School Funding Vote: Minnesota voters will see a constitutional amendment this fall that would boost annual distributions from the state’s Permanent School Fund, a $2.4B trust tied to school lands—supporters call it extra money without new taxes, while critics warn it won’t cover wider district pressures. Campaign Finance: In the governor race, Sen. Amy Klobuchar outraises House Speaker Lisa Demuth on cash and has far less outside money, while Demuth’s campaign leans heavily on a single Uihlein-backed super PAC. Infrastructure & Development: Highway 22’s $36.9M rebuild between Mankato and St. Peter is nearing completion, with paving expected mid-September; meanwhile, Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal amphitheater construction is progressing, but housing and industrial timelines remain uncertain. Industrial Real Estate: CBRE forecasts Twin Cities industrial rents rising 5%–6% through 2027, with vacancy at 4.4% and data-center-related constraints shaping development. Energy Costs: Diesel prices are driving up Minnesota farm harvest costs, with a congressional analysis estimating Minnesota farmers spent about $100M more on diesel in 2026 than in 2025. AI Policy: A Minnesota court kept the state’s “AI nudification” ban in force against xAI, rejecting efforts to halt the law. Local Business Opportunities: Minnesota’s Small Business Procurement Program is expanding certification options for targeted, economically disadvantaged, and veteran-owned firms to access state contracting.