Stories from January 13, 2025

Minnesota House leaders remain at odds over a power-sharing agreement ahead of the Legislature's start tomorrow. The University of Minnesota will receive more than $1.2 million in state lottery proceeds to track the threat of bird flu to the state's wildlife.
Minnesota DHS commissioner steps down
Department of Human Services commissioner Jodi Harpstead announced Monday afternoon she’s leaving her role on Feb. 3.
Home care workers reach tentative contract agreement with state
Minnesota home care workers have reached a tentative agreement for a new union contract with the state. It includes a commitment to build a retirement fund and explore health care options.
Judge explains why he swore in nearly all House DFLers early
Retired Hennepin County Chief Judge Kevin Burke presided over the swearing-in ceremony and joined Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer Monday to talk about the hushed affair.
Preview: Minnesota’s 94th legislative session
Less than a day remains until Minnesota lawmakers begin the 94th legislative session. And there’s a lot that is still not resolved between the DFL and Republicans, whose 67-67 tie in the House of Representatives has gotten messy.
Trump is planning 100 executive orders starting Day 1 on border, deportations and other priorities
President-elect Donald Trump is preparing more than 100 executive orders starting Day One of the new White House, in what amounts to a shock-and-awe campaign on border security, deportations and a rush of other policy priorities.
Hegseth’s views on women in combat, infidelity and more — in his own words
As author of several books and a former Fox News Channel host, Hegseth has been forced to defend himself against a long record of his own public comments, including in his most recent book, “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.”
Incoming Trump team questions civil servants at National Security Council about their loyalty
Incoming senior Trump officials have begun questioning career civil servants serving on the White House National Security Council about who they voted for, their political contributions in the 2024 election and whether they've made social media posts that could be considered incriminating by the Trump team.
Morning Announcements for Jan. 13
Here are the morning announcements for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
Climate change and how to address it
The Earth’s hottest year in recorded history was 2024. The previous hottest year was 2023. MPR News guest host Emily Bright and her guests talk about climate change and possible ways to address it.
New tools, old ways help Duluth violin builder create an ancient sound
From a modest workshop, Dan Larson turned his love of music, history and woodworking into a life building violins, lutes and and other stringed instruments. He’s known internationally for creating sounds that reach back to the 16th century.
Bitterly cold Monday and Tuesday with a rapid warmup midweek
Below-normal temperatures are gripping the state Monday and Tuesday before things warm up quickly for Wednesday through Friday. Above-freezing highs are possible for western and southern Minnesota. 
Democratic and Republican leaders of the Minnesota Senate say they have come to an agreement to jointly run the chamber while it is tied for much of this month. Meanwhile, in the Minnesota House, Democrats took their oaths of office yesterday — as part of an effort to block Republican control when the legislative session begins.
Dorofeyev has 2 goals and an assist, Golden Knights beat the Wild 4-1 for share of NHL lead
Pavel Dorofeyev had two power-play goals and added an assist and the Vegas Golden Knights broke open a tie game with three third-period goals to beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Sunday night.
Maggie Flaherty’s first goal lifts Frost past Victoire 4-2 as Takeover Tour reaches Denver
Maggie Flaherty scored her first goal of the season to give Minnesota the lead in the third period and the Frost moved into first place in the Professional Women’s Hockey League with a 4-2 win over the Montréal Victoire at Denver’s Ball Arena, home ice of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche.
The first full moon of 2025 is here
This moon phase is nicknamed the Wolf Moon, which is rooted in Native American culture.
University of Minnesota gets fast-tracked funding to survey wildlife for bird flu
Researchers in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will work with wildlife rehabilitators, tribal biologists and other partners across the state to collect 9,000 samples from a variety of birds and mammals. 
Red River Valley woman helps immigrants chase the American dream
Fowzia Adde knows inspiration can come from the darkest times. Seven years spent in a refugee camp in Kenya as a teenager fuels her drive to help immigrants succeed in Fargo-Moorhead. 
DFL, GOP jockey for power in Minnesota House a day before session’s start
House Republicans ripped DFLers over tactics that could keep the House from conducting business Tuesday. Melissa Hortman, the House’s top DFLer, defended her moves, telling MPR News that denying a quorum is “the only negotiating power I have right now.”