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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 9m

I want to highlight one bit that didn't get mentioned from page 71. Finding One: The investigation substantiated the allegations that Mayor Her has acted inappropriately with City employees. "The concerns regarding Mayor Her’s relationship with [redacted] are legitimate." (cont.)

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Rep. Leigh Finke @leighfinke.bsky.social · 56m

Hegseth is like the early morning firefly in Hamlet, struggling to show his ‘pale unaffectual fire’ before being lost against the power of the rising sun. His cruelty casts a faint and momentary glow against the bright and brilliant light of our love and liberation. Or, in other words: screw him.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 18h

At this point, myself, the Police Chief, and several City Council members are waiting to receive the results of the investigation into Mayor Her's harassment investigation. While I've heard folks say they don't trust the cops, and *I GET IT*, but also...

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Tom Basgen, Mr. Saint Paul @tombasgen.bsky.social · 19h

More on today’s closed door from Ward 3:

Today, I voted, very reluctantly, in favor of Resolution 26-1659 to appoint the law firm Fisher Phillips as Special Counsel to represent Mayor Her in the lawsuit brought by Chief Henry against the Mayor and the City.
It is my understanding that state law creates a presumption that public employees, including the Mayor, will be indemnified and provided a legal defense in matters such as these unless there is a legal basis to deny that defense. Additionally, the City Attorney cannot represent the Mayor in this case because of the conflict of interest created by her role as both an appointee of the Mayor and a fact witness in the litigation.
Ordinarily, the determination of whether the City will indemnify and defend an employee is made by the City Attorney. However, because of this conflict, the City will retain an outside firm through action at our next council meeting to conduct an independent indemnification analysis and determine, through a quasi-judicial process, whether the Mayor is entitled to indemnification and defense by the City.
Until that determination is made, it is my understanding that the City must continue to comply with its obligations under state law.

Based on the legal advice provided to the Council, voting against this resolution could have exposed the City to additional legal risk by failing to meet those obligations. There is a process in place to determine whether the Mayor was acting within the scope of her official duties during the conduct that gave rise to this lawsuit, but that analysis will take time and could not be completed before this vote. We also have a timeline to respond to the lawsuit that we must comply with.
I am deeply disappointed by the situation we find ourselves in. As a councilmember, I have a responsibility to protect the City from legal risk, but I also have a responsibility to safeguard public resources and protect the City from unnecessary financial harm. I have serious reservations about whether this is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. I also have concerns about how this particular law firm was selected.
Like many residents, I am still waiting to see the full report from Resolute Law which I have formally requested. My colleagues and I were forced by legal timelines to make significant decisions without having access to all of the information we would have preferred to review. That is not how I make decisions, and it is not how the City should make decisions.

I know I am not alone in my frustration. More than 100 public comments on this resolution were overwhelmingly opposed to the City paying for the Mayor's legal defense. Our office continues to hear from constituents who are disappointed by the Mayor's alleged conduct and are asking questions that I am still unable to answer. The expectations of our community are not being met.
Trust in government depends on transparency, accountability, and confidence that public dollars are being spent in ways that reflect our shared values and priorities. Right now, many residents feel those standards are falling short.
I remain deeply frustrated by this situation. Our residents deserve better. Our city employees deserve better. And our City deserves better.
I will continue to closely oversee this developing matter and use the authority afforded to my office under the City Charter to pursue the transparency and accountability that residents expect and deserve. In the meantime, I will remain focused on serving Saint Paul and continuing the work of building the city our community deserves.

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Fossilized Tree Sap @amberrl.bsky.social · 21h

Her’s only idea during the campaign that wasn’t completely abstract was her plan to fix the budget so it would work long-term. I don’t know how much of our money she already wasted by “looking into” decided matters. Now we’re facing a $26M shortfall, yet her plan is to waste even more. Get Her Out

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MoveOn @moveon.org · 21h

ICE has shot another person, this time it was in Austin, Texas. His name is Wilber Garcés Pérez and he was shot while doing his job. He should be home with his family, not in ICE detention with no medical care. This chaos has no place in our communities.

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Daniel Suitor @danielsuitor.com · 28/07/2026

edit of The Onion DeBlasio headline reading:

Carter: ‘Well, Well, Well, Not So Easy To Find A Mayor That Doesn’t Suck Shit, Huh?’

https://theonion.com/de-blasio-well-well-well-not-so-easy-to-find-a-may-1847151201/

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Molly Coleman @mollycoleman.bsky.social · 21h

Sharing my comments from today’s meeting of the City Council, related to the hiring of outside counsel to represent Mayor Her in the lawsuit brought by Chief Henry. The full audio of the meeting is available here: stpaul.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=....

