Stories from February 19, 2026

Hovland got 38.6 inches of snow but fell short of Minnesota's all-time record
This week’s North Shore snow dump was a Minnesota record for any 24-hour period in February. But the storm fell short of the all-time state snowfall record from January 1994.
The Minneapolis City Council approved $7 million in funding today for small businesses that have lost money during the ongoing federal immigration operation. And at the state level, Minnesota legislators are discussing the potential economic impact of the recent immigration enforcement surge.
Minnesota emergency room doctor served as medical consultant for 'The Pitt'
Dr. Jacob Lentz works in the emergency room at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center. Before he was a doctor, he was a TV writer, making him the perfect fit as medical consultant for the show.
Minneapolis City Council renews liquor licenses for two hotels allegedly housing ICE agents
The Minneapolis City Council approved liquor license renewals Thursday for two hotels that protesters have targeted for allegedly housing federal agents. Some council members pushed to deny the licenses, pointing to public comment from staff at the hotels who said they felt unsafe.
U.S. wins 3rd Olympic gold in women's hockey, beating Canada 2-1 on Megan Keller's OT goal
Defender Megan Keller backhanded in a shot 4:07 into overtime and the United States won its third women’s hockey gold medal with a 2-1 victory over Canada at the Milan Cortina Games to close another thrilling chapter of one of sports most heated rivalries.
Kidney transplant recipient is back home in Minnesota after two weeks in ICE custody
A kidney transplant recipient who had been in ICE custody in Texas for two weeks without access to many of his life-saving medications finally returned home in Minnesota Thursday night.
Coalition of more than 20 mayors ask for legislative support for ICE surge recovery
The Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition includes more than 20 communities, mainly suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area. They are asking for monetary resources from state lawmakers.
Tom Homan said ICE found more than 3,000 unaccompanied minors in Minnesota. What does that mean?
Unaccompanied minors describes children under 18 who don’t have lawful status in the country. A lawyer who works with unaccompanied minors in Minnesota said Homan’s claim is a mischaracterization.
St. Paul declares snow emergency parking rules after latest storm
In the wake of the latest winter storm that dropped more than a half-foot of snow on parts of the Twin Cities, the city of St. Paul has declared a snow emergency beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday. At last report, the city of Minneapolis had not declared a snow emergency.
Tabitha Peterson and U.S. women reach Olympic curling semis with tight win over Switzerland
The United States has earned a spot in the women’s curling semifinals at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The U.S. beat Switzerland 7-6 on Thursday in a match that went to an extra end. The Americans will face the Swiss again in Friday’s semifinals.
Refugees in the U.S. could be arrested under a new immigration memo
The move is another Trump administration effort to limit legal pathways to migration or resettlement, after already curbing the number of admitted refugees and re-reviewing those admitted under the Biden administration.
Here's how Lake Superior, terrain drive heavy snowfall on Minnesota’s North Shore
When winter storms move across northeastern Minnesota, snowfall totals along the North Shore are often higher than surrounding inland areas. The reason is a powerful combination of lake enhancement from Lake Superior and the areas orographic features.
Loose dog makes Olympic cameo on the cross-country ski course at the Milan Cortina Games
A surprise participant in Wednesday’s action at the Milan Cortina Olympics had four legs and zero concern for race times. As elite cross-country skiers pushed to the finish in the women’s team sprint heats, a dog wandered onto the course and ran with athletes down the straightaway.
Here's how much snow fell in Minnesota
The top snowfall total award goes to Hovland on the North Shore, which recorded 40.4 inches of snow around 7 a.m. Friday. Here’s a look at how much snowfall has been recorded by weather watchers across the state.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Finding harmony and a home in the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus
For 45 years, the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus has created a place to sing, belong and spread a little joy. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how music can heal and bring people together through hard times.
As political pressure prompts exodus of Minnesota prosecutors, some defendants catch a break
The federal prosecutor’s office in Minnesota has been gutted by a wave of career officials resigning or retiring over objections to Trump administration directives. The diminished U.S. Attorney's Office has been forced to dismiss some cases, kill others before charges are filed and seek plea agreements and delays.
Parts of the North Shore will be digging out from close to 3 feet of snow Thursday in the wake of Wednesday’s blizzard. Meanwhile, a federal judge is considering whether to temporarily restrict immigration enforcement practices in Minnesota after a lawsuit accused federal agents of racial profiling and unlawful arrests during the enforcement surge.
Long-lost footage of Sven Sundgaard's dad, Kip Sundgaard, in the 1976 Winter Olympics
50 years ago, MPR News Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard’s dad, Kip Sundgaard, was a ski jumper in the 1976 Winter Olympic. But Sven and his family had never seen Kip’s Olympic jump or him in the opening ceremonies until just recently when someone in Austria reached out with long-lost video footage.
As 1 storm system departs, another grazes southeastern Minnesota
Snow showers will wind down on the North Shore Thursday. Another system will graze southeast Minnesota and Wisconsin Thursday night. 
North Shore digs out from more than 3 feet of wind-whipped snow; difficult morning drive in Twin Cities
Parts of the North Shore are digging out from more than 3 feet of wind-whipped snow Thursday, in the wake of a blizzard that pummeled northeast Minnesota on Wednesday. Some school districts are delaying the start of classes.
‘This isn’t living, right?’: Minnesota immigrants share their stories while in hiding from ICE
MPR News connected with five immigrants across Minnesota who have been scared to leave their homes over the last six weeks, due to fears of encountering ICE. Each person recorded voice memos or spoke to a reporter for three days, sharing their experiences of living locked inside.  
Hughes and Tkachuk brothers make U.S. Olympic men's hockey team a family affair
Brothers being teammates at the Olympics is rare — and as if chasing what would be the first gold medal for the U.S. men since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 wasn't special enough for the next couple of weeks, it's a chance for those four players to do so alongside a sibling.
 Holdingford fire highlights the importance of small-town grain mills as community hubs
The Holdingford Mill, which stood for over a hundred years, burned down on Feb. 15, leaving only a warehouse behind. While the business is not shutting down for good, it will never operate at the same scale it used to.
Art Hounds: Spirituals, stand-up and a bold 'Salomé'
Art Hounds recommend “VocalEssence WITNESS: Symphony of Spirituals,” “Oasis Laugh-Battle” and “Salomé.”