Minnesota has a $3.7B surplus, but officials warn against spending it all

Plus: 4 hidden restaurant gems you need to know about ͏ ͏ If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minnesota has a $3.7B surplus, but officials warn against spending it all: The number is a $1.3 billion improvement from projections released last December, driven by higher-than-anticipated tax collections over the last few months while spending estimates have remained largely unchanged. [Read more.]( - Middle-income buyers struggle to find a home in their budget in most Twin Cities suburbs: A Star Tribune analysis shows how much income a buyer would need to afford the median priced home in each city. [Read more.]( - Cost of Blue Line extension could exceed the Southwest light rail: The Blue Line light-rail extension between downtown Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park will cost between $2.9 billion and $3.2 billion, according to a new estimate released Wednesday. [Read more.]( - Once a ghost town, Walker Lake is now the heart of St. Louis Park's small business hub: City officials and business owners worked together to increase traffic to the city's original downtown. [Read more.]( - What's up with that e-bike rebate? Shop owner creates a calculator for answers: Some Minnesota bike shop owners have been the front lines for consumer questions about the state's e-bike rebate voucher program, new this year. [Read more.]( WATCH THIS Jet suit pilots compete in first ever race in Dubai: A group of racers strapped into 1,500-horsepower jet suits flew through a course on the Dubai waterfront Thursday in what organizers say was the first-ever jet suit race. [See the video.]( *** Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. *** TRENDING 4 hidden restaurant gems you need to know about: Restaurant critic Jon Cheng shares the Twin Cities eateries he can't stop thinking about. [Read more.]( SPORTS BLINK Caitlin Clark's brilliance obscures a harsh reality for Gophers women's basketball: Minnesota's season has been in a downward spiral since an injury to Mara Braun. In a perfect world, Wednesday's game against Iowa would have been a showcase of her talent, too. [Read more.]( *** Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. *** WORTH A CLICK How the Criterion Collection became the film world's tastemaker: "Over four decades, through a combination of luck, obsession and good taste, this 55-person company has become the arbiter of what makes a great movie, more so than any Hollywood studio or awards ceremony," Joshua Hunt writes for the New York Times Magazine. [Read more.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES Feb. 29, 1972: Minneapolis Fire Chief Clarence Nimmerfroh chatted with 10 new firemen who were hired after U.S. District Judge Earl R. Larson ordered the city to add minorities to the department. They were, from left: John Wong, Emanuel King, Richard Shaugabay, Xavier Caldwell, James Heddinger, Rene Fernandez-Barroso, Warren Lee, Wayne Brown, Michael Beaulieu and Steven McConoughey. (Photo: 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 © 2024 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](