MPR News Update

A judge heard arguments today in a federal lawsuit against the state of Minnesota challenging a state law that allows undocumented students to get in-state college tuition. And another long-time legislator says he won't seek re-election in 2026. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Dozens of Minnesota school districts have delayed the start of classes Wednesday as a winter storm continues to cause difficult travel across the region. In addition to the late starts, a handful of school districts have moved to online learning or canceled classes in the wake of the heavy snow and gusty winds. The Minnesota State Patrol reported more than 400 crashes and spinouts on highways across the state between noon and 9 p.m. Tuesday, including at least 5 jackknifed semis.The University of Minnesota has released a new study that shows fungi could help keep the invasive emerald ash borer in check. Researchers found fungi species growing on wood samples of ash trees and discovered many strands were known insect killers.

Driving conditions across Minnesota will worsen through night as snow and freezing rain move across the region.And nine Republican candidates for Minnesota governor gathered last night to debate issues at a Lyon County Republican candidate forum.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Officials at Augsburg University in Minneapolis say federal immigration agents entered a private campus parking lot without a warrant on Saturday afternoon and detained a student.And the Minneapolis City Council this week will consider a new ordinance that its authors say will require a more humane approach to homeless encampments. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The owner of the Lutsen Resort Lodge, which was destroyed in a fire nearly two years ago, has been charged with three counts of arson and one count of insurance fraud. Bryce Campbell was arrested this week in Michigan for allegedly burning down the historic lodge on the North Shore. According to the criminal complaint, Campbell faced serious financial troubles at the time of the fire. The complaint also details suspicious behavior leading up to the fire.Dozens of religious leaders from a wide variety of faith traditions gathered in Minneapolis Thursday night to denounce President Donald Trump's disparaging comments about Minnesota's Somali community. Earlier this week, Trump made the remarks in response to a question about fraud in taxpayer-funded social service programs in Minnesota. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detailed the arrests of 12 undocumented men. The agency says most of them have felony convictions. The others had been arrested on suspicion of crimes including domestic violence and drunk driving.Democrats and Republicans have different takes on the state budget forecast released Thursday.Bloomington police say a man was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with officers during an attempted arrest Wednesday night.

The owner of the iconic Lutsen Resort Lodge along the North Shore of Lake Superior has been arrested and charged in connection with the fire that destroyed the lodge in early 2024. Bryce Campbell was charged with three counts of first-degree arson and one count of insurance fraud. Gov. Walz criticizes Trump's 'vile' remarks about Somali immigrants.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says President Donald Trump is acting in “flat-out, un-American” fashion by targeting Somali Americans and referring to them as “garbage.” Frey has signed an executive order prohibiting federal, state and local agencies from using city-owned parking lots, ramps, garages or vacant lots to stage civil immigration enforcement operations.The Minneapolis Police Department is reminding people it will not ask them about their citizenship status if they call the police. The department also says residents can call 911 to verify a responding officer is who they say they are.A man faces federal charges for ramming his car into the vehicle of an ICE agent last week in St. Paul. The man was released from jail to home detention after pleading not guilty to assaulting an officer.

Local Somali leaders are urging residents to learn their rights amid reports of federal immigration agents carrying out an enforcement operation in Minnesota. Jaylani Hussein, president of CAIR Minnesota, said he's heard reports of federal agents asking Somali U.S. citizens for their documentation. State lawmakers will receive a key update on Minnesota's economy Thursday.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Bright. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

Leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul say they are standing with the local Somali community amid reports federal officials are planning a targeted immigration crackdown. The operation would target a few hundred people with final deportation orders. Most Somali residents in Minnesota are U.S. citizens and city leaders raised concerns they could be caught up in a federal operation. Gov. Tim Walz says he's open to a federal probe focused on whether Minnesota funding went to terrorist groups in Somalia. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on social media he is launching an investigation to determine whether taxpayer money went to al-Shabaab, after allegations were raised by a conservative think tank.Walz says he's taken action to prevent fraud in state programs after lawmakers gave him broader authority earlier this year. Republicans have criticized Walz over his administration's response to fraud in Medicaid programs.The Trump administration is threatening to cut off federal administrative SNAP funding to Minnesota over the state's refusal to share data about beneficiaries. State leaders have declined to share the names, birth dates, addresses and Social Security numbers of food assistance program participants — and won a court order earlier this year to not share that data. The Trump administration says the information is needed to investigate fraud. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the police officer in Plymouth who shot and wounded a man after responding a domestic disturbance call last week. Officer Jacob Coopet allegedly confronted and shot a man with a handgun. The man remains in stable condition.

