Stories from February 6, 2026

Minnesota ICE detainees being stranded in Texas upon release says Sen. Tina Smith
Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith said ICE detainees from Minnesota are being released from Texas detention centers without their belongings, underscoring the need for a more thorough arrest plan by ICE.
Some greater Minnesota counties that work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say they have no plans to change course. The Department of Homeland Security has requested expedited deportation proceedings against the family of Liam Conejo Ramos.
Photos: Ice forms on Lake Superior shoreline
Ice grew rapidly over the Great Lakes with the recent cold snap. As of Feb. 5, nearly half of Lake Superior is covered in ice according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
In unusual move, Republican chair scrutinizes companies tied to husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar
The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee is requesting records related to firms partially owned by the husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar. It's an extraordinary step of scrutinizing the spouse of a sitting House member. 
Alfredo Aljorna, 25 and his friend Julio Sosa-Celis, 24 tangled with an ICE agent outside their north Minneapolis home. Aljorna’s son suffered third-degree burns in an accident this week and will undergo surgery, the judge’s order says.
Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt resigns
Farmington in the southern Twin Cities region is dealing with a leadership shakeup this week, after the city's mayor resigned. The decision comes after the mayor engaged in a heated exchange with a resident and former city official during a council meeting Monday.
Kidney recipient arrested by ICE in Rochester last week still isn't getting needed medications
The wife of a kidney transplant recipient tells MPR News that four days after his arrest, the man still has not received the medications he needs to keep his body from rejecting the kidney.
Soccer star James Rodríguez signs contract with Minnesota United
In addition to his accomplishments on the field, midfielder James Rodríguez also brings a huge global following off the field — a spotlight that will now shine on the Loons. He has more than 51 million followers on Instagram, where his post about signing with Minnesota quickly drew thousands of “likes.”
February starts with a mix of weather
February is starting off with a mix of warm and cold temperatures.
Morning Announcements for Feb. 6
These are the Morning Announcements for Friday, Feb. 6. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Meet the Minnesota winter Olympians and Paralympians heading to Milano Cortina
Almost 40 athletes who are heading to the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic games have connections to Minnesota. Whether they call this state home or just train or play sports here, here’s your chance to learn about the Minnesota ties at the Milano Cortina Games.
DHS: Kidney recipient arrested by federal agents in Rochester has access to needed medications
State Rep. Kim Hicks said she’s been concerned that man would not have access to his medication and might die without it. A Homeland Security spokesperson said later in the afternoon that ICE is working with the family to ensure he gets all of his needed medications.
The school district offered the option to children to learn from home due to safety concerns related to the federal immigration crackdown. It was set to expire Feb. 12.
Fear in Minnesota’s Somali community deepens, hampering progress on measles vaccination
Now, with the U.S. on the verge of losing its measles elimination status, those on the front lines of the battle against vaccine misinformation say much progress has been lost. Many residents fear leaving home at all, let alone seeking medical advice or visiting a doctor’s office.
In Minnesota, sending a child to school is an act of faith for immigrant families
For many immigrant families in Minnesota, sending a child to school requires faith that federal immigration officers deployed around the state won’t detain them. Thousands of children are staying home, often for lack of door-to-door transportation — or simply trust.
Minnesota women beat No. 10 Iowa for 5th straight victory
Grace Grocholski scored 21 points, Mara Braun added 16 and Minnesota beat No. 10 Iowa 91-85 on Thursday night for its fifth straight victory. The Gophers (17-6, 8-4 Big Ten) have the program’s longest winning streak in Big Ten play since the 2018-19 season. 
Fear in Minnesota’s Somali community deepens, hampering progress on measles vaccination
Public health officials say a measles crisis has long been brewing in Minnesota. For years, the state’s large Somali community has been fertile ground for the myth that the measles vaccine causes autism. Data show autism rates in Somali 4-year-olds are high.
In Minnesota, sending a child to school is an act of faith for immigrant families
For many immigrant families in Minnesota, sending a child to school each day requires faith that one of the thousands of federal immigration officers deployed around the state won’t detain them. 
Lindsey Vonn tests injured left knee in Olympic downhill training, pumps fist after successful run
A week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, Lindsey Vonn opened her chase for Olympic gold at the age of 41 with an aggressive and successful training run down the Olympia delle Tofane downhill course.
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to their lawyer. Meanwhile, an ice sculpture commissioned by Minnesota veterans was destroyed by a man pardoned for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Falling temperatures Friday; milder air returns early next week
Temperatures are starting mild but will fall through the day as cooler air briefly returns. It will be windy Friday with northwest winds 10-20 mph. Mild air returns early next week. 
U.S. Olympic hockey history has been given an outsized boost from a tiny, proud Minnesota town
The small town of Warroad, Minnesota, has had an outsized impact on the history of hockey in the U.S. The inclusion of Brock Nelson on the men's Olympic team this year makes eight players from Warroad to go to the Winter Games. 
Amid surge, some greater Minnesota sheriffs plan to continue cooperation with ICE
More than half a dozen Minnesota counties have signed agreements to assist ICE to varying degrees, from detaining people in county jails to helping federal agents find and arrest people suspected of immigration violations or other crimes.
‘Ice Out for Good’: Art and censorship in the Minnesota snow
A new snow sculpture in Minneapolis features the face of Renee Macklin Good with a blindfold that says “ICE OUT,” and it references two snow sculptures that were disqualified from competitions last month for their references to the ICE surge.
MN Shortlist, Feb. 6-12: Systems under pressure, repetition and the art of consequence
From experimental theater that fractures a café ritual to legacy dance that still insists on urgency, these events ask what happens when we interrogate the structures we’ve inherited and decide whether they remain fit for purpose.