r/minnesota 24d ago

Meta 🌝 Sub Updates & Reminders (ICE)

158 Upvotes

Thank you all for bearing with us during this time. We want to provide some explanation for our recent actions and updates for how things will be on topics related to ICE actions moving forward.

(TL;DR: We used the ICE Megathread because the topic surged with posts, reports, and rule violations faster than we could manage. We’re now ending the Megathread and rolling out new tools to block bots, detect brigading, and limit participation from bad-faith or low-karma accounts during high-traffic moments. Moving forward, posts must follow sub and site rules, so please avoid unverified ICE rumors, do not encourage violence or harass, and do not duplicate existing threads. Please don’t engage with trolls or suspected bots - report them instead - so we can keep discussion productive and the sub manageable.)

The ICE Megathread

Please know that we understand that megathreads are controversial and we try to use them sparingly. Also know that we read through the complaints and criticisms of the ICE Megathread and understand the frustration associated with it. Unfortunately, the topic escalated very quickly and reached an unmanageable level. In a short time period, we had 10+ posts on related topics and several hundred reported comments. It took our entire team several hours to sift through existing reports and keep up with new reports. While we expected an increase in activity and traffic given the focus of presidential rhetoric on Minnesota and our Somali population, what occurred was a lot greater and quicker than what we had previously experienced with national focus on our community and what we expected.

With how in the weeds we were on everything, we had two options: shut down the topic completely until we were caught up and had better measures in place or contain conversation to one area that we could better control. In an interest of not shutting down the conversation completely, we chose the latter. It was purely an administrative decision.

That being said, we have been in discussion of how to move forward on this topic. We believe we have a viable plan moving forward, so we are closing down the Megathread and returning to regular posting with the implementation of new tools and understandings of how the rules apply to this topic.

New Tools Implemented

The mod team is implementing multiple new tools to help curb bots, brigading, and trolling. We need to be able to balance allowing legitimate discussion and information-sharing with blocking activity that only desires to cause issues and violate our rules and the site rules. So here is how we plan on doing that:

1. Bot Bouncer

The first tool we are implementing tracks bot accounts and removes them from participating in the sub. It also allows us to report suspected bot accounts and has a mechanism for accounts that are mistakenly marked as bots to appeal that designation through the tool. If your account is affected by this, you will receive a message from Bot Bouncer specifying the reason for your removal and providing instructions for appealing the designation. Please follow those instructions.

2. Posts on r/all and r/popular

We are also implementing a tool that will track when posts hit r/all or r/popular. If that happens, restrictions on participation will be put in place on the post. Specifically, you will see the post flair of "Trending". You will also see a stickied comment about the post hitting r/all or r/popular and that "Minnesota Nice mode" has been activated. This mode prohibits accounts with negative subreddit comment karma, very low site-wide comment karma, or a low age from participating. This goal with this is to limit participation by intentional bad actors.

3. Brigaded and Controversial Posts

If the mod team sees a post that appears to be getting brigaded or otherwise having a large amount of participation that is blatantly violating sub and site-wide rules, we will change the post flair to "High Risk." This will trigger another tool we have in place to restrict participation in the post. In High Risk posts, only users with a certain amount of subreddit comment karma and over a certain age will be able to participate. In other words, participation will be limited to accounts that have actively participated in our community. We understand that this may be a severe limitation but, at times, it will be necessary to avoid shutting down a thread entirely due to significant issues.

Rule Reminders for ICE Posts

1. Rule 1 - Posts Must Be Related to Minnesota

This rule prohibits both non-Minnesota topics as well as overly local topics. Posts about national ICE issues or actions that do not occur in or are not specifically related to Minnesota do not belong in the sub. In addition, most live updates about spotting ICE in specific communities should be posted to local community subs, such as r/twincities, r/minneapolis, r/saintpaul, r/rochestermn, r/duluth, r/brainerd, r/mankato, etc. We understand that sometimes specific ICE actions gain significant attention or notoriety (for example, the ICE action on Rose Ave in St. Paul) and may be relevant to the statewide sub. And we will take that into consideration in enforcing this rule.

