Stories from September 2, 2025

The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul are calling on Governor Tim Walz to schedule a special session where gun restrictions would be considered. And as school started in many locations in the metro today, Minneapolis police have increased patrols around schools and places of worship. St. Paul's police department offered extra police presence to all public and private schools in that city. A new program in St. Cloud will provide free school supplies to some students this year.
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa confirms she will not run for reelection in 2026
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday that she will not seek reelection next year, confirming in a video post on social media that she will retire after months of speculation about her plans.
Trump says he will order federal intervention in Chicago and Baltimore despite local opposition
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will direct federal law enforcement intervention to combat crime in Chicago and Baltimore, despite staunch opposition from state and local officials in both cities.
Trump administration blocks groups from voter registration at naturalization events
Nongovernmental groups like the League of Women Voters are now barred from registering new voters at naturalization ceremonies, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced.
NFL season begins this week. Here's how the Vikings could become champions
The Minnesota Vikings will play their first game of the season on Monday, which is the last game of opening week of the NFL season. The Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson talked about their chances at the Super Bowl.
Back to school reporter roundtable: Districts hone in on student safety, budget woes
If you are a parent in Minnesota, you probably got an email last week from your school district that had details about what officials are doing to keep kids safe as classes start this week. School leaders conducted extra check-ins with local law enforcement before classes started to ensure safety plans were in place.
How to support your kids – and yourself –  through back-to-school anxiety
The first day of school can bring a wide range of feelings, especially for parents sending off kindergarteners. And with the backdrop of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, there is an extra layer of anxiety for many families.
Duty-free no more: Parcels worth under $800 no longer qualify for a U.S. tariff exemption
Low-value imports no longer are eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free. An order signed by President Donald Trump eliminated a widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Friday.
International student enrollment slips under Trump. How is MSU Mankato moving forward?
Will Coghill-Behrends, the dean of global education at Minnesota State University, Mankato joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Thursday with his insights and how the school is easing international students’ paths to the North Star State.
New books this week track John Williams’ life, future pandemics and NASA fiction
This week’s publishing highlights are a bumper crop of biography, science and fiction — including new reads the from authors of “The Sweetness of Water,” “The God of Small Things” and “Deadliest Enemy.”
Food & Wine magazine names Diane's Place of Minneapolis its Restaurant of the Year
Minneapolis restaurant Diane’s Place has been named the 2025 Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine magazine. Chef Diane Moua said the award “is a testament to the hard work of my entire team and our mission to share Hmong and Southeast Asian cuisine with everyone.”
Graham Greene, a trailblazing Indigenous actor best known for ‘Dances with Wolves’, dies at 73
Graham Greene, a trailblazing Indigenous actor whose long and successful career on the big and small screen included an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Kicking Bird in “Dances with Wolves,” has died. He was 73. Greene died Monday in Stratford, Ontario, after a long battle with an unspecified illness. 
Montgomery, Meidroth HRs, Baldwin, Tauchman RBI doubles lead White Sox past Twins 6-5
Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth homered and Brooks Baldwin and Mike Tauchman hit consecutive run-scoring doubles as the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5. 
A California judge rules that Trump’s deployment of the guard to LA was illegal
President Trump took control of the state's National Guard in June and deployed it to Los Angeles to face anti-immigration protestors and assist officers making detentions and deportations.
How one Canadian’s misplaced signature caused a diplomatic incident at the end of WWII
On Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese and the Allies gathered to mark the official end of WWII. The process went smoothly until Col. Lawrence Cosgrave signed his name on the wrong line.
Many school districts across the state are back in session after summer break. And for many students and parents, there may be fear and anxiety related to last week’s school shooting in Minneapolis.
Media outlets demand Israel grant access to Gaza, halt attacks on journalists there
More than 250 news outlets around the world have signed onto an appeal that calls for the protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza, and for press to have independent access to the territory.
Afghanistan earthquake death toll passes 1,400, says Taliban government spokesman
The death toll from a major earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has passed 1,400, a Taliban government spokesman said. Rescuers were in a race against time on Tuesday to access the mountainous area hit by the powerful 6.0 quake.
Minnesota Lynx top Dallas Wings 96-71, begin prep for postseason run with Phee's return
There’s four games remaining in the league’s regular season, and while the Lynx were the first team to clinch a playoff spot, the team remains committed to closing the season off strong. Monday night, the Lynx rallied against the Dallas Wings for a 96-71 win beating Minnesota-native Paige Bueckers.
St. Paul Public Schools focus on safe, welcoming start of the school year
The district has spent years developing a layered approach to school safety that’s backed by research. Gov. Walz says he wants special session to introduce gun safety measures.
Duluth college student conducts research where she got life-changing treatment
When Arden Grim of Duluth was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, her parents were told she may never walk or talk. This summer she worked as a researcher at the clinic where she went for therapy as a child that she described as “life-changing.”
Minnesota bets big on free public preschool; private child care operators watch, worry
Funding approved by the Legislature last year added 5,000 voluntary pre-kindergarten slots this fall in Minnesota schools, a 75 percent increase. While it eases the burden on families, private child care operators worry they “can’t compete with free.”