Welcome back to The Flyover, your go-to source for intriguing, overlooked, and essential news stories from Minnesota.
**Walz Watch 2028: A Bold Vision in the Political Arena**
Could Minnesota’s Gov. **Tim Walz** be setting his sights on the highest office in the land? Buzz is swirling, with reports from major outlets including the New York Times and the Washington Post hinting that the 61-year-old politician may indeed be eyeing a presidential run in 2028.
Speaking at a lively **fish fry** in South Carolina, hosted by Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), Walz urged his party to reconnect with its foundational mission: serving the working class. “If we stray from our North Star,” he cautioned, “we risk becoming roadkill.” With a bold remark echoing through the crowd, he added, “Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner. When it’s a bully like **Donald Trump**, we need to bully him right back.” Fellow Democrat Gov. Jim Hodges (D-SD) remarked on Walz’s presence at the event, suggesting, “They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t interested” in the presidential race.
As the weekend unfolded, Walz appeared at the California Democratic Party convention in Anaheim, once again addressing his party’s recent shortcomings. “The party of the working class lost a big chunk of the working class… some of it is our own doing,” he lamented. He showcased his progressive achievements back home, including **child tax credits, free school lunches, and bolstered labor protections**—pandering to union members, whom he declared to be the “real VIPs” per Politico.
Walz has not been shy about hinting at potential presidential ambitions. A March podcast interview with the New Yorker sounded very much like he was ‘testing the waters.’ His keynotes, including a stirring address at the U of M Law School, underlined this narrative—after all, it wouldn’t be too hard to outshine Minnesota’s own **Walter Mondale**’s performance in the 1984 election.
**Fortune 500 Rankings: A Mixed Bag for MN Companies**
In an eagerly awaited annual release, **Fortune** magazine has unveiled its list of the country’s 500 biggest corporations, and Minnesota companies have seen a mix of highs and lows. An impressive 18 Minnesota firms made the list, ascending from last year by one.
Leading the pack is **UnitedHealth Group** (No. 3), followed closely by the retail giant **Target** (No. 41). Other notable mentions include **U.S. Bancorp** (No. 105) and **Best Buy** (No. 108), though many companies, such as **General Mills** and **3M**, are witnessing significant declines. This year has also seen the entry of **Sloventum**, a health-care spinoff from 3M, slotting at No. 462. Interestingly, Racket described its name as rather “dumb.” Meanwhile, **Walmart** retains the top spot nationally, followed by tech titans **Amazon**, **Apple**, and **CVS Health**.
To learn more about how these corporations measure up to their social commitments, check out Racket’s intriguing feature on corporate accountability in the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death.
**Star Tribune’s Turbulent Times: Buyouts on the Table**
In a move that has sparked concern within the journalism community, **Star Tribune Media Co.** has started offering voluntary buyouts to its workforce. Publisher Steve Grove has assured employees that no layoffs are imminent, but the offer of **$10,000 buyouts** has raised eyebrows.
Those eligible must combine their age with years of service to exceed 65. Grove’s email to staff acknowledged that “every media company in the country is undergoing tremendous transformation,” indicating a shifting landscape for journalism everywhere. With aspirations to usher in new talent and adapt to the changing environment, Grove’s vision must align with the industry’s changing realities as reported by Minnesota Reformer.
Previously known as a tech savant at Google, Grove is navigating a complicated rebranding journey for the 157-year-old institution, which was recently dubbed the **Minnesota Star Tribune**. His upcoming book, How I Found Myself in the Midwest, will surely add another layer to his narrative—albeit amidst concerns from staff who felt blindsided by his deal.
**Wolves Watch: Future Arena Location in Question**
As the Minnesota Timberwolves concluded an exciting 2024-25 season with a Western Conference Finals exit, conversations are heating up regarding their future. New majority owners **Marc Lore** and **Alex Rodriguez** are keen on making substantial investments, including plans for a new arena, reaffirming their commitment to keeping the team in Minnesota as they stated openly.
With speculation swirling and no firm details yet released, ambitious fans are turning to platforms like Reddit for potential arena sites. Suggestions have included everything from downtown’s HERC facility to the historic Kmart location off Lake Street. What do you think? Could that be the next home for the Wolves?
As discussions continue, we invite you to share your thoughts and theories in the comments below!
