MPR News
banner
mprnews.org
MPR News
@mprnews.org
Minnesota news. Independent + nonprofit. Free thanks to members. Listen on air, read online or follow here ❤️

📷: The Minnesota Capitol building just after sunset on a spring evening, by Brian Bakst | MPR News.
New language would forbid Minneapolis from entering into any agreements with federal immigration enforcement agencies. More than a half dozen law enforcement agencies in Minnesota have formal agreements with DHS to partner with ICE, and the measure would block the city from taking similar actions.
Minneapolis council committee moves to strengthen separation ordinance
A Minneapolis council committee advanced tougher separation ordinance language Tuesday, limiting local enforcement of federal immigration law. A vote of the full Minneapolis City Council is expected T...
www.mprnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 1:56 AM
The Duluth City Council voted 8-1 late Monday night to transfer the former Lester Park Golf Course to the Duluth Economic Development Authority. This clears the way for a land use study of the more-than-200-acre parcel that could lead to a neighborhood-scale housing development.
Duluth City Council votes to transfer former golf course land for future housing
Despite concerns voiced by some residents claiming a lack of transparency and a flawed public process, the Duluth City Council voted to transfer the closed Lester Park Golf Course property to the city...
www.mprnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Reposted by MPR News
Absolutely dumping snow now across central MN.
1/4S+ (S+= heavy snow!) now at Brainerd to St. Cloud area. ❄️❄️❄️
Snowfall rates 1"-2" per hour now.
north of MSP.
Some of these heavier snow bands may work into MSP next 2-3 hours...
#mnwx
December 9, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reposted by MPR News
A Minneapolis woman & American citizen was arrested early Tuesday after confronting ICE officers over the arrests of three neighbors in north Minneapolis. She appears to be the first observer arrested since ICE launched a Twin Cities immigration surge last week. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Federal agents arrest citizen observer watching ICE detain neighbors on her north Minneapolis block
Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old American citizen, appears to be the first observer arrested by federal immigration enforcement officers since the agency launched an immigration surge in the Twin Cities l...
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old American citizen, said agents told her in the truck that if she didn’t watch herself “they were going to pull me over to the side of the road and give me this OC,” law enforcement shorthand for pepper spray.
Federal agents arrest citizen observer watching ICE detain neighbors on her north Minneapolis block
Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old American citizen, appears to be the first observer arrested by federal immigration enforcement officers since the agency launched an immigration surge in the Twin Cities l...
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Our latest wintry storm is delivering severe winter weather to Minnesota and the Upper Midwest on this December Tuesday. Winter storm warnings include the northeast Twin Cities region.
Storm update: Winter storm warning expands to NE Twin Cities region
A powerful clipper is delivering heavy snow and ice to much of Minnesota. High winds gusting over 50 mph will cause blowing snow through Wednesday morning especially in southwestern Minnesota.
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The third annual Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is set for July 17-19 and will return to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul with performances from The Lumineers, Matchbox Twenty, The Strokes and many more.
The Lumineers, The Strokes, Matchbox Twenty to headline Minnesota Yacht Club music festival
The third annual Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is set for July 17-19 and will return to Harriet Island Regional Park with performances from The Lumineers, Matchbox Twenty, The Strokes and many more.
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Union leaders in the state’s largest school district say more than 90 percent of union members have signed a pledge saying they would vote to strike if necessary. The authorization vote will take place Dec. 17-20.
Anoka-Hennepin teachers set strike authorization vote
Union leaders in the state’s largest school district say more than 90 percent of union members have signed a pledge saying they would vote to strike if necessary. The authorization vote will take plac...
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Dozens of Minnesota school districts are sending students home early Tuesday, as a strong and complicated winter storm remains on track to bring heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and howling winds to the state.
Dozens of school districts send students home early as winter storm sweeps into Minnesota
Dozens of Minnesota school districts are sending students home early Tuesday, as a strong and complicated winter storm remains on track to bring heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and howling winds to t...
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Perfectly timed for the winter weather blowing in on Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation kicked off its annual Name a Snowplow contest. It’s the agency’s sixth annual contest to name the beloved road-maintenance machines.
Name a Snowplow: MnDOT asks for name ideas for sixth annual contest
Perfectly timed for the winter weather blowing in on Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation kicked off its annual Name a Snowplow contest.
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:07 PM
❄️ With this week's forecast, you'll hope your shovel is still in reach. Our latest winter storm system will bring a mix of precipitation to southern Minnesota with heavy snow in central and northern parts of the state.
Latest winter storm to bring a wintry mix and heavy snow to Minnesota
Our latest winter storm system will bring a mix of precipitation to southern Minnesota with heavy snow in central and northern parts of the state. Colder air follows for later in the week.
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Property taxes are going up next year. In Blue Earth, the county board votes next week on a proposed property tax increase. Officials say it is needed to pay for the rising costs of administering SNAP, Medicaid and other federal programs that federal legislation has shifted onto local governments.
Federal SNAP, Medicaid changes force Minnesota counties to raise property taxes
The Blue Earth County Board votes next week on a proposed property tax increase that officials say is needed to pay for the rising costs of administering SNAP, Medicaid and other federal programs that...
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon will try next year for a fourth term in charge of an office that oversees elections and business registrations. He told MPR News in an interview that threats and challenges to elections are too great for him to step away.
