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Stories from February 5, 2025

Walz sets special election for seat in suburban Ramsey County that will decide House power

Walz sets special election for seat in suburban Ramsey County that will decide House power

A special election will fill a seat won by a Democrat in the November election that came open after a residency challenge. The result could return the Minnesota House to a tie or boost a GOP majority.
by Dana Ferguson

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MPR News analyzes outside spending in Minnesota Legislature; Legislation could reverse mining ban near Boundary Waters

$25 million in outside spending flowed into races for the Minnesota Legislature in 2024. Groups that operate independently from candidates funneled $25.3 million into races for 134 House seats and one Senate seat, according to an MPR News analysis of campaign reports. And Republican Congressman Pete Stauber has reintroduced legislation that could pave the way for copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
by Emily Reese

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Former Anoka County inmate reaches multimillion-dollar settlement with county, medical staff

Former Anoka County inmate reaches multimillion-dollar settlement with county, medical staff

Anoka County has settled a lawsuit over allegations it denied proper medical treatment to an inmate in 2022. Under the agreement, the county will pay $2.55 million to Deyonta Green, who was denied his prescribed medication for opioid withdrawal, according to the lawsuit.
by Mark Zdechlik and Kirsti Marohn

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Some Venezuelans in Minnesota face uncertainty amid end of ‘Temporary Protected Status’

Some Venezuelans in Minnesota face uncertainty amid end of ‘Temporary Protected Status’

Venezuelans under Temporary Protected Status who received the protections in 2023 will lose that status in April. Some who fled Venezuela and are in Minnesota fear what will happen if they have to go back.
by Sarah Thamer

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Stauber reintroduces bill to reverse mining ban near Boundary Waters, return leases to Twin Metals

Stauber reintroduces bill to reverse mining ban near Boundary Waters, return leases to Twin Metals

Northern Minnesota Republican Congressman Pete Stauber has reintroduced legislation to overturn a 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. If passed, the bill would also return mineral leases to Twin Metals, the company vying to build an underground copper mine near Ely.
by Dan Kraker

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Women share stories of connection and support in ‘Locker Room Talk,’ up for MN Book Award

Women share stories of connection and support in ‘Locker Room Talk,’ up for MN Book Award

For the first time since 2006, the Minnesota Book Awards include a category for anthologies. One of the finalists is the story collection “Locker Room Talk: Women in Private Spaces.”
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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Congolese refugee helps other refugees in Minnesota, but nonprofit’s future uncertain under Trump

Congolese refugee helps other refugees in Minnesota, but nonprofit’s future uncertain under Trump

Kisongo spent several years working with nonprofits like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota but saw the need for culturally competent services for refugees. That prompted him to start Voice in the Wilderness Organization.
by Cathy Wurzer, Gracie Stockton and Lukas Levin

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What Simon says in House goes, but temporary chamber leader tiptoes through intensely partisan terrain

What Simon says in House goes, but temporary chamber leader tiptoes through intensely partisan terrain

Secretary of State Steve Simon is in the center of a fight over power in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The executive branch officeholder who was first elected to public office two decades ago says he’s not taking sides. Republicans have sued Simon and vice versa.
by Clay Masters

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Freshman Democrat, physician Rep. Morrison warns against RFK Jr. nomination

Freshman Democrat, physician Rep. Morrison warns against RFK Jr. nomination

Minnesota Third-District Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison, who is one of a handful of physicians in Congress, joined Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer to express her concerns and what Kennedy’s confirmation could mean in practice.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Best Buy CEO on tariffs’ potential effects on consumers

Best Buy CEO on tariffs’ potential effects on consumers

As part of the First Tuesday speaker series at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, Best Buy chief executive Corie Barry spoke with Chris Farrell, senior economics contributor at MPR News, about how the company is assessing President Donald Trump’s recent moves around tariffs.
by Annie Baxter and Chris Farrell

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National Women’s Soccer League reaches $5 million settlement over 2021 abuse scandal

National Women’s Soccer League reaches $5 million settlement over 2021 abuse scandal

In 2021, revelations about sexual misconduct and racism roiled the NWSL and sparked investigations. Now, the women’s soccer league will set aside $5 million for victims and implement other reforms.
by Becky Sullivan

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Trump says the U.S. will ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate its people. What does it mean?