On April 1st of this year, the City was notified by Chief Henry’s attorney that the Mayor was being accused of engaging in illegal conduct toward City employees, and that litigation was reasonably foreseeable.

Today, one day shy of six months later, the City finally saw fit to discuss the matter in a closed door session with this City Council.

In the six months during which the Council and the public have been kept entirely in the dark by the administration, an external law firm has already been engaged at tax payers expense to investigate the allegations of repeated sexual harassment and other inappropriate workplace conduct by the Mayor.

Neither the Council or the public has been informed of the total cost of that investigation. Neither the Council or the public has seen the report.

While vague media reports have circulated that the report will be made public soon, we’re left with the allegations in the Chief’s 73-page complaint and the investigation summary prepared by an employee of the Mayor herself that finds that the Mayor engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior,” “created an uncomfortable work environment” for City employees, and “sent inappropriate text messages” to at least two City employees.

Today, the Council is effectively being asked to write a blank check with taxpayers’ money to a law firm that, frankly, is a law firm that I take great issue with—just minutes, literally minutes, after this body was provided for the first time was provided with any sort of update related to this matter.

This is no way to run a city. The lack of transparency, the refusal to provide the Council with the information necessary to fulfill our duties as a co-equal branch of government, and the lack of respect for the residents of the City is unacceptable. And yet, as the Council President explained, we effectively have no choice in this matter. If we choose not to retain outside counsel today, then we are opening up the City to additional liability and the risk that the Mayor herself could sue the City for refusing to hire outside counsel.

We are in a horrible position and we have very few options. I am incredibly frustrated by the vote that we are being asked to take today. I am incredibly frustrated by the timeline on which we are being asked to take it and the fact that we will be spending unknown sums of money, significant sums of money, defending against claims we know nothing about—despite the fact that our money has already been used to investigate those very claims.

So while I will vote yes for this resolution today, I want to be very clear about the legal limitations that require, from my perspective, that vote—and the immense frustration and disappointment at being asked to take this vote today.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It is a drizzly October morning and there's still folks outside Whipple letting the shitheads know what we think of them.

Photo of a banner outside Whipple. People obscured.

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Zack Filipovich for MN Auditor @zackformn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In case you missed it from earlier this month, check out Zack at the Minnesota State Fair WCCO Radio State Auditor’s debate. Link to the full debate below. Thank you to WCCO’s Blois Olson with The Sunday Take for hosting us. youtu.be/S_s-q0EQIg0?... -Team Zack #debate #vote

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Fossilized Tree Sap @amberrl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

SAVE OUR SUMMIT BREWERY St. Paul Tap. Right now. cc @comobelladonna.bsky.social

Me and Lauren in front of a Save Our Summit Brewery thermometer

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

With Game Changer Season 8 in the books, here's my ranking of what hit best for me. They're all good, but some of the targets for them weren't me, and not everything has to be for me. Maybe it's for you and you ranked it higher. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

How is "Total Mayoral Recall" for a team name for bar trivia tonight?

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Fossilized Tree Sap @amberrl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Does anyone have recs for a nail place/person in St. Paul? It turns out having my nails done makes it physically impossible for me to do some of my bad habits. I’m going to keep getting them done for a while, but I will not be returning to this place.

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Zack Filipovich for MN Auditor @zackformn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Do you want a state auditor who knows the role? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. “We’ve all had bosses that might not know what our day-to-day job is. And hopefully we’ve had bosses that have had our job. I’ll take the person who has done my job every time.” ZackforMN.com

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Brad Tabke @bradtabke.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

We’re coming down to the home stretch - can you help us knock a few more doors? There are plenty of opportunities to join us. Sign up at buff.ly/Detrgiu

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(GDHitless) PT @pleasantlytwstd.blacksky.app · 26/09/2026

You-yes you! 🫵🏿 Are you - a speedrunner / challenge runner - interested in charity fundraising - looking for more activities and camaraderie w/ your Black peers year-round - Black? (Obvy) We want to hang with you in BaF! 🫶🏿 We're fundraising for Race Forward in February and would love to have you!

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Stringer🙏🏻✨ @stringerplz.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Every PAX I am given a small budget of banners to do with what I will and place wherever makes sense. Here are those designs for #PAXWest 2026. (1/2)

A montage of artistic depictions of horses across centuries and cultures; top to bottom: lascaux cave paintings, an ancient Chinese rendering of a muscular horse in a wild pose, a sumerian painting of a Hittite king's horses lined up side by side, the foremost staring straight at us; a very old Indian illustration of a yellow-gold horse in finery; a medieval European horse from the side and terribly rendered from the front, like a potato with legs; the "four horse" illusion from Safavid period Iran; great petroglyphs of horses from the Pueblo people of long ago. Overlaid on some of these are drawings of horses by PAX Enforcers, at varying levels of skill.

