Now: @Axios.com Twin Cities reporter | Then: MinnPost; NPR stations in LA (@laist.com), Seattle, Indiana | Alum: Mizzou Journalismhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mumnjjlod22qA report from ICE suggests federal agents arrested more U.S. citizens during Operation Metro Surge than previously thought. ICE's report says prosecutors rejected 2/3 of their agents' claims that citizens had impeded/assaulted them. Reported first by @axios.com >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/09/03/ice-arrests-us-citizens-metro-surge03 Sep 2026 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumnjjlod22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mtemfypf422pTrees are really cool. But in the Twin Cities, we're losing tree cover. Some parts of the East Metro — including St. Paul — have lost ~30% of their canopy since 2013. BUT … the news is NOT all bad! Explore @axios.com's INTERACTIVE MAP of your city's tree health >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/18/minnesota-tree-map-emerald-ash-borer18 Aug 2026 16:15 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtemfypf422phttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mtcd4qjees2pLil neighborhood SCOOPlet: Yet another big chunk of St. Paul's Midway will soon be up for sale. Fairview's moving out of its huge empty admin campus on University Ave "Midway is clearly experiencing long-overdue change and investment," @mollycoleman.bsky.social says >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/17/fairview-st-paul-midway-campus-sale17 Aug 2026 18:23 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtcd4qjees2phttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3msvjypcrqs2cMinneapolis mayor proposes job cuts, steep levy hike to counter budget gap https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/12/minneapolis-property-tax-increase-budget-cuts12 Aug 2026 16:22 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvjypcrqs2chttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3msawgov7xc2tScoop: In a private call with top officials, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her lashed at requests to delay a homeless encampment sweep. She attributed her anger to “fuckery” being said about her in public, 3 officials told @axios.com . One state rep logged off in frustration. https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/03/mayor-kaohly-her-homelessness-controversy-harassment-allegation04 Aug 2026 11:38 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3msawgov7xc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mrd2huylac2jWhen Minnesotans speak today of living on "stolen land," the theft — and it really was a great swindle — took place 175 years ago today. The treaty that stripped Minnesota from the Dakota people, from this AM's @axios.com newsletter >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/07/23/minnesota-dakota-native-treaty-traverse-des-sioux23 Jul 2026 14:31 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrd2huylac2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mov64e6xc22kToday, the Star Tribune is set to announce buyouts and layoffs that will shrink the newsroom by 15% Good stewardship of the Strib is a big reason the Twin Cities is a vibrant media market. The staff cuts are a reminder: There's no law that says we'll remain that way. https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/06/22/star-tribune-newsroom-layoffs-buyouts22 Jun 2026 15:08 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mov64e6xc22khttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mk425g6xck2eSt. Paul's parks department has lifted its ban against a TikTok influencer who films his handouts to often-homeless people Josh Liljenquist says "the damage is done" I spoke with a handful of residents about their interactions with him >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/22/joshlilj-tiktok-park-ban-minnesota22 Apr 2026 17:40 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk425g6xck2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mimer4fbyc2jAn AI-powered local news network shut down after questions emerged about copied content on its local site in Virginia — and grew into a broader plagiarism scandal Story broken by my colleague at @axios.com Richmond >> https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/03/nota-ai-news-sites-shut-down-plagiarism03 Apr 2026 18:42 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mimer4fbyc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mhy552ew6s24The Minneapolis City Council has voted 7-6 to delay buying a property city officials say is perfect for new public safety training facility to fulfill part of MPD's reform settlement Background >> https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/minneapolis-police-training-facility26 Mar 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhy552ew6s24https://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mhxwrce3e22oThe Minneapolis City Council is taking a five-minute recess. Council Member @aurinmpls.bsky.social just said that she was called a "fucking child (direct quote)" by another CM while chairing a recent committee meeting.26 Mar 2026 15:38 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxwrce3e22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mhsv4zrx6s27Legally, MPD reform plan doesn't *require* building the all-new training facility on the City Council's agenda this week But practically, experts say the city is "pretty boxed in." It highlights a real debate about the costs and methods for police reform >> https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/minneapolis-police-training-facility24 Mar 2026 15:26 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsv4zrx6s27https://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mgwyltaghc2oBreathtaking sums of donated money may be helping hold back a wave of eviction filings in the Twin Cities after the ICE enforcement surge A survey of 124 of those groups offers a sense of just how much mutual aid money was distributed… and it’s a LOT >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/13/mutual-aid-evictions-rental-assistance13 Mar 2026 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgwyltaghc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mfhkpgks3k25🥹🥹🥹 Johnny Gaudreau’s kids22 Feb 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfhkpgks3k25https://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mfhinvyfj225AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!22 Feb 2026 15:53 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfhinvyfj225https://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mf2wzk5x7s2yFanDuel