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Stories from January 23, 2025

Supreme Court to decide Minnesota House squabble

Minnesota's Supreme Court parsed constitutional wording about what makes up the Minnesota House as justices sorted today through an ongoing power struggle. The definition is important as the high court decides how far to delve into a standoff that has the House operating with only one party present. The crux of the case is whether 67 members is sufficient to do anything or if 68 is needed for a quorum. And Minnesota Republicans they want to scale back some sick time protections passed by Democrats in prior years.
by Emily Reese

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Top Minnesota attorney: Birthright citizenship suit against Trump just the beginning

Top Minnesota attorney: Birthright citizenship suit against Trump just the beginning

A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order redefining birthright citizenship two days after Minnesota joined 21 other states in a lawsuit to challenge it. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison discussed his strategy.
by Cathy Wurzer and Megan Burks

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Critical DMs: Staging hockey at Theater in the Round

Critical DMs: Staging hockey at Theater in the Round

Critical DMs are lightly edited Slack conversations by members of the MPR News arts team about Minnesota art and culture. This week, arts editor Max Sparber and arts reporter Jacob Aloi discuss a play about Canadian women’s hockey.
by Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber

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Trump ordena detener el reasentamiento de refugiados interrumpiendo esfuerzos de agencias en Minnesota

Trump ordena detener el reasentamiento de refugiados interrumpiendo esfuerzos de agencias en Minnesota

Los funcionarios de las agencias de reasentamiento de refugiados en Minnesota dicen que la orden ejecutiva de Trump que detiene el Programa de Admisión de Refugiados está interrumpiendo los esfuerzos para traer, a Estados Unidos y al estado, a personas que enfrentan conflictos en sus países de origen.
by Sarah Thamer

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Cold hands, warm hearts: Great Northern heats up Minnesota winters

Cold hands, warm hearts: Great Northern heats up Minnesota winters

Beat the winter freeze with the annual Great Northern Festival with art — including a black light yarn sculpture by Minnesota artist HOTTEA — music, sauna and climate events Jan. 23 to Feb. 2.
by Anika Besst

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Mapping Prejudice Project granted access to Stearns County property records

Mapping Prejudice Project granted access to Stearns County property records

Stearns County commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the University of Minnesota Libraries so they could comb for racial covenants — clauses in property deeds that barred specific ethnic groups from owning homes or land.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Help me layer for winter

Help me layer for winter

For people who grew up in Minnesota, learning how to stay warm in freezing temperatures is something you learn at a young age. But for new Minnesotans, learning how to layer your winter gear and staying warm can be confusing.
by Nina Moini and Ellie Roth

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A federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s executive order redefining birthright citizenship

A federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s executive order redefining birthright citizenship

U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour ruled on Thursday in the case brought by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon. The states argue that the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court case law have cemented birthright citizenship.
by The Associated Press

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Two cases at the Minnesota Supreme Court could determine who controls the House

Two cases at the Minnesota Supreme Court could determine who controls the House

Minnesota’s highest court will hear oral arguments Thursday in a pair of cases challenging the legitimacy of sessions involving only House Republicans, who have taken chamber control as Democrats hold out.
by Nina Moini, Dana Ferguson and Alanna Elder

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‘I felt like things were missing’: Minnesota podcaster aims to make true crime more victim-centered

‘I felt like things were missing’: Minnesota podcaster aims to make true crime more victim-centered

A Pew Research study finds that 34 percent of U.S. adults who listen to podcasts say they regularly listen to true crime podcasts. “Truer Crime,” a Minnesota-made podcast, is taking that genre in a different direction.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Looking forward, looking back: The Current celebrates 20 years

Looking forward, looking back: The Current celebrates 20 years

The Current celebrates 20 years of fostering music discovery and community with special events, anniversary programming, and a renewed commitment to supporting artists and engaging audiences locally and beyond.
by Max Sparber

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MPR’s alternative music station, The Current, is celebrating 20 years on air

MPR’s alternative music station, The Current, is celebrating 20 years on air

The Current is celebrating its 20th birthday this week. Since the station launched at 9:00 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2005, it has connected Minnesota to all kinds of music — old and new, popular and underrated, local and otherwise. It’s also helped boost the careers of Minnesota artists.
by Nina Moini, Alanna Elder and Jill Riley

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New project captures untold stories of Hmong elder women in Minnesota

New project captures untold stories of Hmong elder women in Minnesota

2025 marks 50 years since Hmong people started immigrating to Minnesota. To commemorate the milestone, local organization Minnesota Zej Zog is working to preserve the stories of 50 years and beyond.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Trump's new Justice Department leadership orders a freeze on civil rights cases

Trump's new Justice Department leadership orders a freeze on civil rights cases

The new Justice Department leadership has put a freeze on civil rights litigation, and suggested it may reconsider police reform agreements negotiated by the Biden administration. That's according to two memos obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
by The Associated Press

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St. Paul City Council approves charter change to allow administrative fines

St. Paul City Council approves charter change to allow administrative fines

The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday voted to amend the city’s charter to allow it to impose fines for ordinance violations. It was one of few large cities in Minnesota that didn’t already have that power.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Indigenous historian: Peltier commutation a victory, 50 years too late

Indigenous historian: Peltier commutation a victory, 50 years too late

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier will no longer spend the rest of his life in prison. Nick Estes, a Minnesotan and historian, explains the tensions that led to his conviction and what his release means for communities across the nation.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Talking Sense: How does news media contribute to political polarization?  