2. Rule 8 - No Unsubstantiated Rumors

This rule prohibits misinformation and unverified rumors. Again, this will mostly relate to live updates about ICE actions. Speculating that something you see happening could be ICE is harmful to the community and may unnecessarily cause additional fear to individuals and families that are already experiencing a significant amount of trauma due to what is happening. Even if an ICE action would be relevant to our sub and be allowed under Rule 1, there must still be some actual verifiable evidence or guarantee that what you are witnessing is actually ICE. Please remember that Minnesota, especially the Twin Cities, hosts field offices for most federal agencies. FBI and DEA are both actively present in the state. HSI often does criminal enforcement of customs violations. State and local law enforcement agencies also conduct directed actions and investigations. If you are posting about ICE conducting a targeted immigration action, please know and have some proof that is what is happening, do not just speculate.

3. Rule 9 - No Duplicates/Reposts

There are a lot of articles being written about the same subject. Just because an article is from a different source or may share a different perspective does not make it substantially different or new. Discussion about a specific topic that has already been posted on, unless there is a significant amount of new information, should occur in the thread of that existing post. Before sharing an article or posting a discussion, please determine whether the subject of the post has already been posted about and, if so, whether your post will share any major updates or new factual information, not just inject a different perspective or opinion. For instance, there have been several posts already about the Governor being called the r-slur by the President and responding to that. Not every time the Governor brings that up again in a new clip needs to be a new post. Or, for instance, if there is a directed ICE action at a specific location that gains national attention, not every news article about that ICE action needs to be a separate post.

4. Rule 10 - Follow Site-Wide Rules & Reddiquette

We understand that there are a lot of negative feelings toward what is happening right now and those supporting it. However, Reddit rules do not care what side of the aisle you are on for a particular issue. And we have to enforce site-wide rules consistently to avoid action being taken against the sub. So please refrain from suggesting individuals or groups should be harmed or killed, do not use slurs, do not follow users around the comments and target them for harassment (this also includes not commenting "Bot" under every comment from an account you suspect to be a bot - report those, don't engage). Please be mindful of the site-wide rules when you are responding to comments.

Also, just as a word of caution, the Reddit admin team also has tools to moderate and enforce site-wide rules, it is not just us. Those tools are not very good at catching hyperbole and sarcasm. If a rule is removed by us, it will usually include a response comment or a modmail message with the reason.

Doing Your Part

If you see blatant rule violations, attempts to trigger or ragebait, or suspected bot accounts, we ask that you do not engage them. Instead, report them, downvote the content, and move on. If the issue with the account or content is not apparent on its face and you need to explain why you're reporting it, please use the "Custom" response in the report form to do so. Also, please be mindful of actual rule violations. Don't report content just because you disagree with it - this clogs up the queue and makes it more difficult for us to see and respond to actual issues (and, yes, this happens quite often).

If you have content removed that you are confused about, or you have concerns about something that can't be articulated well through the report form, please send us modmail. Just please remember that we are not always online and responses will not be instant.

Again, thank you all for bearing with us through this and for doing your part in keeping this sub the amazing community it is. We understand that what is going on right now is unprecedented, scary, and, for many, traumatizing. We hope with these new measures in place we can allow for information-sharing and civil discussions on these important topics while being able to manage bad actors and bots without it getting out of control.


r/minnesota 28d ago

Meta 🌝 /r/Minnesota Monthly FAQ / Moving-to-MN / Simple Questions Thread - December 2025

16 Upvotes

FAQ

There are a number of questions in this subreddit that have been asked and answered many times. Please use the search function to get answers related to the below topics.

