Stories from December 26, 2025

Fog before the forties; brief weekend warmup
A brief weekend warmup will push temperatures into the 40s before a sharp cooldown arrives Sunday. The associated cold front will bring a slight chance of snow, mainly across eastern Minnesota.
Very mild temperatures persist through Saturday with falling temps Sunday as arctic air moves in, producing some snow showers. Hundreds gather in Mankato today to honor 38 Dakota men hanged there 163 years ago.
A journey of ceremony and prayer honors Dakota women who witnessed 1862 executions
Dakota Omani, a journey from Morton to Mankato, honors the Dakota women who witnessed the 1862 Dakota 38 hangings. This year, the names of the 17 Dakota women were read aloud alongside the men’s names at Land of Memories Park.
When a loved one dies, where do they go? A new kids’ book suggests ‘They Walk On’
After his mom died, “Fry Bread” author Kevin Maillard found himself wondering, “but where did she go?” So he wrote about it. His new kids’ book is “And They Walk On,” illustrated by Rafael López.
Hunker down with these 13 mysteries and thrillers from 2025
Mysteries and thrillers are enjoyable no matter the season, but there’s something extra satisfying about curling up in the winter with a warm drink and an all-engrossing read. Here’s what we suggest.
Marijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time
President Donald Trump set the process in motion to ease federal restrictions on marijuana. But his order doesn't automatically revoke laws targeting marijuana, which remains illegal to transport over state lines.
What I saw at a maternity ward in Kenya after the U.S. cut off food and foreign aid
In Kakuma, Kenya, a maternity ward is facing a crisis as cuts to U.S. foreign aid and food support leave pregnant women malnourished and struggling to care for underweight newborns. The reduction of World Food Program funding has worsened health conditions in the camp and strained already limited resources.
The best and most surprising Big Book shows of 2025, part one
Go behind the scenes with Big Books host Kerri Miller and producer Kelly Gordon as they choose their favorite and most surprising shows of the last 12 months.
Year in review: Minnesota's weather highs and lows
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley goes over the extreme weather swings over the course of the year.
Morning Announcements for Dec. 26
These are the Morning Announcements for Friday, Dec. 26. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Minnesota is center of the hockey universe as World Juniors tournament begins
The puck drops Friday on the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship, taking place in the Twin Cities. Ten countries have sent teams to Minnesota, including some of the best under-20 men’s hockey players in the world.
Why do airline computer systems fail? What the industry can learn from meltdowns
Alaska Airlines is the latest airline to ground its planes because of an IT meltdown. We talked to industry leaders about why these systems fail, and what airlines can learn from past disruptions.
Minnesota looks to stretch bowl winning streak to 9 when it faces New Mexico in Rate Bowl
 In an era of bowl opt outs, Minnesota still finds plenty of reasons to embrace the postseason experience, even when the chase for a national championship ended long ago. The Gophers are pretty good at it, too, heading into Friday’s Rate Bowl against New Mexico on an eight-game bowl winning streak.
Very mild Friday, Saturday with falling temps Sunday
Very mild temperatures persist through Saturday with falling temps Sunday as arctic air moves in, producing some snow showers also. 
As Rochester’s chess scene grows, one high school team is eyeing another statewide title
Over the last two decades, Rochester's youth chess scene has grown, with the city's high school teams earning champion status at eight statewide tournaments. One of them, Century High School, is hoping to repeat as a state champion in 2026.
‘Somewhere’ at the Guthrie explores family tensions through drama and dance
In Matthew Lopez’s “Somewhere,” now onstage at the Guthrie Theater, dance takes the place of song to tell the story of a Puerto Rican family fighting to preserve art, identity and home as their 1950s New York neighborhood is erased.
‘A family reunion of artists’: Minnesota Anishinaabe artists showcased in Detroit and beyond
A major exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts brings together more than 60 Anishinaabe artists, including over 15 from Minnesota, in a rare, large-scale celebration of contemporary Native art.
Vikings beat Lions 23-10 with six turnovers
The Detroit Lions have gifted the division rival Green Bay Packers a spot in the playoffs.
Trump says U.S. struck Islamic State targets in Nigeria after group targeted Christians
President Donald Trump said Thursday night that he’d launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after he spent weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians.