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Dear Neighbors,
January has been a heavy month in Minnesota.
In just a few short weeks, our state has experienced profound disruption and pain. The arrival of thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the tragic deaths of Minnesotans Renée Macklin Good and Alex Pretti - who should be alive today - reports of children being detained and sent out of state, and enforcement actions that reached into schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods have shaken families and communities across Minnesota.
I have heard from parents whose children are afraid to go to school and from students grappling with questions no child should have to carry. I've heard from residents who are afraid to go to work and from business owners who are struggling to maintain staffing levels. From families worried about where their next meal will come from. I have also heard from people who told me that this was the first time they had ever felt compelled to speak out publicly because the harm became impossible to ignore.
Nearly 15,000 Minnesotans took to the streets this month in peaceful opposition to Operation Metro Surge. It was a powerful sight to witness. They exercised their First Amendment rights in subzero temperatures out of love for their neighbors and concern for the direction of our federal government.
Minnesotans were clear: enforcement must be lawful, targeted, and grounded in facts - not fear or ideology.
In the past week, there have been signs of potential de-escalation. Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have spoken directly with President Trump, and there has been a commitment to new leadership and a new approach with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota. We will all be watching closely to ensure this follows through. These conversations and public statements do offer some hope - but they do not erase the damage already done, nor the trust that must now be rebuilt.
What this month has laid bare is how deeply interconnected we are. Government, at its best, exists so we can pool our collective wisdom and resources to do together what none of us can do alone: build roads and schools, ensure clean water and public safety, care for our health, support families, protect seniors and people with disabilities, create parks and libraries, preserve our history, and give people a fair chance to thrive.
None of this works without trust. And trust is built when people feel safe, heard, and respected - regardless of how we vote in an election.
My hope as we move forward is that we pause, take care of one another, and remember this truth: we do not have to agree on everything to move forward together. Our diversity of experiences and ideas is not a weakness - it is our strength. Minnesota has always been strongest when we choose community over division and humanity over fear.
Please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones. Below, you’ll find highlights from our District 6 office in January and the work underway in our communities.
With gratitude and resolve,
Heather Edelson
Hennepin County Commissioner, District 6
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Meetings
Recent actions by the Hennepin County Board include:
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Designating Gun Violence as a Public Health Priority: I was proud to lead a resolution designating gun violence as a public health priority. This resolution states that gun violence should be treated like a health issue - focusing on prevention, community safety, and supporting people impacted by gun violence. In the aftermath of a year devastated by gun violence in Minnesota, I am grateful that the county has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing further tragedies from occurring with this resolution.
- The Board passed a statement addressing recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Hennepin County. This resolution:
- Condemns recent enforcement tactics by federal agents, including the fatal shootings of Renée Macklin Good and Alex Pretti.
- Calls for an independent investigation into the use of force by federal agents.
- Urges an end to expanded federal enforcement operations that harm community trust and safety.
- Reaffirms county policies that immigration enforcement isn’t allowed on county property unless required by law.
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Bridge work in Eden Prairie: A contract was approved with the city of Eden Prairie and the Regional Railroad Authority to replace a bridge on Pioneer Trail. The county expects to receive about $85,000 toward this work.
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Traffic signal/accessibility upgrades in Minnetonka (CSAH 61): The county signed an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to improve traffic signals and make crossings more accessible. The county’s share is about $260,000 in county bonds.
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Signal upgrades on Hopkins Crossroad: A change order increased the county’s contribution to this project to about $320,000.
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Refugee support services extended: A state contract providing services to refugee families was extended through September 30, 2026, and the county will receive an additional $286,595, for a total of about $1.53 million to help families settle, access care, and connect with resources.
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NorthPoint Funding: The county will receive $1,319,300 from the Minnesota Department of Health to support federally qualified health centers through NorthPoint Health & Wellness for the 2026 year. These funds help clinics provide care to people regardless of income.
