Stories from January 22, 2026

Independent autopsy outlines Renee Good’s gunshot wounds
A law firm representing the family of Renee Macklin Good, the 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, released findings of an independent autopsy on Wednesday. The autopsy identified three gunshot wounds, including a fatal wound to the head.
Extreme cold warning: Coldest air mass in 7 years for much of Minnesota
An extremely cold arctic air mass is pouring south into Minnesota into the upcoming weekend. This could be the coldest air in seven years for much of Minnesota.
How a program trains residents to take action on climate
Community Climate Leaders program overseer Christy Marsden explains how the community members can learn about climate change.
Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen made their first appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon after being arrested for disrupting a St. Paul church service Sunday as activists protested a pastor at the church who works for ICE.
Struggling Lake Street businesses prepare for statewide economic blackout
The Lake Street Council’s director of operations outlined the challenges some businesses are facing ahead of what’s being called a “general strike” scheduled for Friday.
Vice President JD Vance met with local leaders and ICE personnel in Minneapolis today and says more cooperation could calm tensions. Federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis may continue indefinitely, according to Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who spoke at a press conference today.
Central Minnesota nonprofit leader working to get her brother released from detention
The brother of an immigrant advocate in central Minnesota was arrested by ICE and sent to a detention center in El Paso, Texas. He has no criminal record besides minor traffic violations.
Vice President JD Vance talks in Minnesota, calls for cooperation
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday called for more cooperation with state, local and federal officials as a way to “tone down the temperature a little bit but still enforce the nation’s immigration laws.” 
Latest DEED report finds ‘solid’ labor market amid ‘flat’ job growth in December for the state
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says job growth in the state between November and December in the state was largely flat, and the unemployment ticked up slightly to 4.1 percent last month.
Minnesota abortion opponents express conflicted views on ICE at rally
At Minnesota’s March for Life rally, people reflected on whether their anti-abortion rights beliefs also apply to immigrants amid heightened ICE enforcement in the state.
BCA says feds not cooperating in state probe of man shot in the leg by ICE agent
The Minneapolis police had asked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate the Jan. 14 shooting outside a house in Minneapolis. In a statement Thursday, however, the BCA made it clear the federal government was impeding that investigation.
The comments from Marcos Charles, the head of ICE enforcement and removal operations, stand in contrast to the rhetoric ICE has used in recent weeks as it’s sought to blame state and local officials for not cooperating removing what federal officials describe as the “worst of the worst” criminals.
‘The White Hot’ asks: If men can go find themselves, why can’t women?
Quiara Alegría Hudes’ novel was inspired by “Siddhartha” and other classic tales of men seeking enlightenment. It's about a mother in Philadelphia who buys a bus ticket, leaving her daughter behind.
Temperatures plunge Thursday afternoon ahead of arctic chill
The region is entering its coldest period in several years as arctic air pours south, driving temperatures well below zero and pushing wind chills into dangerous territory.
Vance calls for more local cooperation for ICE surge, defends agents' tactics
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said more state, local and federal cooperation could “tone down the temperature” during the federal government’s immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities. But he also blamed Minnesota officials for the problems and defended the tactics of federal agents.
'Sinners' makes history, setting Oscars nomination record
Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards, setting a record for the most in Oscar history. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters showered “Sinners” with more nominations Thursday than they had ever bestowed before, breaking the 14-nomination mark set by “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.”
When immigration enforcement and religious conviction collide
People of faith have different opinions about how to respond to moral and legal questions raised by immigration enforcement and protests. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert explores what happens when ICE and religion collide.
Man shot in leg by ICE in Minneapolis did not attack officer, women say
Two women who were in the north Minneapolis home where a man was shot and wounded by an ICE agent last week are sharing what they witnessed that night — and it’s different from the initial reports provided by federal authorities. 
Man shot in leg by ICE in Minneapolis did not attack officer, women say in court documents
Two women who were in the north Minneapolis home where a man was shot and wounded by an ICE agent last week are sharing what they witnessed that night — and it’s different from the initial reports provided by federal authorities. 
Yuav ua li cas yog ICE nres koj: Ib tug kws lij choj teb qee cov lus nug
Vim muaj kev tswj hwm kev tsiv teb tsaws chaw uas nce ntxiv thoob Minnesota, coob leej tab tom nug ib lo lus nug uas tseem ceeb heev: Kuv muaj txoj cai dab tsi yog tia ICE los nres kuv?
Federal immigration authorities are asserting power to enter private property without a judge’s permission in clear violation of the Constitution. Meanwhile, extreme cold warnings are already in effect for parts of northwest and north central Minnesota and will be in effect statewide by Thursday night.
Attorneys say that ICE agents have “interfered” with the man’s medical care, including using handcuffs to shackle his legs despite warnings from staff. The man’s attorneys say he’s been declining since his transfer to the Minneapolis hospital, and that he’s only minimally responsive.
St. Olaf College students work as EMTs, helping fill ambulance worker shortage
St. Olaf College is offering a rural health training program for its undergrad students to work as EMTs and as CNAs at nursing homes in southeast Minnesota. Students who participate complete training and then are hired by the city to work in the ambulance or nursing home.
Dangerous cold moving in making for the coldest temps of winter
After the snowfall comes the coldest air of winter. Extreme cold settles in tonight into the weekend with dangerous wind chills tonight into Friday. 
Amid dangerous cold, dozens of Minnesota school districts cancel classes Friday
Some Minnesota school districts made the move to online learning Thursday, as what could be the coldest weather in at least five years started descending on the region. More districts announced plans to close Friday — including Anoka-Hennepin and St. Paul.
Petition: Agents say man injured in ICE custody ‘purposely ran headfirst into a brick wall’
ICE officials haven’t commented on the man’s injuries, but DHS attorneys say agents noticed the man had a head injury while he was being processed at Whipple Federal Building near Fort Snelling. The man has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks.
A Minneapolis band shared a song in progress. Fans took it from there.
Indie pop artist anni xo’s new album “Something Profound” explores topics of love, heartbreak, growing up and queer identity. One of their most memorable moments of the album was leaking it all over social media.
ICE detained a 5-year old Minnesota boy. School leader says agents used him as ‘bait’
The Columbia Heights Public School district says federal agents have detained four of its students in four separate incidents over the last two weeks. One child is a 5-year old boy who attends a district elementary school and was used as “bait” to draw family members out of their home.
ICE detains 5-year-old Minnesota boy; school leader says agents used him as ‘bait’
The Columbia Heights school district says federal agents have detained four children in their district. School officials say agents used 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos as “bait” to try and draw family members from their home before taking him away.