President Donald Trump is intensifying his disparaging remarks about Minnesota's Somali community and lobbing criticism at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.According to reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is beginning an operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities.Tens of thousands of Somali immigrants live in Minnesota, and most are U.S. citizens. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey raised concerns that citizens will be caught up in a federal operation.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

The quick change from mild fall to winter cold means an increasing need for shelter beds across the Twin Cities. A Duluth nonprofit that operates the largest homeless shelter north of the Twin Cities is getting the largest gift it has ever received. The former leader of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce has pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the organization. Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel has announced he's running for governor. He's competing for the Republican endorsement against eleven other candidates. The Minneapolis Poison Control Center says there's been a 176-percent increase in reports about potential cannabis poisonings in children and pets since 2021.

Today is the first day of meteorological winter ... this fall turned out to be our 4th warmest ... and very dry. The cold and the snow mean it's snowmobile season. In Minnesota, the season can start as early as December 1 — if conditions are right.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

Just in time for holiday travel, a snow storm impacting much of Minnesota has left several inches of snow in a swath from southwestern Minnesota to the northeast. Roads were slick and snow covered Wednesday morning. I-94 was closed for a time due to jack-knifed semis. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport says Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.Federal authorities on Wednesday took at least two people into custody in St. Paul during an operation that drew protesters. St. Paul Police confirmed their officers used chemical irritants. Police chief Axel Henry says his department did not violate the city ordinance that prevents it from assisting with federal enforcement. Police officers used chemical irritants and less lethal projectiles on protesters and the press. MPR News photojournalist Kerem Yucel was hit by the chemical irritants.Best Buy is reporting a strong third quarter in its latest earnings report — and the company also is raising its sales and profit forecasts for the year. The Richfield-based electronics retailer says comparable-store sales rose nearly 3 percent in the last quarter — its biggest gain in three years.As Minnesotans get ready for a holiday that revolves around a large meal, people who work in hunger relief are asking people to remember food shelves and those in need. A family from the Red Lake Nation will represent three generations in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York this year.

A federal operation yesterday in St. Paul ended with at least two people taken into custody. And authorities in northeast Minnesota say a man died after being struck by a falling tree while clearing snow this morning amid the winter storm.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Just in time for holiday travel, a snow storm impacting much of Minnesota has left several inches of snow in a swath from southwestern Minnesota to the northeast. Roads were slick and snow covered Wednesday morning. I-94 was closed for a time due to jack-knifed semis. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport says Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.Federal authorities on Wednesday took at least two people into custody in St. Paul during an operation that drew protesters. St. Paul Police confirmed their officers used chemical irritants. Police chief Axel Henry says his department did not violate the city ordinance that prevents it from assisting with federal enforcement. Police officers used chemical irritants and less lethal projectiles on protesters and the press. MPR News photojournalist Kerem Yucel was hit by the chemical irritants.Best Buy is reporting a strong third quarter in its latest earnings report — and the company also is raising its sales and profit forecasts for the year. The Richfield-based electronics retailer says comparable-store sales rose nearly 3 percent in the last quarter — its biggest gain in three years.As Minnesotans get ready for a holiday that revolves around a large meal, people who work in hunger relief are asking people to remember food shelves and those in need. A family from the Red Lake Nation will represent three generations in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York this year.

There is a winter storm warning for northeast into southern Minnesota going into effect for Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday. There is a winter weather advisory for northwestern Minnesota spreading south for the same time period. Fog will turn to rain and snow. Some areas could get several inches in northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced the U.S. will end temporary protected status for migrants from Myanmar in January. Minnesota is home to about 22,000 people from Myanmar. Most arrived as refugees in the early and mid-2000s and would be unaffected by the policy change.Meanwhile, the temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota is still up in the air. The latest defendant to be sentenced in the Feeding Our Future case is headed to federal prison for 10 years.The Hennepin County Attorney's Office will charge the man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend 10 times in Minneapolis in September with an additional two counts of first degree murder. A central Minnesota man charged with killing his coworker appeared in court Monday. Forty-year-old David Delong faces second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing 20-year-old Amber Czech with a sledgehammer while working at a manufacturing facility in Cokato. A judge ordered an evaluation of Delong's mental condition and competency to stand trial at the request of his attorney.

Snow is expected tomorrow and Wednesday across much of the state... with several inches of accumulation possible in northern Minnesota ahead of the holiday weekend. The Twin Cities could get 1 to 3 inches.An immigration judge today ordered the deportation of a Northfield man who was detained by ICE earlier this month. Somali community leaders and Democratic lawmakers rallied at the Capitol today to oppose a proposal to end temporary protected status -- or TPS -- for Somali people in Minnesota.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Donors gave more than $37.8 million to Minnesota nonprofits and schools on Give to the Max Day yesterday. That's according to an update from Give M-N, the nonprofit behind the event. It's a record amount for the annual giving day, which started back in 2009.And Waymo announced yesterday that it will start testing its autonomous taxis in Minneapolis, though the service won't be available to the public just yet.

