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Stories from February 26, 2025

Walz staying out of Senate race; Minneapolis moving forward on Kmart site development

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.
by Emily Reese

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Trump’s social media video garners pushback from Arabs and Muslims in U.S. and Gaza

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.”
by Sarah McCammon, Hadeel Al-Shalchi and Anas Baba

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Minnesota Supreme Court: School may be liable for hiring staffer who sexually assaulted student

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.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Wintry mix chances north with above-average temperatures

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.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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‘Our voices weren’t listened to’: Republicans now atop Minnesota House aim to redo DFL-passed laws

‘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.
by Dana Ferguson

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Out to Lunch: Speaker Demuth doesn’t want to be defined by one part of her identity

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.”
by Nina Moini and Ellie Roth

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Dry and getting drier: What a lack of snowpack means for spring drought trends

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.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Minneapolis unveils draft plan for former Kmart site

Minneapolis unveils draft plan for former Kmart site

Minneapolis city officials unveiled a draft framework Tuesday, which includes a mix of residential and commercial development as well as a public park.
by MPR News Staff

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Trump administration sets the stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in new memo

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.
by The Associated Press

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Morning Announcements for Feb. 26

Morning Announcements for Feb. 26

These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, Feb. 26. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek out at least ‘a few weeks’ with lower-body injury

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.
by The Associated Press

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High blood pressure and your health

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. 
by Angela Davis and Nikhil Kumaran

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Gov. Tim Walz officially rules out a run for U.S. Senate

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.
by Dana Ferguson

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Canada wants new oil pipelines to avoid Trump tariffs; nobody wants to build them

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.

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Trump introduces a green card for the rich: the gold card

Trump introduces a green card for the rich: the gold card

The new visa program would effectively replace the current EB-5 investor visa program, and the proceeds could be used for deficit reduction.
by Asma Khalid

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Minnesota GOP lawmakers back Trump’s budget resolution. Tribal leaders ask Congress to address funding concerns

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.
by Gracie Stockton

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Decreasing clouds Wednesday and continued mild

Decreasing clouds Wednesday and continued mild

The mild stretch continues Wednesday and all week. Another disturbance will bring snow showers to northeastern Minnesota Wednesday night. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Southwest 737 and small business jet have ‘near collision’ at Chicago Midway Airport

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.
by Russell Lewis

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A century-old time capsule in Virginia, Minn., offers a glimpse into the town’s past

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.
by Dan Kraker

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Minnesota economy is resilient, even as federal job cuts create uncertainty

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.
by Chris Farrell and Tom Crann

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‘Just devastation’: Closing of Joann fabrics and crafts store creates a void for Minnesota creatives

‘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.
by Alex V. Cipolle

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Lengthy cleanup, outpouring of support for Minneapolis businesses affected by water main break

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.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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St. Paul mom shares hard-won advice on eating disorders

St. Paul mom shares hard-won advice on eating disorders

Emily Gurnon, whose daughter has been fighting severe anorexia for years, shares her story along with advice and resources for parents during Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
by Heidi Raschke and Tom Crann

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Business owner tells court Feeding Our Future iced her out when she refused to pay kickbacks

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. 
by Matt Sepic

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