Good morning. The (almost) All-Dana edition:

President Joe Biden came to Minnesota to talk about domestic policy, but he made bigger waves about international events than his White House might have planned. At a fundraiser in Minneapolis last night, Biden was interrupted by a woman identifying herself as a rabbi (who would have had to pay at least $1,000 to enter, according to invitation materials). She told Biden the U.S. should advocate for a cease fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict that’s taken a heavy toll in recent days in Gaza. A press pool report said Biden responded with: “I think we need a pause.” He didn’t specify a duration, but added, “A pause means give time to get the prisoners out.” Biden said he pushed Israeli leaders already to clear the way for safe passage of foreign nationals and injured people from Gaza. The Biden “pause” remark is sure to be parsed and require clarification in the days ahead.

At a farm on the outskirts of Northfield, Biden also made mention of the dire situation in the Middle East. As MPR’s Dana Ferguson observed , most of his remarks were focused on a rural policy plan he was in Minnesota to promote. “When rural America does well, when Indian Country does well, we all do well,” Biden told those gathered to hear him talk up his “Investing in Rural America” initiative, which will direct more than $5 billion in already approved money toward projects in the U.S. around rural connectivity, renewable energy and land conservation.

Attention shifts today to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which is hearing arguments in a lawsuit attempting to block Donald Trump from state ballots next year. Dana has a preview of the hearing here . The case hinges on whether Trump “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” or “gave aid or comfort to the enemies” of the United States through his actions and words on and before Jan. 6, 2021. And if he did, is that enough to permit Minnesota officials to keep him off the ballots in 2024. No matter what Minnesota justices rule, don’t be surprised if this gets appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

One more 2024 item before moving on. Dean Phillips, the Minnesota congressman challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination, wedged his way into the news cycle yesterday when the president was here. Phillips was still in New Hampshire for campaign activities. But in a sometimes-tense interview conducted by our Cathy Wurzer, Phillips snapped back at Democrats belittling his bid. He said many leaders of his party won’t acknowledge the incumbent’s vulnerabilities. “We are facing a red alert. We are sleepwalking into an election in which the future of American democracy is absolutely at risk,” he told Cathy.

We’re just days from this year’s general election. MPR has had a raft of stories on key races for municipal offices. But if you’re among those wondering what those people seeking your vote actually do in office, here’s a worthwhile primer from MPR’s Nicole Ki.