September 17, 2026
Dozens of Allina Health physicians at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and its Unity campus in Fridley, went on strike Monday, September 14, through Thursday, September 17. The hospitals remained open.
In July, the physicians represented by Doctors Council SEIU voted by a 90% margin to authorize a strike after nearly two years of bargaining.
The physicians at Allina's Mercy and Unity hospitals have been seeking better wages, benefits, a greater voice in decision-making, including in the implementation of artificial intelligence, and for Allina to dissolve its noncompete agreements since they voted to unionize in 2023.
“We are fully prepared to continue providing high-quality care to our patients and community throughout the work stoppage,” Allina said in a statement the day before the strike. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement with the union and will determine next steps after the stoppage ends.”
October 29, 2026
On October 28, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a new project called “Strengthening Rural Maternal Healthcare in Minnesota,” which is designed to propose solutions to the increasing problem of lack of nearby access to maternal healthcare, especially labor and delivery services for people in Greater Minnesota.
October 29, 2026
MN Community Measurement (MNCM) has announced plans to expand the scope of its work from quality measurement and reporting to broader health information exchange (HIE) services.
October 29, 2026
Next Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. Make sure you have a plan to vote, if you haven’t already.