Elk River votes to keep flying old Minnesota state flag



Elk River, about 30 miles northwest of Minneapolis, is the latest Minnesota city to decide to continue flying the former state flag.

The Elk River City Council voted unanimously Monday night to draft a resolution to display the retired Minnesota state flag on all city properties. A final vote is expected on April 20.

The issue has fired up the community. More than a dozen people spoke at the Elk River City Council meeting Monday night before the vote, with opinions mixed on whether the city should keep flying the former flag or the official design adopted in 2024.

More than a thousand people submitted their opinion online after the city council asked for input. Nearly 75 percent of respondents voiced support for the old flag.

“I don’t believe we’ve ever gotten 1,100 emails on any topic in the whole time I’ve been here for 32 years,” Mayor John Dietz said. “I think the citizens of Elk River have spoken.”

The new flag’s dark blue is meant to represent the sky with an eight-pointed star of the north evoking Minnesota’s motto. The light blue represents Minnesota’s abundant waters.

It replaces a flag that had drawn criticism for its complexity and depiction of Indigenous peoples.

A number of people spoke about disliking the flag’s redesign and feeling that it should have been put to a statewide vote. Others said they wanted to keep the old flag because it reflects the state’s history and heritage.

“The new flag has nothing to do with Minnesota and does not represent any of our values. I’m actually appalled at this flag,” said resident Linda Schultz. “It is time to stand up and get back what is rightfully ours.”

Others spoke in favor of the city flying the official state flag, noting it was designed through a lengthy process that included public input. They chided the city council for creating divisiveness.

Resident Andy Price said flying the old flag sends a message – intended or not – that Elk River is “resistant to positive change.”

“I don’t believe that reflects who we are,” Price said. “Elk River's own vision statement calls us a welcoming community. A welcoming community welcomes all of its residents. Flying the officially adopted state flag is one simple, visible way for us to live that value.”

Other Minnesota cities that have opted to keep flying the old Minnesota state flag include Champlin, Zumbrota, North Branch, Detroit Lakes, Pine Island, Wadena, Crosslake and Babbit.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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