WATCH: New flag flying over Minnesota Capitol

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – The new state flag is flying over the Minnesota Capitol this morning for Statehood Day.

Governor Tim Walz says he realizes change is a little hard for some, but says the new flag replaces a blue background with a seal in the middle that looks like 26 other states. 

“You see states like Texas or you see states like South Carolina that have distinctive flags,” Walz said. “This one, the State of Minnesota, the North Star, the blue for the water, I’m pretty excited about it.”

The outgoing flags on the capitol grounds were retired in a pre-dawn ceremony before the new flags were raised at sunrise.