New Flag!

Minnesota's well-run commission has finished its task a bit ahead of schedule and we have not just the new seal I already mentioned, but a final decision on a state flag:

As I had hoped, it's a version of the one with the dark blue Minnesota shape implied on the left and a superimposed white north star. The commission simplified the design by removing the original's three horizontal stripes, which were white, green, and light blue. 

Instead, they are using a single light blue field to represent Minnesota's waters: the headwaters of the Mississippi and the land of 10,000 lakes, the place where the water reflects the sky (Mni Sóta Makoce).

The star was simplified as well to equalize the eight points to create a form that echoes the star on the floor of our State Capitol. It's also seen in star quilt patterns of several cultures in the state, and the pairs of points repeat the letter M four times. Minnesota Public Radio has a good summary.

"Design by committee" is usually a bad joke, and I'm sure the designers who were members felt a lot of trepidation going into it. The Republicans in attendance did their best to monkeywrench the process (but as legislators, they were there as nonvoting members, so they couldn't do their usual damage). 

I hope the commission receives the accolades they deserve for pulling this off. Two bits of recognition came from two of our local urbanists, Alex Schieferdecker, on Bluesky:

A tortuous public process that somehow survives a parade of terrible ideas and emerges with a decent final result is just the epitome of Minnesota. To the SERC committee, I owe you an apology. I wasn't really familiar with your game.

And Evan Roberts on Twitter:

You don’t often get a chance to say this in the United States, but big kudos to the Minnesota legislature for setting up an efficient and democratic process for changing the state emblems. Notable contrast with the somewhat shambolic process New Zealand used to not change its lame flag.

I've seen a hat design proposed already, and one enthusiastic baker has made some cookies:

I think it will be popular and the bit of grousing that is happening will fade in time.