Stories from October 17, 2025

President Trump commutes the prison sentence of George Santos
The disgraced New York Republican was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a litany of federal charges, including wire fraud and identity theft.
New measles case confirmed in Rochester area, bringing state total to at least 20 in 2025
Public health officials in Olmsted County confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated child living in the Rochester area in southeastern Minnesota. It is the 20th confirmed measles case in the state so far this year.
Hamas says it will hand over the remains of an additional hostage Friday
The military wing of Hamas says it will hand over the remains of a hostage late Friday. The Qassam Brigades did not say whose remains would be handed over, only that they were pulled out earlier in the day.
Wild acquire forward Oskar Olausson from the Sharks in exchange for defenseman Kyle Masters
The Minnesota Wild have acquired forward Oskar Olausson from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Kyle Masters. Olausson will report to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League.
What we know about the devastating storm in Western Alaska
The remnant of Typhoon Halong slammed the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, an area in Western Alaska hundreds of miles from the U.S. road system. More than a thousand people are displaced.
This week brings a bumper harvest of brand new books
This week’s new titles include memoir, comics journalism and speculative fiction, horror and humor. Susan Orlean tells her own story in “Joyride,” and Pulitzer-winner Adam Johnson has a new novel.
Judge denies ex-judge’s bid to change name to ‘Judge’
A Ramsey County judge denied former Anoka County Judge John Dehen’s request to legally change his first name to “Judge,” calling the move misleading and made in bad faith.
MPR News encuestó a candidatos de contiendas locales y estatales para conocer sus antecedentes e intereses para el cargo al que se postulan. Los votantes de Minnesota pueden usar nuestra herramienta "Prepara tu boleta electoral" para obtener información sobre los candidatos en su área.
Dinkytown residents look for fresh, affordable grocery options
A survey conducted by the university’s Undergraduate Student Government found that nearly 83 percent of students delayed getting groceries in the last month because they do not have access to a fresh grocery store.  
Politics Friday: St. Paul mayoral candidates lay out their visions for Minnesota's capital city
Three candidates for St. Paul mayor discuss key issues in a MPR News and Pioneer Press debate. Incumbent Melvin Carter, state Rep. Kaohly Her and scientist Yan Chen address city spending, taxes, amenities and public safety.
‘No Kings’ organizers project a massive turnout for this weekend’s protests
Organizers say they expect millions of Americans will march this weekend against the policies of the Trump administration. The protests come amid National Guard deployments in several cities.
Talking Volumes: Misty Copeland on ballet, ‘Bunheads’ and what comes next
Misty Copeland is one of the most well-known ballerinas in the world. She officially retires from the stage this fall, but she’s excited for what comes next, as she told Kerri Miller last month at Talking Volumes.
Ahead of Zelenskyy meeting, Trump shows signs he might not be ready to send Kyiv Tomahawk missiles
President Donald Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks at the White House on Friday. The U.S. leader is signaling he’s not ready to agree to sell Kyiv a long-range missile system that the Ukrainians say they desperately need. 
Morning Announcements for Oct. 17
These are the Morning Announcements for Friday, Oct. 17. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Trump ties crime with immigration, blurring the lines with Guard deployment
As President Trump pushes to get National Guard troops patrolling American cities, his administration has, in effect, blurred the lines between the military, traditional law enforcement and immigration enforcement.
Sexual assaults and carjackings each rose about five percent in Minnesota last year while other violent crimes fell slightly or remained flat. Newly-complied statistics from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension show that there were nearly 22-hundred reported rapes statewide last year. Three-quarters occurred in a home and 40 percent of the victims were minors.
Warm Friday ahead of a cool front with spotty showers
A cool front associated with the latest low pressure area to our north will swing through Friday, touching off spotty showers and keeping things warm ahead of it. 
Independent dispensaries drown as recreational cannabis supply shortage drags on
With limited options to buy cannabis, small business owners running licensed cannabis dispensaries in Minnesota are left in limbo about when they can get recreational product on their shelves. One shop owner says he may have to close before he can sell.