I've lived in the metro area for most of my life, and the smallest town I lived in was Eau Claire for 4-5 years in the 80s. I think its population was about 60,000 then.

I've been traveling a lot through outer MN since COVID (bought a camper). I have relatives who farm, so I have a pretty good understanding of at least their situation (I understand there are a lot of different types and sizes of farms; they have a small family farm that is mostly crops with some animals).

Anyway, I'm most intrigued and curious about non-farm rural living. I get and respect strokes/folks, trash/treasure perspectives. I'd appreciate hearing from Minnesotans in these situations, either out in the country (but not on a farm), or in a small community or town. Let's arbitrarily say under 1,000 residents. What do you view as the biggest pros and cons?

TIA!

28 people were loaded onto today's ICE Air flight at MSP, eight were unloaded. One of Target's jets taxied by (0:06 in the clip) - it'd be nice if they told ICE to stay off of their property, but that's too much to ask, apparently. Full sequence: youtube.com/watch?v=tQr-gv7FHSc

Important Minnesota info (LVs):

• U.S. Senate: Peggy Flanagan (D) 54% – Michele Tafoya (R) 40%
• Governor: Amy Klobuchar (D) 56% – Lisa Demuth (R) 38%

https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/10/26/would-demuth-pardon-derek-chauvin-she-wont-say/

Alex's father, Michael Pretti, delivered a message to U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Dan Rosen and Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“Look in your heart and do what is right, share the evidence now so prosecutors can follow the facts and hold these men accountable. Do your job and stop shielding Alex’s killers.

Susan Pretti spoke to Alex Pretti's character and said the federal government lied about him.

“The federal government went on TV and lied about Alex,” she said. “They tried to slander his memory to cover up their crime. Not only was it wrong, it was shameful, unfair and unacceptable.”

Susan Pretti said the family wants to hold accountable the people who fatally shot her son.

She said the family received thousands of cards and letters from across the country since his death, adding that the cards helped with the family's grief.

Watch press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/live/d0GcUB-2Lsk?si=-37KsHxOheLy19IL

New headline: Parents of Alex Pretti claim Justice Department is shielding agents who killed their son