Lexi Temple, one of a half-dozen candidates who advanced to November’s general election for Faribault City Council. “It’s by far the top priority.” @brianarola.bsky.social reports
minnpost.com
Data centers: Where projects go, local candidates follow
Six Minnesota cities that have been linked to proposed data centers saw upticks in city council filings this year.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Gov. Walz said his halt on copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters is “foreshadowing” for what to expect in the final months of his term. Complete guess, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a data center moratorium is in play. Other states already have moratoriums in place.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Gov. Walz throws a zinger at the Trump administration. "These people can't manage a reflecting pool, so why would we think they could manage this mine?” Walz expects a hyperbolic response from Trump admin on copper-nickel ban near Boundary Waters, but says “there’s nothing they can do about it."
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Gov. Walz’s executive order goes beyond nonferrous mining IN the Boundary Waters. It halts the state’s permitting process for copper-nickel mines in the wider Rainy River watershed.
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Reposted by Brian Arola
Save the Boundary Waters @savetheboundarywaters.org · 18/08/2026
Gov. Walz issued executive order to prevent toxic mining near the BWCAW. This sweeping executive action implements critical MN state protections for the Boundary Waters and calls for the passage of legislation that would permanently protect the Wilderness. www.startribune.com/live-gov-wal...
startribune.com
Live: Gov. Walz signs executive order to prevent mining near the Boundary Waters
The move comes months after Congress voted to end a ban on mining in the area, reviving prospects for a controversial copper-nickel mine.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Rep. Brad Finstad's former campaign chair is endorsing his opponent, Democrat Jake Johnson. The endorsement by Gerald Woodley, who also used to be Brown County's GOP chair, comes ahead of Johnson's town hall in New Ulm tonight.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Also went through a place called Little Chicago. I was in big Chicago just last week and have to say our version is a real understatement.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Yesterday’s reporting trip, featuring downtown Lonsdale, Randolph’s chicken feed and Kilkenny’s Irish ties.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
In Rochester, Joe Powers and Jess Garcia advanced in the race for the city’s open mayoral seat. Powers, like Massad in Mankato, is a local business owner and donor to Republican congressman Brad Finstad’s campaign.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
In Faribault, six candidates advanced to the general election. All of them are on the record as explicitly against or highly skeptical of data center plans in the city.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A few local election results caught my eye in Greater Minnesota. In Mankato, progressive Julia Hamann advanced to the general election. She’ll face incumbent Najwa Massad, a donor to Republican congressman Brad Finstad’s campaign.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Final part of Little’s victory speech in Lakeville.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Matt Little scored a win for progressives Tuesday in a primary race that could determine who replaces Rep. Angie Craig in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
Matt Little prevails in the 2nd District, expanding progressive wins in Democratic primaries
The lawyer ran as a progressive, besting flight attendant Kaela Berg and Mayo Clinic physician Matt Klein.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Matt Little arriving shortly for what is turning into a victory party in Lakeville.
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Decision Desk HQ @decisiondeskhq.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Decision Desk HQ projects Matt Little wins the MN US House 2 Democratic Primary #DecisionMade: 9:43 PM EDT
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The mood at Matt Little HQ right now.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Matt Little’s supporters just erupted in cheers at his campaign party in Lakeville. They believe he won the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Ely and Hermantown were DFL strongholds for decades. Now the party is trying to pry two state House seats away from Republican incumbents, and these races in northeastern Minnesota could determine who has a House majority in 2027. www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
House candidates hope to restore DFL foothold in northeastern Minnesota in key races
Republicans will need to fend off motivated challengers for the House in sprawling districts that cover both Ely and Hermantown.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Flanagan and Craig mainly talked about data centers needing guardrails. Nothing about moratoriums fwiw.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Michele Tafoya answered the data center question by mostly talking about solar panels. Her point was about local control over land, I think.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
White just spent a question about data centers talking about how “commie-crats” want to hand the country over to China. Not a word about data centers.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
One takeaway from Farmfest’s U.S. Senate forum: Royce White could turn just about any question about agriculture into a culture war diatribe.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Stauber’s strange comment about Emmer and other highlights from the campaign trail at Farmfest www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
‘Fighting for his damn life’ and other campaign trail moments from Farmfest
An unexpected moment wasn’t the only testy exchange between campaigns at Farmfest. Most of them, however, were at least related to farming.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Here’s the link if interested www.farmfest.com/governor-for...
