Stories from February 2, 2026

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Monday issued an initial report on the death of Alex Pretti, classifying his death as a homicide. Advocates rallied outside Target headquarters in Minneapolis Monday, calling on the company to speak out against immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Every Homeland Security officer in Minneapolis is now being issued a body-worn camera, Noem says
Every Homeland Security officer on the ground, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, will be immediately issued body-worn cameras, Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday.
Brian Mock seeks state Senate seat in Minnesota after prison time for Jan. 6 Capitol attack
Brian Mock, who was convicted and spent time in prison after the U.S. Capitol uprising on Jan. 6, 2021, is running for state Senate. He’s seeking the Republican nomination for an open seat in western Minnesota.
The immigration operation’s continuous mental strain on those targeted and beyond
Licensed clinical social worker and therapist Ana Marielle Rivera explains the mental health impact the immigration operation has on people directly and indirectly affected.
Minneapolis emergency management department shifts focus amid immigration surge
The primary role of the Minneapolis emergency management department used to be things like getting residents ready for snow storms. Now it’s providing residents who can’t leave their homes with resources for daily living.
Report: Number of kids in ICE detention has soared under Trump administration
Journalists with The Marshall Project dug into the numbers of children detained under the Trump administration. Though the numbers don’t include 2026, it provides a look at the impact an increase in child detainments has on the system.
Medical examiner issues initial, public report on death of Alex Pretti
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Monday issued an initial, public report on the death of Alex Pretti — saying he died from multiple gunshot wounds, and classifying his death as a homicide.
Nearly 30,000 Minnesotans trained as constitutional observers
The Immigrant Defense Network works with more than 100 organizations to help train constitutional observers. At the end of November, there were 2,500 trained observers. That number has soared as more Minnesotans look for ways to help during the immigration operation.
Protesters call on Target to speak out against ICE
Protesters gathered outside Target’s headquarters in Minneapolis on Monday morning, renewing calls for the Minnesota-based company to push back on ICE operations in the state.
French company Capgemini announced Sunday it is selling off its subsidiary that provides technology services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during global scrutiny of ICE agents’ tactics in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Grammys 2026: 10 takeaways from a historic, chaotic night
The Grammy Awards were full of milestone wins, chaotic performances and viral moments, as well as speeches that frequently addressed this moment in American history.
France’s Capgemini to sell subsidiary working with ICE during anger at U.S. immigration crackdown
French company Capgemini says it is selling its subsidiary that provides technology services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The decision comes during global scrutiny of ICE's actions during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Measles cases reported at ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas
At least two measles cases have been confirmed at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, according the Department of Homeland Security. The Dilley center is where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were held for more than a week.
ProPublica reporter: ‘It's been a tradition that we can identify our law enforcement’
J. David McSwane, ProPublica investigative reporter, discusses his investigation into the identities of the two federal officers that killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis.
Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, forecasting 6 more weeks of wintry weather
When Phil is said to have seen his shadow upon emergence from a tree stump in rural Pennsylvania, that’s considered a forecast for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, an early spring is said to be on the way.
How federal immigration activity is affecting Minnesota schools
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota school superintendents about how the surge in federal immigration activity is affecting student attendance, learning, and safety — and what it means for families and schools. 
Columbia Heights schools closed Monday due to ‘credible threat’
The Columbia Heights school district canceled classes Monday after what school officials are calling a “credible threat.” The district said the move to cancel classes was out of an abundance of caution.
An investigative report from ProPublica has identified the two federal immigration agents who shot at Alex Pretti Jan. 24 in Minneapolis. A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered that elementary-aged children who were taken into custody by ICE last week be kept in or returned to the state.
A bit cooler Monday and Tuesday, but overall a milder week
Monday and Tuesday will be briefly cooler, but milder air prevails this week overall. We’ll see a few more light snow chances for portions of the state, too. 
Jingle dress dancers hold healing ceremonies at memorial sites in south Minneapolis 
Jingle dress dancers gathered at the sites where Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti were killed to offer prayer, healing and solidarity through ceremony, drawing hundreds of people in south Minneapolis amid ongoing federal immigration operations.
Coldest-ever in Minnesota? 30 years later, Tower and Embarrass still talk about who holds the crown
On Feb. 2, 1996, the town of Tower hit minus 60 degrees, Minnesota’s coldest-ever recorded temperature. But nearby Embarrass still believes it’s the state’s true cold spot and would have won the day 30 years ago if it weren’t for a thermometer malfunction.