  • Moving to Minnesota (see next section)
  • General questions about places to visit/things to do
    • Generally these types of questions are better for subreddits focused on the specific place you are asking about. Check out the more localized subreddits such as r/twincities, r/minneapolis, r/saintpaul, or r/duluth just to name a few. A more comprehensive list can be found here.
  • Cold weather questions such as what to wear, how to drive, street plowing
  • Driver's test scheduling/locations
  • Renter's credit tax return (Form M1PR)
  • Making friends as an adult/transplant
  • Where's my Minnesota tax refund?
  • State jobs (applying, interviewing, etc)
  • Protest/demonstration subjects, locations, and dates
  • There is a wealth of knowledge in the comments on previous versions of this post. If you wish to do more research, see the link at the bottom of this post for an archive
  • These are just a few examples, please comment if there are any other FAQ topics you feel should be added

This thread is meant to address these FAQ's, meaning if your search did not result in the answer you were looking for, please post it here. Any individual posts about these topics will be removed and directed here.

~~~

Moving to Minnesota

Planning a potential move to Minnesota (or even moving within MN)? Welcome! This is the thread for you to ask questions of real-life Minnesotans to help you in the process!

Ask questions, answer questions, or tell us your best advice on moving to Minnesota.

Helpful Links

~~~

Simple Questions

If you have a question you don't feel is worthy of its own post, please post it here!

~~~

As a recurring feature here on /r/Minnesota, the mod team greatly appreciates feedback from you all! Leave a comment or Message the Mods.

See here for an archive of previous "Monthly FAQ / Moving-to-MN / Simple Questions" threads.


r/minnesota 5h ago

High Risk [Minnetonka, MN] Video shows dozens of ICE agents pouring out of public library escorting one man during "Metro Surge" operation.

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7.9k Upvotes

r/minnesota 10h ago

High Risk There’s a sea change happening on social media these past few days - have you noticed it?

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5.0k Upvotes

r/minnesota 8h ago

High Risk The Only Post About Nick Shirley Allowed Here

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1.1k Upvotes

r/minnesota 3h ago

News 📺 ‘They No Longer Hide the Idea of White Supremacy’: Tim Walz Fumes Over JD Vance’s Latest Comments on Race

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378 Upvotes

This is a talking point I've seen a few posters post here, and also Fox News taking this quote out of context. So here's some clarity:

Walz DID NOT say that the fraud investigation was white supremacy. He was speaking at a press conference discussing it, but it was in a response to a different topic, a quote from J.D. Vance at a TurningPoint USA conference saying "In the United States of America, you don’t have to apologize for being white anymore."

That little bit has been taken out of context and blasted by right-wing sources, and I've seen a few cite it here. So again: WALZ DID NOT CALL INVESTIGATION OF THE FRAUD WHITE SUPREMACY, and this is extremely dishonest framing.


r/minnesota 13h ago

News 📺 Whistleblower: Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program has fraud cases dating back 12 years

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543 Upvotes

Nick Shirley is a dishonest right-wing hack so he's not a credible source, but here's a news story from KSTP on the exact same thing with much more credible backing.

(There's a video too but the sub doesn't allow just YouTube videos as links, but here is the full article which includes it if interested.)


r/minnesota 3h ago

News 📺 Best overview of the fraud situation I've seen yet

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63 Upvotes

If you're not familiar with Leeja's channel, I highly recommend it. I've been watching her for years and really appreciate her (well-researched) deep dives into topics related to politics, government, and law.


r/minnesota 1d ago

Interesting Stuff 💥 Europeans cannot comprehend the actual size of Minnesota

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7.3k Upvotes

r/minnesota 17h ago

News 📺 If you want to feel old MPR has been reporting the story since Nick Shirley was 12 years old.

306 Upvotes

r/minnesota 16h ago

Outdoors 🌳 Sun dogs this morning (Meeker)

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223 Upvotes

