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Stories from December 18, 2025

Former Minnesota GOP chair David Hann joins U.S. Senate race

Former Minnesota GOP chair David Hann joins U.S. Senate race

David Hann joins an increasingly crowded race on the GOP side for U.S. Senate with the possibility for other entrants in the new year. Minnesota’s seat will be open after the Democratic incumbent retires.
by Peter Cox and Dana Ferguson

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Holiday concert puts Christmas story in Latin America with centuries of music from the region

Holiday concert puts Christmas story in Latin America with centuries of music from the region

The Twin Cities choral group “Border CrosSing” will perform its annual program this weekend in Minneapolis. Members of the group joined YourClassical for a conversation and preview.
by Nina Moini, Tom Crann, Ellen Finn and Alanna Elder

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Blizzard in northwest Minnesota; ICE responds to lawsuit

The gusty winds that caused today’s blizzard conditions in northwest Minnesota also brought much colder air across the entire state. The Department of Homeland Security says federal agents have not broken the law in their treatment of observers during immigration arrests in Minnesota.
by Emily Reese

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One Minnesotan's search for a violin lost during the Holocaust

One Minnesotan's search for a violin lost during the Holocaust

After the death of her mother, Eva Neubeck went on a mission to recover a missing family heirloom: a 200-year-old violin.
by Lukas Levin

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Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug

Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. This move could ease regulations and expand medical research by shifting marijuana from a Schedule I drug, like heroin, to a Schedule III substance, similar to ketamine.
by The Associated Press

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Feds bring new charges tied to 'staggering' Minnesota Medicaid fraud

Feds bring new charges tied to 'staggering' Minnesota Medicaid fraud

Federal prosecutors on Thursday unveiled more charges in a widespread, ongoing investigation of “industrial-scale” Medicaid fraud in Minnesota that’s likely to reach into the billions of dollars.
by Matt Sepic

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Outlook for Minnesota construction industry positive, but labor and tariffs pose challenges

Outlook for Minnesota construction industry positive, but labor and tariffs pose challenges

A survey by the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota finds 2026 looks to be steady, though there is some apprehension about technology’s role in the industry.
by Nina Moini and Ngoc Bui

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Multiple deaths reported in North Carolina crash of business jet connected to retired NASCAR driver

Multiple deaths reported in North Carolina crash of business jet connected to retired NASCAR driver

A business jet has crashed at a regional airport in North Carolina, erupting in a large fire and killing multiple people. Authorities say the Cessna C550 crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
by The Associated Press

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Winter blast ahead: Strong winds, accumulating snow and freezing temperatures

Winter blast ahead: Strong winds, accumulating snow and freezing temperatures

Multiple weather hazards are impacting the region this afternoon, with blizzard and winter storm warnings in effect alongside winter weather advisories. Expect strong winds, blowing snow and rapidly falling temperatures.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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From prison to Ph.D. and now a pardon: Hamline professor Jason Sole shares his story

From prison to Ph.D. and now a pardon: Hamline professor Jason Sole shares his story

A Hamline professor has been fighting for more than a decade to clear his name from the criminal convictions he received as a young man. On Wednesday, he received that clemency.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Ramsey County prosecutors will not charge St. Paul officers in fatal shooting

Ramsey County prosecutors will not charge St. Paul officers in fatal shooting

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office says it will not bring criminal charges against two St. Paul police officers involved in a fatal shooting in November 2024. Prosecutors say they believe the the use of force was justified, as the man allegedly pointed a gun at officers.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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From shorebirds to songbirds: Understanding Great Lakes birds

From shorebirds to songbirds: Understanding Great Lakes birds

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with the co-founder of Wisconsin’s BIPOC Birding Club, who is also the author of a new book, “Birds of the Great Lakes.”
by Catharine Richert and Cari Dwyer

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ICE is reopening shuttered prisons as detention centers. Many have a troubled past

ICE is reopening shuttered prisons as detention centers. Many have a troubled past

In its push for more immigrant detention space, the Trump administration is reopening shuttered prisons in several states. Many of these facilities, closed amid allegations of abuse and mismanagement.
by Meg Anderson

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6 Minnesotans are suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Six Minnesotans are suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging that federal agents violated their rights while they were observing immigration arrests. The ACLU and several law firms filed the lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of the plaintiffs. They say federal agents detained or threatened people who were not breaking any laws.
by Emily Bright

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Highways closed as blizzard conditions sweep into parts of Minnesota

Highways closed as blizzard conditions sweep into parts of Minnesota

Authorities closed highways across parts of the Red River Valley on Thursday as blizzard conditions swept into the region. The treacherous travel conditions spread east across Minnesota through the day.
by Andrew Krueger and Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval

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Winter wallop: Falling temps, gusty winds and snow showers

Winter wallop: Falling temps, gusty winds and snow showers

A winter reality check is here. Temperatures will fall with gusty winds Thursday. We’ll see scattered snow showers also.
by Sven Sundgaard

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How is ICE enforcement affecting child care? 5 questions, answered

How is ICE enforcement affecting child care? 5 questions, answered

Tensions remain high in Minnesota’s Somali community as federal immigration agents continue their two-week surge in the Twin Cities, and it's impacting young children and their caregivers.
by Kyra Miles

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Onset of Minnesota paid family and medical leave program viewed as new type of safety net

Onset of Minnesota paid family and medical leave program viewed as new type of safety net

Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program launches with the new year. Thousands are preparing to tap the benefits that will offer three-quarters of Minnesota workers more benefits than they have now.
by Dana Ferguson

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Online posts allege a ‘cover up’ at the U, but officials say they wanted to protect student privacy

Online posts allege a ‘cover up’ at the U, but officials say they wanted to protect student privacy

Viral social media posts stoked fears that the University of Minnesota was hiding information about a student incident. A university spokesperson said leaders didn’t share more information because it was protecting student privacy.
by Feven Gerezgiher

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Help me give back during the holidays

Help me give back during the holidays

The holiday season for many is about giving gifts to family and friends. But sometimes the spirit of giving back can be overshadowed by all the ads and sales. In this Professional Help, we’ll have tips on how you can prioritize generosity.
by Alanna Elder

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Winter storm on its way to Minnesota

A winter storm will bring accumulating snow, gusty winds and possibly blizzard conditions to parts of Minnesota over the next 24 hours.
by Emily Reese

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