Sports Net's parent company just gave notice it's laying off 20 Minneapolis-based employees FDSN broadcasts the Wild, Wolves and Lynx. It's been reported it might shut down if its parent company can't complete a sale. Layoffs are effective April 14 — the end of the NHL/NBA regular season17 Feb 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf2wzk5x7s2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3meoekoubis2qThis morning, @governorwalz.mn.gov announced he'll pitch #mnleg on a small business relief package with emergency loans. It's a COVID-era solution to businesses currently experiencing strains they're comparing to the height of the pandemic >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/ice-surge-minnesota-businesses-covid-flashbacks12 Feb 2026 16:03 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3meoekoubis2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3meoe4ymxfs2rSpeaking now: @governorwalz.mn.gov is "cautiously optimistic" about news of federal drawdown in MN. BUT "they left us with deep damage, generational trauma … and many unanswered questions: Where are our children?" Where do the investigations into Good and Pretti shootings stand?12 Feb 2026 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3meoe4ymxfs2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3me2thk5wbc2jThe wildest court record you will ever read, full stop ⤵️ [contains quote post or other embedded content]04 Feb 2026 21:36 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3me2thk5wbc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mdnvd2hxn22eI'm a journalist. Here's the story based on a ridealong I did >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/26/ice-watch-rapid-response-minnesota-network My rapid response ridealong host and I talked through concerns beforehand. I agreed that certain details about communication wouldn't be included, nor would identities of other RR volunteers w/o consent. [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Jan 2026 18:05 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdnvd2hxn22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mdeozkxow22sAt 3:45, the ICE watch network spotted ICE agents as they entered the neighborhood By 4, they knew their final destination By 4:15, 40+ people were in the streets What I saw on a ridealong with Minnesota "rapid responders" that have been tracking ICE's every move: https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/26/ice-watch-rapid-response-minnesota-network27 Jan 2026 02:18 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdeozkxow22shttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mdebecpjlc25BREAKING: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issues a statement saying he spoke with Trump today "The president agreed that the present situation cannot continue. Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go."26 Jan 2026 22:14 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdebecpjlc25https://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mcwviicd7c2aMayor Jacob Frey said Secretary Noem's suggestion that he set up "safe zones" for protests is unconstitutional: "The entire country is a safe zone" for free speech Also, he quipped: "Could you imagine *ME* telling *Minneapolis activists,* 'Hey guys. Just protest in this single park. Nowhere else.'" [contains quote post or other embedded content]21 Jan 2026 14:37 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcwviicd7c2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mcwua3r5lk2v"There’s an old Jewish phrase which goes… [a few lines of Hebrew*]… which is generally translates to, 'There’s nothing that brings two mayors together like a bullshit federal investigation." —Mpls Mayor Jacob Frey, on stage with St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her this morning21 Jan 2026 14:14 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcwua3r5lk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mcwmtuiag224Canadian PM Mark Carney “ran the Bank of England. He ran the Bank of Canada. He's not a bomb-thrower. When someone like that says the old alliance is over — not pausing, not wobbling, over — that's a seismic marker.” https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/davos-2026-ai-trump-canada-greenland-nato-crisis21 Jan 2026 12:02 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcwmtuiag224https://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mclmdfwh422jBREAKING: A federal judge ordered ICE agents to stop retaliating against peaceful protesters and observers in Minnesota https://www.axios.com/2026/01/17/federal-judge-limits-ice-minnesota-metro-surge17 Jan 2026 02:54 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mclmdfwh422jhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mckcy2mbrs2pAs Manny González of "Tortas" fame talked to @nickhalter.bsky.social from his kitchen, the sound of whistles could be heard just outside Midtown Global Market's doors as ICE agents walked by. "They just abducted another person," a market staff person said. https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/16/midtown-global-market-businesses-ice-immigration16 Jan 2026 14:34 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mckcy2mbrs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mchrv4gwrk2rEvery modern use of the Insurrection Act has come either at a governor's request or to expand federal civil rights protections. Trump would flip that script, sending troops against a governor's wishes to crush protests of the federal government's own actions. https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/trump-insurrection-act-minneapolis-ice-protests15 Jan 2026 14:22 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mchrv4gwrk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mbu3sqcus22fAxios has video from the scene where federal agents fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis this AM. According to footage obtained by Axios' Nick Hatler, an SUV attempts to drive past several ICE vehicles — and the SUV does appear to strike an agent >> https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-agent-shooting-south-minneapolis07 Jan 2026 18:27 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbu3sqcus22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/kystokes.bsky.social/post/3mbdmln22ks2qJust watched a bunch of coastal yokels lower a small ball from the top of a small building and call it a New Year’s celebration… YAWN https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/12/23/minneapolis-city-hall-new-years-eve01 Jan 2026 05:12 +0000at://did:plc:f7ebocyc3vd72474otpvtbql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbdmln22ks2q