Stories from March 18, 2025

Blizzard warnings set for southern Minnesota; snow mostly south of Twin Cities
Heavy snow and high winds across northern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota and central Wisconsin Wednesday. Travel along Interstate 90, Interstate 35 or Interstate 94 south and east of the Twin Cities will be difficult to impossible at times.
Top legislative Republicans want a state senator to resign after an arrest on an alleged attempt to solicit a minor, and Minnesota law enforcement officials are hoping to get new drug screening kits to officers on the roads as drug-impaired driving reports rise.
From bridges to water pipes, federal funding bill cuts hundreds of millions for projects across Minnesota
The continuing budget resolution signed by President Donald Trump Saturday ended the threat of a government shutdown; it also cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for local projects across Minnesota.
Difficult driving, schools closed as heavy snow falls in parts of southern Minnesota
A spring storm is forecast to bring blizzard conditions to a swath of southern Minnesota on Wednesday — and ahead of that, some school districts are canceling classes or moving to online learning.
Judge rules DOGE’s USAID dismantling likely violates the Constitution
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution and blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from further cuts to the agency.
Law enforcement seeks funding for roadside drug screening
Minnesota law enforcement officials are asking the state Legislature to approve and fund new roadside drug-screening tools, as drug-related impaired driving reports rise. After a year-long pilot study, officials say the tests work.
Minnesota Vikings add Jeff Okudah, the third pick in the 2020 draft, for cornerback depth
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with cornerback Jeff Okudah to add the third overall pick from the 2020 draft for depth. Okudah's career has been sidetracked by injuries.
2025 Great Lakes shipping season starts this week. Duluth will see ships soon
The 2025 Great Lakes shipping season will open Friday when the Poe Lock in Michigan opens. Ships will soon be on the move to and from Lake Superior ports, including in Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors and Silver Bay.
Special education advocacy group reacts to U.S. Education Department cuts
The U.S. Department of Education is expected to shrink by half. One of the agency’s major roles is to make sure students with disabilities can get an education, and parent advocates are bracing for effects to their children with disabilities.
GOP leaders call on Sen. Eichorn to resign after arrest for allegedly soliciting a minor
Bloomington police say state Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, was arrested around 6 p.m. Monday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution. House and Senate Republican leaders called for Eichorn to step down.
Report: Minnesota has the third highest average cost of infant child care in the country
Minnesota has the third highest average cost of infant child care in the U.S. according to the Economic Policy Institute. Its average cost in the state in $22,000 per year.
What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders
While most wild birds are susceptible to the disease, some species like mallards are more likely to carry the virus without symptoms. Others like geese tend to die in large numbers. 
Search for U.S. student in Dominican Republic intensifies
A Minnesota college student has not been named as a suspect but has been detained by Dominican police and is believed to be the last person to see Konanki.
Employee fatally stabbed at Kwik Trip store in Mankato
Authorities in Mankato say an employee at a Kwik Trip store was fatally stabbed early Tuesday. A suspect is in custody.
This is why Canada has plenty of eggs — and the U.S. doesn’t
While the U.S. grapples with an egg shortage caused by avian flu, eggs remain plentiful and affordable in Canada. There are reasons for that, including that egg farms there tend to be smaller.
Morning Announcements for March 18
These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, March 18. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Texas midwife accused by state’s attorney general of providing illegal abortions
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that a Houston-area midwife has been arrested and accused of providing illegal abortions, marking the first time authorities have filed criminal charges under the state’s near-total abortion ban.
Investing in women and girls to ensure their safety, health and success
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota about investing in women and girls to ensure their safety, health and economic success.
Last of the classified JFK assassination files to be released Tuesday
About 80,000 documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy are expected to be released, but presidential historians don't expect any bombshell revelations.
Early voting in Wisconsin Supreme Court race tests enthusiasm on both sides, with key cases likely
Wisconsin voters are casting the first ballots in a pivotal state Supreme Court race that will determine whether liberal or conservative justices control the highest court in the crucial presidential battleground.
After 19 days of testimony over more than five weeks, closing arguments could come Tuesday morning in the Feeding Our Future trial. And Minnesota’s first rapid transit bus line that mostly runs in its own lane opens on Saturday.
Pacers stop Wolves’ streak at 8 with a 132-130 win
Obi Toppin’s fourth 3-pointer of overtime came with 3.5 seconds left to lift the short-handed Indiana Pacers over Minnesota 132-130 and end the Timberwolves’ eight-game winning streak.
Hundreds killed as Israel launches a series of airstrikes on Gaza
Israel said the Tuesday attacks were launched after Hamas refused to release more hostages held in Gaza. The strikes raise the prospect of a full resumption of war after a nearly two-month ceasefire.
Winter storm Wednesday takes aim at southern Minnesota
Our active March weather continues. Enjoy a quiet day Tuesday, though it’ll be cooler. Wintry weather with heavy snow develops for Wednesday south and southeast.
Planters, growers stuck rooted to ever-changing landscape amid tariff war
The Trump administration’s recent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian products leave many in the agricultural and horticultural industries anxious and worried about unfulfilled contracts or trying to figure out how they’re going to take on the financial losses as the growing expenses are mounting on their bottom line. 
Minnesota’s first rapid transit line mostly on a bus-only lane opens Saturday
If you’ve ever been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Interstate 94, you may have wished you were speeding down a car-free lane beside the highway. That lane soon will be a reality for the Gold Line, Metro Transit’s sixth rapid transit route opening Saturday.
The VA will deny gender dysphoria treatment to new patients
While the VA never offered gender-affirming surgery, it did offer treatments like hormone therapy. The agency says less than than 0.1 percent of the 9 million veterans it provides care for identify as trans.