Stories from January 27, 2025

Justice Department moves to fire at least 12 officials who investigated Trump
In termination letters sent to more than a dozen officials, acting Attorney General James McHenry wrote that he did not believe they "could be trusted to faithfully implement the President's agenda."
DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell's burglary trial in Becker County has been rescheduled to June 16. Mitchell was arrested in April in her stepmother's Detroit Lakes home. And a Sartell City Council member faces a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Insulin capped at $35 per month for Minnesotans, after settlement with manufacturers
Minnesotans prescribed insulin won’t pay more than $35 per month for it. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement Monday with manufacturer Novo Nordisk, concluding a years-long lawsuit against major insulin companies.
Afghans who helped the U.S. are in dangerous limbo after Trump's order on refugees
Tens of thousands of Afghans who risked their lives working for the U.S. government or military are now in limbo after the Trump administration issued two executive orders targeting refugees.
CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately, upending expectations of an extended withdrawal
A CDC official sent a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night telling them that all agency staff who work with the WHO must immediately stop their collaborations and “await further guidance.”
Local DEI executive: DEI being 'weaponized,' diversity will be necessary for recruitment in Minnesota
Sharon Smith-Akinsanya has worked with corporations, including Target, on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She says she was surprised to see the rollback from Target.
‘Need to start over’: GOP, DFL leaders talk next steps to settle House control
DFL Rep. Jamie Long and Republican House Leader Lisa Demuth joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to talk through a key decision Friday from the Minnesota Supreme Court and whether it will deepen the partisan standoff or lead to a power-sharing agreement in the House.
Late January warm spell
Heading into the last week of January, temperatures will warm into the 30s, 40s and possibly 50s. By the end of the month, Minnesota will be gaining more than 2.5 minutes of sunlight each day.
New Trump orders on transgender troops, COVID and more expected on Hegseth’s first day
President Donald Trump says he will sign a flurry of executive orders focused on the military, including to reinstate troops booted for refusing COVID-19 vaccines and remove “transgender ideology” from the force. 
Some state lawmakers see new opportunities to pass vaccine exemptions
Vaccination bills are popping up in more than 15 states as lawmakers aim to potentially resurrect or create new religious exemptions from immunization mandates, establish state-level vaccine injury databases or dictate what providers must tell patients about the shots.
The economics of being single: the financial trade-offs of living solo
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about living solo — how singles are rethinking their finances and redefining the way they live in a world that seems like it’s catered to couples.
The executive order signed by President Donald Trump suspending the Refugee Admissions Program goes into effect Monday. Like the previous two weeks, the third week of the state legislative session opens without Democrats in the Minnesota House. Minneapolis-based Target is no longer welcome to participate in the Twin Cities Pride festival after the company’s DEI policies end.
Auschwitz holds observances on the 80th anniversary of the death camp's liberation
Elderly camp survivors, some wearing striped scarves that recall their prison uniforms, walked to the the Death Wall, where prisoners were executed. Across Europe, officials were pausing to remember.
Minnesota lawmakers hit a reset after Supreme Court ruling, but stalemate persists
Like a scene from the movie “Groundhog Day,” life in the Minnesota House continued to repeat itself Monday — a cycle of gaveled to order, no quorum, no business, gaveled to adjournment. The Senate also saw some controversy.
Longtime Minnesota hockey referee trains next generation to make the calls
Alicia Hanrahan has worked hockey games from youth leagues to the Olympics for more than 20 years. She’s ready to put away her whistle, but not her skates. She’s working now to mentor the next generation of officials as demand climbs.
White House says Colombia agrees to take deported migrants after Trump tariff threat
The White House claimed victory in a showdown with Colombia over accepting flights of deported migrants from the U.S. on Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump threatened various sanctions.