Democrat Steve Simon will try for fourth term as Minnesota secretary of state
Steve Simon was the top vote getter for partisan office in Minnesota’s 2022 election. He’s trying for a fourth term for a post he says is his “center of gravity.”
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:51 PM
An apparent ICE arrest in Rochester has stirred fear in the city's Somali community and raised concerns about operations across the state.
Community sounds alarm after apparent ICE arrest in Rochester
An apparent arrest of a Rochester man has stirred fear in the Somali community as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s recent surge of arrests expands beyond the Twin Cities.
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Minnesota immigrant-rights groups say they’re being inundated with alerts as ICE steps up arrests and enforcement operations, stretching volunteer networks and heightening fear in local communities.
Minnesota immigrant-rights groups report surge in ICE alerts as federal arrests climb
Minnesota immigrant-rights groups say they’re being inundated with alerts as ICE steps up arrests and enforcement operations, stretching volunteer networks and heightening fear in local communities.
www.mprnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM
A neighbor reported the fire at the Masjid Hamza Al-Mahmood Foundation just before 2:30 a.m., according to a news release from the Prior Lake Fire Department. The building — located just off of State Highway 13 — also houses a school, Baitul Hikmah Academy.
Fire causes major damage at mosque and school in Prior Lake
A mosque in Prior Lake was severely damaged in a fire early Monday morning. State and federal officials will investigate the cause.
www.mprnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
This beloved piece of land is at the center of a fierce debate in a community proud of its abundance of wild green spaces, over whether the course should be sold and developed into badly needed housing, protected as public parkland, or some combination of the two.
Housing or parkland? Duluth debates future of long-closed golf course amid housing crunch
The Duluth City Council will vote Monday night on whether to transfer the long-closed Lester Park Golf Course to its economic development arm to pave the way for a possible housing development. Critic...
www.mprnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
With a reprieve from the cold air, Monday and Tuesday's highs will be in the 20s across southern Minnesota with teens north. However, snow is likely Monday into Tuesday, with more possible later this week.
Warmer Monday and Tuesday with a couple rounds of snow ahead
The week starts warmer but ends colder. The pattern also remains active with disturbances bringing snow chances late Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week.
www.mprnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
An ICE operation focused on Somali immigrants in Minnesota has led to at least 19 arrests in its first week, but federal agents are mum on the exact scope. Somali Minnesotans, most of whom have U.S. citizenship, say it’s creating fear and anxiety in their communities.
A week into immigration operation, Minnesota Somalis remain on edge but vow resilience
An ICE operation focused on Somali immigrants in Minnesota has led to at least 19 arrests in its first week, as federal agents are mum on the exact scope. Somali Minnesotans, most of whom have U.S. ci...
www.mprnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
According to a county health department statement, 65 percent of the water samples tested in Mower County had high levels of arsenic. Elevated levels of manganese were identified in nearly a third of the samples.
Mower County water wells show elevated levels of arsenic and manganese
State health officials report that private well water testing has detected high levels of arsenic and manganese in the wells of some homes in southeast Minnesota’s Mower County. The levels are not hig...
www.mprnews.org
December 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Emerald ash borers are invasive beetles responsible for killing millions of ash trees across Minnesota and the country.

One possible line of defense? Fungi.
U of M scientists find fungi can fight emerald ash borers
University of Minnesota researchers say they’ve discovered several naturally occurring parasitic fungi that could be weaponized against the invasive beetles responsible for killing millions of ash tre...
www.mprnews.org
December 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
White House border czar Tom Homan said ordinances in Minneapolis and St. Paul barring police from cooperation with immigration authorities are one catalyst for the operation.
“It takes a whole team to find somebody in a community where it would take one agent to arrest one bad guy in a county jail.”
More ICE arrests in Minnesota disclosed as White House, Democrats spar over operation
Immigration authorities have released details of the arrests of 19 people since a stepped-up operation in Minnesota began last week, although the full scope of the surge remains a point of dispute.
www.mprnews.org
December 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
🏀 Reid's big shot capped a 19-point night off the bench, including 5 of 8 from three-point range. McDaniels then made two free throws with 4.8 seconds left, and the Timberwolves held on.
Reid makes a go-ahead 3-pointer, McDaniels scores 27 and Timberwolves edge Clippers
Naz Reid made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining, Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-106 on Saturday night.
www.mprnews.org
December 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In advance of a new veterans museum being built in Little Falls, an online Pearl Harbor remembrance event will be held today at 4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to participate and share stories about loved ones who were at Pearl Harbor.
Minnesota veterans museum to commemorate Pearl Harbor attack with online event
Next year, organizers hope to hold an in-person remembrance at the new museum near Little Falls, which is scheduled to open next summer. One of the artifacts the museum will showcase is a 50-caliber g...
www.mprnews.org
December 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
State Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, wrote a letter inviting President Donald Trump to join him in meeting with the Somali community, to understand how Somalis are “woven into Minnesota’s fabric.”
Republican state senator to Trump: Somalis are ‘woven into Minnesota’s fabric’
State Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, wrote a letter inviting President Donald Trump to join him in meeting with the Somali community, to understand how Somalis are “woven into Minnesota’s fabric.”
www.mprnews.org
December 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM