Stories from December 12, 2025

Minneapolis council passes ‘humane’ encampment policy but mayor veto threat looms
The ordinance codifies the city’s obligation to provide sanitation and health resources at encampments. Prior to its passing, the city’s only policy for encampment response allowed police to break up camps before they formed.
Siberian Express: Subzero weekend ahead
The season’s coldest air mass so far blows into Minnesota this weekend. Temperatures will bottom out Sunday morning between minus 15 to minus 30 degrees.
A Stewartville high school student is in critical condition after being shot outside the school early this morning. And Minnesota fraud investigations are piling up as the Department of Human Services is more aggressively examining possible abuses.
Reappointments reinforce Fed independence — for now
The Fed reappointed Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and other regional presidents, easing fears the Trump administration would reshape monetary policy.
House Democrats release photos of Trump, Clinton and Andrew from Epstein's estate
The White House is accusing Democrats who released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate of “cherry-picking photos" to create a false narrative about President Donald Trump. House Democrats on Friday released photos including some of Trump, Bill Clinton and the former Prince Andrew.
Trump administration says sign language services 'intrude' on Trump's ability to control his image
The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public.” This stance is part of a lawsuit filed by the National Association for the Deaf, which claims the lack of ASL interpretation denies deaf Americans access to important communications.
December theme seems to be 'Let It Snow'
Two weeks into December, Minnesota is blanketed in snow, and some climate station are reporting totals above a foot.
Street reconstruction approved for George Floyd Square, after years of debate
Street reconstruction is slated to start at George Floyd Square next year, after years of debate over how best to memorialize the intersection where a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd in 2020.
Morning Announcements for Dec. 12
These are the Morning Announcements for Friday, Dec. 12. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Economic shifts affecting holiday shopping in Indian Country
How can Indigenous artists and small businesses can stay afloat and stand out among a declining economy and lower than normal holiday shopping trends?
Blast of bitter cold on the way: Here's how to prepare
Temperatures are set to plunge this weekend so it’s important to understand the language of weather alerts and prepare for the bitter blast ahead. Here’s a primer.
Looking for a chill? 'The Unveiling' is spooky, discomforting literary horror
There is no comfort or closure in Quan Barry’s latest novel, “The Unveiling,” which follows a group of tourists who get stranded off the coast of Antarctica after a kayaking expedition goes dreadfully wrong.
Walz taps new official to head off fraud, takes other steps to address lapses
With proven or alleged fraud shaking multiple Minnesota-managed programs, Gov. Tim Walz is appointing a new official in an effort to stop future abuses. Public frustration with fraud is a political liability for the two-term DFL governor.
Johansson scores 2, Boldy has goal and assist in Wild’s 5-2 win to snap Stars’ 11-game point streak
Marcus Johansson scored twice, Matt Boldy had a goal and two assists, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 5-2. Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and an assist, Zach Bogosian also scored, and Vladimir Tarasenko had two assists as Minnesota won its second straight after a two-game skid that followed its 12-game point streak (10-0-2). 
Shooting in Stewartville school parking lot leaves one dead, student in critical condition
An early morning shooting in the parking lot of Stewartville High School in southeast Minnesota left one student in critical condition and a man dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.
Trial starts for a Wisconsin judge accused of obstructing ICE
Was Judge Hannah Dugan trying to obstruct a proceeding or trying to run her courtroom when ICE agents came to arrest an undocumented immigrant? A federal jury will decide
Very frigid weekend ahead; milder next week
We’ve had more snowfall this week and now we’re in for some very frigid air. Wind chills will be 20 to 40 below zero Friday night into Saturday night. Warmer air arrives next week. 
Trump’s EPA wants to narrow the scope of federal water protections. What does that mean in Minnesota?
Environmental advocates say the proposal could lead to increased pollution and destruction of wetlands that provide valuable benefits, including flood protection and wildlife habitat.
AI tool may improve flood forecasting for Mississippi and other rivers
A new forecast model that uses AI could improve flood predictions for rivers like the Mississippi. Zac McEachran, a research hydrologist from the University of Minnesota, explains the model.
‘Reminded of what we’ve lost’: Hortman tribute will be reminder to deescalate Capitol rhetoric
A display outside the Minnesota House of Representatives and at the late House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman’s desk cropped up in the wake of her assassination. Legislative leaders have decided it should remain as a reminder of the impact of political violence.
FBI: Man, woman drive to police station with Homeland Security agent trapped in vehicle
A man and a woman are facing charges of assaulting a federal officer after Homeland Security Investigations agents tried to arrest the man Wednesday for overstaying his student visa. The pair drove to police headquarters with the HSI agent “involuntarily” in Frazier’s vehicle.