Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

Stories from March 17, 2025

Medicaid fraud penalties; town halls in rural Minnesota

People who commit Medicaid fraud would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature, and rural communities will have a chance to voice their concerns about the state of their government at a series of town halls sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union.
by Emily Reese

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
GOP bill labeling Trump opposition a ‘derangement syndrome’ causes Minnesota Capitol stir

GOP bill labeling Trump opposition a ‘derangement syndrome’ causes Minnesota Capitol stir

The proposal, which one Republican described as a “tongue-in-cheek” measure designed to make a point about criticism of President Donald Trump, was derided by Democrats as trivializing mental health and minimizing legitimate concerns.
by Peter Cox

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesotan Emily Ford reaches finish line of Iditarod sled dog race

Minnesotan Emily Ford reaches finish line of Iditarod sled dog race

After spending nearly two weeks traversing more than 1,100 miles of the Alaska wilderness, Duluth’s Emily Ford reached the finish line of her first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Sunday.
by MPR News Staff

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
March Madness: A Minnesotan is trying to get her team to its 24th Final Four game

March Madness: A Minnesotan is trying to get her team to its 24th Final Four game

March Madness begins this week and Paige Bueckers is the sole Minnesotan representation in the NCAA basketball tournaments. Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now to talk about basketball and other sports news.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Five years after COVID-19 lockdown, racial health disparities linger

Five years after COVID-19 lockdown, racial health disparities linger

People of color experience a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 cases and deaths. In Minnesota, deaths from COVID-19 have been concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
by Nina Moini and Ellie Roth

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Prosecutors say Minnesota man accused of hiding stolen ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is dead

Prosecutors say Minnesota man accused of hiding stolen ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is dead

A federal judge has dismissed the charges against Jerry Hal Saliterman, of Crystal, accused of hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz.” Prosecutors informed the court Monday that he died Sunday.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
A pot of gold forecast for St. Patrick's Day

A pot of gold forecast for St. Patrick's Day

It might just be the luck of the Irish, but the forecast calls for a warm, sunny day with pleasant 60-degree temperatures for the metro area and southern regions.
by Mandy Thalhuber

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. 
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Morning Announcements for March 17

Morning Announcements for March 17

These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, March 17. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Measles remains a danger to health even years after an infection

Measles remains a danger to health even years after an infection

The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico is now close to 300 cases. Most are unvaccinated children. People usually recover, but doctors are stressing how dangerous and long-lasting it can be.
by Maria Godoy

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Heat can age you as much as smoking, a new study finds

Heat can age you as much as smoking, a new study finds

Exposure to heat can alter the way your DNA works, according to a new study. The effects could lead to long-term health outcomes.
by Alejandra Borunda

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Sports betting is growing, along with problem gambling

Sports betting is growing, along with problem gambling

March Madness is underway and millions of Americans will be watching the games and placing bets on college basketball. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the appeal and potential addiction of sports betting.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
2 separate cases place the immigration lens on Boston

2 separate cases place the immigration lens on Boston

Two people legally in the U.S. who flew into a Boston airport have been denied reentry into the country after traveling abroad. One was deported in apparent defiance of a judicial order.
by Tovia Smith

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
A Tesla protester targeted by Elon Musk speaks out: ‘I have to protect myself’

A Tesla protester targeted by Elon Musk speaks out: ‘I have to protect myself’

“When one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful person in the world is saying you’ve committed a crime, it doesn’t matter what the truth is,” says Valerie Costa, an anti-Tesla protester.
by Bobby Allyn

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Vinyl beat No. 1 seed Lunar Owls and Unrivaled MVP Napheesa Collier, will play Rose for title

Vinyl beat No. 1 seed Lunar Owls and Unrivaled MVP Napheesa Collier, will play Rose for title

Rhyne Howard scored 23 points, Jordin Canada added 21 and the No. 4 seed Vinyl beat the top-seeded Lunar Owls and Napheesa Collier of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, who was named Unrivaled’s Most Valuable Player before tipoff, 73-70 in the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league’s playoffs.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesota Vikings say receiver Paul Flatley has died at 84

Minnesota Vikings say receiver Paul Flatley has died at 84

Paul Flatley, the 1963 Associated Press NFL rookie of the year for the Minnesota Vikings who piled up more than 3,000 receiving yards over five seasons, has died at the age of 84.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

State House is full again after 9 weeks with a vacancy. Walz holds townhalls outside Minnesota

The Minnesota House returns to a full complement Monday after nine weeks with a vacancy. And Gov. Tim Walz is holding a series of townhall-style meetings in congressional districts represented by Republicans in other states.
by Phil Picardi

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Warmer Monday with midweek snow potential

Warmer Monday with midweek snow potential

After a chilly weekend, temperatures will be warmer for southern Minnesota Monday. We’re also monitoring a midweek storm that will deliver rain and snow. 
by Sven Sundgaard

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
After drop-ins to a pair of GOP-led states, Walz returns to a rearranged Minnesota Capitol

After drop-ins to a pair of GOP-led states, Walz returns to a rearranged Minnesota Capitol

Gov. Tim Walz mingled with Democrats in Iowa and Nebraska for what were billed as town halls focused on Trump administration policies. But Walz and Minnesota lawmakers have their work cut out for them in a reconfigured Legislature.
by Clay Masters

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Town halls aim to air farmers, rural residents concerns 

Town halls aim to air farmers, rural residents concerns 

The Minnesota Farmers Union will hold town hall meetings around the state in coming weeks to gather reaction to tariffs, health care concerns and other issues.
by Hannah Yang

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesota homeschooling leaped during COVID and counts continue to climb

Minnesota homeschooling leaped during COVID and counts continue to climb

After Minnesota schools shut their doors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 10,000 families decided to educate their children at home. Five years later, the number of homeschoolers statewide is even higher.
by Elizabeth Shockman and Craig Helmstetter

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
En el oeste de Minnesota, una mujer ayuda a los nuevos inmigrantes a echar raíces

En el oeste de Minnesota, una mujer ayuda a los nuevos inmigrantes a echar raíces

Alma Contreras llegó de México hace 16 años y aún recuerda lo difícil que fue su transición a la zona rural del oeste de Minnesota. Ella ahora se dedica a ayudar a que otros inmigrantes se adapten a los Estados Unidos.
by Dan Gunderson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
In western Minnesota, she helps new immigrants put down roots

In western Minnesota, she helps new immigrants put down roots

Alma Contreras remembers how hard it was to make the transition to rural western Minnesota when she came from Mexico 16 years ago. It’s what drives her to help others now in tense times for immigrants.
by Dan Gunderson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Duluth looks to housing to revive stagnant, post-COVID downtown

Duluth looks to housing to revive stagnant, post-COVID downtown

Like Minneapolis, St. Paul and other cities around the country, Duluth hopes to revitalize its downtown through new housing, to bring new residents to an urban core that was abandoned by thousands of workers who didn’t come back to the office after COVID.
by Dan Kraker

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!