Stories from February 3, 2026

Columbia Heights girl and her mom released from ICE detention after school district speaks out
Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano was detained nearly a month ago with her mother on their way to school in Columbia Heights, the same district as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. She and her mother were released hours after a school district social worker spoke up on their behalf.
Timberwolves trade Mike Conley to Bulls in three-team deal
The Detroit Pistons have agreed to acquire Kevin Huerter from the Chicago Bulls in a four-player, three-team deal, according to two people with knowledge of the trade. The people tell The Associated Press the Pistons will receive Huerter and Dario Saric from the Bulls. And Chicago will get Mike Conley Jr. from Minnesota and Jaden Ivey from Detroit.
Brief thaw Thursday; bigger thaw possible next week
A westerly Pacific air flow will bring milder temperatures to Minnesota.
Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown, setting stage for next fight
President Donald Trump has signed a government funding bill that ends the partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend and sets the stage for an intense debate in Congress over Homeland Security funding.
Gov. Tim Walz and other state and local leaders Tuesday called on federal immigration agents to stay away from schools, school buses and school bus stops as they warned of the long-term damage on children and families from the two-month immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
Two men accused of assaulting ICE officer will stay in pre-trial custody despite judge's order
A federal judge Tuesday ordered two men charged with assaulting an ICE officer released from custody pre-trial. However, before the men could be released, they were taken into custody by ICE agents. 
Children’s Minnesota to pause some pediatric gender health services
Gender-affirming care for transgender youth remains legal in Minnesota, but the hospital says it will pause prescribing puberty-suppressing medications and pubertal hormones to patients under the age of 18.
Minneapolis hospitality industry reports serious disruption during ICE surge
In a survey by Meet Minneapolis, businesses in the hospitality industry report cancellations and reduced sales. When asking travelers about their plans to visit, 20 percent said they altered their travel plans to the city.
What to know about the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of 'Today' show's Savannah Guthrie
Authorities are looking for the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie after they said she was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, against her will over the weekend.
Border czar Tom Homan wants the cooperation of county jails. The reality is complicated
Homan said he’ll draw down agents in Minnesota if ICE gets more access to county jails. But some county jails who have held detainees for ICE ended up getting sued for doing so.
What body cameras for ICE officers means for accountability
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Krisit Noem is requiring body cameras for all ICE officers in Minneapolis. A police accountability expert explains what that means for transparency between ICE agents and the public.
Columbia Heights superintendent: At one school, ICE has detained at least 23 parents
The Twin Cities north suburban school district has become one of the epicenters of the Trump administration’s immigration surge in the country and it’s rippling through the local school district.
As immigration crackdown spreads beyond Minneapolis, the small town of Northfield resists
Much of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is concentrated in Minneapolis and surrounding cities. But federal agents are making arrests across Minnesota and community members are banding together to keep watch and support immigrant neighbors.
State adding staff to review nearly 6,000 Medicaid providers in Minnesota for potential fraud
Minnesota’s Department of Human Services is bringing on more than 160 additional staff to help inspect Medicaid providers for fraud, as they face a federal threat to withhold $2 billion in Medicaid funds over fraud allegations.
In her last Olympic season, U.S. cross-country ski phenom Jessie Diggins looks stronger than ever
Jessie Diggins, age 34, helped break an Olympic medal drought for American cross-country skiers that dated back to the 1970s. In her final season, she enters the Milan Cortina Olympics on a winning streak and with new peace of mind.
Former DHS Secretary warns that border agents are unprepared for urban policing
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said fatal shootings in Minneapolis highlight deep failures in federal training, planning and oversight as immigration agents are sent far from the border.
At least 23 parents detained by ICE at one Columbia Heights school alone, superintendent says
Columbia Heights has become one of the epicenters of the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown in the country and it’s rippling through the local school district.
Vonn ‘confident’ she will race at Olympics despite ‘completely ruptured’ ACL in left knee
Lindsey Vonn is “confident” she can compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics beginning this week despite the left knee injury she sustained in a crash four days ago. Vonn completely ruptured her ACL, and says she has bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.”
Redefining community safety in Minneapolis
What does “community safety” mean as Minneapolis navigates the surge in federal immigration enforcement. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette about leadership, reform, and the path forward.
Minnesota Olympians speak up about federal agents in Minneapolis
As American athletes turn their attention to the Olympic Games, some — including several from Minnesota, which is home to some of Team USA’s biggest stars — have spoken out in the wake of the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in January.
A court order requiring federal investigators to preserve evidence in the Alex Pretti fatal shooting has been lifted. The judge says there is no indication that authorities have failed to properly maintain evidence. The FBI is now taking the investigative lead. A separate state probe is also being conducted.
Minnesota Olympians, other athletes speak up about federal agents in Minneapolis
“I want to make sure you know who I’m racing for,” wrote Minnesota-born cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins. Meanwhile, a hospitality center for Team USA families dropped the name “Ice House.”
Don Lemon says a dozen agents were sent to arrest him even though he offered to turn himself in
Don Lemon says that about a dozen federal agents came to his Los Angeles hotel to arrest him last week. The independent journalist told ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that's even though his attorney had told authorities he would turn himself in to face federal civil rights charges.
Tens of thousands of Minnesota voters are expected to participate in precinct caucuses Tuesday night. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that body cameras are being deployed immediately to every officer in the field in Minneapolis.
Amid immigration enforcement efforts across the state, a nonprofit leader in the Fargo-Moorhead area said that many immigrants he interacts with are afraid to leave their homes. 
Cool, bright Tuesday with much milder air on the way
We’ll have another cool but bright day Tuesday before temperatures warm Wednesday and Thursday. A couple of weak clipper systems will bring some light snow chances. 
The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good by federal agents and related immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis disrupted arts and education institutions across the Twin Cities, forcing widespread closures, cancellations, financial losses and safety measures.
Some immigrants in greater Minnesota fear leaving their homes
Amid immigration enforcement efforts across the state, a nonprofit leader in the Fargo-Moorhead area said that many immigrants he deals with are afraid to leave their homes, and some organizations and businesses are trying to help out. 
‘We can do hard things’: The impact of ICE enforcement on the arts
The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good by federal agents and related immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis disrupted arts and education institutions across the Twin Cities, forcing widespread closures, cancellations, financial losses and safety measures.