Talking Sense: How does news media contribute to political polarization?  

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about how the news media contributes to political polarization by stoking mistrust and reinforcing stereotypes.
by Catharine Richert and Maja Beckstrom

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‘Emilia Pérez’ leads Oscar nominations with 13, setting record for a non-English language film

‘Emilia Pérez’ leads Oscar nominations with 13, setting record for a non-English language film

An embattled movie industry has lined up behind the Netflix narco-musical about transgender identity “Emilia Pérez” in Oscar nominations Thursday. Another musical — “Wicked,” the smash Broadway adaptation — came away with nearly as many nominations.
by The Associated Press

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Swords scores 23, Olson adds 19 as freshmen lead No. 24 Michigan women past No. 23 Minnesota 70-65

Swords scores 23, Olson adds 19 as freshmen lead No. 24 Michigan women past No. 23 Minnesota 70-65

Freshman Syla Swords scored 23 points, eight in the fourth quarter, and No. 24 Michigan edged No. 23 Minnesota 70-65. Olivia Olson, a freshman from New Hope, Minnesota, added 19 points for the Wolverines, including a jumper to open the fourth quarter that gave them a 55-53 lead. 
by The Associated Press

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Chilly Thursday followed by weekend warmup

Chilly Thursday followed by weekend warmup

A minor setback to our temperatures as highs Thursday climb into the teens and single digits. Our temperatures return to seasonal values Friday through the weekend. A January thaw in the forecast next week with highs in the 30s and possibly 40s.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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Jaden McDaniels goes for career-high 27 points as Wolves outlast Mavs 115-114

Jaden McDaniels goes for career-high 27 points as Wolves outlast Mavs 115-114

Jaden McDaniels scored a career-high 27 points, including the clinching free throw with 3 seconds to play, and Anthony Edwards added 21 as the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the short-handed Dallas Mavericks 115-114.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota Supreme Court takes up House control case. Three officers won't be charged in deadly shooting

The Minnesota Supreme Court Thursday hears arguments on whether Republicans are conducting lawful proceedings in the state House. And the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says it will not file charges against three Minneapolis police officers who fatally shot a man last June.
by Phil Picardi

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Trump calls DEI programs ‘illegal’ and ‘immoral.’ Here’s how he’s ending them

Trump calls DEI programs ‘illegal’ and ‘immoral.’ Here’s how he’s ending them

President Donald Trump has issued sweeping executive actions swiftly ending diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs within the federal government. Already, the work is underway.
by Andrea Hsu

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State Supreme Court weighs what to do about ‘dysfunctional’ Minnesota House

State Supreme Court weighs what to do about ‘dysfunctional’ Minnesota House

The high court heard oral arguments Thursday over the temporary control of the Minnesota House. “This is a highly unusual situation we find ourselves in,” Justice Anne McKeig said during early questioning of attorneys.
by Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters

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‘The chamber that chose cooperation’: Minnesota Senate sees smoother sailing under temporary tie

‘The chamber that chose cooperation’: Minnesota Senate sees smoother sailing under temporary tie

Unlike the Minnesota House, the Senate has kicked off a relatively low-key — and so far productive — session. But just below the surface of all this collegiality is tension over policies and oversight from the days of the DFL trifecta.
by Catharine Richert

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‘A champion’: Man who covered Leonard Peltier’s trial praises his release from prison

‘A champion’: Man who covered Leonard Peltier’s trial praises his release from prison

In one of his final acts, former President Joe Biden sent Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier home to complete his life sentence. Although it is not a pardon, many in the Indigenous community are celebrating what they see as win for Native American activism.
by Tom Crann and Lukas Levin

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Federal judge dismisses lawsuit filed against second trooper by family of Ricky Cobb II

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit filed against second trooper by family of Ricky Cobb II

Ricky Cobb’s mother Nyra Miller-Fields sued the troopers, alleging excessive force and that the extended traffic stop was unconstitutional. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit. Miller-Fields is appealing the decision.
by Matt Sepic

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Tras 100 años de espera, se propone un Museo Latino para San Pablo

Tras 100 años de espera, se propone un Museo Latino para San Pablo

La Alianza de Liderazgo Latino en Minnesota (Minnesota Latino Leadership Alliance, en inglés) está abogando por crear el Museo Latino de Minnesota, con el objetivo de celebrar y preservar las artes, el patrimonio y la comunidad latina. El centro cultural se ubicaría en el histórico West Side Flats de San Pablo y abriría sus puertas el 2029. Para ello se espera recaudar $20 millones.
by Alex V. Cipolle

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