Stories from March 13, 2025

Bock acknowledges fraud at Feeding Our Future, denies taking part
Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock continues to deny that she took part in an alleged $250 million scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs. After taking the stand in her own defense, Bock faced rapid-fire questions during cross examination Thursday from lead prosecutor Joe Thompson.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with 20 other attorneys general across the country, is suing to stop the dismantling of the federal Department of Education, and Nicole Mitchell spoke in her own defense today at a Minnesota Senate Ethics Committee hearing.
24 Minnesotans reflect on how COVID-19 changed their lives
On March 13, 2020, Gov. Tim Walz declared the COVID-19 pandemic a peacetime emergency. Five years later, Minnesotans look back on the early days of the public health crisis and the mark it left on their lives.
Politics Friday: Minnesota’s paid leave law remains a flashpoint as launch nears
MPR News senior politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two Minnesota lawmakers about the state’s new paid leave program — scheduled to start in January of next year — and the legislation that could possibly delay or change eligibility.
Minnesota author provides bucket list in ‘100 Things to Do in Duluth Before You Die’
Jay Gabler, a Twin Cities native, told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer he “was really pleased to discover how eager Duluthians are to help newcomers discover the city” on Morning Edition Thursday.
Hibbing manufacturer responds to Trump‘s steel, aluminum tariffs
Canada is the biggest supplier of steel and aluminum for the U.S. The metals are used for products like nuts and bolts, sheet metal, machining and beer cans. Will those levies be a problem for Minnesota companies that get their steel from Iron Range-mined ore and taconite?
DNR: Mille Lacs Lake anglers can keep two walleye this summer
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says after years of tighter fishing regulations, the lake's walleye population appears to be at healthy levels.
Minnesota, 21 other states sue to halt dismantling of U.S. Education Department
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts argues dismantling the federal Department of Education is unconstitutional and usurps congressional authority. It seeks a court order to halt the shutdown.
Minnesota presenta proyecto de ley para fomentar intercambio de información migratoria con ICE
El proyecto de ley pretende evitar que los gobiernos estatales y locales limiten la capacidad de sus empleados para compartir información migratoria con autoridades federales, incluido el estatus legal de los inmigrantes.
White House withdraws nomination of David Weldon to run the CDC
Dr. Dave Weldon, Trump's pick for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was withdrawn from consideration shortly before a scheduled Senate confirmation hearing.
Morning Announcements for March 13
These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, March 13. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Trump threatens retaliatory 200% tariff on European wine after EU proposes American whiskey tax
The European Commission is calling on President Donald Trump to revoke tariffs now that he's threatened a 200 percent tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits if Europe goes forward with a planned tariff on American whiskey.
Monitor: Minneapolis police likely to make many year-one goals set for state settlement agreement
Members of a group overseeing the court-enforced agreement between the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota’s Human Rights Department told community members Wednesday that MPD will likely finish required policies by the end of the review period.
A Putin aide rejects Trump's 30-day Ukraine cease-fire proposal
As U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff enters talks in Moscow on a Trump administration proposal for a 30-day cease-fire with Ukraine, an adviser to the Russian president rejected the idea.
Gophers fire men's basketball coach Ben Johnson after four seasons with U of M
Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle announced early Thursday that he fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson after Minnesota lost to Northwestern in Wednesday’s Big Ten Tournament opener.
Gopher men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson has been fired. And the Minneapolis school district is sending out layoff notices to staff members as part of its attempt to deal with a $75 million budget deficit.
Martinelli scores 28 and Northwestern beats Minnesota 72-64 to begin the Big Ten tourney
 Nick Martinelli scored 28 points to help No. 13 seed Northwestern beat No. 12 seed Minnesota 72-64 to begin the Big Ten Tournament. Northwestern earned its first conference tournament win since 2022 for a chance to play No. 5 Wisconsin in the second round. 
More anomalous warmth ahead of a significant storm system
Temperatures will run 20 to 30 degrees above normal Thursday and Friday ahead of a potent spring storm that will bring thunderstorms late Friday and snow Saturday. 
Supporters of a bill to protect wild rice rally at the capitol
Indigenous and environmental organizations from across Minnesota came together at the state capitol to advocate for a series of bills they say will help protect the environment.
St. Paul officials express concern about Madison Equities treatment of Alliance Bank Center tenants
The property owner, Madison Equities, told tenants on Monday to vacate the premises immediately. It hadn’t been paying its utility bills, and the power was scheduled to shut off Wednesday.
COVID boosted efforts to track diseases in wastewater
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater sampling wasn't routinely done for public health purposes. But as the case number climbed scientists and public health officials saw the value of getting a sneak peek of where the virus was spreading, and where the next hot spot might be.
‘Identical patients’: A Minneapolis ER doc remembers the COVID-19 surge
Dr. John Hick saw Minnesota’s busiest emergency department fill with patients, many struggled to breathe. Five years later, health care is still dealing with the pandemic’s aftermath.
Despite evidence, Bock denies knowledge of Feeding Our Future fraud
The former head of the Twin Cities nonprofit said Wednesday she shut down meal sites she suspected were stealing taxpayer money. She also claimed in federal court the $2,800 payments from vendors were for a policy manual. Prosecutors allege they were kickbacks.