Stories from October 7, 2025

White House floats no back pay for some furloughed federal workers despite 2019 law
A new draft White House memo suggests a 2019 law signed by President Trump that guarantees that federal employees get paid after a shutdown ends would not apply to furloughed workers.
Bipartisan U.S. governors' group faces division over Trump's deployment of troops to states
The Democratic governors of California and Illinois are threatening to leave the National Governors Association because of its silence on President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops across state lines despite objections from the receiving states’ leaders.
The government shutdown is snarling air travel. Officials say it could get worse
A dozen facilities saw air traffic control shortages on Monday, delaying flights at several airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed “a slight tick-up in sick calls” due to the shutdown.
Some school board members urge Minnesota to comply with Trump transgender order
More than 40 school board members from districts across the state are calling on Minnesota to comply with a recent federal finding that the state’s policy letting transgender student athletes compete on teams consistent with their gender identity is a civil rights violation. 
Build Your Ballot 2025: What will you be voting on?
MPR News surveyed candidates in local and state races to hear about their background and interest in the office they are running for. Voters in Minnesota can use our Build Your Ballot tool to get information about the candidates in their area.
Tonight could be the coldest night of the fall so far across much of the region. And a former Minnesota Republican consultant and donor will not have his sex trafficking conviction reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
'Not one way' Jewish college students are experiencing the war, local rabbi says
Oct. 7 is a difficult day for many in the Jewish community. Two years after the beginning of the war in Gaza, Rabbi Jill Avrin is working with Jewish students to bridge divides across political beliefs.
New novel shows destruction of Rondo neighborhood through the eyes of a young girl
Decades after Interstate 94 construction destroyed her grandparents’ house in the 1960s, writer Debra J. Stone wrote about a young girl who grapples with the displacement and destruction of her historically Black neighborhood.
Minnesota’s Norwegian history: A primer as the crown prince visits
In preparation for the prince’s visit, a professor provides a primer, or perhaps a refresher, on Norwegian history in Minnesota. Visiting assistant professor of Norwegian at St. Olaf College Caitlin Sackrison spoke to Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Tuesday.
New books this week: Thomas Pynchon’s first novel in 12 years, and much more
In addition to Pynchon’s “Shadow Ticket,” this week's releases include a new memoir from “Dopesick” author Beth Macy, and a coming-of-age story from former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo.
Trump talks 'love' and 'conflict' with Carney during Canadian prime minister's visit
President Donald Trump is describing the relationship between the United States and Canada as having “mutual love” but also “natural conflict.” On Tuesday, he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office.
Expert: Soybean bailout doesn't make up for loss of demand for Minnesota farmers
The soybean harvest is underway in Minnesota. The bean’s biggest buyer, China, isn’t buying them. The Trump administration is expected to announce a significant bailout package to help make up the loss.
How The Current shapes Minnesota's music scene
For 20 years, The Current has been Minnesota’s music heartbeat — boosting local talent and introducing fresh sounds on the radio. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and her guests pull back the curtain on the station’s sound and how it all comes together.
Interest in women’s sports is growing. Here’s how some women-owned companies are responding
Laura Youngson has made a significant impact by addressing inequality in sports for women and girls. In 2017, she organized a high-altitude soccer match on Mount Kilimanjaro, highlighting the issue. 
School board members from 40 districts across Minnesota are urging state officials to comply with a recent Title IX ruling from the Trump administration. Last week, the Trump administration determined that Minnesota is in violation of Title IX due to a policy that lets transgender student athletes compete in sports consistent with their gender identity.
Trump’s power to deploy National Guard, explained
President Trump is bucking tradition and legal precedent in pushing to deploy the National Guard to Democratic-led cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago due to what he says is rampant crime and to support his crackdown on illegal immigration.
The Nobel Prize for physics is awarded for discoveries in quantum mechanical tunneling
The Nobel committee said that the laureates' work provides opportunities to develop "the next generation of quantum technology, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors."
Bondi set to give testimony to Congress at first hearing since Comey indictment
Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before a Senate panel Tuesday amid mounting concerns that the DOJ under her leadership is being weaponized to go after President Trump's perceived enemies.
Supreme Court seems skeptical about state bans on 'conversion therapy' for LBGTQ+ kids
A majority of Supreme Court justices seem to be leaning in favor of a Christian counselor who is challenging bans on LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy” for kids as a violation of her First Amendment rights. 
Massive Duluth freeway interchange project nearly finished, replacing 'Can of Worms'
A $435 million, 5-year project that redesigned the interchange known to Duluth drivers as the “Can of Worms,” where three major highways come together, is expected to open later this month.
Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon visits Minnesota to highlight close ties
Crown Prince Haakon — heir to the throne of Norway — took part in a series of events in the Twin Cities on Tuesday. That included a stop at Norway House in Minneapolis and a meeting with Gov. Tim Walz at the State Capitol in St. Paul.
Meet some of the immigrant-owned businesses bringing global flavors to Richfield
Minnesota’s immigrant-owned businesses are central to the state’s economy. In Richfield — a suburb just south of Minneapolis — entrepreneurs from around the world are shaping the city’s food and shopping scene. 
Solar and wind power has grown faster than electricity demand this year, report says
Worldwide solar and wind power generation has outpaced electricity demand this year, and for the first time on record, renewable energies combined generated more power than coal, according to a new analysis.