Stories from February 18, 2025

‘We were all scared:’ Minnesotan on Delta plane recalls Toronto crash
Miraculously, all 76 passengers and four crew members survived the plane crash, which had been traveling from Minneapolis to Toronto. Pete Carlson of Northfield was on the flight.
Starting today anyone who wants to grow or sell retail recreational marijuana can submit an application with the state of Minnesota, officials are investigating the wreckage of the plane that crashed in Toronto yesterday, and flags are at half-staff in Burnsville today in honor of three first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
 Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota eliminates staff positions
The organization cites an end to federal funding for refugee resettlement services as the reason for staff cuts. Trump signed the executive order halting the Refugee Admissions Program on his first day in office. 
Frigid Tuesday night, below-normal temps Wednesday; weekend warmup
We’ve got another frigid night on the way with lows falling into the teens and 20s below zero. Wednesday will remain below normal but temps warm quickly this weekend. 
Dangerous cold across Minnesota leads to more school delays for Wednesday
Some Minnesota school districts have announced they’ll be starting classes late or moving to online learning on Wednesday, Feb. 19, as a stretch of dangerously cold conditions continues across the region.
Minnesota college students compete to answer life‘s ethical dilemmas
Two teams from Minnesota colleges are headed to Norfolk, Va., to battle it out over topics like tipping in restaurants or whether or not it is ethical to put weapons in space. Two members of the University of Minnesota-Morris team joined MPR News host Nina Moini about the innerworkings of competitive ethics.
Skiing star Jessie Diggins partners with The Emily Program on eating disorder education
Almost 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Three-time Olympian Jessie Diggins, who has been public about suffering from disordered eating, will kick off a webinar series created to reduce stigma around the psychiatric condition.
One year later, Burnsville first responders remain resilient in face of grief
Tuesday marks one year since Burnsville lost three first responders in the line of duty. Burnsville Police Deputy Chief Matt Smith and Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann joined MPR News host Nina Moini to reflect on the year since the tragedy.
Toronto plane crash sparks questions on passenger safety
There are many questions from passengers about flight safety after a Delta flight from Minneapolis to Toronto crashed and flipped over while landing. All 80 people on board survived but 21 passengers were injured.
 Tribal funding caught in crossfire from Trump administration
Tribes depend heavily on both ‘638’ and ‘direct’ funds for essential services. But what are these funds? And how are they linked to tribal sovereignty?
Retail recreational marijuana, take two. Cannabis management leader speaks to rollout
On Tuesday, the Office of Cannabis Management started accepting applications for licenses to grow and sell marijuana — for a second time. Eric Taubel, interim director, joined Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer Tuesday.
Morning Announcements for Feb. 18
These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, Feb. 18. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Leonard Peltier leaves prison after Biden commuted his sentence in the killing of two FBI agents
Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier has been released from a high-security Florida prison. Peltier was freed Tuesday morning, nearly a month after then-President Joe Biden commuted his life sentence in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.
How President Trump is reshaping transgender people’s rights
MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests break down President Donald Trump’s series of executive orders that significantly reshape transgender rights in the United States.
Black-owned businesses say DEI initiatives fell short
Trump’s rollback of DEI initiatives leaves some Black-owned business leaders unfazed. Biden’s DEI policies delivered some gains — but not enough to overcome structural barriers. ‘Good old boy’ network and other barriers shut minority-owned firms out of federal government contracts, some firms say.
U.S. and Russia discuss ending Ukraine war, without Kyiv
The talks build on last week’s phone call between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin during which the two leaders agreed to work together toward a negotiated end to the war.
Researchers link a gene to the emergence of spoken language
Why did humans start speaking? Scientists suggest genetics played a big role. They say the evolution of this singular ability has been key to our survival. A new study links a particular gene to the ancient origins of spoken language.
A Delta Air Lines jet from Minneapolis flipped on its roof while landing Monday at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. All 80 people on board survived and those hurt had relatively minor injuries. Dangerously cold temperatures prompted many school districts across Minnesota to cancel or delay the start of classes, or move to online learning. 
Bitterly cold again Tuesday. Warmup coming this weekend
The frigid temperatures and wind chills persist this week through early Friday before a big warmup takes hold this weekend into next week. 
Hall of Famer Dave Winfield retires from players union
Dave Winfield retired Monday from the Major League Baseball Players Association. He started as a standout at the University of Minnesota, joining the San Diego Padres and later bringing the Toronto Blue Jays to a World Series win in 1992.
St. Paul vigil remembers Sam Nordquist, calls for justice after his killing in New York
Five people in New York face murder charges in the killing of Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota. To mourn his loss, a group of about 100 people gathered in below zero temperatures Monday on the steps of the state Capitol in St. Paul.
Burnsville marks one year since first responders‘ deaths with wreath tribute, special ceremony
On Tuesday, the city of Burnsville commemorated the line-of-duty deaths of two police officers, Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth. It has been one year since they were killed while responding to a domestic violence call.
For a St. Cloud family, Trump’s pause of refugee admissions brings worry for Afghan relatives
One of President Trump’s first actions after taking office was an executive order indefinitely suspending the U.S. refugee resettlement program. A family living in St. Cloud who fled Afghanistan a year ago worries about relatives left behind.
New Japanese-inspired claw machine arcade in Eagan draws thousands
Duck Entertainment opened on Jan. 1. and adds to a rising landscape of “clawcades” in the Twin Cities. It’s a new concept of arcades brought over from Japan that has been a success in Minnesota and nationwide.