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Stories from March 26, 2025

Minnesota may lose millions as COVID federal funding cut off

The state of Minnesota stands to lose millions in COVID-19 funding after the federal government announced Tuesday it would terminate grants to local and state governments. A new environmental center opened Tuesday in Ramsey County. And a board that oversees economic development on the Iron Range has selected a new chair.
by Emily Reese

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Former Sen. Justin Eichorn released to a halfway house as federal criminal case proceeds

Former Sen. Justin Eichorn released to a halfway house as federal criminal case proceeds

Justin Eichorn, who faces a federal charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, was released from jail and will move to a halfway house in Duluth under several conditions, a judge ruled Wednesday.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Minnesota Supreme Court allows recently incarcerated to serve on juries

Minnesota Supreme Court allows recently incarcerated to serve on juries

Minnesotans who are on probation or supervised release for felony convictions will soon be allowed to serve on juries, following a recent decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The move follows a 2023 state law that allows people recently freed from prison to vote, even if they are not finished with the supervised release portions of their sentences.
by Matt Sepic

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Out to Lunch: Lindsay Whalen is ready to have joy back in basketball

Out to Lunch: Lindsay Whalen is ready to have joy back in basketball

Lindsay Whalen was off the court for 18 months after her departure as head coach of the Gopher's Women's basketball team. When she went out to lunch with MPR News host Nina Moini, Whalen said it was a much-needed break, but that she's excited to be part of a team again.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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What to know now about measles in Minnesota after one case confirmed in state resident

What to know now about measles in Minnesota after one case confirmed in state resident

A person not infectious in Minnesota may have exposed people while traveling in Washington, D.C. The state health department says the person was vaccinated but still advises vaccines protect most people from measles.
by Erica Zurek

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Trump will announce auto tariffs at a White House news conference

Trump will announce auto tariffs at a White House news conference

President Donald Trump will announce tariffs on auto imports, a move the White Houses claims would foster domestic manufacturing that could also put a financial squeeze on automakers that depend on global supply chains.
by The Associated Press

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Chilly end-of-March weather forecast with possible storm

Chilly end-of-March weather forecast with possible storm

Minnesota may be in for more spring slop with a storm coming this weekend. MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins MPR News host Nina Moini with details on the forecast.
by Nina Moini, Paul Huttner and Ellen Finn

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Stunning end to a long career: North Minneapolis charter school names interim leader after firing founder

Stunning end to a long career: North Minneapolis charter school names interim leader after firing founder

Harvest Best founder Eric Mahmoud was seen as a visionary for helping Black students at the north Minneapolis school. Firing him was “not a decision that came easily,” a board member says. The board named an interim leader this week.
by Becky Z. Dernbach

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What’s next for sluggish Minnesota mail after USPS postmaster general’s resignation?

What’s next for sluggish Minnesota mail after USPS postmaster general’s resignation?

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Wednesday to talk about the future of USPS following Louis DeJoy’s departure and under the Trump administration.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments

Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments

Federal health officials said Tuesday they are pulling back $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for local public health departments and other health organizations throughout the nation. Minnesota stands to lose $226 million.
by The Associated Press and Erica Zurek

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Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar to private equity firms after a decade of trying to find a fit

Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar to private equity firms after a decade of trying to find a fit

Dollar Tree is selling Family Dollar to a pair of private equity firms in a deal worth approximately $1 billion after unsuccessfully trying to incorporate it into its business for a decade.
by The Associated Press

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Niko Medved was born into a family of Gophers basketball fans. Now he’s their head coach

Niko Medved was born into a family of Gophers basketball fans. Now he’s their head coach

The gravitation toward the Gophers for Niko Medved began even before he was born. That's when his father bought the season tickets that would soon spark his young son’s passion for college basketball.
by The Associated Press

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Morning Announcements for March 26

Morning Announcements for March 26

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

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How disrupted sleep can affect your health

How disrupted sleep can affect your health

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guest talk about how disrupted sleep can affect your health.
by Angela Davis and Cari Dwyer

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DOGE says it needs to know the government’s most sensitive data, but can’t say why

DOGE says it needs to know the government’s most sensitive data, but can’t say why

DOGE staffers have skirted privacy laws, training and security protocols to gain virtually unfettered access to financial and personal information stored in siloed government databases.
by Stephen Fowler and Jenna McLaughlin

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Kennedy Center lays off Social Impact employees

Kennedy Center lays off Social Impact employees

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has dissolved its Social Impact division, which partnered with local organizations to bring in diverse artists and audiences.
by Chloe Veltman

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Minnesota Republicans look to DOGE model for state government efficiency commission

Minnesota Republicans look to DOGE model for state government efficiency commission

The commission would consist of a panel of six citizens who would investigate fraud in state agencies and potential conflicts of interest in the Legislature. Three members would be appointed by Republicans and three by Democrats.
by Dana Ferguson

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Pilot and 2 children survive a night on airplane wing after crashing into Alaska lake

Pilot and 2 children survive a night on airplane wing after crashing into Alaska lake

A pilot and two girls survived on the wing of a plane for about 12 hours after it crashed and was partially submerged in an icy Alaska lake, then were rescued after being spotted by a good Samaritan.
by The Associated Press

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Active weather pattern continues into the weekend

Active weather pattern continues into the weekend

A weak disturbance will touch off a few rain showers late Wednesday. Temperatures warm Thursday and Friday ahead of a larger weekend storm system. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Trump’s new executive order could upend voting

Trump’s new executive order could upend voting

The order tests the power of Trump’s authority and would require voters using a federal form to show proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It’s sure to be tested in court.
by Jude Joffe-Block

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Republican lawmakers seek to put PBS and NPR in the hot seat

Republican lawmakers seek to put PBS and NPR in the hot seat

A House subcommittee led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and named after Elon Musk’s government-efficiency team has set its sights on the public broadcasters.
by David Folkenflik

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Special ed faces cuts as Minneapolis schools struggle to close $75M budget gap

Special ed faces cuts as Minneapolis schools struggle to close $75M budget gap

District leaders had previously signaled school nutrition and special education would be affected by the cuts. The board’s finance committee Tuesday night said the total number of position cuts hasn’t been finalized. Protesters at the meeting pushed back on proposed cuts.
by Alex Haddon

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Police looking for teen suspects in Minneapolis robbery spree

Police looking for teen suspects in Minneapolis robbery spree

Minneapolis police say a group of teens is likely responsible for a string of more than a dozen armed robberies on Sunday and Monday that included a carjacking. Four of the victims were pistol-whipped.
by Matt Sepic

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