GOP convention begins days after Trump assassination attempt

Plus: Will we get a second Borealis line? [Plus: Will we get a second Borealis line?] View this email as a [web page]( [Star Tribune]( [Essential Minnesota logo] ESSENTIAL MINNESOTA [Essential Minnesota logo] ESSENTIAL MINNESOTA Good morning, Minnesota! Is it just me or is the latest season of HBO's dragon show ... kind of boring so far? 🐉 On to the news 📢 [Eder Campuzano] By Eder Campuzano TODAY’S TOP STORIES - [Caitlin Clark's first pro game at Target Center was a full-circle moment]( - [Walker Art Center’s Philip Bither knighted by France and named a chevalier]( - Inside North Minneapolis' natural wine bar where the only constant is change]( - [Thousands of unicyclists descend on Bemidji for Unicon world convention]( - [Vikings star Jordan Addison arrested in California on possible DWI](   Republicans expected to officially nominate Trump days after assassination attempt Alex Brandon/Associated Press Just two days after a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, the presumptive GOP nominee is set to visit Milwaukee and officially become the party's standard-bearer in this year's presidential contest. One person died and two others were seriously injured in Saturday's shooting. The gunman was killed by Secret Service agents. The incident unified Minnesota's delegates to the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to accept the party's nomination tonight. [image] Joe Raedle/Getty Images/TNS "What happened yesterday will make sure that every single Trump supporter gets out and votes," Kelly Fenton told a Star Tribune reporter on Sunday. Richard Nixon was the last Republican to win Minnesota's 10 electoral votes, back in 1972. But Trump and the GOP are bullish on their chances in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Trump is looking to open eight campaign offices in the state, a move he announced days before the first presidential debate saw President Joe Biden take a dip in the polls against his current and former rival. Since the debate, the Cook Political Report has moved Minnesota from a state that's projected to deliver a likely Democratic victory to merely leaning that way. The Biden campaign already has 19 field offices up and running in all of the state's congressional districts. "I'd give Trump no worse than even odds to beat Biden here due to Biden's frailty and voter anger over border security, crime, inflation, wokeness run amok and more," former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in an email. The Star Tribune politics team is on the ground in Milwaukee and we'll have rolling coverage here and on StarTribune.com as the week goes on. You can read our stories previewing the convention — including a survey with six Minneosota Republicans — at the links below. Related coverage - [Republicans look to beat the odds and flip Minnesota for Trump]( - [Why is Wisconsin a swing state while Minnesota isn't?]( - [How six Minnesota conservatives feel about the presidential race ahead of the RNC]( - [Minnesota's delegates to the RNC unified after assassination attempt on Trump]( - [Curious about the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee? Here's some background on the event.](     GOING OUT - [Haus of Ritual in Minneapolis hosts full moon, new moon circles]( - [Read these 8 books set in Minnesota exactly where they take place]( - [Review: Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago make St. Paul fans feel the love]( Could we get a second daily trip on the Borealis line? More than 18,500 people took the new daily Amtrak line from St. Paul to Chicago in the month since its maiden voyage. And while there's no official talk about adding a second trip to the schedule, the Borealis line's success has already got some officials hopeful. "In my estimation, Borealis will be successful all year long," Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega said. "Let's have those discussions." Tim Harlow has the [latest on the Amtrak line and more here](. Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune [Share this newsletter with friends]( Do you enjoy Essential Minnesota? Encourage your friends and family to [sign up](. You also can share it using the links below. MORE FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE - [Lynx fall to Fever 81-74 in front of Target Center packed to see Caitlin Clark]( - [How to shop for a health insurance plan in Minnesota]( ON THIS DAY IN 1985 Charles Bjorgen/Star Tribune The Metrodome hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 1985 and, as a fun little treat, a few of the commentators took to the Mississippi River to try and hit a few balls across the waterway. In this photo, former Twins star Harmon Killebrew wears his retired jersey as fans look on. Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax also tried his hand. Killebrew retired from the game in 1976 and served as the Twins commentator at WTCN-TV — now KARE 11 — until 1978, then again from 1984 to 1988. IN OTHER NEWS - [Hey, What’s the Deal with Those Weird Religious Booklets, DVDs on Everyone’s Doorsteps?]( - Racket - [It’s not just puppy love: The important bond between humans and pets]( - MinnPost - [Judge allows Northern Iron to resume normal foundry operations on St. Paul’s East Side over state’s objections]( - Sahan Journal     THE MINNESOTA GOODBYE National Weather Service via Twitter Maybe it was sleep-deprived delirium or maybe a particularly strong thunderclap really did rock my apartment building late Saturday night. Either way, I couldn't help but stay up well past my bedtime and watch the sheets of rain pour down amid some of the brightest — and most consistent — flashes I've ever seen in the night sky. The weekend's storm left many folks without power and uprooted a number of trees throughout the Twin Cities. Fortunately, it looks like things will be clearing up for the rest of the week. We can only hope this early-morning National Weather Service frame is a harbinger of more good things to come. (I really want to take my new paddle board on its maiden voyage.) Thanks for reading Eder Campuzano, reporter David Taintor, editor [Email]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]([Unsubscribe from this newsletter]( [Unsubscribe from this newsletter]( [Manage]( your preferences | [Opt Out]( using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? [Sign up]( to receive our future emails. View this email [online](. 650 3rd Ave. S. Suite 1300 | Minneapolis, MN 55488 US This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.