Stories from January 26, 2026

Hennepin Healthcare cuts 100 positions and 5 medical programs
The system is also confronting a projected $100 million loss in uncompensated care and a $1.7 billion reduction in Medicaid revenue over the next 10 years. 
“Whether it was morality or bad optics and poll numbers, whatever has happened here there’s a definite change of tone. There’s definitely a more collaborative tone. I’m going to take them for their word right now,” since Saturday’s killing of Alex Pretti by a federal agent in Minneapolis, Walz told MPR News host Clay Masters Monday afternoon.
A judge heard arguments this morning in a lawsuit seeking an end to the federal immigration operation in Minnesota. President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are both casting a phone call in positive terms after weeks of trading accusations and blame over immigration actions.
Hennepin Co. Attorney Moriarty says state will have sufficient evidence to make charging decision
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says her office has received “substantial” information from the public related to the killings of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti.
Walz says Trump pledged to ‘do things differently’ on ICE surge
“Whether it was morality or bad optics and poll numbers, whatever has happened here there’s a definite change of tone” since Saturday’s killing of Alex Pretti by a federal agent in Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Walz told MPR News host Clay Masters Monday afternoon.
Trump administration not yet committing to work with local officials to investigate Alex Pretti fatal shooting
The Trump Administration is not yet committing to cooperating with local officials on the investigation into the fatal shooting of ICE observer Alex Pretti Saturday during an immigration enforcement action, White House says.
Inside the group that helps ICE detainees released from Whipple find warmth, phones and rides
The members of the new organization, Haven Watch, spend their days outside of the federal Whipple building, waiting to meet people released from detention to help them stay warm, contact their loves ones, get food and find a ride home.
Not quite as cold this week; signs of milder air and snow next week
The coldest air mass of winter blasted Minnesota last Friday into the weekend. We’re not quite as cold this week. And a possible thaw is on the way next week. But we may also see some snow next week.
Judge hears arguments to halt immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota
Arguments are being made to a federal judge asking for a blanket stop to the immigration operation in a lawsuit brought by the state, and Minneapolis and St. Paul, against the federal government.
Health care community mourns Alex Pretti, the VA nurse killed Saturday by federal agent
Hundreds of Minnesotans are gathering at the site in Minneapolis where 37-year old Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a federal border patrol agent Saturday. Among them are health care workers who are grieving the loss of one of their own, as Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the VA hospital in Minneapolis.
University of Minnesota, Fairview and M Physicians reach agreement for medical school
The agreement comes after the three parties entered mediation last month with the Minnesota Attorney General’s office following weeks of uncertainty regarding funding for the state’s largest medical school.
Tear gas deployed by federal agents after protest, vandalism at Minneapolis hotel
Minneapolis police and the state Department of Public Safety say their officers were trying to de-escalate the situation when federal agents arrived without communication and deployed chemical munitions.
Federal agents deploy tear gas after protest, vandalism at Minneapolis hotel
Minneapolis police and the state Department of Public Safety say their officers were trying to de-escalate the situation when federal agents arrived without communication and deployed chemical munitions.
Gov. Tim Walz’s office said President Donald Trump agreed during a Monday call to look at reducing federal agent numbers in Minnesota and ensuring the state investigators can conduct independent probes around the killings of two Minnesotans by federal officers. Trump called it a “very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength.”
Ellison: Washington needs to 'mend fences with everyone in Minnesota' over ICE surge
Two key court hearings are happening in Minnesota on Monday. In one of them, a federal judge hears arguments over whether to temporarily pause the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in the state. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison talked to MPR’s Cathy Wurzer before the hearing started.
The federal presence “has caused a steep increase in calls for service” and is “pushing our emergency medical system past the breaking point,” the small union representing Hennepin County’s 911 dispatchers and emergency medical technicians said Monday.
Minn. Supreme Court affirms approval of ‘dealer assist’ electronic card games at racetrack casino
The Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the Minnesota Racing Commission’s approval of additional “dealer assist” electronic table games despite a legal challenge from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
Morning Announcements for Jan. 26
These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, Jan. 26. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Morning Announcements for Jan. 22 and Jan. 23
These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, Jan. 22 and Friday, Jan. 23. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Trump says he’s sending 'border czar' to Minnesota
President Donald Trump said Monday morning that he’s sending his “border czar,” Tom Homan, to Minnesota, in the wake of Saturday’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal agent in Minneapolis.
Minnesota law enforcement officials call for White House meeting, emergency summit
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association is asking to meet with President Donald Trump amid the ongoing surge of federal agents in the state. And Minnesota’s largest union representing law enforcement officers wants an emergency summit of local, state and federal officials.
An already tense and uncertain time for people in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota was destabilized further over the weekend with the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal agent in Minneapolis. Hearings are scheduled for Monday on at least two federal court cases related to the shooting or the ongoing federal immigration operation.
Overall cold pattern lingers this week
It won’t be as cold Monday, but overall temperatures will remain well below normal all this week. A clipper brings some light snow to northern Minnesota later Monday. 
Judge set to hear arguments on Minnesota’s immigration crackdown after fatal shootings
A federal judge is set to hear arguments Monday on whether to pause an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. This follows the fatal shootings of two people by government officers. The state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Department of Homeland Security two weeks ago. 
Judge set to hear arguments on Minnesota’s immigration crackdown after fatal shootings
A federal judge is set to hear arguments Monday on whether to pause an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. This follows the fatal shootings of two people by government officers. The state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Department of Homeland Security two weeks ago. 
The fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a federal immigration officer touched off a firestorm and prompted some fellow Republicans to question President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration crackdown, but the president on Sunday night doubled down and blamed Democratic officials.
Trump, unbowed by backlash to Minneapolis shooting, blames Democrats for 'chaos'
The fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a federal immigration officer touched off a firestorm and prompted some fellow Republicans to question President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration crackdown, but the president on Sunday night doubled down and blamed Democratic officials.
T-wolves and Warriors return to play in 'bizarre, sad' game with grieving Minneapolis on their minds
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors have returned to the court after their game was postponed following the fatal shooting of a man in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was clearly and deeply moved by the situation as he expressed on behalf of the organization his heartbreak for the community’s collective fear and pain from the ongoing crackdown.
Hotline operators report flood of calls for rental assistance as residents hide during ICE surge
211 calls from Spanish-speakers have increased more than 1,600 percent and requests for rental assistance have more than tripled, according to Greater Twin Cities United Way. Local officials are pushing for an eviction moratorium.
‘This must end’: Republican state representative calls for end of Minnesota ICE surge
Amidst the heightened presence of federal agents in Minnesota, a Republican representative said in a statement that the operation has done more harm than good.