Update on 2026 legislative session
The 2026 Minnesota State legislative session ended on May 18 with lawmakers approving a variety of important initiatives impacting Hennepin County. While the centerpiece of this year’s work was stabilizing Hennepin Healthcare, legislators also advanced measures across public health, human services, bonding, environmental efforts and supports tied to broader statewide needs.
Support for Hennepin Healthcare Systems
It is hard to put into words how much care and love for our safety net hospital, HCMC, went into the work done this legislative session to save it. From patients, to staff, our friends and neighbors, organizations and of course our legislative partners, it was all hands on deck to save the hospital that has saved so many of us.
Minnesota state legislators voted to provide significant and much needed support for Hennepin Healthcare. While more work lies ahead, this legislation provides stability and lays the groundwork for continued collaboration on long-term solutions that will protect access to care.
Key components include:
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Immediate funding to support the hospital this year ($205 million)
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A long‑term reserve to provide financial stability through 2031
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A state-led task force beginning in August to help shape future governance and financing
Intergovernmental Relations Team
Hennepin Healthcare remains a vital institution in the Upper Midwest and will continue to care for everyone that walks through the door. That wouldn't have been possible this year without the hard work of our dedicated Intergovernmental Relations team! I am so grateful for their precision, unwavering commitment and thoughtful instruction. As co-chair of our Intergovernmental Relations committee, walking alongside these folks, committed to our healthcare institution, was truly an honor.
While there is still more work to do as attacks on healthcare continue, it is because of bipartisan legislative support, strong champions carrying the bills, state leadership, Hennepin County Government Administration and finance and everyone who showed up when it mattered most, our doors remain open and we are committed to the work ahead.
Broader legislative actions
Beyond healthcare, the legislature passed several measures including strengthening oversight and fraud prevention across public programs, funding projects in the bonding bill, and other items affecting county operations including:
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Measures to mitigate early impacts of H.R.1, including SNAP administrative funding and reimbursement rate increases for critical access hospitals
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One-time funding of $15 million for the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act
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Extensions and protections for county environmental tools, including the Environmental Response Fund
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A one-time $40 million increase to the Family Homelessness Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP) to assist those impacted by the staggering increase in rent and Operation Metro Surge
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Additional support for school-linked mental health and anonymous threat reporting
EMS Week
 In light of national EMS week, Dr. Timothy Kummer, presented an update on Hennepin EMS and the opiod criss at our May 19th Board meeting. Dr. Kummer is an emergency physician with Hennepin Healthcare and the medical director for our EMS Bridge program.
Hennepin EMS responds to opioid emergencies daily, and our program has come to see those moments are openings for recovery.
The Bridge program was built to help close a gap after a crisis, meeting patients where they are, physically and emotionally. Bridge paramedics reach out within hours to days after an overdose.
EMS are leveraging their proximity to crisis as another point of intervention on the spectrum of support provided here in Hennepin County. Our EMS team meets patients in libraries, on street corners, or wherever they’re comfortable, helping navigate care and maintain engagement in recovery.
County board votes to invest $19.2M in affordable housing, homeownership opportunities
Hennepin County has approved $19.2 million for affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, creating or preserving 1,406 affordable rental housing units. These awards were approved through actions by the County Board and by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board.
Despite facing challenges, including fluctuating market forces and rising construction and land costs, these affordable units will open doors to new neighbors, end resident homelessness, and reduce disparities in homeownership.
 $16.3 million awarded to support affordable rental and supportive housing units
$16.3 million will create or preserve 1,406 rental units. In line with Hennepin County’s established housing strategy to prioritize investment in housing for people with the lowest incomes, 31% of these units will be affordable to households at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI).
182 highly tailored supportive housing units will serve households experiencing homelessness prioritized for housing through the Hennepin County Coordinated Entry System.
Funding was provided through the HRA's Affordable Housing Incentive Fund (AHIF), the Supportive Housing Strategy capital fund, the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA), and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The projects will welcome and stabilize residents in vibrant neighborhoods across Hennepin County, including in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Richfield, Golden Valley, and other communities.
$2.7 million awarded to create new affordable homeownership opportunities
$2.7 million will create 67 new affordable homeownership opportunities through new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of existing homes for new buyers, as well as direct homebuyer assistance prioritized to first generation homebuyers.