There's text, laid out like verse: "the power of an image is as much the result of its subject as the eyes that saw it first and the hands tasked to capture it. Every stroke is a breath taken, a muscle moved, a moment in time passed. The only machine we truly need to express ourselves is the one installed behind our eyes."

Crabs of varying species, biomes, and water salinities appear to converge on a distant underwater corporate building; a giant goddamn king crab seems to be whacking at it to explosive results. Nearly all crabs - plus one shrimp - are wearing construction helmets; we can't see if the big one has any PPE. Many hold tools, some regard schematics or stand near rulers and kits.

Overlaid in a variety of typefaces the way you'd see in a 70s exploitation horror film is text:
I HAVE CONTRACTED
CRABS
TO DESTROY
YOUR SEA FOUNDATION!

Two images overlaid with text. At the top, Dolly Parton in the early-mid 80s, in a pink chiffon number and matching mules surrounded by florals and white cabinetry. She is not looking at the camera. At bottom, Tim Curry in the early-mid 90s, set on a chaise lounge in a tux, the backdrop a painted late sunset, his manner relaxed and his gaze direct. Over Dolly: "If you were an angel I'd die to get to heaven"
Over Tim: "if you were the devil I'd pay to go to hell"

A street or alley at midday with a metal sign adhered to a light post.
Sign reads "CERTIFIED HATER ZONE: 25/8 ACCESS FOR HATERATION." a smaller sign beneath reads "HOLLERATION BY ZONE J PERMIT ONLY"

at the bottom of the banner an arrow pointing down and the words "stand here"

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Jen the Tired RN @jenthetiredrn.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A warning for my fellow celiacs:

Light Brown Sugar - Packaged in the follow configurations:
1. United, Net Wt. 50 Ibs., (22.68kg). Item Number
810051. Distributed By: United Sugar Producers & Refiners, Minneapolis, MN 55439.
2. Good & Gather (Target), Net Wt 2 lb. (32 oz) 907g Item Number 817773. UPC 0 85239-08454 0. Dist.
By Target Corp.,
Batch numbers -
United Brown Sugar 1. MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26228, MHD26229, MHD26223, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26223, MHD26225, MHD26226.
2. Good & Gather Batch Numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26228, MHD26229.

Powdered Sugar
1. United 6X, Net Wt. 50 Ibs. ((22.68kg), Item Number 810087. UPC 7 85921-07090 4. Distributed by: United Sugar Producers & Refiners, Minneapolis,
MN 55439.
2. Crystal Sugar, Net Wt. 25 Ibs. (11.3 kg), Item Number 810097. UPC 0 70090-08090 9. Distributed by Crystal Sugars Corporation, Moorhead, MN
3. Good & Gather, Net Wt 2 Ib. (32oz) 907g. Item Number 817774. UPC 0 85239-08455 7. Dist. By Target Corp. Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Batch Numbers
1. United Batch Numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26229.
2. Crystal Sugar Batch Numbers: MHD26230
3. Good & Gather Batch Numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26228, MHD26229.

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Indivisible Twin Cities @indivistwincities.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Ready to make a real impact? We are hitting the pavement to have those critical face to face conversations that win elections! Join your Indivisible Metro area friends doorknocking on October 3, 1-4pm. www.mobilize.us/indivisiblet...

mobilize.us

Door Knock for Jim DeMay for House · Indivisible Twin Cities

Ready to make a real impact? We are hitting the pavement to have those critical face to face conversations that win elections! Join your Indivisible Metro area Friends. Whether you are a seasoned can...

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Big Bad Game-a-thon @bigbadgameathon.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Tomorrow, jank fans! Tomorrow BBG throws wide the gates to the 14th plane of elemental gaming curiosity. Have you checked out the schedule yet? horaro.net/bbg2026/sche...

horaro.net

BBG 2026 Schedule – Big Bad Game-a-thon 2026

BBG 2026 Schedule of Big Bad Game-a-thon 2026

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Peebs @peebs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If you've never had a chance to watch Big Bad Game-a-thon, it's a 3 day weekend celebration of jank and shenanigans, with most everyone treating the games with respect and pure unadulterated enjoyment. It's my favorite event of the year by miles. It's basically a new holiday for us at this point.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

There's a lot in the 73 page complaint that makes me angry. The touching without consent. The stalking. The theft. Deputy mayors and the city attorney enabling the behavior. But the thing that gets under my skin the most is the repetition of "I'm the mayor, and you have to do what I say."

