Clay Masters
@claymasters.bsky.social
All Things Considered | MPR News |NE→IA→MN
It took me the entire “Our Mother the Mountain” album to get home tonight because of the roads.
February 19, 2026 at 1:14 AM
It took me the entire “Our Mother the Mountain” album to get home tonight because of the roads.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Colin Hortman’s eight-month journey through grief brought cherished memories flooding back since his parents Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed in their home in June. He says he hopes their deaths remain a clarion call for toned-down political rhetoric.
After his parents’ killing, Colin Hortman is working through grief, searching for ways to honor them
As the Minnesota Legislature prepares to honor Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, their son Colin shares in an MPR News interview how he’s coping with grief and hoping their deaths remain a c...
www.mprnews.org
February 17, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Colin Hortman’s eight-month journey through grief brought cherished memories flooding back since his parents Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed in their home in June. He says he hopes their deaths remain a clarion call for toned-down political rhetoric.
The FBI will not give Minnesota investigators access to evidence gathered from the scene of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
I spoke with BCA Superintendent Drew Evans about it on @mprnews.org.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
I spoke with BCA Superintendent Drew Evans about it on @mprnews.org.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
‘I’ve never experienced this:’ Top Minnesota investigator on FBI shutout in Pretti shooting
For more, MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with BCA Superintendent Drew Evans.
www.mprnews.org
February 16, 2026 at 10:54 PM
The FBI will not give Minnesota investigators access to evidence gathered from the scene of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
I spoke with BCA Superintendent Drew Evans about it on @mprnews.org.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
I spoke with BCA Superintendent Drew Evans about it on @mprnews.org.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Clay Masters
Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and other materials collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, state officials said Monday.
FBI will not provide the BCA access to evidence gathered from Pretti shooting, BCA says
Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and other materials collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, state officials said Monday.
www.mprnews.org
February 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and other materials collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, state officials said Monday.
Reposted by Clay Masters
hello minnesota and beyond! thank you for your kind messages. it is very weird to be the news when you cover the news. i love this beautiful state and journalism, and i am hopeful for better days. but we will be forever changed bc of the last two months.
Meet Minnesota Bathrobe Lady Sam Stroozas of MPR News | Minnesota Public Radio
Earlier this week, an unexpected and fast-moving incident unfolded in St. Paul, Minnesota involving both federal and local law enforcement. As crowds gathered and questions mounted, one of our MPR New...
www.mpr.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:44 AM
hello minnesota and beyond! thank you for your kind messages. it is very weird to be the news when you cover the news. i love this beautiful state and journalism, and i am hopeful for better days. but we will be forever changed bc of the last two months.
Reposted by Clay Masters
A new initiative is the latest sign of growing respect for native species of fish that were once thought to be undesirable “junk.”
For more than a century, rough fish were lumped in with invasive species like common carp. Now, concern about a potential population decline is sparking attention.
For more than a century, rough fish were lumped in with invasive species like common carp. Now, concern about a potential population decline is sparking attention.
Once considered 'junk,' native rough fish soon could see new catch limits, protections
For more than a century, native rough fish like redhorse, bowfin and buffalo were lumped in with invasive species like common carp — and not considered worthy of protection or management. But there’s ...
www.mprnews.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
A new initiative is the latest sign of growing respect for native species of fish that were once thought to be undesirable “junk.”
For more than a century, rough fish were lumped in with invasive species like common carp. Now, concern about a potential population decline is sparking attention.
For more than a century, rough fish were lumped in with invasive species like common carp. Now, concern about a potential population decline is sparking attention.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Dozens of people detained as part of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota have been transported to an unlikely holding facility: a Nebraska county jail.
Lawyers have argued that shipping detainees across state lines makes it harder to provide adequate legal representation.
🔗 buff.ly/Tb1MWiw
Lawyers have argued that shipping detainees across state lines makes it harder to provide adequate legal representation.
🔗 buff.ly/Tb1MWiw
February 11, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Dozens of people detained as part of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota have been transported to an unlikely holding facility: a Nebraska county jail.
Lawyers have argued that shipping detainees across state lines makes it harder to provide adequate legal representation.
🔗 buff.ly/Tb1MWiw
Lawyers have argued that shipping detainees across state lines makes it harder to provide adequate legal representation.
