Stories from February 12, 2026

Minnesota sues after CDC cuts millions of dollars in public health grants
A judge issued the temporary restraining order Thursday after Attorney General Keith Ellison and other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the federal Office of Management and Budget.
Special Coverage: Homan says federal surge to end, Walz pitches recovery package
MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the Trump administration’s announcement that it is ending what it calls “Operation Metro Surge,” which sent thousands of federal immigration officers to Minnesota.
Warmest Valentine's Day on record Saturday? Rain and plowable snow likely return next week
An unseasonably mild Pacific air mass blows in through early next week. Record highs possible on Valentine’s Day. Forecast models cranking out a rain and or snow event next week.
'A Year Without Home' tells a story of war, displacement through a child's eyes
In her middle-grade debut, Minnesota children’s author V.T. Bidania follows 11-year-old Gao Sheng and her family as they live through the wars in Laos and Vietnam during the 1960s and 70s.
'I don't know where this ends:' The voices of Minnesotans in hiding
In a new series, Minnesota Now is airing the voices of people who have been hiding in their homes due to fear of arrest, detention, or deportation during Minnesota's ICE surge.
An immigration lawyer shares what a drawdown of federal agents could mean for his clients
Minneapolis attorney David Wilson told MPR News the federal government seems to be shifting its focus in immigration court, including fast-tracking hearings for people from specific countries.
ICE reportedly on the way out, but some are still wary
After the announcement Thursday of the end of the surge of federal law enforcement agents in Minnesota, advocates and lawyers say communities remain on edge.
Mayor Kaohly Her 'cautiously optimistic' about reported end to federal immigration surge
The St. Paul mayor took office during a surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota. The Trump Administration announced Thursday it is ending what it calls “Operation Metro Surge.”
Trump’s EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned U.S. fight against climate change
The Environmental Protection Agency has revoked a key scientific finding that supported U.S. regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. This decision rescinds a 2009 declaration that carbon dioxide and other gases endanger public health.
Duluth mayor considers scrapping part of skyway system to invest in street-level businesses
Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert suggests the Skywalk has outlived its usefulness. “As we look post-COVID and really post-paper economy, we have to be really focused on, How do we revitalize that street-level retail?,” he said on Morning Edition.
Valentine’s Day warmth flirts with records
As Cupid aims for hearts, the forecast is aiming for history, with near-record warmth expected on Valentine’s Day.
Walz backs $10M aid package for Minnesota small businesses hurt by ICE surge
Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday he was “cautiously optimistic” all the federal immigration agents who came during the surge will be gone by midweek next week. He said the surge left Minnesota with “generational trauma” and “economic ruin in some cases.”
Jessie Diggins fights injury to take bronze in race dominated by Sweden at Milan Cortina Games
American Jessie Diggins has battled through injury to claim bronze in the women’s 10‑kilometer interval start. It was a race dominated by Sweden’s Frida Karlsson as she won her second gold medal at the Winter Olympics. 
House votes to slap back Trump's tariffs on Canada in rare bipartisan rebuke
The House has voted to slap back President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada. The tally offered a rare rebuke of the White House agenda, though it wouldn’t actually undo the tariffs without support from Trump himself, which is highly unlikely.
The White House official leading the federal immigration operation in Minnesota is set to speak at a press conference at 8 a.m. Thursday. Tom Homan announced last week a drawdown of about a quarter of immigration agents in the state. Local elected officials say they’re not seeing much change in their communities so far.
String of very mild days ahead
Very mild days will continue into early next week. We’ll also have quite a bit of sun the next few days. A shift in the pattern could happen later next week.
Border czar Tom Homan: Immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota coming to an end
The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, said Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump. “I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude.”
These sex workers in Minneapolis never thought they would own a gun. Then ICE came to town
More than 8,200 permit to carry applications were filed in the state in January. For populations worried about their safety during the ICE surge, ownership seems like a path to security. 
Mankato explores ordinance requiring federal agents to demask, wear IDs and body cams
The Mankato City Council is moving to demask ICE, Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers from outside the city, while requiring them to wear body cameras and something that identifies who they work for.
Art Hounds: A space this week for beauty and joy
Art Hounds recommend “Fíodóireacht Bheirte / A Weaving of Two,” “Fiber, Fragment and Form" and “Nordic Echoes.”
Indie bookstores provide readers with information, relief amid ICE surge 
Twin Cities bookstores are responding to heightened fear around ICE activity by transforming their shops into hubs for community support, political understanding and emotional refuge, as readers turn to books, children’s resources and author fundraisers to navigate a climate of anxiety and resistance.
How building community supports mental health
In times of stress, building community can support our mental health. MPR News host Catharine Richert talks with organizers Autumn Brown and adrienne maree brown about new communities forming in Minnesota — and how to stay connected even with people who see things very differently.