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Read the full 73 page complaint. Too angry to sleep. Gonna make cookies instead.

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 22/09/2026

DoorDash has ripped off more than 260,000 NYC delivery workers. We’re making them pay $131.5 million — the largest worker settlement in City history. This is New York, where hard work pays and greed will cost you.

DoorDash messed up.
They repeatedly left more than 260,000 NYC delivery workers underpaid or paid late, causing them immense stress and financial difficulty.
That's unacceptable.
We've secured a $131.5M settlement from
DoorDash - the largest worker settlement in NYC history and largest delivery worker settlement in
American municipal history.
Every worker will be paid what they are owed, and every company will be forced to abide by the laws of this city.

LOGOS:
The OFFICE of the MAYOR of NYC
NYC Consumer and Worker Protection

Mayor Mamdani and Deliveristas representatives stand behind a podium.

Three delivery workers holding a giant fake check for $131.5M.

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Ken Martin @kenmartin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Don’t believe a poll that has Democrats up any more than a poll that has us down. The only poll that matters closes in 42 days.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Prepping for orders by getting 15 gallons of juice and 5 lbs of nutmeg. Like you do.

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Zack Filipovich for MN Auditor @zackformn.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The choice could not be more clear. We need the accountant for MN State Auditor. Listen to the WCCO debate at: www.audacy.com/podcasts/423... #earlyvoting #vote

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the jonrev projects @jonrev.com · 21/09/2026

Alright, who fixes old-old CRT televisions between Chicago and Milwaukee. I'd like to get this beast back for at least part of horror season...

Photograph. A large, late-1970s Zenith System 3 "Panorama" television console in silver with fake woodgrain on a checkered tile floor.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

What is it about rainy days that make a bed so much more comfortable?

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Why is my stomach so unhappy? Oh, right, the raw habanero. That is it.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Hey, general request for the internet. How do I submit a freedom of information request of my city?

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Zack Filipovich for MN Auditor @zackformn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

What do the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, a fire hydrant, and your local park have to do with the Office of the State Auditor (OSA)? They all rely on your local tax dollars! Protect your local tax dollars. Vote for the accountant for state auditor. ZackforMN.com

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Whenever anyone tells you they're pro-life, the proper response is: "Not with that kill count."

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Mark Legvold, Candidate for MN Senate @legvold4mnsenate58.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Where I come from, and where we all live, we don't have time for the extremes and the far-fringe nonsense. I've had a lifetime of facing real challenges while carrying other's voices, let me carry yours to the MN State Senate. #farmer #veteran #teacher #MNSenate

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Mark Legvold, Candidate for MN Senate @legvold4mnsenate58.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm Mark Legvold and I'm running to be the next Minnesota State Senator from District 58. I'm a common sense, no nonsense farmer, military veteran, husband, father, grandfather, and teacher.

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The corollary to "We all do better when we all do better" is "we do not all do better when we throw one group under the bus".

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Paul "CookieMom" Ference @paulference.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

On the one hand, doxxing is wrong. On the other hand, I have the knowledge required to look up the PDFs of the PACs that don't stop texting me

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madi mcvan @madisonmcvan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I’ll be presenting on what habeas petitions can tell us about people detained during Metro Surge. Looking forward to hearing about all the research that’s been done so far and the projects underway.

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ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 12/09/2026

we tracked months of rent payments to an estimated 13,000 families. the expected cost of rehousing those families, had they entered eviction, would be north of $218 million dollars. keeping them housed cost around $38-40 million

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ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 12/09/2026

i am incredibly excited to share our research about how paying people’s rent through mutual aid made an impact on minnesota this year we accidentally collected more data than anyone ever has for an effort like this, and can very seriously say we prevented an eviction bubble that everyone expected

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luna stargays 🏳️‍⚧️ @stargays.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

fuck talarico fuck acton and fuck any cowardly democrat who betrays their trans constituents

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Dex Anderson @dexanderson.com · 09/09/2026

But let's be honest: that is a revisionist history. It is because people like me refused to give up that we are a trans refuge state. And we can and must do better, especially by the trans people choosing to be involved. Getting involved shouldn't mean constantly bracing for impact.

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Dex Anderson @dexanderson.com · 09/09/2026

But at this stage, I do not care. It has been a year, and even though protecting trans rights is officially in our platform, I am still regularly misgendered, and still condescended to about how I should be grateful for Minnesota DFLers and their pushes for trans rights.

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