October 19–25, 2026
Hennepin County acted on a full slate of service and infrastructure items, Plymouth's housing authority wrapped up its fall agenda, and a quiet federal week brought one bill relevant to local emergency alerts.
Your trash and your transit. Hennepin County approved two decisions that touch daily logistics. The county extended its waste delivery contract with Minneapolis through the end of 2027, so your garbage and recycling pickup continues without interruption or changes to your service. Separately, the county authorized the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority to receive surplus land for rail use, a step that could expand commute options across the metro. Both measures are adopted by the county board and in effect.
At the hospital. Hennepin County hospitals will replace aging imaging machines with new Samsung radiology equipment by the end of 2027, with a maintenance and parts contract through 2033 handled by RPS Imaging. The county also expanded its contract with ACES (a mental health and social services vendor) so residents can access more services without waiting for a new contract cycle to open up. Both actions were approved by the board Tuesday, October 20.
Around the county. The county approved up to $450,000 for the University of Minnesota to measure how local land absorbs and stores carbon through 2029. The findings could shape how Hennepin County plans future development and manages forests and wetlands. The county also renewed and adjusted contracts with several health and human services providers, keeping those programs funded without gaps, and gained the ability to buy or, if needed, force the sale of private property for road projects, with fair market value compensation required by law.
At the library. Hennepin County libraries will stock hardcover children's books with built-in audio players from October 2026 through October 2029, letting early readers follow along as they listen.
Plymouth housing authority. The Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority wrapped up its October meeting by approving financial reports for two city housing projects, Vicksburg Crossing and Plymouth Towne Square, along with a 2027 work plan for local business and economic programs. The authority also updated its payment rules for Housing Choice Vouchers, the rental assistance program for lower-income residents. Updated payment amounts will affect both voucher holders and landlords who accept them. All four items are adopted.
On your phone. A federal bill (HR 7022) now signed into law lets wireless carriers add satellite delivery as a backup channel for emergency alerts, things like severe weather warnings and missing-persons alerts. If your carrier opts in, you may start receiving those alerts via satellite in addition to the regular cell network, with the option to turn off satellite delivery. That is now law.
Several other federal bills this week dealt with matters outside Plymouth, including a land sale in Sacramento and a Social Security enrollment window for clergy.
Coming up next week:
San Francisco Bay restoration funding. HR 1382 expands federal money and eligible partners for cleaning up San Francisco Bay, a geographic matter with no direct Plymouth connection. It cleared committee and is headed to a House floor vote, with no firm date set yet.
See what's up for a vote now · Find your representatives