Stories from November 21, 2025

The man who died during an exchange of gunfire with a Cass County sheriff’s deputy has been identified as James Weyaus of Onigum. Weyaus was the foster son of Leech Lake Tribal Chairman Faron Jackson Sr., who is leading services for his deceased son.
North Dakota Supreme Court ruling reverses judge's decision that overturned the state's abortion ban
North Dakota’s overturned abortion ban is back on the books after the state’s highest court could not muster the majority required to deem it unconstitutional.
The University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and M Physicians are returning to the negotiating table. A mutually agreed-upon mediator will be selected soon, while strategic facilitator Lois Quam will remain involved in the process.
Donors gave more than $37.8 million to Minnesota nonprofits and schools on Give to the Max Day yesterday. That's according to an update from Give M-N, the nonprofit behind the event. It's a record amount for the annual giving day, which started back in 2009. And Waymo announced yesterday that it will start testing its autonomous taxis in Minneapolis, though the service won't be available to the public just yet.
RFK Jr. says he personally directed CDC's new guidance on vaccines and autism
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told The New York Times in an interview that he personally directed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update its website to contradict its longtime guidance that vaccines don’t cause autism.
Putin says U.S. plan for Ukraine could form the basis for a final peace settlement
Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautiously welcomed a U.S. proposal to end Moscow’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine, saying it “could form the basis of a final peace settlement.”
Transportation Department endorses crash test dummy that more closely resembles women
The U.S. government has released a new crash test dummy design that advocates believe will help make cars safer for women. Women are 73 percent more likely to be injured in a head-on crash than men.
Marcy Park has a new name: Dinky Park
The association received over 100 submissions for new names and said the renaming process led to increased engagement in the neighborhood.
Schools fear disruptions as the White House begins dismantling the Education Department
The Trump administration is steaming forward on its plan to dismantle the Education Department. Many state and local education leaders say they are bracing for disruption and new bureaucratic hurdles.
Vikings need 3rd straight win over Packers at Lambeau Field to boost their fading playoff hopes
The slumping Minnesota Vikings don’t have many more opportunities to rejuvenate their fading hopes for a second straight postseason berth. Minnesota has lost four of its last five games. The Vikings’ next shot to turn things around comes Sunday at Lambeau Field. 
PWHL Season 3 preview: Amid expansion and roster shuffles, 2-time champion Frost eager to defend title
The PWHL enters its expansion era with new teams in Seattle and Vancouver as the league preparing to open its third season on Friday. The Minnesota Frost, the two-time defending Walter Cup champions, return much of their roster with Kendall Coyne Schofield as captain.
How could Trump interfere in the midterms? Here’s what voting officials are watching
Less than a year from the midterm elections, state and local voting officials from both major political parties are actively preparing for the possibility of interference by the Trump administration.
Two days after a federal operation in St. Paul, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is confirming more than a dozen arrests. ICE officers executed a federal search warrant that resulted in the arrests of 14 people on alleged immigration violations.
Minnesota teacher licensing head: Reporting system needs changes to keep kids safe
Yelena Bailey tells MPR News she’ll ask lawmakers to give the state licensing board more power to revoke the licenses of teachers accused of inappropriate behavior with students and to investigate people applying for licenses. 
MN Shortlist: Slow Burns & Bright Lights — 6 Picks for Nov. 21–27
As parade season kicks in and the evenings arrive early, this week’s picks offer a mix of music, theater and small-scale surprises. From Duluth’s gingerbread “city” to a new festival of collaborative work in Minneapolis, here are six solid ways to make the most of the week ahead.
For Minnesota, warmer winters do not mean the end of snow
Winter has warmed more than 5 degrees since the 1970s, but that doesn’t mean less snow for the state. State climatologist Kenneth Blumenfeld explained the connection between an increase in snowfall and higher global temperatures on Climate Cast.