Funding was provided from the HRA's Homeownership Assistance Fund, the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
All 67 homeownership opportunities will maintain long-term affordability through land trust or land restriction models. The projects will provide geographic choice to future residents, with homes located across the county.
Transit Oriented Communities
 This week we approved our annual Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) funding that invests in local efforts to create the kind of commercial spaces and affordable housing we need. I’m excited to support all of these projects including The Ruckus on Lake and Chicago and KMOJ Forever Home!
Pride Month
 June is Pride Month, a time to recognize the history, strength and contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or gender expansive, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) community. Hennepin County is proud to celebrate and reaffirm its commitment to building a community where everyone feels respected, included and supported.
State of the County 2026
 On Thursday, May 14, we held the 2026 State of the County Address, where County Board Chair Irene Fernando (District 2) led us through a thoughtful address. In spite of tremendous stressors impacting large counties, we appreciate a moment of reprieve to reflect on how we continue to transform essential local services for the better.
Thank you to our featured speakers and performers. LeMoine LaPointe led a ceremonial blessing to start our event, and Known MPLS choir who gave two incredible performances to open and close the address.
Memorial Day
 The Lowry Bridge was lit in red, white, and blue on Monday, May 25th, 2026
"In recognition of Memorial Day, we are reminded of the true cost of service. This is a time to remember the men and women who gave their lives in uniform and to honor the families who continue to live with that loss. Their sacrifice is part of the foundation of our nation’s freedom, and their legacy calls us to serve today’s veterans and families with the same level of dignity, gratitude, and care.
Our office’s mission remains clear: to promote and protect the rights of veterans, survivors, and their dependents while helping them access the federal, state, and county benefits they have earned." - Neil Doyle, Director of Veteran Services.
Mental health support for veterans
As May was Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to remind veterans and their families that help is available during a mental health crisis. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to receive crisis support.
The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7, free, confidential support by phone, text, or online chat. Crisis support options include:
Free emergency suicide care may also be available at VA and non-VA health care facilities. Veterans in Hennepin County can also contact the Cope mobile crisis team for 24/7 support at 612-596-1223.
Pop-up food pantry at the Minneapolis VA
Each month, the Minneapolis VA Medical Center hosts a pop-up food pantry for veterans experiencing food insecurity to get shelf-stable and frozen food and connect to resources.
- When: Every third Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until supplies run out
- Next date: Tuesday, May 26
- Location: Minneapolis VA Medical Center (1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Find more freecommunity resources for veterans on Hennepin Waypoint.
National Heat Awareness Week
 National Heat Awareness Week was May 18 - 22. As we head into summer, it's a good time to brush up on the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Knowing what to watch for can help you act quickly and stay safe in extreme heat. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/
Due to climate change, extreme heat events are becoming more common. Explore ways to stay safe and healthy when the temperatures get uncomfortable. Learn about the ways we're addressing extreme heat and planning for a cooler, more resilient Hennepin County: beheardhennepin.org/extreme-heat
Help Hennepin County plant 1 million trees with 1, 2, Tree
 Every tree planted means prettier neighborhoods, cooler yards, and healthier communities. We are over halfway to our climate-action goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. Every tree gets us closer, and the best part is, you can help make it happen!
It’s easy as 1, 2, Tree:
- Pick the right tree for you
- Plant your tree
- Take care of your tree
Find a tree selection quiz, helpful videos, and links to resources at HennepinTrees.org. It’s that easy!
Commemorate the nation’s 250th at Hennepin History Museum
To commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, also called the Semiquincentennial, we’re highlighting our partnership with the Hennepin History Museum.
This partnership spotlights the events’ themes of We the People and Unfinished Revolutions, which invite us to reflect on the diverse narratives that shape our communities and the ongoing movements and voices that continue to push for rights, equality, representation and social change.
The museum’s current exhibits offer an opportunity for self-paced learning and discovery across a wide range of historical and cultural perspectives. We encourage our residents to visit over the coming months to explore stories and artifacts that reflect the history of Hennepin County.
Summer Food Service resources
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps close the nutrition gap during the summer by ensuring children have access to the healthy meals they need to thrive. Use the resources below to find an SFSP site near you or visit Minnesota Department of Education’s site (Summer Food Service ) for a comprehensive list of SFSP resources.
- Download the Free Meals for Kids app to your phone or device, provided by Hunger Impact Partners
- Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
- Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Central Time.
- Text USDA to get information. Text Summer Meals to 914-342-7744. Spanish speakers, text Verano to 914-342-7744.
Digital declutter: How to sell and donate your tech responsibly
 It’s something that we’re all becoming too familiar with, the accumulation of unwanted or outdated technology. Our personal digital graveyards are expanding. It might be a box in the basement or a drawer filled with old phones, tablets that the kids outgrew, laptops we replaced years ago, or a tangle of chargers that don’t seem to work on anything we own.
It’s tempting to ignore the problem. But every old device has value that could be recovered, is equipment that someone else could use, or is electronic waste that could end up in the wrong place if it is not handled correctly.
Read our latest blog for a step-by-step guide on how you can undergo a digital declutter.
Apply to be a member of the Library's Youth Advisory Committee
 Questions? Call or email Bernie Farrell:
Learn more here.
 Repaving work on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis begins June 8
Beginning on Monday, June 8, Hennepin County will repave Franklin Avenue between 21st and University avenues.
This work will last through Friday, June 12 and is weather dependent.
Franklin Avenue will be reduced to a single lane in each direction where crews are working. Pay attention to signs and watch for flaggers to guide you around the work area. Please be alert and allow for extra travel time.
Upcoming safety improvements on Park & Portland
Hennepin County is making safety improvements to Park and Portland avenues (County Road 33 and County Road 35) between I-94 and East 46th Street (County Road 46).
Starting in 2024, the county collaborated with community members to collect feedback on safety concerns, priorities, and intersections needing safety improvements. We have incorporated this feedback into the design process.
The project team is now finalizing the design details. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027.
Construction overview
Here are some tentative dates for construction, which will take place over two years. Crews will begin in 2027 from East 18th Street through East 35th Street, and in 2028 crews will continue from East 35th Street to East 46th Street.
For more information on what to expect during construction, visit the project’s BeHeard webpage. We will share more details closer to the start of construction.
Questions?
Contact Olagoke Afolabi if you have any questions, comments, or concerns
Indian Health Board Event
 Our office stopped by the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, Inc.’s American Indian Month celebration and resource fair, an annual gathering for celebration, ease and community wellness. Thank you to everyone that came out including local organizations who were present with resources.
Heart Health Event @ MAIC
Honored to gather at the Minneapolis American Indian Center during Minnesota’s American Indian month to celebrate the incredible work of our partner clinics and community based organizations, advancing Indigenous and Black/African-American Women’s Heart Health
 Thank you to everyone who continues to advocate, heal, educate, and lead with community at the center. Special shout out to the aunties and elders, whose wisdom strength and care guide this work every day.
 The AMAZING Heart Health team
Native American Community Clinic (NACC) Hard Hat Tour
 The Native American Community Clinic (NACC) is hosted a hard hat tour of its affordable housing community and new Federally Qualified Health Center currently under construction.
This development will bring 83 units of affordable housing for individuals and families to the heart of the American Indian Cultural Corridor, paired with a new 30,000 sq. ft. Federally Qualified Health Center that will consolidate NACC's services from four sites into one modern, culturally grounded facility.
I'm excited to return for the groundbreaking and looking forward to the opportunities this will bring to the community.
Land Donation Agreement Signing, Ceremony and Celebration
On Friday, May 22nd, the Indigenous Protector Movement (IPM) and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church formalized an act of local reparations by signing an agreement to transfer church property in South Minneapolis into Indigenous stewardship. The milestone was marked by a public signing ceremony, press conference, and community celebration.
Tour of American Indian Cultural Corridor
 Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to join Mpact for a tour of the American Indian Cultural Corridor along Franklin Avenue. This organization is at the forefront of advancing work on transit and land-use, and equitable, transit-oriented communities.
As the host agency, we wanted to highlight the incredible amount of transformation in that area led by the community, with Hennepin County and the HCHRA investing in many significant projects. Participants heard from community leaders about the evolution of the corridor and the vision driving its future.
Community Listening Session
I joined Councilmember Soren Stevenson (Ward 8) and neighbors at the CANDO quarterly community meeting on Wednesday, May 13th to discuss upcoming construction at 38th & Chicago and its impact on businesses in the corridor. George Floyd Square sits at the intersection of four neighborhoods: Bancroft Neighborhood Association, Bryant Neighborhood Organization (BNO), Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO), and Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA).
We also talked about property tax assessments, abatements, and available services from Hennepin County Land Information and Tax Services staff. Thank you to that team for joining us!
Grateful for spaces like these that keep us connected and grounded in shared values.
E Lake St litter clean up
It was a beautiful day at the first Lake Street litter clean up of the season. Thank you volunteers, Jason Chavez (Ward 9), City of Minneapolis Crime Prevention Specialist - Kali Pliego, and Allina Health for your commitment to keeping the corridor clean. Please join us for future cleanups at some point this summer and fall!
Celebrating Cooper Playground
 When parents in the Cooper neighborhood came together in 2003 to build a playground, they never anticipated it would last 20 years. Three years ago the same neighbors learned their beloved playground was at risk of being taken down. Thanks to their advocacy, the courage of Lisa Priest and The Longfellow Community Council along with the office of Aurin Chowdhury (Ward 12) and a youth activities grant from Hennepin County, this brand new playground is up and will be around for awhile! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate this morning!
Nokomis East Community Forum
 Thank you Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) for hosting the Nokomis East Community Forum! Our discussion included next steps for HCMC, resources for substance abuse, property taxes and recycling. Thank you to my colleagues Aurin Chowdhury (Ward 12) , Jamison Whiting (Ward 11) and Senator Zaynab Mohamed for contributing to important updates.
Donut Day @ Roosevelt Library
 I attended the 3rd Annual Donut Day for graduating seniors at Roosevelt High! I met Khadra who is headed to my alma mater, St. Kate's, this fall. Appreciate the library staff for making this possible every year and to A Baker's Wife for the best donuts in District 4.
Spring Heart Health Walk
Last weekend, we held our second heart health walk! 4 miles of walking that started at Sabathani Community Center and took us through George Floyd Square and Powderhorn Park. Thank you Sabathani for hosting us and grateful to everyone of varying abilities that joined.
Keep an eye out for another walk in the fall!
Environmental Justice Bus Tour
 I joined an Environmental Justice bus tour led by local leader and friend, Roxxanne O'Brien. With nearly a dozen stops, we discussed and learned more about current and former sites of toxicity. I would highly recommend this tour, especially to my colleagues in public policy.
Mental Health Awareness Month - May
Since 1949, Mental Health America has led the effort every May to promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and provide resources for individuals and communities. Below are some book titles the library has and online resources one can find on this topic.
Staff-created list
Additional resources:
- The Minnesota Department of Health has designed a toolkit for people, organizations, and communities. They encourage you to edit the content to best suit your community. See 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.
- From the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, this toolkit supports Minnesota educators, administrators, and school leaders in protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of immigrant and English learner students. Creating Safe and Supportive Schools for Immigrant and English Learner (EL) Students - Minnesota Education Equity Partnership.
- Hennepin County offers mobile crisis response for all ages Cope: mobile crisis response
Pride Month
 Pride Was a Protest
Check out these fiction and nonfiction titles full of power and protest, resilience and hope, queer rage and queer joy.
View selection here.
Juneteenth
 Celebrate Juneteenth with Hennepin County Library
Join us for a Juneteenth celebration at Webber Park Library on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.! Enjoy a performance by Afrocontigbo, a local dance company, time with community, and lawn games.
Juneteenth is short for “June Nineteenth.” This holiday celebrates the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the city and ensure that all the remaining enslaved people in the United States were freed.
Juneteenth book recommendations
Explore Juneteenth and how communities celebrate it with these recommended titles:
Spend your summer with us at the Library!
Discover free summer events, book clubs, and reading support all summer long. Check out our complete list of summer learning programs for youth of all ages, including art, science, technology, and more ways to connect and have fun.
LEGO® Stamping
 When: Tuesday, June 16th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Franklin Library;1314 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Entering grades 1-4. Drop-in program. What do fractals, nature, art and LEGOs have in common? Patterns! Learn about pattern and printmaking basics as you use LEGO bricks to build and print your own images! Materials provided. Collaborator: Caponi Art Park. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
LEGO® Lab
When: Wednesday, June 17th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: East Lake Library; 2727 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Calling all future engineers and architects! We've got the bricks, but we need you to bring your imagination. No experience necessary. We'll also have DUPLOS®, so all ages are welcome.
No registration is required. Indoor room capacity is limited.
