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Stories from December 16, 2025

Walz signs gun policy executive orders

One order establishes a statewide safety council to develop an action plan to prevent mass shootings and other violence. The council will make policy and funding recommendations to the governor. The other order promotes safe firearm storage and authorizes the state to collect data from insurance companies on claims involving firearms for data analysis.
by Emily Reese

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Winter storm watches for most of northern Minnesota

Winter storm watches for most of northern Minnesota

A powerful winter storm brings high winds and heavy snow to the north. Windy with rain to light snow in the Twin Cities and the south.
by Paul Huttner

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Prosecutors will charge Rob Reiner’s son Nick with 2 counts of murder in killing of his parents

Prosecutors will charge Rob Reiner’s son Nick with 2 counts of murder in killing of his parents

Prosecutors say Rob Reiner’s son Nick Reiner will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges against 32-year-old Nick Reiner at a news conference on Tuesday
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota attorney general announces settlement with Kia and Hyundai over stolen vehicles

Minnesota attorney general announces settlement with Kia and Hyundai over stolen vehicles

Owners of several Kia and Hyundai models will be eligible for free anti-theft hardware upgrades in the new year, following a lawsuit settlement between the automakers and several states, including Minnesota. 
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Thaw! Temps top 50 Tuesday in parts of Minnesota

Thaw! Temps top 50 Tuesday in parts of Minnesota

Temperatures near 50 degrees all the way to the Canadian border Tuesday afternoon. Colder air and a wintry storm system moves in Wednesday into Thursday.
by Paul Huttner

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State agricultural mental health specialists support farmers under rising economic strain

State agricultural mental health specialists support farmers under rising economic strain

Farmers are facing rising stress tied to economic pressure, driving an increase in calls to agricultural mental health hotlines. A Minnesota mental health specialist described how her work is helping meet that growing need.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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Twin Cities nonprofits land funding from OpenAI’s new philanthropic arm

Twin Cities nonprofits land funding from OpenAI’s new philanthropic arm

The nonprofit arm of OpenAI pledged more than $40 million to organizations nationwide, with some of that funding headed to Minnesota. Merrick Community Services in St. Paul says the grant will support its core social service work.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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'Battle of the cold': Tensions rising two weeks into ICE surge in Minnesota

'Battle of the cold': Tensions rising two weeks into ICE surge in Minnesota

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports that 400 arrests have been made in the state since the operation started on Dec. 1. It’s not clear when it will wind down. Meanwhile, tensions have been rising between activists and ICE agents on the streets of the Twin Cities.
by Jon Collins

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Stymied by the Legislature on gun regulation, Walz tries executive orders

Stymied by the Legislature on gun regulation, Walz tries executive orders

Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday took some modest steps on guns through executive measures after being unable to muster legislative support to pass restrictions on firearms and ammunition.
by Peter Cox

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'It's hurting people': Minneapolis city official suggests alternatives to property tax increases

'It's hurting people': Minneapolis city official suggests alternatives to property tax increases

Property taxes are on the rise as commercial values decline in downtown areas, shifting the financial burden to homeowners. Steve Brandt, president of the Minneapolis Board of Estimation and Taxation, said increases property taxes every year is not sustainable and offered alternatives.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Trump designates street fentanyl as WMD, escalating militarization of drug war

Trump designates street fentanyl as WMD, escalating militarization of drug war

Trump has already declared the drug cartels terrorist organizations and ordered military strikes against suspected drug boats. Now he's declaring fentanyl a WMD. Experts on street drugs and fentanyl are skeptical these moves will reduce the supply of fentanyl on America's streets or reduce overdose deaths.
by Brian Mann

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Social worker shares resources for families affected by Stewartville shooting

Social worker shares resources for families affected by Stewartville shooting

Heather Geerts, director of clinical services at Zumbro Valley Health Services, joined Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Tuesday to talk about supporting the Stewartville community in the wake of a tragedy.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Morning Announcements for Dec. 16

Morning Announcements for Dec. 16

These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, Dec. 16. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Finding joy and community in amateur holiday performances

Finding joy and community in amateur holiday performances

From local Nutcrackers to community choir concerts, ‘tis the season for holiday shows put on by your friends and neighbors. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about the joy people find in amateur performing groups.
by Catharine Richert and Maja Beckstrom

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Arrest made after online threats shut some Twin Cities south suburban schools

More than a dozen schools were among those canceling classes on Tuesday after receiving threats on social media. Authorities late Tuesday said a 16-year-old had been arrested in Eagan in connection with the threats.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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2 special primary elections underway for state House seats in the Twin Cities metro

A year full of special legislative elections closes out with a pair of primaries Tuesday. In the Woodbury-Maplewood area, three DFLers are on the ballot. In St. Paul, there are six DFLers and one Republican in the running to replace Mayor-elect Kaohly Her in the state House.
by Jacob Aloi

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What are the 10 largest U.S. lottery jackpots ever won?

What are the 10 largest U.S. lottery jackpots ever won?

The Powerball jackpot is growing to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing after lottery officials said no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Monday night.
by The Associated Press

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Above freezing Tuesday followed by rain, snow late Wednesday

Above freezing Tuesday followed by rain, snow late Wednesday

Temperatures climb to into the 40s Tuesday for most of Minnesota. Our next system delivers rain and snow late Wednesday into Thursday followed by colder air.  
by Sven Sundgaard

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‘Total sadness’: Stewartville High School shooting leaves community grieving

‘Total sadness’: Stewartville High School shooting leaves community grieving

The small town of Stewartville in southeast Minnesota is grieving but trying to pull together in the aftermath of a shooting outside of the high school that left one student in critical condition and the alleged shooter dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
by Molly Castle Work and David Schaper

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