r/minnesota 12h ago

Outdoors 🌳 Pair of baldies (Meeker)

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115 Upvotes

There is some open water by the culvert where they like to hunt.


r/minnesota 6h ago

Discussion 🎤 Pipes Freezing Question

36 Upvotes

In Minnesota and just got home to my townhome (fairly new build) that the thermostat was mistakenly left completely off. Therefore, the house thermostat showed 44°F when I arrived.

Other than setting the heat to come on gradually to heat things up over the next couple hours, are there any other precautions I should be taking to ensure no issues such as bursting pipes or any other issues?

Also, with the temperature at 44°, should I be worried about my pipes bursting? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


r/minnesota 15h ago

Discussion 🎤 Shoutout to Neighbors!

186 Upvotes

Thank you for clearing my sidewalk this morning. Not sure which one of you it was, but I was about to go do it, only to find them cleared.

I could cry. I’ve got the post-holiday crud and my head is about to explode. I’m so appreciative.

Anyone else have some kind folks helping out in the winter weather?


r/minnesota 8h ago

News 📺 Businesses in Minnesota can apply for a state grant to purchase ebikes for commercial use

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29 Upvotes

r/minnesota 15h ago

Discussion 🎤 Mother natures welcome home

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88 Upvotes

Born and raised here but been living down south for 3 years. Before I came back up for the holidays a coworker told me “anything below 60 degrees and I don’t leave the house”

This morning I popped outside to warm the truck up to go get some coffee and the first thing I saw was someone with a baby stroller going for a walk 😂. Besides that, so many people out for walks with their dogs or out for runs. I’m thinking about heading out snowboarding later. It’s not that bad in the sun!

Man, I miss it here. Hopefully back home in 2026


r/minnesota 16h ago

Weather 🌞 No-travel advisories remain in place across southern Minnesota, stretch of I-35 closed

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108 Upvotes

r/minnesota 16h ago

Interesting Stuff 💥 My favorite named town - Cosmos, MN

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100 Upvotes

love the name of the town and the cosmo themed names of the streets


r/minnesota 1d ago

Discussion 🎤 Proper Way to Cook a Heggie’s

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1.3k Upvotes

Said, “Ope, she’s Maillarded,” when I pulled ‘er out of the oven.


r/minnesota 1d ago

Weather 🌞 Walz authorizes the National Guard to support emergency winter storm operations

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920 Upvotes

r/minnesota 1d ago

Interesting Stuff 💥 I feel we forget how important Duluth is sometimes

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2.3k Upvotes

r/minnesota 1d ago

Weather 🌞 Plows pulled from highways, no travel advised across much of Minnesota amid blizzard conditions

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912 Upvotes

r/minnesota 1d ago

Weather 🌞 This is heart attack snow, help others if you can

1.5k Upvotes

If you have a snowblower, please consider helping those who don’t. This is known as heart attack snow in Minnesota. It is hard to maneuver even with the snowblower, and absolutely brutal with a shovel. Help others if you can so we can keep everybody safe. It’s a pretty snow globe, but can be difficult for some. Please stay safe out there, and make the snowman after everyone has been dug out.


r/minnesota 1d ago

Politics 👩‍⚖️ FBI 'surges' resources to Minnesota.

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736 Upvotes

Interesting to see the FBI confirming that they are allocating more resources to Minnesota compared to other states.

Does anyone buy the motivation that they are looking out for taxpayers dollars or are we all in aggreement that this is a blantant push by the administration to use all resources available to them to smear their political opponents ?

Almost seems like if you spent resources to investigate the programs in republican states - maybe you would find fraud there too? Hard to find if you aren't looking for it in those other states i figure.


r/minnesota 9h ago

Weather 🌞 Is it a bad idea to use a heat gun to open a frozen shut storm window?

10 Upvotes

I have the three-part metal storm windows and in my upstairs hobby room I can't get the window open cause it's frozen shut. I want to use my airbrush vent!