A 3-month-old baby is in the hospital in Minnesota after consuming formula linked to a nationwide botulism outbreak. The family filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the company that makes ByHeart formula. A Capitol event Thursday marked Transgender Day of Remembrance.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

Families and advocates Thursday said they were still trying to reach loved ones detained during an ICE operation at a St. Paul manufacturer this week. Three former employees of a Sherburne County town are charged with embezzling 20 percent of the community's budget. Twin Cities-based Target is partnering with Open AI to allow people to find and buy Target merchandise through ChatGPT. The retailer issued its latest earnings report Thursday showing a drop in sales, and a challenging outlook for the holiday shopping season. The White House has announced six new interagency agreements intended to break up the federal Education Department. One of those agreements will move Native American programs to the Department of the Interior. There are now at least five candidates in next year's election for Hennepin County Attorney. St. Cloud State University will have a new president starting in early January. The Minnesota State board of trustees agreed to name Gregory Tomso for the open position.

Target says it's facing a challenging outlook for the holiday shopping season. But the Minneapolis-based retailer also outlined more steps today to try to reverse its recent struggles.One of Minnesota's largest health insurers, UCare, is shutting down at the start of next year. Another nonprofit insurer will be taking over its members. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A federal law enforcement operation Tuesday drew a large protest to St. Paul. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said agents were serving a search warrant at Bro-Tex Inc. as part of a federal criminal investigation. They didn't provide further details and didn't say whether anyone was detained.An employee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is among 16 men arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor after a sting operation in suburban Minneapolis. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have just released findings showing hundreds of racist housing deeds in Sherburne County. Minnesota REALTORs say October data shows seller activity is up in the state while buyer activity is down. That's even though mortgage rates touched their lowest level in a year last month. Two new professional women's volleyball teams announced expansion teams in Minnesota in the last week.

Federal agents clashed with protesters during an operation at a St. Paul manufacturer today. Agents from the FBI, DEA and ICE carried out a search warrant at Bro-Tex Incorporated, according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson. And the entire Minnesota delegation in the U.S. House voted in favor today of forcing the release of investigative files involving sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A Minneapolis business consultant has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for a a $3.5 million scheme to defraud government pandemic aid programs. A St. Paul man is charged with vehicular homicide and fleeing the scene after allegedly killing a woman who was out walking her dogs last week. Minnesota hasn't elected a third-party governor since 1998, but Mike Newcome hopes that will change in 2026. Newcome has launched a campaign as an Independence party candidate. Newcome says he's a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. He says he'd like to break up the partisan divide in St. Paul.Nonprofit housing providers are warning 3,600 Minnesotans who have overcome homelessness could be at risk of losing their homes. That's because of new rules from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, that cut funding for permanent housing by nearly 70 percent. Eighty years after his death, federal investigators have identified the remains of a Minnesota man killed during World War II.

State Rep. Sandra Feist announced today that she'll leave the Legislature when her term runs out next year.And it's open enrollment season for many people who get health insurance through their employer. A recent survey found the average cost per employee will go up 7 percent.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

Local officials are denouncing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the detention of a Northfield man who, according to court records, has no criminal history.Adan Nunez Gonzalez was detained by ICE agents last Tuesday on his way to work and is now being held at Kandiyohi County Jail.Nunez Gonazlez is a father of four and has lived in Northfield for more than a decade.The demand for food assistance continues even with the restoration of SNAP benefits last week.Jessica Sund is director of development and communications at the Channel One Food Bank, which serves southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.Sund says the organization had 800 more people visit the Olmstead County shelf in October compared to September.The company pursuing an underground mine for copper and nickel near Ely has submitted a plan to the state to conduct more exploratory drilling. Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.'That's my dad': Northfield man's detention by ICE concerns local officialsEven with shutdown over, Minnesota's food shelves brace for surge in need as holidays nearTwin Metals seeks to continue copper exploration near Boundary Waters

A DFL state lawmaker is running for Congress in an attempt to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach in a district representing a wide swath of western Minnesota.And Minneapolis climate advocates face a Monday deadline to complete the purchase of a site for an urban farm project... and they're short several million dollars.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota lawmakers voted with their parties on the bill to end the federal government shutdown. The U.S. House passed the bill last night that replenishes government funds for agencies shut for more than seven weeks. Republicans Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber backed the bill. Democrats Angie Craig, Betty McCollum, Kelly Morrison and Ilhan Omar voted against.The University of Minnesota is raising concerns about an agreement between Fairview Health Services and a group of physicians at the University of Minnesota Medical School. In a unanimous vote, the St. Paul city council has passed a ban on military-style assault rifles in the city. The ordinance also prohibits large-capacity magazines, binary triggers that increase the rate of fire, and home-assembled firearms known as ghost guns that lack serial numbers. The measure is unenforceable because Minnesota law does not allow local governments to regulate firearms. Gun rights supporters say the measure is illegal and have said they plan to sue the city.