Trump says the U.S. will ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate its people. What does it mean?

It wasn’t immediately clear what legal authority Trump would have to execute his proposals, and they would likely be met by fierce resistance from Palestinians and from regional Arab countries.
by Daniel Estrin and Kat Lonsdorf

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Morning Announcements for Feb. 5

Morning Announcements for Feb. 5

Here are the morning announcements for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
by MPR News Staff

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Minneapolis police, Black men find common ground in Alabama’s past

Minneapolis police, Black men find common ground in Alabama’s past

MPR News host Angela Davis presents an audio documentary about her experiences traveling to Montgomery, Ala., with a group of Minneapolis police officers and Black community members seeking to build trust.
by Angela Davis

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Republicans push for recall petitions for missing Democrats. Best Buy CEO talks tariffs

Republicans in the Minnesota House are pushing recall petitions for all 66 Democrats in the chamber. And Richfield-based Best Buy is assessing the potential effects of President Trump's tariffs on some of the nation's key trade partners.
by Phil Picardi

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More snow develops Wednesday and again Saturday

More snow develops Wednesday and again Saturday

Snow showers will be developing Wednesday afternoon and evening for much of northern and central Minnesota. More snow is on the way Saturday. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Jeremy Swayman stops 35 shots as the Bruins shut out the Wild 3-0

Jeremy Swayman stops 35 shots as the Bruins shut out the Wild 3-0

Charlie McAvoy got his 299th career point with a goal in the second period and Jeremy Swayman stopped 35 shots for his third shutout of the season as the Boston Bruins beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Tuesday night.
by The Associated Press

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'We do not exist anymore': New prison rules ban female clothing for trans women

'We do not exist anymore': New prison rules ban female clothing for trans women

As federal lawsuits challenge President Donald Trump's executive order impacting trans inmates, the Bureau of Prisons is starting to roll out new policies demanding trans women hand over female-identifying clothing and other items.
by Jaclyn Diaz

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Long before RFK Jr., Brainerd fought bitter legal battle over fluoride in its water supply

Long before RFK Jr., Brainerd fought bitter legal battle over fluoride in its water supply

The topic of whether to fluoridate drinking water is back in the public sphere again, in part because of the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary. It’s an issue that caused a decades long debate in the central Minnesota town of Brainerd, which is looking back on that period with an original show, “Fluoride, the Musical.”
by Kirsti Marohn

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Reporter’s notebook: Minneapolis police, Black men find common ground in Alabama’s past

Reporter’s notebook: Minneapolis police, Black men find common ground in Alabama’s past

A group of Minneapolis police officers and Black residents explored history museums and historic sites in Alabama detailing the horrors of slavery and the terror enforced against Black people. They invited MPR News host Angela Davis to come along. Here’s what she saw.
by Angela Davis

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ICE has arrested scores of migrants in the U.S. who have no criminal records

ICE has arrested scores of migrants in the U.S. who have no criminal records

The Trump administration says it has already arrested thousands of immigrants in the U.S. without legal status. Officials say some have committed heinous crimes, but many don't have criminal records.
by Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

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NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar

NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar

Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women and people of color in its Hall of Honor. The NSA reversed course after former employees mobilized.
by Frank Langfitt

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The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and a philanthropist, dies at 88

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and a philanthropist, dies at 88

Considered by followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was a student when his grandfather picked him to lead the Shia Ismaili Muslim diaspora.
by The Associated Press

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Senate votes to confirm Pam Bondi as attorney general

Senate votes to confirm Pam Bondi as attorney general

Bondi was confirmed by a vote of 54 to 46, and will now take the reins at the Justice Department at a moment when it is facing questions about the risk of political influence at the department.
by Ayana Archie

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'Thank you for your service': Trump administration puts USAID staff on leave

'Thank you for your service': Trump administration puts USAID staff on leave

In a brief note posted on the international development agency's website, almost all employees were told they would be put on leave. The note ended with the words, “Thank you for your service.”
by Jenna McLaughlin, Shannon Bond and Fatma Tanis

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