Science in the Summer - Be a Chemist
When: Wednesday, June 17th & 24th from 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Where: Roosevelt Library; 4026 S 28th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
For youth entering grades 2-5. Get your hands on science this summer with The Bakken Museum! Join us for a guided STEM workshop featuring entertaining experiments and demonstrations that are sure to light up your mind and pique your curiosity.
This program is a two-part series taking place on June 17 and June 24, and participants should plan to attend both sessions.
Collaborator: The Bakken Museum
Sponsor: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).
Registration Required: Register for event
Crafternoon
 When: Thursday, June 18th from 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Where: Arvonne Fraser; 1222 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Join your neighbors for an afternoon of community and crafting. Bring your own projects to work on or find inspiration in a self-led craft with materials provided. Drop in or stay the entire time. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
Author Talk: Jill Swenson
 When: Thursday, June 18th from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Where: Nokomis Library; 5100 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Join us for the Twin Cities launch of the new book, "The Land of Everlasting Sky: A Memoir of Loss and Legacy on Lake of the Woods" (She Writes Press, 2026), by Jill D. Swenson. For fans of the PBS television series Finding Your Roots, this is a true story about how land connects us all – and how, if we are to mend our relations to each other and the earth, we must first reckon with our past, no matter how distant, shameful, or tragic. Swenson is a descendant of immigrants who homesteaded on Red Lake Reservation land. She will be in conversation with Christopher Johnston, author of "Where You Come From Is Gone," a novel set on Lake of the Woods. Q&A to follow. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Author Talks: Brian Duren
When: Monday, June 22nd from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Where: Nokomis Library; 5100 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Join us for the official launch of Brian Duren’s new novel, "Day Brings Back the Night." The novel explores the effects of intergenerational trauma and the power of intergenerational love as it takes the reader on a voyage through time, through the thoughts and memories of its characters, and through space, from St. Paul to the Boundary Waters. Q&A to follow. All four of Duren's books will be available for purchase and signing.
STEAM Hour: Bird Feeders
When: Friday, June 26th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Roosevelt Library; 4026 S 28th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Drop in for fun and creative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) experiments and projects! Materials provided. Collaborator: Roosevelt Library's STEAM Squad. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
Snake, Rattle, and Roll
When: Saturday, June 27th from 10:00 - 11:15 AM
Where: Hosmer Library; 347 E 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Youth and families. Learn about the reptiles and amphibians that call Minnesota and Wisconsin home. The audience will get to watch a salamander eat, debunk turtle myths, touch snakes, and more! Young children should attend with an adult. Collaborator: Snake Discovery. Sponsor: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).
How to Get Your Book Published
 When: Monday, June 29th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Where: Nokomis Library; 5100 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Authors: Are you starting to think about how to get your manuscript published, but have no idea where to start? Author and publisher William Burleson will walk you through the ins and outs of the mysterious world of publishing. We will discuss differences between the Big Five publishers, various-sized small presses, university and specialty presses, and self-publishing and assisted self-publishing options. Together we’ll hash out the pros and cons of each and how not to make choices that will haunt you forever. Finally, there will be plenty of time for Q&A to discuss how to make a plan toward achieving your own individual goals. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
Registration Required: Register for event
Soul of the Southside
 When: Friday, June 19th from 12:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: E Lake St & Minnehaha Ave (Historic Coliseum Building area)
What is Soul of the Southside?
Soul of the Southside is a free, annual Juneteenth celebration that
creates joyful, visible Black space in South Minneapolis.
It brings together artists, families, neighbors, and small businesses to
celebrate Black creativity, culture, and community—outside, in the open,
and rooted in place.
SOTS is more than a festival, it’s a homecoming!
We create space at Arbeiter Brewing, Moon Palace Books, The Hook and Ladder Theater and the Coliseum Building!
Activities include: Live Music, Art Galleries, Wellness activities, Family Activities, Black-owned vending market, Storytelling, Drum circles, Food trucks, History zone, Interactive installations, Live podcasts, DJ performances, Dance performances, And much more.
Juneteenth @ Fort Snelling
 When: Friday, June 19th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Historic Fort Snelling; 200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111
Celebrate Juneteenth with a specialty tour highlighting 19th century Black history at Historic Fort Snelling.