- I was proud to vote in favor of Hennepin County Public Health Director Sara Hollie’s promotion to Assistant County Administrator of Health on February 9, 2026. Sara’s expertise and extensive career in public health will be invaluable assets in this role, and I am thrilled for her to take on this new challenge.
- I was also proud to vote for the approval of David Hewitt’s promotion to Assistant County Administrator of Human Services on the same date. David’s wealth of knowledge around housing and basic needs, including decades of work across the globe in improving access to housing, will be very beneficial to Hennepin residents.
Updates on the Federal Presence in Minnesota
Know Your Rights Session
My office was proud to co-host a virtual “Know Your Rights” Q&A session with District 6 legislators, featuring six attorneys who work with Hennepin County Adult Representation Services (ARS). I am very grateful to the participating ARS attorneys for taking the time to thoughtfully answer dozens of questions submitted by viewers regarding interactions with immigration and customs enforcement. We are grateful for their expertise and commitment to providing clear, factual legal information to our community.
If you missed the session but would still like to benefit from the knowledge shared during this session, you can watch it on my Facebook page here.
50th and France Vigil
On January 24th, after the tragic shooting of Alex Pretti, I joined neighbors for a vigil along 50th and France in Edina. It was heartwarming to be in the presence of neighbors on such a challenging day, amidst the environment we are currently living in. This show of solidarity and community reinforced the resilience and care that Minnesotans have for each other. I am grateful to everyone who came out (even in frigid temperatures) to mourn and be in community together.
Operation Reconnect
We recognize that the current surge of federal immigration enforcement is affecting the communities we serve. Our county is committed to supporting you with compassion now and always.
We're reaching out right now to South Minneapolis neighborhood leaders to identify immediate needs and determine how we can support. Cope staff are also on standby.
Find services, resources, and county policies and actions here.
Commissioner Edelson in the Community
Annual District 6 Legislator Breakfast
It was great to host District 6 legislators for our annual Legislator Breakfast at The Marsh in Minnetonka. We had a productive discussion about 2026 legislative priorities, community needs, and ways that the state and county can collaborate. Liz Young, the Director of Hennepin County Intergovernmental Relations, also joined us to present on the county's 2026 legislative goals. Thank you all for taking the time to meet,
I was also able to recognize Senator Steve Cwodzinski for his dedicated service as senator for Senate District 49. I wish him the best in this next chapter.
Walk to End Silence
Last week, I had the honor of speaking at the Walk to End the Silence, an event hosted at the Mall of America by Hennepin County’s No Wrong Door initiative. No Wrong Door is a part of the Safe Harbor network - a statewide network of victim-centered, trauma-informed services and safe housing.
Youth trafficking and exploitation thrive in silence. It was heartening to see so many residents and organizations join us in support of this important work.
Thank you to everyone who showed up to walk! You can learn more about this work here: https://www.hennepin.us/nowrongdoor
January "Intern for a Day" Session
On January 14th, my office hosted a great Intern for a Day session with students from Minnetonka, Hopkins, and Orono.
Students spent the day learning how Hennepin County works behind the scenes by:
- Meeting with the Sheriff’s Office and met with the Community Outreach team
- Watching a live press conference
- Hearing from Alex with the Mosquito Control District about the important public-health work of mosquito control and prevention
- Learning about careers in public service from Ben at the County Attorney’s Office
We wrapped up the day with a lively student debate about cereal, which is always a highlight.
Thank you to the students for bringing such great questions and energy, and to all of our speakers for sharing their time and expertise. Thank you also to Michael, our college intern for spending a few weeks with our office!
Stay Connected!
We want to ensure that our residents are as informed as they can be with County business. To that end, you can view our County Board and Committee meetings here, as well as view past meetings. Please reach out if you have any questions about viewing meetings online or in-person. As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any other questions or feedback you’d like to share at heather.edelson@hennepin.us or 612-348-6885. You can also follow me on my official Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
County Commissioner, Hennepin County District 6
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Heather Edelson
Commissioner
6th District
Raina Meyer
Policy Director
Clara Wicklund
Assistant to the Commissioner
Office Phone Number: 612-348-6885
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