🔗 buff.ly/Tb1MWiw
Reposted by Clay Masters
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
A high-speed car chase involving a federal agent in St. Paul ended with a multi-vehicle crash and injuries to the fleeing driver, who was taken away in an ambulance. bit.ly/4kvJo0M
📸: Leila Navidi
📸: Leila Navidi
February 11, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
Reposted by Clay Masters
In nearly 20 years at MPR, Huttner has done roughly 15,000 weather broadcasts, as well as launch the Updraft blog and Climate Cast podcast.
His last day on air will be April 30.
His last day on air will be April 30.
Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner to retire after nearly two decades on Minnesota Public Radio
Paul Huttner was the first meteorologist in the MPR News newsroom. “All Things Considered” listeners have relied on his weather chats for the last two decades.
www.mprnews.org
February 9, 2026 at 11:24 PM
In nearly 20 years at MPR, Huttner has done roughly 15,000 weather broadcasts, as well as launch the Updraft blog and Climate Cast podcast.
His last day on air will be April 30.
His last day on air will be April 30.
Reposted by Clay Masters
"I think that the goal of Tom Homan switching out for Gregory Bovino is purely optics and damage control. It's not actually a change in their tactics of intimidation and indiscriminate apprehension,” said Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne.
Minneapolis City Council president says immigration enforcement still active in Minneapolis
Five days after federal officials announced hundreds of immigration agents would be leaving Minneapolis, City Council President Elliott Payne says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still vis...
www.mprnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 2:43 AM
"I think that the goal of Tom Homan switching out for Gregory Bovino is purely optics and damage control. It's not actually a change in their tactics of intimidation and indiscriminate apprehension,” said Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said fatal shootings in Minneapolis highlight deep failures in federal training, planning and oversight as immigration agents are sent far from the border. MPR News host Clay Masters (@claymasters.bsky.social) spoke with Napolitano.
Former DHS Secretary warns that border agents are unprepared for urban policing
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said fatal shootings in Minneapolis highlight deep failures in federal training, planning and oversight as immigration agents are sent...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said fatal shootings in Minneapolis highlight deep failures in federal training, planning and oversight as immigration agents are sent far from the border. MPR News host Clay Masters (@claymasters.bsky.social) spoke with Napolitano.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...
Nebraska Public Media plans to buy Omaha radio station
Nebraska Public Media on Monday announced plans to purchase Omaha radio station KOOO-FM (101.9) and convert the license to noncommercial public radio. The acquisition still must be approved by the Fed...
nebraskapublicmedia.org
February 3, 2026 at 1:50 AM
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news...
Reposted by Clay Masters
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident
The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...
www.mprnews.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:48 PM
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Liam’s mother, Erika Ramos, spoke to MPR News about what she witnessed that day. She also discussed her phone conversations with her son and her husband and the pain she has experienced. @mprnews.org
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
‘Mommy, why don’t you pick us up?’: Mother of Liam Conejo Ramos shares her story from hiding
Liam and his father are currently being held by federal authorities in the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, an hour plus drive southwest of San Antonio.
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Liam’s mother, Erika Ramos, spoke to MPR News about what she witnessed that day. She also discussed her phone conversations with her son and her husband and the pain she has experienced. @mprnews.org
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Sarah was one of the first journalists who had to deal with me when I started at Nebraska Public Media 20 years ago. We also overlapped at Iowa Public Radio a couple years. We went thru a lot at those shops.
While I have a hard time imagining public radio without her, I’m eager to see what’s next.
While I have a hard time imagining public radio without her, I’m eager to see what’s next.
January 30, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Sarah was one of the first journalists who had to deal with me when I started at Nebraska Public Media 20 years ago. We also overlapped at Iowa Public Radio a couple years. We went thru a lot at those shops.
While I have a hard time imagining public radio without her, I’m eager to see what’s next.
While I have a hard time imagining public radio without her, I’m eager to see what’s next.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Just before the incident, Omar called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. “ICE cannot be reformed,” she said.
Man tackled to ground after spraying unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall
A man wearing a black jacket was tackled to the ground after spraying an unknown substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
www.mprnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Just before the incident, Omar called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. “ICE cannot be reformed,” she said.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Alex Pretti's younger sister issued a statement Monday memorializing her big brother’s kindness and criticizing “disgusting lies” told in the wake of his death.
Sister of Alex Pretti says he was kind, generous and lit up every room
The younger sister of Alex Pretti issued a statement Monday memorializing her big brother’s kindness and criticizing “disgusting lies” told in the wake of his death.
www.mprnews.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Alex Pretti's younger sister issued a statement Monday memorializing her big brother’s kindness and criticizing “disgusting lies” told in the wake of his death.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis. Family members say he was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city.
