Stories from October 28, 2025

Speaking in Minnesota, former EPA leader says clashes between farm groups and environmentalists are unnecessary
Michael Regan was the EPA administrator under President Biden, who signed legislation encouraging private and public investment in clean energy.
Economist: Target layoffs are 'reflection of how consumers feel about the economy'
According to WARN notices provided to the state of Minnesota, the layoffs include at least 500 employees at its downtown headquarters and 287 employees at its Brooklyn Park offices.
Hundreds of Target corporate employees in the Twin Cities received layoff notices today, part of previously announced plans by the retailer to streamline its operations. And Minneapolis Public Schools educators announced overnight that they've voted to authorize a strike, as contract negotiations stall.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says an assistant principal in the Osseo school district sexually harassed a fourth-grade student. The agency is requiring the district to pay the student more than $61,000 and apologize.
Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel and Hamas exchange fire and blame
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the army to carry out “powerful strikes” in Gaza. This decision comes after an Israeli official reported that Hamas fired on Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Hamas has delayed handing over another hostage’s body in response to Israel’s planned strikes.
 Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history. Melissa made landfall Tuesday in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with estimated maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. 
UnitedHealth tops 3Q forecasts as it resets coverage prices to deal with rising costs
UnitedHealth has returned to better-than-expected growth after starting the year swamped by medical costs and withdrawing its forecast for 2025. Leaders of the health care giant say care use is now climbing at rates they expected, and the company envisions annual growth next year that accelerates in 2027.
The new $50M Literary Arts Fund will support independent publishers and nonprofits
A coalition of seven charitable foundations has established a Literary Arts Fund to support independent publishers and nonprofit organizations. The fund will distribute at least $50 million in grants over the next five years.
Amazon lays off thousands of corporate workers as it spends big on AI
Amazon has faced pressure from investors to tighten its finances as it spends big on the AI race. The company says it will cut 14,000 jobs, citing a goal of "reducing bureaucracy, removing layers."
Understanding the 2025 government shutdown: Causes, impact and what's next
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a political scientist about the federal government shutdown — how we got here, how the shutdown is affecting people and what it reveals about the balance of power in Washington.
Employees at Target’s Minneapolis headquarters are learning more Tuesday about expected layoffs. The company is cutting about 1,800 corporate jobs in an effort to streamline operations. Next week, voters in two Senate districts will fill two vacancies and possibly flip control of the chamber.
Minneapolis teachers vote to authorize strike
The vote outcome does not mean a strike has been called by Minneapolis teachers. If the union chooses to move ahead with a work stoppage, it would need to announce a strike date with at least 10 days’ notice to the district.
Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards for at least a week due to a hamstring strain
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will miss at least a week due to a strained right hamstring. He was sidelined in the opening minutes of Sunday's game against Indiana.
Target cutting 800 jobs across Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, raising concerns about broader economic slowdown
Target is undergoing a corporate restructuring that includes layoffs concentrated in its downtown Minneapolis headquarters where it employs some 7,000 people. 
Funding for Minnesota Head Start programs at risk as federal shutdown continues
If the federal government shutdown continues into November, four large Head Start early childhood education programs in Minnesota likely won't receive the funding they need to operate.
Pair of Minnesota Senate elections will decide chamber control, set tone for 2026 campaigns
Contests in Woodbury and Wright County will restore the Senate to its full complement next week. The result could flip control of the chamber, and campaign messaging could carry through to 2026 when all 201 legislative seats are on the ballot.
How to help Minnesotans set to lose SNAP benefits — and how to get help
Local food shelves are already facing strains and because of the federal shutdown, and state officials say there is not enough federal funding for SNAP to offer money to Minnesota participants for November.
In Minnesota and Washington, debate over health care subsidies continues as shutdown drags on
As the federal government shutdown drags on with no end in sight, the debate over whether to extend federal health insurance subsidies continues to play a central role in the impasse — including in Minnesota.