Minnesota Today

Nearly 200 Minnesota Association of Professional Employees rallied outside a state office building on the grounds of the State Capitol to protest Trump administration cuts to public health. Most of the participants work for the Minnesota Department of Health, which is cutting 170 jobs due to federal budget cuts. And Gov. Tim Walz visited Philips Image Guided Therapy today, a medical manufacturing facility in Plymouth. The company is planning an expansion, backed by $3.5 million in state funding. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Be ready for the annual statewide tornado drill today in Minnesota. There will be two drills Thursday — the first at 1:45 p.m. That’s aimed at people in schools, offices, stores and other businesses. The second drill is at 6:45 p.m. and aimed at people who are home, along with second-shift workers. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says a lack of federal funding is forcing it to cancel plans to spray for invasive moths in parts of Minnesota this year. Minnesota veterans rallied at the state Capitol Wednesday, urging lawmakers to boost property tax relief for disabled veterans. A Ramsey County judge has dismissed a defamation claim from a Minneapolis Police Department leader who sued a conservative news outlet. Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell alleged Alpha News and content creator Liz Collin defamed her in a book and a video. Blackwell argued the video uses “deceptive framing and editing” to lie about her testimony in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin.

There are conflicting assessments of what the shutdown of the Keystone oil pipeline will mean for fuel prices in the Midwest. And a key Jewish advocacy organization says it's pleased with the approach the president of the University of Minnesota is taking to address antisemitism on campus. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Several Minnesota school districts yesterday asked voters to approve more funding through ballot questions. The biggest, the St. Cloud School district, got voter approval to raise $65 million for upgrades to security at Apollo High School, and a new athletic facility. The University of Minnesota grad student currently detained pending deportation proceedings will be back in court on Friday. A Minneapolis man who allegedly led police in a car chase that ended in a fatal carjacking last year has been found competent to face trial. Ameer Matariyeh is facing charges of murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the shooting rampage that left one man wounded and another dead. Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Detained U of M graduate student will remain in custody Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The University of Minnesota grad student currently detained pending deportation proceedings will be back in court later this week. During a hearing at immigration court Tuesday morning, an attorney for Doğukan Günaydın asked the court to pause the removal proceedings in order to hold another hearing to address new charges filed by the Department of Homeland Security. And the Minnesota Department of Education Tuesday has responded to the Trump administration’s request to eliminate DEI programs. Last week the Trump administration told states they had 10 days to certify they are complying with the administration’s interpretation of civil rights law. On Tuesday the Minnesota Department of Education told the federal government it has long complied with Civil Rights law, and the administration was attempting to “change the terms and conditions of federal financial assistance… without formal administrative process.” Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Detained U of M graduate student will remain in custody Minnesota pushes back on Trump demand to end DEI or lose school funding Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minnesota’s first set of cannabis market rules are about to be official. An administrative law judge has signed off on the package of rules that will guide the launch of the retail market. The Trump Administration says a federal judge in St. Paul has no authority to review ICE's decision to detain a University of Minnesota grad student from Turkey who was arrested late last month. The student sued the government after he was arrested by ICE agents at his St. Paul residence. Prosecutors in Wisconsin have charged a Brooklyn Park man in connection with a crash near Hudson that killed Twin Cities restaurateur David Burley. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Trump administration: U of M student in ICE custody should remain jailed Alleged drunk driver charged in crash that killed Twin Cities restaurant founder Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion will step down as head of the Subcommittee on Ethics as he faces questions about a possible conflict of interest. And the Minnesota Court of Appeals has ordered another look at a conservative online site’s request to review police body camera video in the arrest of a DFL lawmaker last year. Plus, traffic along I-94 near the U of M Twin Cities campus and across the Mississippi River is down to two lanes in each direction. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Conservative website's bid to access Sen. Mitchell body camera footage revived by appeals court Sen. Champion steps down as ethics committee chair amid conflict-of-interest questions Travel I-94 in the Twin Cities? Prepare for months of detours and delays Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

It was a weekend of protest across the U.S. On Saturday in St. Paul, an estimated 25,000 people packed the lawn in front of the State Capitol protesting the policies of President Trump. Gov. Tim Walz says Democrats should not mistake the protests against President Trump as a sign their party is back in voters’ good graces. St. Cloud-area residents vote tomorrow on a referendum that would raise $65 million for school improvements. This is one of a number of special elections across the state tomorrow. Minnesota farm income fell last year to the lowest level in more than 20 years. And, farmers could face more challenging times ahead.

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.