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Stories from December 31, 2025

A chilling countdown to the New Year

A chilling countdown to the New Year

A frosty start to New Year’s Eve celebrations is expected across the region. A cold weather advisory is in effect for northern Minnesota through New Year’s Day.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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U.S. House will hold hearing on fraud in Minnesota's social service programs

The U.S. House will hold a hearing on fraud in Minnesota's social service programs in early January and again in February. The Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Government will hear from three GOP state legislators from Minnesota Jan. 7. The Initiative Foundation in central Minnesota is providing financial support to Somali American nonprofit organizations facing harassment and threats. This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 
by Emily Reese

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Minnesota Now's favorite interviews of 2025

Minnesota Now's favorite interviews of 2025

In 2025, Minnesota Now spoke to more than 700 people from across the state as we covered top news and got to know our neighbors. The team picked a few of those conversations to revisit at the year's end.
by Nina Moini, Aleesa Kuznetsov, Alanna Elder, Ellen Finn and Ngoc Bui

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A look at how Minnesota child care centers receive federal funding

A look at how Minnesota child care centers receive federal funding

The federal government pause on child care funding could be detrimental to families and centers who rely on it. An industry leader says the process to disperse the money is thorough, but she’s open to changes to make sure that money gets in the hands of families who need it most.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Dozens of immigrants detained by ICE going to court to request release 

Dozens of immigrants detained by ICE going to court to request release 

ICE has released the names of a fraction of the more than 670 it has reported to have arrested during the immigration enforcement sweep that began Dec. 1. An MPR News analysis of federal court records provides a clue as to the fate of some of the detainees in an immigration system that is increasingly opaque. 
by Jon Collins

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How executive orders, ICE actions and policy changes affected Minnesota immigrants in 2025

How executive orders, ICE actions and policy changes affected Minnesota immigrants in 2025

A look at how sweeping federal immigration policy changes in 2025 affected Minnesota, from refugee resettlement and enforcement actions to court cases and community responses across the state.
by Sarah Thamer

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Minnesota Republican tries to quash conspiracy theories fueled by fraud probe

Minnesota Republican tries to quash conspiracy theories fueled by fraud probe

Some people have taken to social media to opine that Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman's assassination is somehow connected to the fraud scandal. That's led some Minnesota Republicans, including state Sen. Julia Coleman, to spend the last few days debunking the conspiracy theory.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Remembering notable Minnesotans who died in 2025

Remembering notable Minnesotans who died in 2025

From a Vikings legend to a National Geographic photographer and an inspiration for “A League of Their Own,” several notable Minnesotans died in 2025. Here’s a list.
by Gracie Stockton and Cathy Wurzer

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Flu cases are surging and rates will likely get worse, new CDC data shows

Flu cases are surging and rates will likely get worse, new CDC data shows

Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to new CDC data. The virus is spreading faster than in previous years and the surge is likely to get worse. Here's what you need to know.
by Jonathan Lambert and Gabrielle Emanuel

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Last chance New Year's events

Last chance New Year's events

From early-evening drops to late-night dance floors, here’s a last-chance roundup of New Year’s Eve events for people who waited just long enough.
by Jacob Aloi, Alex V. Cipolle and Melissa Olson

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Morning Announcements for Dec. 31

Morning Announcements for Dec. 31

These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, Dec. 31. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Minnesota child care aid freeze amid fraud probe leaves centers, parents confused

Minnesota child care aid freeze amid fraud probe leaves centers, parents confused

Minnesota child care providers say they are in the dark about how a payment freeze by federal officials will play out. The freeze affects reimbursements for care for children in lower-income families.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Power Pairs: A state senator and a superintendent both focused on serving their community

Power Pairs: A state senator and a superintendent both focused on serving their community

MPR News host Angela Davis revisits another conversation in her Power Pairs series — Laurie and Aric Putnam. She leads the school district in St. Cloud. He’s a Minnesota state senator. Both are deeply rooted in public service. 
by Angela Davis and Nikhil Kumaran

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Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from 'The Wire,' 'Veep' and Spike Lee films, dies at 71

Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from 'The Wire,' 'Veep' and Spike Lee films, dies at 71

Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. His manager confirmed he passed away Tuesday in New York after a short illness. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on “The Wire." Whitlock went to Southwest Minnesota State University, where he played football and studied theater.
by The Associated Press

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The year's first meteor shower and supermoon clash in January skies

The year's first meteor shower and supermoon clash in January skies

The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks Friday night into Saturday morning, but fewer than 10 meteors will be visible per hour due to light from Saturday's supermoon. To spot the Quadrantids, venture out in the early evening away from city lights and glimpse the fireballs before the moon crashes the party. 
by The Associated Press

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More snow showers Wednesday with falling temperatures

More snow showers Wednesday with falling temperatures

Our latest clipper system brings more snow showers Wednesday along with colder air. It’ll be a cold start to the New Year, but temperatures will be back to seasonable levels by the weekend. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Trump administration freezes child care funds to Minnesota

The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota amid accusations of fraud. And Minnesota workers gain new benefits around breaks, wages and leave policies starting this week. 
by Jacob Aloi

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In one year, Trump pivots fentanyl response from public health to drug war

In one year, Trump pivots fentanyl response from public health to drug war

Experts say Joe Biden's focus on addiction health care saved tens of thousands of lives and slowed fentanyl smuggling. Donald Trump scrapped Biden's approach in favor of military strikes.
by Brian Mann

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4 Minnesota high schoolers to march in the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena

4 Minnesota high schoolers to march in the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena

The students from Apple Valley, Rosemount and Marshall will perform Thursday with the Bands of America Rose Parade Honor Band. The band is made up of 236 high school performers from 34 states.
by Molly Castle Work

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Emmer calls for deportation of Somali Americans tied to fraud

Emmer calls for deportation of Somali Americans tied to fraud

The Republican representative from Minnesota also said naturalized U.S. citizens who committed fraud should have their citizenship revoked — even if that would require changing the law.
by Kirsti Marohn

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2025 in photos: MPR News’ top shots from its staff and freelance photojournalists

2025 in photos: MPR News’ top shots from its staff and freelance photojournalists

Each year, MPR News’ freelance and staff photographers capture moments of celebration, protest, grief and resilience. See highlights from the past year and get the perspectives of the visual journalists who captured these images.
by Kerem Yücel and MPR News Staff

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