Minnesota Today

For the fifth year in a row, more than half of Minnesota's electricity came from carbon-free sources, according to a new clean energy report. The Minnesota Department of Health has updated its advice on how much fish is safe to eat from certain lakes with so-called "forever chemicals." Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A Marshall man jailed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is speaking out, saying he’s being detained because he protested police killings four years ago. Aditya Harsono tells MPR News his student visa was revoked last month and he was arrested by plainclothes ICE agents. Court documents indicate Harsono’s visa was revoked over a misdemeanor conviction for criminal damage to property in 2022. He believes his 2021 protest against the police killing of Daunte Wright is the real reason for his arrest. Republicans in north-central Minnesota are choosing a nominee for a vacant state Senate seat. Eight Republican candidates are running in a primary to replace Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids. He resigned last month after he was charged with attempting to solicit a minor. Democrats have endorsed Denise Slipy of Breezy Point. She will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in an April 29 special election. Sen. Tina Smith joined St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to criticize President Donald Trump’s administration for delaying funding that had been approved to renovate an apartment building in St. Paul.

An international student at the University of Minnesota has sued the Department of Homeland security. And St. Paul-based Ecolab says it's imposing a 5 percent trade surcharge on its products and services sold in the U.S. The company says it's making the move to mitigate rising raw material costs as a result of Trump administration tariffs. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A Marshall man jailed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is speaking out, saying he’s being detained because he protested police killings four years ago. Aditya Harsono tells MPR News his student visa was revoked last month and he was arrested by plainclothes ICE agents. Court documents indicate Harsono’s visa was revoked over a misdemeanor conviction for criminal damage to property in 2022. He believes his 2021 protest against the police killing of Daunte Wright is the real reason for his arrest. Republicans in north-central Minnesota are choosing a nominee for a vacant state Senate seat. Eight Republican candidates are running in a primary to replace Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids. He resigned last month after he was charged with attempting to solicit a minor. Democrats have endorsed Denise Slipy of Breezy Point. She will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in an April 29 special election. Sen. Tina Smith joined St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to criticize President Donald Trump’s administration for delaying funding that had been approved to renovate an apartment building in St. Paul.

A man was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening violence against the United Healthcare corporate campus in Minnetonka. And an oil pipeline that ruptured a week ago in North Dakota is returning to service. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A Marshall man jailed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is speaking out, saying he’s being detained because he protested police killings four years ago. Aditya Harsono tells MPR News his student visa was revoked last month and he was arrested by plainclothes ICE agents. Court documents indicate Harsono’s visa was revoked over a misdemeanor conviction for criminal damage to property in 2022. He believes his 2021 protest against the police killing of Daunte Wright is the real reason for his arrest. Republicans in north-central Minnesota are choosing a nominee for a vacant state Senate seat. Eight Republican candidates are running in a primary to replace Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids. He resigned last month after he was charged with attempting to solicit a minor. Democrats have endorsed Denise Slipy of Breezy Point. She will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in an April 29 special election. Sen. Tina Smith joined St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to criticize President Donald Trump’s administration for delaying funding that had been approved to renovate an apartment building in St. Paul.

Minnetonka police say a person is in custody and there's no ongoing threat to the public, following a large police response to the United Healthcare corporate campus today. Starting tonight, the Minneapolis Police Department is encrypting its radio communications, making them inaccessible to scanner listeners. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. 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.

Minnesota soybean growers are closely watching the Trump administration's approach to trade policy. Minnesota Senate Republicans have filed an ethics complaint against Senate President Bobby Joe Champion over a possible conflict of interest. And crews working to clean up oil from a ruptured pipeline in North Dakota have recovered about a fifth of the estimated nearly 150,000 gallons that spilled. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. 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.

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.