Minnesota Today

The Trump Administration is continuing to target international students attending college in Minnesota and across the U.S. The University of Minnesota says it's now aware of three students across its system who’ve had their visas canceled. Minnesota State University, Mankato says the Department of Homeland Security has terminated the visitor records of five MSU students. An immigration law expert says that’s a likely prelude to canceling their visas. Protestors are mobilizing across the country for an anti-Trump protest this weekend. Large numbers of demonstrators are expected at the Capitol in St. Paul. The Hennepin County Attorney’s office is pausing prosecution against John Sawchak, the man who allegedly shot his next-door neighbor in October. The decision follows a doctor’s determination that Sawchak is incompetent to stand trial. Sawchak, who is white, allegedly used racial slurs to harass and threaten his neighbor Davis Moturi, who is Black, for months leading up to the shooting. A stretch of Interstate 94 in Minneapolis and St. Paul will be closed this weekend as work begins on a bridge repair project. The transportation department says the eastbound lanes of 94 will close at 10 p.m. Friday night between Interstate 35W and Highway 280. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Visas revoked, records terminated for more students at U of M, MSU Mankato Prosecution of man accused of shooting neighbor paused after 2nd incompetency finding Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

State officials are voicing concern about delays in federal funding for energy assistance. And Minnesota 6th District Republican Representative Tom Emmer told constituents Wednesday night that Republicans are off to a great start in Washington with their control of Congress and the White House. Emmer, who is number three in GOP House leadership, held a telephone town hall. He defended federal budget and workforce cuts that have prompted protests against the Trump administration. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. After federal firings, officials worry about program that helps many Minnesotans pay for heat Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Federal immigration authorities have arrested a second Minnesota college student — this time at MSU Mankato. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he has yet to receive “adequate” information from the Department of Homeland Security about the University of Minnesota student who was detained by ICE last week. Both the U of M and MSU-Mankato have said school officials were not involved in supplying information to ICE. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has declared a state of emergency to ensure trash collection will continue uninterrupted. Work on a major construction project at a freeway interchange southeast of Rochester is set to resume next week. It’ll be the second year of a three-year project to rebuild the interchange at U.S. Highway 52 and Interstate 90. That includes two new bridges for freeway traffic and a new flyover ramp onto eastbound I-90 to eliminate the need for left turns for traffic heading from Rochester toward Winona and La Crosse.

A federal judge Tuesday ordered immigration officials to say why they're detaining a University of Minnesota graduate student. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Doğukan Günaydin outside his St. Paul home early last Thursday. And Minnesota's municipal liquor stores reported a 15 percent boost in net profits in 2023 driven in part by the sale of THC-infused products. State Auditor Julie Blaha released a report today that showed the stores brought in $31.6 million in profit that year. That's an increase of $4.2 million compared to the year prior. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Lawsuit: U of M grad student detained by ICE ‘feared he was being kidnapped’ Auditor reports that Minnesota muni liquor store profits up, in part due to THC offerings Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Federal immigration authorities have arrested a second Minnesota college student — this time at MSU Mankato. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he has yet to receive “adequate” information from the Department of Homeland Security about the University of Minnesota student who was detained by ICE last week. Both the U of M and MSU-Mankato have said school officials were not involved in supplying information to ICE. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has declared a state of emergency to ensure trash collection will continue uninterrupted. Work on a major construction project at a freeway interchange southeast of Rochester is set to resume next week. It’ll be the second year of a three-year project to rebuild the interchange at U.S. Highway 52 and Interstate 90. That includes two new bridges for freeway traffic and a new flyover ramp onto eastbound I-90 to eliminate the need for left turns for traffic heading from Rochester toward Winona and La Crosse.

Snow is falling across much of Minnesota and will continue overnight Tuesday and Wednesday, as April arrives with a blast of winter weather for the region. MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner says it’s going to add up to a lot of heavy, wet snow for central and northern parts of the state. A student at the University of Minnesota arrested and detained by immigration officials has filed a lawsuit in federal court. In the lawsuit, Doğukan Günaydin says the arrest violates his constitutional rights. And new training will be a significant focus for Minneapolis police, as they continue into year two of court-enforced changes under the watch of an independent evaluator. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Lawsuit: U of M grad student detained by ICE ‘feared he was being kidnapped’ April snowstorm prompts school closings, e-learning days for Wednesday Winter storm warnings north, sloppy rain-snow mix for Twin Cities MPD still working through monitor’s first year goals to speed up complaint backlog, finalize policies Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Federal immigration authorities have arrested a second Minnesota college student — this time at MSU Mankato. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he has yet to receive “adequate” information from the Department of Homeland Security about the University of Minnesota student who was detained by ICE last week. Both the U of M and MSU-Mankato have said school officials were not involved in supplying information to ICE. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has declared a state of emergency to ensure trash collection will continue uninterrupted. Work on a major construction project at a freeway interchange southeast of Rochester is set to resume next week. It’ll be the second year of a three-year project to rebuild the interchange at U.S. Highway 52 and Interstate 90. That includes two new bridges for freeway traffic and a new flyover ramp onto eastbound I-90 to eliminate the need for left turns for traffic heading from Rochester toward Winona and La Crosse.

A Minnesota State University, Mankato student was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at an off-campus residence on Friday. President Edward Inch shared the news in a campus-wide email Monday, and says he has reached out to elected state and federal officials to express his concern and ask for help in “curbing this type of activity.” Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot while driving on Interstate 94 this morning. And Wisconsin voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide their next state Supreme Court justice and the political balance of the court. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. MSU Mankato says ICE detained student; reason unclear Wisconsin Supreme Court race draws national attention, record out-of-state money Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Minnesota Department of Health says it likely will lay off 150 to 200 people, because of A U.S. Bank executive is believed to have been killed in the plane crash that engulfed a Brooklyn Park home in flames on Saturday. Students are rallying at the University of Minnesota today, four days after immigration officers arrested an international graduate student. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not responded to our request for comment on why it detained the student, the status of the arrest and where they are being held. The arrest follows others at Columbia, Tufts and Georgetown tied to pro-Palestinian activism. Hundreds of Minnesota state workers protested outside the governor’s residence in St. Paul over the weekend. The action organized by the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees union responded to Governor Walz’ announcement that many state employees will need to spend at least 50 percent of their work time in the office. Today is designated International Day of Transgender Visibility. People are gathering to mark the event at the State Capitol. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Garty Meister.

The Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party will elect a new chairperson tomorrow, and businesswoman and former Hennepin County Board candidate Marisa Simonetti announced today that she is running for U.S. Senate. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minnesota Department of Health says it likely will lay off 150 to 200 people, because of funding cuts at the federal level. MDH says the federal government has terminated about 220 million dollars in grants to MDH related to the COVID pandemic. A Twin Cities nonprofit investigated alongside Feeding Our Future is fighting to resume taking part in a taxpayer-funded food program. Members of the two largest state employees unions are pushing back on a plan that will require public employees to be in-person more frequently. Leaders with both the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are asking Governor Walz to rescind his requirement that employees return to the office at least 50 percent of the time. The Minneapolis City Council has passed a resolution directing about 640-thousand dollars of public safety funding to violence interruption services for the Cedar Riverside and Elliot Park areas. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Garty Meister.

After the federal government abruptly cut COVID program grants this week, the Minnesota Department of Health is considering layoffs. The department confirmed between 150 and 200 jobs may be cut after the $226 million shortfall. The federal government made the cut because it said the funds weren't needed anymore. Minnesota's Health Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham says the public still needs good information about vaccines. And the largest union for state employees is telling it's members they will push back on the governor's plan to send state workers back to the office half time. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. MDH commissioner: $226 million cuts to federal COVID-19 grants ‘shortsighted’ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The state of Minnesota stands to lose millions in COVID-19 funding after the federal government announced Tuesday it would terminate grants to local and state governments. A new environmental center opened Tuesday in Ramsey County to accept a variety of goods that need to be disposed of or recycled. The nearly 30,000 square foot facility is located in Roseville. And a board that oversees economic development on the Iron Range has selected a new chair and promised aid to idled mine workers. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

All Minnesota GOP lawmakers in Congress joined their fellow Republicans in voting for a budget framework that includes $2 trillion in spending cuts. While it doesn’t specify the programs, Republicans have targeted Medicaid and food aid programs. Tribal leaders are asking members of Congress to address funding concerns and uphold federal government’s treaty obligations to tribes. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Fineday testified to a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. A new report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation found that nearly 60 percent of the state’s total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers from 2019 to 2023. Those stories and more in today’s morning update. Hosted by Gracie Stockton.

Gov. Tim Walz has set a date for a special election to fill an open Senate seat in northern Minnesota, and candidates can start filing for office tomorrow. The 6th District Senate seat came open last week after Justin Eichorn resigned. Eichorn is charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Garty Meister.

All Minnesota GOP lawmakers in Congress joined their fellow Republicans in voting for a budget framework that includes $2 trillion in spending cuts. While it doesn’t specify the programs, Republicans have targeted Medicaid and food aid programs. Tribal leaders are asking members of Congress to address funding concerns and uphold federal government’s treaty obligations to tribes. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Fineday testified to a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. A new report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation found that nearly 60 percent of the state’s total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers from 2019 to 2023. Those stories and more in today’s morning update. Hosted by Gracie Stockton.

Federal prosecutors have accused former Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn of trying to obstruct their investigation related to charges of soliciting a minor. And the Democratic-controlled Minnesota Senate is staged to vote on a resolution condemning President Donald Trump's pardons of those found guilty of crimes on January 6, 2021. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

All Minnesota GOP lawmakers in Congress joined their fellow Republicans in voting for a budget framework that includes $2 trillion in spending cuts. While it doesn’t specify the programs, Republicans have targeted Medicaid and food aid programs. Tribal leaders are asking members of Congress to address funding concerns and uphold federal government’s treaty obligations to tribes. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Fineday testified to a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. A new report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation found that nearly 60 percent of the state’s total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers from 2019 to 2023. Those stories and more in today’s morning update. Hosted by Gracie Stockton.

Bloomington police officials today announced they arrested 14 men during the sting operation that nabbed a state senator earlier this week. The men are accused of trying to solicit sex from minors. And DFL Governor Tim Walz released his revised state budget proposal today. It includes more cuts in spending. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

All Minnesota GOP lawmakers in Congress joined their fellow Republicans in voting for a budget framework that includes $2 trillion in spending cuts. While it doesn’t specify the programs, Republicans have targeted Medicaid and food aid programs. Tribal leaders are asking members of Congress to address funding concerns and uphold federal government’s treaty obligations to tribes. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Fineday testified to a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. A new report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation found that nearly 60 percent of the state’s total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers from 2019 to 2023. Those stories and more in today’s morning update. Hosted by Gracie Stockton.