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Stories from February 18, 2026

‘We need help’: Minnesota educators tell lawmakers how ICE surge has hurt schools

‘We need help’: Minnesota educators tell lawmakers how ICE surge has hurt schools

The surge of federal immigration agents into the Twin Cities the past two months has led to high school absenteeism, traumatized children and new budget problems for districts, educators told a Minnesota Senate panel Wednesday.
by Kyra Miles

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Judge hears arguments in lawsuit alleging ICE racially profiling Somali and Latino residents

Judge hears arguments in lawsuit alleging ICE racially profiling Somali and Latino residents

A federal judge is considering whether to temporarily restrict immigration enforcement practices in Minnesota, following a lawsuit filed by the ACLU and other attorneys over a months-long enforcement surge that federal officials say is now winding down. 
by Sarah Thamer

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Eagan places 1-year pause on new data center developments

Eagan places 1-year pause on new data center developments

The Eagan City Council voted on Tuesday to pause new data center developments for one year to study the impacts of data centers. The moratorium may be the first-of-its-kind in Minnesota. 
by Chandra Colvin

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Exhibition rings in Year of the Fire Horse with Chinese art spanning 3,000 years

Exhibition rings in Year of the Fire Horse with Chinese art spanning 3,000 years

The year of the horse has officially begun after Tuesday’s Lunar New Year marked the end of the year of the snake. 2026 is the first time in sixty years that we are welcoming the year of the fire horse.
by Nina Moini and Ngoc Bui

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'I feel really helpless:' The voices of Minnesotans in hiding

'I feel really helpless:' The voices of Minnesotans in hiding

L is a Mexican mother of two. We are not using her full name for her safety. She has not left her home in Northfield for several weeks. She said despite federal officials saying the ICE surge in Minnesota is ending, she thinks she will feel afraid leaving her house forever.
by Nina Moini and Cait Kelley

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Tenants advocates call on state to support renters affected by surge of federal agents

Tenants advocates call on state to support renters affected by surge of federal agents

The newly-formed Twin Cities Tenants Union and other groups are pushing for an eviction moratorium and funding to support renters who have lost income during the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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ICE drawdown? Indications point to steady enforcement activity outside the Twin Cities

ICE drawdown? Indications point to steady enforcement activity outside the Twin Cities

Some people who observe ICE activity are skeptical about a large scale drawdown of agents in the state. There are indications that activity has decreased in the Twin Cities, but has continued outside the metro area.
by Jon Collins

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Hennepin County prosecutors press feds for evidence in shootings

Hennepin County prosecutors press feds for evidence in shootings

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is demanding more evidence from the federal government in the shootings of Alex Pretti and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, as they weigh bringing criminal charges against the federal agents involved.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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After ICE surge causes hardship for some renters, advocates call for anti-eviction measures

Local advocacy groups called Wednesday for state lawmakers to approve an eviction moratorium and relief payments for people unable to work during the federal immigration operation in Minnesota.
by Dana Ferguson

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Blizzard breaks up ice pack at Apostle Islands caves, likely ending foot access for the winter

Blizzard breaks up ice pack at Apostle Islands caves, likely ending foot access for the winter

After one glorious, fleeting day — access to the Apostle Islands ice caves is likely done for the season. The blizzard sweeping across Lake Superior broke up the ice pack along the shore overnight.
by Andrew Krueger

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Morning Announcements for Feb. 18

Morning Announcements for Feb. 18

These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, Feb. 18. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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One Olympic sport doesn’t allow women. These Games could determine its future

One Olympic sport doesn’t allow women. These Games could determine its future

Nordic combined is the only Olympic sport that doesn't allow women to compete, despite athletes' efforts to change that. They say their odds for 2030 hinge on people watching men's events this week.
by Rachel Treisman

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Wolves finalize cost-cutting move with Mike Conley by signing back veteran after trading him away

Wolves finalize cost-cutting move with Mike Conley by signing back veteran after trading him away

The Minnesota Timberwolves finalized their cost-cutting move with Mike Conley by signing the veteran guard two weeks after trading him away. Conley was first sent in a three-team deal to the Chicago Bulls.
by The Associated Press

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Winter storm continues to pile on Duluth, North Shore

Winter storm warnings continue across northern Minnesota through Thursday morning with blizzard warnings for Duluth and the North Shore. Winds have been gusting to more than 60 mph at the Duluth airport and utilities are reporting thousands of homes and businesses without power.
by Emily Bright

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Blizzard drops more than 2 feet of snow on North Shore; challenging commute in Twin Cities

Blizzard drops more than 2 feet of snow on North Shore; challenging commute in Twin Cities

Blizzard conditions pummeled Duluth and the North Shore on Wednesday, dropping more than two feet of snow and knocking out power to thousands. The same system also brought a burst of snow to southern Minnesota — including the Twin Cities — during the afternoon.
by Andrew Krueger, Estelle Timar-Wilcox, Gracie Stockton and Cathy Wurzer

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Blizzard, winter storm warnings continue north

Blizzard, winter storm warnings continue north

Snow and wind continue north much of Wednesday. Scattered rain showers will turn to snow showers south. More snow is possible in parts of the state Thursday night. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Federal hemp ban leaves Minnesota THC sellers in limbo

Federal hemp ban leaves Minnesota THC sellers in limbo

Minnesota already regulates hemp edibles, but it's unclear what Congress’ new cannabis rules mean for the state. That’s creating uncertainty for businesses that sell other hemp-derived beverages and other products.
by Harshawn Ratanpal

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Meet one of the drivers who clears snow off Twin Cities highways

Meet one of the drivers who clears snow off Twin Cities highways

When heavy snowfall hits the state, one person you might see on the roads is Maggie Faris. She’s been plowing snow for nine years with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
by Lukas Levin

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FBI, St. Paul police probing ICE arrest that resulted in skull fractures

FBI, St. Paul police probing ICE arrest that resulted in skull fractures

Alberto Castañeda Mondragón says agents yanked him from a vehicle, slammed him down and beat him with a baton. ICE has said the man caused his own injuries when he tried to run while handcuffed and fell.
by The Associated Press

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Journalist vows to fight federal charges connected to St. Paul church protest

Journalist vows to fight federal charges connected to St. Paul church protest

Georgia Fort, an independent journalist who documented the protest, made a brief appearance in St. Paul federal court, where she pleaded not guilty to felony civil rights charges along with activist Trahern Crews.
by Matt Sepic

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