Minneapolis outdoor retailer Midwest Mountaineering will close after 50 years

Plus: Minnesota's crop art community rocked by upcoming ban on popular seed at State Fair ͏ ͏ If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minneapolis outdoor retailer Midwest Mountaineering will close after 50 years: Declining sales in recent years pushed owner Rod Johnson to shut the doors to his Minneapolis store this fall. [Read more.]( - Ellison charges 18 people in Medicaid caregiver fraud case: A Twin Cities agency bilked Minnesota's Medical Assistance program out of $9.5 million by billing for home care that it didn't provide or that lacked required nursing supervision, according to a state complaint. [Read more.]( - "Transit's been hit hard": Getting to the State Fair can be an adventure in itself. Each year, the Great Minnesota Get-Together brings with it perennial challenges involving traffic, parking and long lines. While the State Fair doesn't yet have data on this year's park-and-ride service, "anecdotally, it feels like we've bounced back to pre-pandemic demand," said Lara Hughes, the fair's marketing and communications manager. With attendance currently on pace to exceed last year's fair — which saw the fifth-largest crowds in its history — officials are encouraging fairgoers to plan ahead and have a Plan B. [Read more.]( - Facing another primary challenge, Omar endorsed by top U.S. House Democrats: After Rep. Ilhan Omar came closer than ever to losing her congressional seat in last year's primary, every top House Democrat — Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Assistant Leader James Clyburn, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar — has endorsed Omar this time around, the congresswoman's office announced Wednesday. [Read more.]( - Minnesota's crop art community rocked by upcoming ban on popular seed at State Fair: This will go down in Minnesota State Fair history as the year crop art cut the mustard, writes Jennifer Brooks. [Read more.]( WATCH THIS Wynonna Judd joins Brandi Carlile for Cher cover at Minnesota State Fair: By all accounts, Brandi Carlile's performance Tuesday night blew the roof off the State Fair Grandstand. She sat in with opener Wynonna Judd early in the evening and Judd returned the favor for a fun encore that included a cover of Cher's 1989 hit, "If I Could Turn Back Time." Local live music superfan Kyle Matteson posted the clip for the rest of us to enjoy. [See the video.]( *** Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. *** TRENDING Boutique ice creams go big time with State Fair debut: Minnesota Dairy Lab and A to Z Creamery have joined forces with longtime fair vendors to reach creamy new heights. [Read more.]( SPORTS BLINK Three storylines, two matchups and one stat for Gophers vs. Nebraska: Randy Johnson makes his pick as Nebraska will be breaking in a new coach and new quarterback in Thursday night's sold-out season opener. [Read more.]( *** Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. *** WORTH A CLICK Faster trains to begin carrying passengers as Amtrak's monopoly falls: "The only private operator of intercity passenger trains is about to launch new service in Florida. Next? Trains at 186 mph between Las Vegas and Southern California," Luz Lazo reports for the Washington Post. [Read more.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES Aug. 30, 2022: The Giant Slide was double-exposed with stuffed animal prizes at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. (Photo: Alex Kormann/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]([twitter]([pinterest]([instagram]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]( • [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2023 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](