Property owners across Minnesota could be asked to come up with nearly one billion dollars more for city, county and other local government operations. Minnesota police groups say a judge set bail far too low for a man accused of assaulting an Anoka County sheriff's deputy. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota lawmakers voted with their parties on the bill to end the federal government shutdown. The U.S. House passed the bill last night that replenishes government funds for agencies shut for more than seven weeks. Republicans Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber backed the bill. Democrats Angie Craig, Betty McCollum, Kelly Morrison and Ilhan Omar voted against.The University of Minnesota is raising concerns about an agreement between Fairview Health Services and a group of physicians at the University of Minnesota Medical School. In a unanimous vote, the St. Paul city council has passed a ban on military-style assault rifles in the city. The ordinance also prohibits large-capacity magazines, binary triggers that increase the rate of fire, and home-assembled firearms known as ghost guns that lack serial numbers. The measure is unenforceable because Minnesota law does not allow local governments to regulate firearms. Gun rights supporters say the measure is illegal and have said they plan to sue the city.

Federal prosecutors said today that they're still deciding whether to seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. A one-year contract between a key Minnesota agency and a consulting firm will cost the state $2.3 million. Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The state's official Veterans Day program is at the National Guard Armory in Mankato. Officials from the Minnesota National Guard and the state Department of Veterans Affairs will join elected officials and others for the event.Minnesota has begun distributing SNAP benefits to recipients — but there continues to be widespread confusion over whether that will continue as the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to again freeze the payments. County administrators are struggling to keep up with the constant changes to the status of the program.A deal to reopen the federal government could imperil Minnesota's hemp-derived products industry. Wayzata-based Cargill is one of four meatpacking giants under investigation by the U.S. justice department. The City of St. Paul is the one of the lead plaintiffs in a new lawsuit against the Trump administration over the cancellation of clean energy grants. The city is part of a coalition that said Democratic-led states were unfairly punished with the cancellation of $7.5 billion in projects for things such as electric vehicle charging stations, solar energy incentives and measures to prevent methane leaks. Teachers have reached a tentative contract contract agreement with the Minneapolis school district avoiding a strike that was scheduled to start Tuesday. The union wanted smaller class size caps and pay increases for teachers, adult educators and support staff. A spokesperson said the new contract includes agreements on those demands. Teachers will vote on whether to officially accept the contract on Thursday and Friday.

Veterans and their families in Minnesota who are experiencing hunger will get food support from the state. And a Ramsey County judge won't let Minnesota keep a binary trigger ban in effect as a case challenging goes through appeals.Those stories and more in today's evening from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The state's official Veterans Day program is at the National Guard Armory in Mankato. Officials from the Minnesota National Guard and the state Department of Veterans Affairs will join elected officials and others for the event.Minnesota has begun distributing SNAP benefits to recipients — but there continues to be widespread confusion over whether that will continue as the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to again freeze the payments. County administrators are struggling to keep up with the constant changes to the status of the program.A deal to reopen the federal government could imperil Minnesota's hemp-derived products industry. Wayzata-based Cargill is one of four meatpacking giants under investigation by the U.S. justice department. The City of St. Paul is the one of the lead plaintiffs in a new lawsuit against the Trump administration over the cancellation of clean energy grants. The city is part of a coalition that said Democratic-led states were unfairly punished with the cancellation of $7.5 billion in projects for things such as electric vehicle charging stations, solar energy incentives and measures to prevent methane leaks. Teachers have reached a tentative contract contract agreement with the Minneapolis school district avoiding a strike that was scheduled to start Tuesday. The union wanted smaller class size caps and pay increases for teachers, adult educators and support staff. A spokesperson said the new contract includes agreements on those demands. Teachers will vote on whether to officially accept the contract on Thursday and Friday.

Minneapolis teachers have reached a tentative agreement with the district, averting a strike that was scheduled to begin tomorrow. And GOP gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth is the first in the race to announce her running mate.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul airport expects to see canceled flights starting Friday after federal officials said they're cutting back air traffic by about 10 percent due to the government shutdown. Patrick Knight, a businessman and former Marine, has joined the race to be the Republican candidate for Minnesota governor.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

Election results: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has been narrowly elected to a third term at City Hall. And in St. Paul, state Rep. Kaohly Her will be the next mayor, unseating incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter.