In local news, Minnesota Democrats have renewed their efforts to change the state flag. A proposal, which was discussed last Thursday in a Senate committee, would create a redesign commission. House File 274 creates the "State Emblems Redesign Commission" which would create and recommend new designs for the official state flag to the legislature and governor. Similar bills introduced over the years have failed to pass.

The redesign group would have lawmakers from both parties, stakeholders, residents and a member of each of the following minority group councils: the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Dakota community and Ojibwe community. The new designs would be adopted no later than mid-May 2025 under the bill. The proposal advanced out of one committee Thursday and is on to another.

As we contemplate what a new state flag would look like, we wonder what Minnesota representation would sound like. Almost every state has an official state song, whether it be a traditional anthem, or a folk tune. Some have adopted more modern hits, like Georgia opting for Ray Charles’ rendition of “Georgia on My Mind”, or Colorado recognizing John Denver's trademark 1972 hit "Rocky Mountain High" as one of their state songs. Minnesota’s official state song is a 1945 arrangement written by Truman Rickard titled “Hail! Minnesota”. If you were on a committee to choose a new song, would you pick something recent, or stick to tradition? What song best represents our state? For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what would you choose as Minnesota’s official state song?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played:
Kid Dakota – Ten Thousand Lakes
Weird Al Yankovic – The Biggest Ball Of Twine In Minnesota
Gear Daddies – (I Wanna Drive the) Zamboni
Wanda Davis – In The Pines
Jeremy Messersmith – We All Do Better When We All Do Better
Husker Du – Love Is All Around
Prince – Paisley Park
Lipps Inc – Funkytown (Bonus!)