Stories from February 26, 2025

Gov. Tim Walz says he's staying out of Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, and the city of Minneapolis is moving ahead on plans to redevelop the site where a Kmart store has blocked Nicollet Avenue for nearly 50 years.
National parks already feel the effects of layoffs, even before the busy season starts
Some 1,000 NPS employees were fired, and hiring for seasonal positions was delayed. Here’s what to know about the impacts already being felt at parks, and what it could mean for the busy season.
Trump’s social media video garners pushback from Arabs and Muslims in U.S. and Gaza
In a seemingly AI-generated video that the president posted on social media, images of destruction due to the war in Gaza are transformed into a glitzy resort called “TRUMP GAZA.”
Minnesota Supreme Court: School may be liable for hiring staffer who sexually assaulted student
Reversing lower court rulings, the justices on Wednesday said a Minnesota charter school can be held liable for its hiring practices when failing to protect students from sexual assault by a staff member.
Wintry mix chances north with above-average temperatures
A gentle disturbance will bring a rain-snow mix to the Iron Range area on Wednesday night. Above-average temperatures will persist until Saturday, when we can expect a return to seasonal highs in the forecast.
‘Our voices weren’t listened to’: Republicans now atop Minnesota House aim to redo DFL-passed laws
At the helm in the Minnesota House, Republicans are re-airing their grievances with policies passed under full DFL control, though it's unclear that their proposed changes can make it out of the House.
Out to Lunch: Speaker Demuth doesn’t want to be defined by one part of her identity
Earlier this month, Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth became the first Black person and female Republican to hold the role in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota Now sat down with her in a new series called, “Out to Lunch.”
Dry and getting drier: What a lack of snowpack means for spring drought trends
Minnesota’s snowpack is far below average, increasing the risk of drought this spring. Experts warn that dry conditions could impact agriculture, fire danger, and waterfowl migration.
Trump administration sets the stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in new memo
President Donald Trump's administration says federal agencies should begin planning to eliminate employee positions. The process is known as a reduction in force. Agency leaders must submit their plans by March 13.
Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek out at least ‘a few weeks’ with lower-body injury
Minnesota Wild first-line center Joel Eriksson Ek has been placed on injured reserve on with a lower-body injury. The team announced his status as week-to-week. Eriksson Ek felt discomfort following practice.
 High blood pressure and your health
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two cardiologists about the latest research on the dangers of untreated high blood pressure and the treatments and lifestyle changes that can help protect your heart. 
Pope Francis is still in critical condition, but he had another ‘restful night’
Francis, 88, has been in critical condition for several days and he has remained absent from several regular appearances. The church has encouraged worshippers around the world to pray for his health.
Gov. Tim Walz officially rules out a run for U.S. Senate
Gov. Tim Walz had been weighing a Senate run since fellow Democrat Sen. Tina Smith announced earlier this month she wouldn’t run in 2026. Walz expects to decide by early summer if he’ll run for another term as governor.
Canada wants new oil pipelines to avoid Trump tariffs; nobody wants to build them
Canada sends 90 percent of oil exports to U.S. refiners. The Canadian government would have to play a significant role in any project to build new oil pipelines in Canada to overcome regulatory, financial and political hurdles and activist opposition, industry experts said.
All Minnesota GOP lawmakers in Congress joined their fellow Republicans in voting for a budget framework that includes $2 trillion in spending cuts. Tribal leaders are asking members of Congress to address funding concerns and uphold federal government’s treaty obligations to tribes.
Israel and Hamas agree on a new exchange, leaving a fragile ceasefire intact
The bodies of four Israeli hostages are to be returned late Wednesday and more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed during the last week of the current Gaza ceasefire deal.
Southwest 737 and small business jet have ‘near collision’ at Chicago Midway Airport
Federal authorities are investigating a near-collision at Chicago’s Midway airport between a Southwest 737 and a small business jet. The 737 was landing when the business jet entered the runway.
A century-old time capsule in Virginia, Minn., offers a glimpse into the town’s past
St. Louis County officials opened a time capsule that’s been sealed for more than 100 years. Workers found the small copper box in the cornerstone of an old building that was recently demolished.
Minnesota economy is resilient, even as federal job cuts create uncertainty
Minnesota doesn’t have as large of a federal workforce as some other states, but nationwide reductions in the federal workforce have unleashed an unsettling fog of uncertainty about the labor market and the local economy’s health.
‘Just devastation’: Closing of Joann fabrics and crafts store creates a void for Minnesota creatives
Joann Inc., which was formerly known as Jo-Ann Fabrics, operates 21 stores in Minnesota, from Hutchinson to Hibbing. This week, the company announced the closure of all 800 stores.
Lengthy cleanup, outpouring of support for Minneapolis businesses affected by water main break
It’s been nearly two weeks since a broken water main in Minneapolis flooded a building housing several longtime small businesses. They’re still cleaning up and figuring out next steps, as friends, neighbors and customers show their support.
Business owner tells court Feeding Our Future iced her out when she refused to pay kickbacks
The former owner of a small Minneapolis restaurant said Tuesday that Feeding Our Future cut off millions of dollars in fraudulent food payments after she refused to pay a $1.5 million kickback to Aimee Bock, the nonprofit’s founder. 
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