Good morning.  It’s convention weekend. Buckle up.

Both DFLers and Republicans hold their state conventions beginning today. We’ll have teams of reporters and photographers in Rochester and Duluth. Tune in for a two-hour Politics Friday , with Brian Bakst hosting from the GOP convention and Clay Masters at the DFL’s venue. More competitive races will be in Duluth because Republicans have hotly contested endorsement races for governor and U.S. Senate. Democrats won’t face the same pressures given that U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is bypassing the convention on her way to an August primary, leaving the convention field largely clear to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. Ahead of the convention, Flanagan said, "This campaign has always been about the many versus the money, and so far it has shown that we've got the grassroots support to win this thing. The party endorsement gives us the infrastructure that we need to talk to voters in a meaningful way across the states, and I'm just really excited to build off the momentum that we've created here." Craig is sitting on a larger campaign stockpile but is being coy about when she’ll begin to use the bulk of her money. Craig told Clay that she’s not about to tip off Flanagan on when an ad barrage might be coming, but said, “It’s coming.”

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar seems a lock for the DFL endorsement tonight so the only real suspense is who she picks as a running mate, a selection that could come as soon as today. She has to file for the ballot with one so that’s a requirement before Tuesday’s deadline. Klobuchar is a four-term senator now on track to be the DFL nominee for governor after January’s campaign exit by Gov. Tim Walz. She’s bound to face some scrutiny from the more progressive wing of the party, something she’s faced before in previous races. But her path is clear without a clear, strong opponent. She’s due to be endorsed this evening, perhaps by acclamation. One person who had been rumored as a possible Klobuchar lieutenant governor pick, state Sen. Grant Hauschild, filed for reelection to his northern Minnesota district yesterday. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen has been mentioned as a potential pick. But Klobuchar might also opt for a mayor or someone outside of politics altogether. 

Republicans running for governor held their final debate last night on the eve of the GOP convention in Duluth. It was sponsored by Americans for Prosperity and moderated by KSTP’s Tom Hauser. Six candidates took part, often aligning on positions and showing little separation on key concerns of the GOP faithful. That includes their praise of President Donald Trump, whose endorsement in the race could be a make-or-break moment for the candidates. He hasn’t indicated if or when he’ll get involved. The Star Tribune had a running update on the debate , which included questions on healthcare, taxes, guns, education, fraud and more. One of the more interesting exchanges was over the new Office of the Inspector General that passed with the help of House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a leading governor contender. Businessmen Kendall Qualls and Patrick Knight were critical of the office establishment, with Qualls saying, “Only in government do they get more government" to solve problems, according to the Star Tribune. Demuth held herself up as a battle-tested lawmaker who can move the ball on day one. Three Republicans have vowed to make the convention their last stop if another candidate is endorsed instead of them: Demuth, Qualls and Knight. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, minister John Krhin and retired naval officer Phillip Parrish say they’re prepared to head to a primary.

A package of new laws aims to smooth out rough edges in the state’s still relatively new recreational cannabis industry. MPR News reporter Nicole Ki writes that the package of changes includes merging parts of the cannabis supply chain, encouraging more medical cannabis production and creating a path for hemp operators to move into the adult use market before a federal ban kicks in later this year. Recreational cannabis is still relatively new in the state, with adult-use sales starting just last year. Many of the new laws are focused on making the entire system work better; including adding QR codes on packaging, setting limits on edibles and non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD, and allowing for larger sizes in THC drinks. The bill also allows businesses to integrate their medical and recreational cannabis supply chains.

A data center project proposal in Hermantown has ramped up political engagement there, and has some looking to change the way their local government works. MPR News reporter Catharine Richert reports that a group of citizens in the town near Duluth have started a campaign to start a city charter commission . That entity would write what is basically a city constitution. The charter will be on the ballot there in November. The main reason they’re pushing for a charter is that it could prohibit city officials from signing non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, in the future. “The data center exposed symptoms of local government problems,” said Greg Rosenberg, who is helping lead the petition effort. Richert reports the data center project, which has been delayed after public pushback, has gotten more people interested in local politics, including one woman who has decided to run for city council because of it.