Stories from February 23, 2026

ALDI plans downtown St. Paul grocery store
ALDI has filed permits to open a grocery store in downtown St. Paul, taking over the former Lunds & Byerlys space, though an opening date remains unclear.
North Woods clipper dumps snow into Tuesday
A potent clipper drops accumulating snow in northern Minnesotan into Tuesday.
ICE officer training is 'deficient' and 'broken,' former agency lawyer tells congressional forum
A former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawyer who was responsible for training new deportation officers warned Monday that the agency's training program for new recruits is “deficient, defective and broken.”
A state review released Monday says that state agencies need better oversight and training to prevent fraud. The state's Director of Program Integrity Tim O'Malley said the state government has failed to prevent fraud despite years of warnings. A group of Minnesota religious leaders has sued the Department of Homeland Security for blocking them from visiting immigration detainees at the Whipple Federal Building.
Minnesota clergy sue DHS over access to immigration detainees
Minnesota religious leaders are suing the Department of Homeland Security, alleging they’re being blocked from providing pastoral care to immigration detainees at the Whipple Federal Building.
A new lawsuit alleges DHS illegally tracked and intimidated observers
Observers watching federal immigration enforcement in Maine who were told by agents they were "domestic terrorists” and would be added to a “database” or “watchlist” are now part of a new federal class action lawsuit.
How a teenage asylum seeker detained by ICE in Minnesota ended up in Michigan
A story from the Minnesota Star Tribune details how a teenage boy was detained by ICE, separated from his father and designated as “unaccompanied” while his family searched for him.
Following Annunciation mass shooting, assault weapons ban to be introduced in Legislature
State Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, represents the part of south Minneapolis where Annunciation Church and School is located. On Tuesday, she will introduce an assault weapons ban.
North Shore braces for Round 2 as clipper system brings heavy snow
The North Shore is preparing for another burst of winter weather as a fast-moving clipper system is expected to bring accumulating snow and gusty winds Tuesday. The heaviest snow totals are expected along the Lake Superior shoreline.
Lindsey Vonn says surgery saved her from having her left leg amputated following Olympic crash
Lindsey Vonn says a crash at the Milan Cortina Olympics nearly cost her her left leg. Vonn detailed the extent her injuries in an Instagram post. The 41-year-old Vonn says the crash on Feb. 8 caused compartment syndrome in her left leg after the crash. 
Morning Announcements for Feb. 23
These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, Feb. 23. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
The economic impact of ICE in Minnesota
Increased immigration enforcement has disrupted workplaces, employees and local businesses. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with experts about the impact and how to move forward.   
The first US Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980 happens without needing a ‘Miracle’
Mike Eruzione and Dave Christian from the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team watched live in person in Milan as the U.S. joined them as Olympic gold medalists. They just don't want the accomplishment of the current team to be at all about them.
Over the weekend, hundreds gathered for a march on the streets of south Minneapolis to mark four weeks since Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. Meanwhile, a House state government committee will take another run this week at a proposal to set up an Office of the Inspector General.
Midweek snowfalls, roller coaster temperatures this week
Monday will be cool again, but temperatures will warm briefly Tuesday and bring some snow showers. It will cool off again midweek before warming back up. 
Citing increased pressures, Minnesota DNR proposes dropping walleye limit from 6 to 4
The DNR says Minnesota’s iconic state fish is not currently in crisis. But walleye are facing a number of complicating factors that could affect their long-term health, including climate change, invasive species and increased pressure from anglers armed with better gear and technology.
Minnesota school districts say federal agents still causing daily disruptions
School leaders say that ICE activity is continuing to interrupt daily life for students, staff and families despite the announced end of the two-month surge of federal immigration agents.
How Native communities pushed back as ICE operations escalated
Community patrollers, legal advocates, artists and local leaders activated amid immigration enforcement operations to document federal agent encounters, provide resources and assert legal rights.
Ojibwe village of Naytahwaush celebrates artistic legacies
An exhibition at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji features generational stories of the Ojibwe village, Naytahwaush. The exhibition recently held a public artist and music reception, bringing people together to celebrate the many talents in the community and the inspiration behind the exhibition.