farmfest.com
Minnesota Governor Forum
Farmfest strives to bring together the best in agribusiness from Minnesota and around the country. We endeavor to provide one place for farmers to…
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Mike Lindell and Lisa Demuth answer questions after their gubernatorial debate with fellow Republican Kendall Qualls and Democrat Amy Klobuchar Wednesday at Farmfest.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Rep. Tom Emmer’s absence from a Farmfest forum today is a point of discussion. His colleague, Rep. Pete Stauber, just said Emmer is “fighting for his damn life today.”
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MinnPost @minnpost.com · 04/08/2026
Prison industry giant CoreCivic announced Monday that it has finalized a five-year federal contract to reopen a long-shuttered prison in Appleton that will now hold immigrant detainees.
minnpost.com
It’s official: Minnesota will have a new ICE detention center
A long-shuttered prison in Appleton will hold up to 1,600 immigrant detainees, beginning this fall.
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Trevor J. Mitchell @tjm613.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
wrote about a truly nightmarish series of railroad crossings in northwestern minneapolis. in early 2024, one of them was blocked for *194 minutes*. that's long enough to watch the entirety of the odyssey (2026) and then spend 21 minutes googling "anne hathaway oscar odds"
minnpost.com
Glimmer of hope for Northside residents stuck at one of city’s worst rail crossings
More than an annoyance, the delays hinder emergency vehicles. But much-needed changes are on a very slow track.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
A who's who of politicians will talk ag issues next week on Farmfest panels. Minnesota's GOP-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate, Adam Schwarze, won't be one of them. He's polling behind Michele Tafoya and Royce White, who got invited over him ahead of an Aug. 11 primary. www.farmfest.com/us-senate-fo...
farmfest.com
U.S Senate Forum
Farmfest strives to bring together the best in agribusiness from Minnesota and around the country. We endeavor to provide one place for farmers to…
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Data center objections are playing out in Minnesota courtrooms, with judges recently slowing developments in Pine Island and Faribault.
minnpost.com
In pausing data centers, Minnesota courts did what local officials wouldn’t
Rulings in cases built around environmental concerns and other issues have altered the trajectory of the developments.
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MinnPost @minnpost.com · 13/07/2026
The Republican-endorsed candidate for state auditor has embellished his record in an attempt to draw a contrast with his competitor. His campaign has promised to clarify the exaggerations.
minnpost.com
The Republican-endorsed candidate for auditor claimed to be a ‘certified fraud examiner.’ He is not.
State auditor candidate Nate George has a prolific list of jobs, military service and credentials, but he’s also embellished his resume.
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MinnPost @minnpost.com · 08/07/2026
Will the Minnesota Legislature break out of its log jam? Here's an early look at the state's most competitive battlegrounds.
minnpost.com
Red state? Blue state? Here are the races that will likely determine party control at the Minnesota Legislature
Rematches abound in suburban nail-biters, plus coin-flips from Moorhead to the Iron Range.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Much appreciated, thank you!
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MinnPost @minnpost.com · 23/06/2026
The new single-issue voter? After striking out at the local and state levels, activists who oppose data centers are looking to the fall elections to slow down developments.
minnpost.com
Data centers in Minnesota: The next big election issue
After striking out at the local and state levels, activists against data centers are looking to elections to slow down developments.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
In case anyone wonders, Schiltz was appointed by President George W. Bush.
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Brian Arola @brianarola.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
The Cook Political Report shifted Minnesota's 1st Congressional District from "solid R" to "likely R," indicating the race between incumbent Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat challenger Jake Johnson is tightening.
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