Minnesota Politics: Control of the Minnesota Legislature is on the line in November, with both parties targeting a small set of truly competitive seats that could decide policy, taxes, and spending on schools, public safety, health, and social services. Farm Costs & Shipping: U.S. farmers may pay more as railroads raise grain shipping costs tied to diesel prices, with surcharges often showing up as lower crop prices. Energy Investment: LNG Canada says it has reached a Final Investment Decision for Phase 2, aiming to double capacity to 28 million tonnes a year. Hurricane Polo: Hurricane Polo made landfall in Mexico’s Baja California as a major storm, bringing life-threatening winds and flash flooding risk, with impacts possible later in the U.S. Southwest. Housing & Taxes: Vermont voters are weighing a proposed new yearly tax on second homes, while Miami’s housing market is criticized for weak homebuilding and affordability. Environment & Health: A new analysis warns atrazine contamination at harmful levels may span nearly 860,000 miles of U.S. rivers and streams. East Coast Storms: A powerful nor’easter battered the Northeast, triggering severe flooding, outages, and major travel disruptions. Defense & Alliances: Japan is easing Okinawa security plans under a new governor, while the U.S. Typhon missile system is set to move to Okinawa temporarily.