The man killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse, family says
Family members say the man who was killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by Pr...
www.mprnews.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis. Family members say he was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city.
Reposted by Clay Masters
The Columbia Heights school district says ICE detained four of its students, including a 5-year-old boy, as "bait" to draw out family members.
ICE detains 5-year old Minnesota boy; lawyer says agents used him as ‘bait’
The Columbia Heights school district says federal agents have detained four children in their district. School officials and a lawyer for the family say agents used 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramo as “bai...
www.mprnews.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 AM
The Columbia Heights school district says ICE detained four of its students, including a 5-year-old boy, as "bait" to draw out family members.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Rep. Pete Stauber, who sponsored the resolution to overturn the ban, argued that the Biden administration’s ban was a “dangerous, purely political decision that disregarded the science and disregarded the facts.”
Opponents argued the pollution risk isn't worth the possible economic benefits.
Opponents argued the pollution risk isn't worth the possible economic benefits.
U.S. House votes to repeal ban on mining near Boundary Waters
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The vote could pave the way for Twin Metals Minnesota to re-apply ...
www.mprnews.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Rep. Pete Stauber, who sponsored the resolution to overturn the ban, argued that the Biden administration’s ban was a “dangerous, purely political decision that disregarded the science and disregarded the facts.”
Opponents argued the pollution risk isn't worth the possible economic benefits.
Opponents argued the pollution risk isn't worth the possible economic benefits.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Several of the 13 “worst of the worst” criminals that the Department of Homeland Security said were arrested in Minnesota through its immigration enforcement operation were actually handed over to ICE by state prisons before Operation Metro Surge began.
Some criminals ICE takes credit for arresting were already in Minnesota prisons
Several of the 13 “worst of the worst” criminals that the Department of Homeland Security said were arrested in Minnesota through its immigration enforcement operation were actually handed over to ICE...
www.mprnews.org
January 17, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Several of the 13 “worst of the worst” criminals that the Department of Homeland Security said were arrested in Minnesota through its immigration enforcement operation were actually handed over to ICE by state prisons before Operation Metro Surge began.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Breaking: A federal judge did not immediately grant a temporary halt to ICE's operation in Minnesota in a status conference this morning, but will hold a hearing on the issue either late next week or early the following week. via MPR News reporter Peter Cox
January 14, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Breaking: A federal judge did not immediately grant a temporary halt to ICE's operation in Minnesota in a status conference this morning, but will hold a hearing on the issue either late next week or early the following week. via MPR News reporter Peter Cox
Reposted by Clay Masters
For decades, executives at big companies in Minnesota have been part of the state’s civic backbone — serving on nonprofit boards, weighing in on workforce issues, joining task forces focused on solving major social issues. Which is why the quiet right now is so striking.
Minnesota’s corporate silence on ICE surge
Major companies in Minnesota have been largely mum on the immigration enforcement operation in the state.
www.mprnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 8:03 PM
For decades, executives at big companies in Minnesota have been part of the state’s civic backbone — serving on nonprofit boards, weighing in on workforce issues, joining task forces focused on solving major social issues. Which is why the quiet right now is so striking.
Reposted by Clay Masters
Thousands of people gathered in frigid temperatures on Saturday afternoon to protest ICE and the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota. “At the end of the day, this is just who we are as a state and a people. This is Minnesota,” said Lizzie Dawodu of Minneapolis.
📸 Ben Hovland | MPR News
📸 Ben Hovland | MPR News
January 10, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Thousands of people gathered in frigid temperatures on Saturday afternoon to protest ICE and the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota. “At the end of the day, this is just who we are as a state and a people. This is Minnesota,” said Lizzie Dawodu of Minneapolis.
📸 Ben Hovland | MPR News
📸 Ben Hovland | MPR News
Reposted by Clay Masters
One member of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan's campaign staff pointed out that in order to look up a detainee in ICE custody, you have to select a country of birth from a dropdown list. They said that is not a viable tool for locating four Native American men.
Twin Cities Native American community members share resources, support amid ICE operations
Incidents involving ICE agents and Native American community members have prompted tribal leaders and Native advocacy groups to mobilize resources and provide guidance to tribal citizens and families.
www.mprnews.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 PM
One member of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan's campaign staff pointed out that in order to look up a detainee in ICE custody, you have to select a country of birth from a dropdown list. They said that is not a viable tool for locating four Native American men.