On this hour-long tour, we’ll dive into stories of individuals enslaved and indentured at the fort and how they fought for and found different paths to freedom. This includes Dred and Harriet Scott, whose extensive legal battle for freedom and the resulting Supreme Court decision had a profound impact still felt today. You’ll hear the story of Jim Thompson, one of the founders of St. Paul. You’ll also learn about the 25th Infantry and regimental band, a segregated Army unit that built strong and lasting ties with the Twin Cities community while they were stationed at Fort Snelling.
Tours start at 10:30 and will be offered throughout the day. The tour is included with site admission and you will be assigned the next available tour time when you arrive onsite. The standard summer program, including historic demonstrations & interpretive stations, will be available to all guests along with the tours.
Juneteenth Celebration @ Midtown Global
 When: Saturday, June 20th from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Midtown Global Market; 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Celebrate Juneteenth at Midtown Global Market. More details coming soon.
Four Sisters Farmers Market
 Opening day of Four Sisters Farmers Market was yesterday, June 4th. Stop by the market for a great season of local foods, handmade goods, and community building.
Midtown Arts & Music Festival
 When: Saturday, June 23th from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
& Sunday, June 14th from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Midtown Global Market; 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Experience the vibrant energy of the Midtown Arts and Music Festival, where live music & dance performances, immersive art and local flavors come together for a 2-day cultural celebration. Don’t miss this dynamic showcase of talent, creativity and community in the heart of the city!
Free Event - Celebrating 20 Years of Midtown Global Market
Lake Street Mural Day
 When: Saturday, June 13th from 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Where: Midtown Global Market; 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
The third annual Lake Street Mural Day is June 13th, 2026, from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm. This 4-hour free family-friendly event will feature self- and guided mural tours, mural-themed games, and more among 35+ businesses at the Midtown Global Market!
A guided mural tour will be given at 11:00 am (English & Spanish) and 1:00 pm (English), or individuals can do a self-guided mural tour with a printed map!
The event is free and open to all. We appreciate you letting us know you’re interested, to help us create the best experience for every Lake Street mural enthusiast!
View more information about Lake Street's murals on our website - if you like Lake Street swag, the knowledge will come in handy at the event!
Midsommar Celebration
 When: Saturday, June 20th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: American Swedish Institute; 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
ASI’s annual Midsommar Celebration is coming up soon! Celebrate the longest day of the year, Swedish style! It's an incredible chance to observe one of Sweden’s favorite holidays by heading outside to enjoy live music, dancing around the majstång (maypole), and many family-friendly activities, including:
- Making flower crowns
- Storytime with author Carolyn Olson
- A puppet show with Open Eye Theater
- A make n’ take handcraft project
- Live music performances
- Swedish candy from Confetti Blossom
Go Skateboarding Day
 When: Sunday, June 21st from 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Elliot Park; 1000 E 14th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Join us for Go Skateboarding Day at Elliot Skate Park! There will be fun for the whole family with games, prizes, food trucks, music, and Skateboarding related activities! Show off your skills in a contest or learn new ones from our skate instructors. See demonstrations from the pros. Explore local vendors then skate off into the group ride through the city!
Free Pregnancy & Postpartum Check-ups
 When: Monday, June 22nd from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Sabathani Community Center; 310 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN
Maternal Health Matters is partnering with Hennepin Healthcare Mobile Health to provide FREE physical check-ups for pregnant and postpartum mothers (up to 6 months postpartum).
Appointments available 8am–5pm
(1-hour appointment slots: 8am–12pm & 1pm–5pm)
Sabathani Community Center Parking Lot
This one-day clinic offers an opportunity to receive personalized care, ask questions, and access supportive health resources for both parent and baby.
What’s Included
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General pregnancy and postpartum physical check-ups
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Maternal wellness support and health guidance
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Opportunities to ask health-related questions
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Birth control options for postpartum mothers upon request (excluding IUDs)
Please register by Sunday, June 14 to secure your appointment.
Questions? Contact Rebekah Floyd at rfloyd@sabathani.org.
Presented by Sabathani’s Maternal Health Matters program in partnership with Hennepin Healthcare Mobile Health
BF50 Indigenous Health: Agri-Cultural Events
 When: Saturday, June 27th from 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Where: Bridal Veil Gardens; 2905 4th Street SE Minneapolis, MN
The BF50 Indigenous Health Initiative Is hosting its second “Food, Farming, Forestry and Finance” Agri-Cultural event. We would be honored to have the Commissioner speak to the community and welcome everyone to the garden.
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