If you bought a new electric yard tool this year, did you know Dakota Electric will give you a $25 or $50 rebate? Well now you do.

Dakota Electric offers rebates to help members switch to electric yard tools that are cleaner, quieter, and way less fussy. Today’s electric yard tools offer powerful performance without the hassle of gas, oil, or fumes.

So, if you’ve purchased – or are planning to purchase – a battery-powered weed trimmer, lawn mower, leaf blower, chainsaw, or even an electric snowblower, don’t leave easy money on the table!

To get your rebate, click the button below or log in to your MyDEA account, click Services, then Rebates, and find the Battery-Powered Yard Tools section.

Explore your rebate options and start saving today. Your lawn (and your wallet) will thank you.

Program available to Dakota Electric members only. See website for details.

Lakeville School Board Keeps Final Say on Library Book Challenges in 4-3 Vote

The board voted 4-3 to keep the power to decide if a challenged book stays, moves, or goes—instead of leaving it fully to a staff committee. No specific book was banned or even named; this was about the rules for the future. Whether that makes the process more accountable or more political is exactly what split the board.

Three of Four New Crunch Fitness Gyms Are Opening in the South Metro

Crunch Fitness announced four new Minnesota gyms, and three are landing in our backyard: Apple Valley (50,000 sq ft), Burnsville (40,000 sq ft), and Eagan (35,000 sq ft)—all opening this summer.

District 196 Approved an $825 Million Budget

The board approved next year's preliminary budget—about $825 million in revenue, with most coming from state aid and $100 million from the next round of voter-approved construction bonds. This is not a new tax hike; it runs on money already approved.

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Farmington Downtown Social at Top the Tater Days (Farmington) Live entertainment, food, and local businesses take over downtown Farmington at 4pm to kick off Top the Tater Days weekend. Hit downtown.

Picnic in the Lavender (Farmington) Another chance to picnic in the lavender fields at 4pm with a buffet, desserts, and lavender picking, adults only and spots are limited. Reserve your spot.

Family Movie Night: E.T. (Eagan) A free outdoor showing of E.T. at 5pm at Viking Lakes with face painting and movie snacks before the film rolls. Grab a blanket.

Free Outdoor Concert: Westwind Swing Band at ArtBlast (Rosemount) A 17-piece big band performing classic swing from Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington at 6:30pm, free at Central Park. Swing on over.

Farmington Library Kids Craft Fair (Farmington) Young entrepreneurs ages 4-18 sell their handmade goods at the library at 9:30am during Top the Tater Days, shoppers of all ages welcome. Shop small.

Bark in the Park (Eagan) Bring your pup to Viking Lakes at 6pm for live music, caricature portraits, and the chance to meet adoptable dogs from Coco's Heart Animal Rescue. Bring your bestie.

Free Outdoor Concert: Drums of Navaron at ArtBlast (Rosemount) High-energy Afro-Latin funk and soul at 6:30pm at Central Park with food from Von Hanson's and root beer floats, free. Dance it out.

Friday Night Acoustics: Shane Martin (Apple Valley) A one-man-band experience at 6:30pm on Bogart's patio where Shane Martin loops live layers of guitar, bass, harmonica, and percussion, genuinely unlike anything else you'll see this week. Pull up a chair.

Disney's Peter Pan, Jr. (Lakeville) The Lakeville Area Arts Center brings Neverland to the stage at 7pm with this charming family production, with additional shows Saturday and Sunday. See the show.

Next Stop Comedy at Angry Inch Brewing (Lakeville) Stand-up comedy at 7:30pm featuring a rotating lineup of touring comedians you've seen on TV and podcasts, performing in a taproom setting. Get laughing.

Eagan 5K & Kids Run (Eagan) The annual Eagan 5K, kids run, and one-mile walk starting at 7am with proceeds supporting local nonprofits. Lace up.

46th Annual Tater Trot (Farmington) Farmington's beloved Tater Trot is back at 8am with a flat, scenic course and options from a half-mile Jr. Jog to a full four-miler. Trot on.

Top the Tater Days Tractor Drive (Farmington) Grab a donut and cruise through town on a tractor at 9am, a Top the Tater Days tradition put on by FFA supporters and alumni, all ages and tractor sizes welcome. Hop on.

Apple Valley's Freedom Craft & Gift Expo (Apple Valley) A free-admission craft and gift expo at 10am with handmade goods, baked treats, art, and local small businesses. Shop local.

Mystery Games Parents Night Out (Lakeville) Drop the kids off at 5pm for obstacle courses, floor-is-lava challenges, and pizza while you enjoy a well-deserved night out. Free yourself.

Free Outdoor Country Concert: Gus Sent Me at ArtBlast (Rosemount) Classic country and Southern rock with four-part harmonies, fiddle, and pedal steel at 6:30pm at Central Park, plus Von Hanson's food, free. Boot scoot.

Salsa del Soul at Med Cruise Cafe (Burnsville) Live salsa music and dancing at Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, reservations strongly recommended because this one packs out. Dance the night.

Big Band Under the Big Tent at Top the Tater Days (Farmington) The NorthStar Big Band brings swinging jazz to the big tent at 1pm right after the Top the Tater Days parade wraps up. Swing by.

Puff Then Paint (Eagan) An adults-only pottery painting night at 6:30pm with snacks included, pick your piece when you arrive and take it home. Get creative.

Free Outdoor Concert: John Philip Sousa Band at ArtBlast (Rosemount) A 45-piece concert band performing crowd-pleasing classics at 7pm at Central Park, free and the perfect way to close out ArtBlast week. Hear the band.