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Stories from January 6, 2026

Politics Friday Special: Walz gives deeper explanation about decision to abandon bid for third term

Politics Friday Special: Walz gives deeper explanation about decision to abandon bid for third term

In a major political shakeup, Gov. Tim Walz took himself out of the running for a third term as governor. The next day, a fiery Walz took questions about his final year in office.
by Clay Masters, Brian Bakst, Matthew Alvarez and Jeff Jones

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Governor unbound: Freed from reelection niceties, Walz comes out swinging at Trump, GOP

Governor unbound: Freed from reelection niceties, Walz comes out swinging at Trump, GOP

A day after announcing he’d end his bid for reelection, Gov. Tim Walz ripped President Trump, said he’d spend his last year in office working to “protect the well-being of Minnesotans” and told local GOP lawmakers to “put up or shut up” on helping the state.
by Dana Ferguson

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Ice, snow system trending north toward Twin Cities late Thursday

Ice, snow system trending north toward Twin Cities late Thursday

Some forecast models show a more northward trend for a possible rain, ice, and snow system late Thursday. If that happens it could bring wintry precipitation into the Twin Cities area late Thursday.
by Paul Huttner

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Gov. Walz speaks about end to reelection bid; Capitol security update

Gov. Tim Walz spoke to reporters today about his decision to drop his reelection bid. The decision came amid attacks from the federal government over his handling of fraud in the state. And a Capitol area security panel will meet tomorrow to consider new rules that could improve public safety on the campus.
by Kelly Bleyer

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Minnesotan Margie Freed making her Olympic debut in biathlon

Minnesotan Margie Freed making her Olympic debut in biathlon

The Apple Valley native has only been competing in biathlon for a little over a year. Freed hopes to be the first person in Team USA history to medal in the sport.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Put these 12 eye-opening books on your 2026 reading list

Put these 12 eye-opening books on your 2026 reading list

Want to learn something new in the new year? Check out these deep-dive books from 2025 — nonfiction that will lead you to fresh discoveries about big tech, true crime and the ground beneath our feet.
by Ivy Buck

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New state law looks to prevent financial scams on vulnerable adults

New state law looks to prevent financial scams on vulnerable adults

Data from the Minnesota Department of Human Services shows that there’s a steady rise over three years in reports of maltreatment toward adults who have difficulty caring for themselves.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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January thaw ahead, then colder with some snow late this week

January thaw ahead, then colder with some snow late this week

Milder temperatures ahead by Wednesday afternoon. A storm system will likely bring accumulating snow to southeast Minnesota Thursday into Friday.
by Paul Huttner

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'Recovering' politician Dean Phillips: Walz right to abandon third term, time for new leaders

'Recovering' politician Dean Phillips: Walz right to abandon third term, time for new leaders

Former Democratic presidential candidate and Minnesota’s former U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips was among the first to call for the party to find fresh leadership, loudly raising the point during President Joe Biden’s failed attempt at another four years in the White House.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Demuth presses her case for 'different leadership' in Minnesota governor’s race

Demuth presses her case for 'different leadership' in Minnesota governor’s race

As U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar mulls a gubernatorial run, her potential challengers are mulling whether they should change lanes and try for a different office if she enters the race.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Trump administration freezes child care funding amid fraud claims: Impacts on families, providers, and politics

Trump administration freezes child care funding amid fraud claims: Impacts on families, providers, and politics

The Trump administration announced last week it’s freezing federal child care funding nationwide amid allegations of fraud in Minnesota. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about how the funding freeze could affect children, families, day care providers and Minnesota politics.
by Catharine Richert and Cari Dwyer

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Unrivaled’s second season provides key gathering place for WNBA players during CBA negotiations

Unrivaled’s second season provides key gathering place for WNBA players during CBA negotiations

Napheesa Collier sat on the bench at Sephora Arena laughing with her Unrivaled teammate Skylar Diggins moments before tipoff between the Lunar Owls and Rose BC. It was a tiny glimpse of what Unrivaled provided star WNBA players in Year 1: high-level competition and camaraderie while offering an arena for players to sharpen their skills ahead of the WNBA season. 
by The Associated Press

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Corporation for Public Broadcasting votes itself out of existence

Corporation for Public Broadcasting votes itself out of existence

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting's directors voted the organization out of business Monday. The private agency, which has distributed federal funding to PBS, NPR and hundreds of local television and radio stations across the country for more than a half-century, saw its appropriations from Congress eliminated this past summer.
by The Associated Press

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Anoka-Hennepin school district and teachers union attempts to settle contract before strike

Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he's ending his bid for reelection. Republican candidates for governor and Republican party leaders applauded Walz’s decision not to run again, but quickly criticized any Democrat who might step into his place.
by Jacob Aloi

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As 2026 begins, Minnesotans offer mixed takes on the economy

As 2026 begins, Minnesotans offer mixed takes on the economy

Minnesotans’ economic pictures are a mixed bag at the start of the year, with some experiencing rising costs and shrinking savings, while others are enjoying a strong stock market.
by Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval

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Messy, icy start to Tuesday with a mix of freezing rain and rain

Messy, icy start to Tuesday with a mix of freezing rain and rain

A messy start to Tuesday is underway across Minnesota and western Wisconsin as freezing rain and rain combine with dense and freezing fog, reducing visibility and creating slick travel conditions.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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Slushy, slippery roads cause some Minnesota school districts to delay or cancel classes

Slushy, slippery roads cause some Minnesota school districts to delay or cancel classes

The slippery conditions — with temperatures hovering right around freezing in the Twin Cities — prompted some school districts to cancel or delay the start of classes. Find a list of those schools below.
by Andrew Krueger

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From sadness to relief, reaction to Walz announcement reverberates across Minnesota

From sadness to relief, reaction to Walz announcement reverberates across Minnesota

Reaction to the governor’s decision to end his campaign for a third term ranged from sadness and disappointment among his supporters, to support for the move in the wake of the state’s growing fraud problem.
by Dan Kraker

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Republican leader reacts to Walz exit from Minnesota governor's race

Republican leader reacts to Walz exit from Minnesota governor's race

MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to end his bid for a third term.
by Lukas Levin, Clay Masters and Matthew Alvarez

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Reshuffled Minnesota governor’s race after Walz exit will pose challenges for both parties

Reshuffled Minnesota governor’s race after Walz exit will pose challenges for both parties

Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to not seek reelection will cause both parties to recalibrate their approaches to candidates in a suddenly open race. On Tuesday, a defiant Walz said, “I’m not going anywhere,” as he talked about plans for the last 12 months of his term.
by Dana Ferguson

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Special coverage: Gov. Walz drops bid for 3rd term, initial reactions

Special coverage: Gov. Walz drops bid for 3rd term, initial reactions

Political scientist Larry Jacobs, politics professor David Schultz and Minnesota DFL party chair Richard Carlbom joined Morning Edition with their initial reactions and analysis.
by Cathy Wurzer, Brian Bakst, Gracie Stockton and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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