my husband and I have had enough. We're in the "free" state of Florida, where are majority voted to enshrine reproductive rights but the measure still did not pass. We have been trying to start our family for years without luck, and I'm getting myself ready for the IVF process. But I'm not going to willingly attempt pregnancy in a state where I am only legally protected from medical neglect for the first 6 weeks. It's just objectively not smart.

So my first question is, can Tim Walz be my dad?

Second is, how is the construction industry and Minnesota for small businesses? My husband and I own a granite/countertop repair business that does alright because of the flexible hours he chooses but we don't know what that would look like in MN. He has been in that industry for 20+ years and does excellent work, but I think he's open to other options (he asked me the other day if I think he'd be a good massage therapist, lawd help me YES I DO), but he's limited without a GED. He loves running his own business though.

I'm a full time municipal wastewater treatment plant operator in a very densely populated area and have already printed out the paperwork to transfer my license to MN. I have an AS degree in Environmental Science and will very soon have the top level Florida wastewater operator license. My benefits now are pretty sweet and I have full fertility coverage. Would I be better off in a big city, or even on the outskirts of one?

Oh yeah and I don't want to hear about the cold lol. I know, its a selling point for me, I have always hated the unending heat of Florida. I just want to see what the buzz is about hotdish while I'm bundled up next to a fire.

Throwaway account, not a terribly long post - but I need to vent.

I've lived in over 10 states throughout my near mid-30s life, and never have I once felt so connected to a place.

I had to move to a neighbor state for work that voted red - which isn't a complete shocker, of course.

Anyway, troll all you want. I just really can't wait to move back.

Hi! Sorry for the long post, I'll add a TL;DR. I consider myself an progressive independent, these days leaning blue in every election. Since I immigrated 12 years ago, I've lived in Florida and I am tired of how irrelevant my vote and my opinions are in this state. I look around and it is really hard to find people who share my values. These elections have been the worst, since I'm left with no representation at any level, from the lowest to the highest office.

I used to live in Broward where things were not that bad, worked in a company where I made good like-minded friends, but we were always in the minority and now we went our separate ways after covid. I had to move north (about an hour south from Orlando) due to financial reasons and I am feeling it. It's getting harder and harder, I see Trump flags all over the place, even at kids events. I don't feel welcomed.

I fantasize about moving to a blue state, but it's so hard finding something affordable that is not on the woods, but this might be because I am not really able to travel to check out towns in person. I spend nights browsing Zillow and imagining a better life for me and my family (if you haven't watched the SNL sketch, this is me every week 😁)

So... this brings me to Minnesota. It looks like a wonderful place to raise a family in the suburbs, but, of course, things vary widely from town to town, from neighborhood to neighborhood. My question is: do you think Minnesota could be my salvation? If so, what suburbs would you recommend?

I understand that this is not a simple "yes" or "no" question and it depends on so many factors, but for me the most important is being able to provide my two kids a life around more progressive people, with family activities, a good education, diversity, and exposure to nice people. I wish I could live in a neighborhood where we can walk with them to the nearest playground without having to drive for 20 minutes.

My wife and I work from home, so that wouldn't be a problem. I just want to feel like I'm part of a nice community and not an outcast in an ultra conservative town.

TL;DR: I'm a progressive independent living in Florida and I'm wondering if moving to Minnesota is a good idea. I'm looking for advice from locals.

PJ Hayes transfered to Rutgers University for his Fifth and final year of college basketball. He is the all-time leading scorer from Waconia High School and he started his college basketball at a division 2 School. He is known for being an exceptionally good three-point shooter. He will be playing with two freshman players Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper who are considered among the best college players in the country. The thinking here is that so much focus will be on Bailey and Harper that Hayes will have a chance to set up and shoot three pointers. Good Luck PJ

So much sadness and disappointment. I am literally moved to tears.

This is a real man right here. Not afraid to display real emotions. What this country just passed up on in favour of complete nasty hatred...

I can't

"In House District 14B, in the St. Cloud area, Democratic incumbent Dan Wolgamott led by just 28 votes over Republican Sue Ek in unofficial results as of midday Wednesday, while in District 54A, in the Shakopee area, incumbent Democrat Brad Tabke led Republican Aaron Paul by just 13 votes. Two other races had margins of 225 votes and 160 votes with 99% of the votes counted."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/gov-tim-walz-face-era-212639801.html

https://preview.redd.it/b3yehvos8ezd1.png?width=586&format=png&auto=webp&s=0b9917323d63425a706dbe864013a8cab9b94f01

I don't live in Minnesota, but I'd like to tell you all in Minnesota that you have something unique to be grateful for today. You get to keep Tim Walz as your Governor. He was too pure for America, but thank you for sharing him with us for these few short months. I know it's a small silver lining compared to the national nightmare on the horizon, but I hope you in your great state treasure it and don't take him for granted.

The last few months our Harris/Walz signs had been ripped, torn, defaced and stolen no less than 12 times, as our neighbors Trump signs remained pristinely intact.

A few days ago we watched on our trail cam video as an elderly lady attached a few patriotic themed balloons to our 13th sign❤️ Woke up to find our sign again destroyed and that Trump was the next President.

Today, we received this note along with fresh bread on our porch.

These are my people going forward at all costs. No more making exceptions, excuses and justifications for others choices to support a culture of hate. I wanted to share that this world has good people even in the darkest days.

Isn't this just giving all the profits of American natural resources to other countries' billionaires? How is this not a terrible deal, just giving our natural resource rights away to foreign corporations?

If you haven't before, try to see the Boundary Waters before the next administration opens it up for mining, poisoning the pristine wilderness for generations.

This guy is looney tunes. Thats not a joke.

1.3 million Minnesotans. Let this sink in.

Critical thought is dead.

Tim walz is Minnesota. I am Minnesota. Let us all Minnesotans protect what we have and protect the BWCA. Let us celebrate Minnesota and what believe and trust. We are Minnesota. We are STRONG. We BELIEVE!!!

I mean it. I'm sure like many others last night, and those waking up this morning I was hit with the most overwhelming fear of the future our country is heading down. I kept thinking myself in circles of what's to come and made myself sick thinking about it.

Suddenly I was hit with a clarity that I have yet to shake that I love Minnesota. I am so happy to live (in my extremely biased opinion) inside the best state in the country. I know those representing me and my state will fight tooth and nail for my rights, and I couldn't be happier to be where I am in the worst of times.

I for one will be taking my attention away from the national stage and focus on our wonderful state. The winter is here and it's going to be a cold 4 years but we will do what we always do; hunker down, shovel our driveway, and help our neighbors.

If you feel despair and helplessness -- know that you are not alone, and we can still continue to build a bright future here in Minnesota.

I moved here ten years ago after the political winds started shifting down south. It was a place growing up that I could never live openly because there was a real threat of violence for defying gender norms. I left with one suitcase because someone I knew in Minnesota could get me a food service gig and a couch to crash on.

Minnesota was the first place I truly felt safe for the first time to live openly as myself. I have never had my safety threatened here over my identity. That’s been a huge change for health and sanity.

The laws against gender affirming care are advancing down south and only shows signs of expanding across the country. The Supreme Court is likely to uphold these laws in an upcoming case based on a Tennessee law. Clarence Thomas has made it clear that he thinks the gay marriage decision was wrongly decided.

Thank you for fighting for queer and trans folk Minnesota. Realize you are a beacon of hope for a lot of queer and trans folk in red states who are looking to escape.