Target Cuts 1,800 Corporate Jobs; Minnesota Faces Medicare Crunch

• Target Downsizing: Target Corporation is cutting 1,800 corporate positions (approx. 8% of the global team) at its Minneapolis headquarters. The retailer cites a need to become more “agile” and improve decision-making, not primarily cost reduction.
• Minnesota Medicare Crisis: Minnesotans on Medicare Advantage face higher costs and fewer choices for 2026. This is driven by multiple insurers leaving the market and many health providers/pharmacies ending or altering participation, prompting a major enrollment review.
• Senate Race Update (MN): The open race for retiring Senator Tina Smith’s seat is now rated as “Likely Democratic.” Top Democratic candidates are Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, while the Republican field is hampered by the potential nomination of controversial former NBA player Royce White.
• I-94 Travel Alert: Westbound I-94 will be closed between Dale Street (St. Paul) and I-35W (Minneapolis) from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday due to construction.

Target Announces Major Corporate Restructuring; Medicare and Political Races Heat Up in Minnesota

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Minneapolis, MN – Target Corp. announced a significant corporate workforce reduction, eliminating 1,800 positions—about 8% of its global team—at its headquarters. Citing a focus on becoming more agile and improving decision-making, the Minneapolis-based retailer insists the move is not primarily a cost-cutting measure.

Meanwhile, Minnesotans utilizing Medicare Advantage are preparing for a challenging 2026 as costs are projected to increase and options will decrease. MPR News reports that several insurers are exiting the market, and numerous health systems, hospitals, and pharmacies are terminating or changing their contracts. This unprecedented change is forcing a massive review of coverage options for those enrolled.

In state politics, the race for the open U.S. Senate seat, vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith, has been rated “Likely Democratic” by the Center for Politics. The Democratic primary will feature a contest between Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. The Republican effort is struggling, with a likely path to an uncompetitive nomination going to Royce White, a former NBA player whose controversial record is seen as a major liability in a statewide election.

Finally, travelers in the Twin Cities should prepare for a weekend closure on I-94. The westbound lanes between Dale Street in St. Paul and I-35W in Minneapolis will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday for construction.

The Rundown: Target Cuts, Medicare Scramble, and MN Road Closures

• Target: The retailer is slashing 1,800 corporate jobs at its HQ (8% of its team) to become “more agile” and speed up decisions. They say it’s not about cutting costs.
• Medicare: Big trouble for Minnesotans: Medicare Advantage costs are rising, and plan choices are shrinking fast because insurers and providers are pulling out. Time to shop for a new plan.
• Senate Race: The fight for Sen. Tina Smith’s open seat is leaning “Likely Democratic.” Look for Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to battle it out, while the GOP struggles with a potentially unviable candidate in Royce White.
• I-94 Alert: Avoid westbound I-94 between St. Paul’s Dale St. and I-35W in Minneapolis. It will be shut down all weekend (Friday 10 p.m. to Monday 5 a.m.).