Stories from February 24, 2026

Weather whiplash: Wild temperature swings ahead
Get ready for a ride on Minnesota's famed weather roller coaster.
A whistleblower says Immigration and Customs Enforcement sent poorly trained cadets to Minnesota. Ryan Schwank was a lawyer for ICE who helped train cadets until he resigned eleven days ago. He says ICE has cut training hours by nearly half and removed all legal instruction about use of force. And Pine Island says Google is behind a massive data center project, and the big tech company is promising to bring in new jobs and tax revenue.
ICE whistleblower: New agents came to Minnesota untrained
Ryan Schwank was a lawyer with ICE who worked as a trainer at the ICE academy from Sept. 2025 until he resigned earlier this month. In his first interview with local news in Minnesota, he described a broken system that allowed agents into the field who were unprepared.
Jessie Diggins shares an intimate look into her world in new film, 'Threshold'
A new film shares an intimate portrait of the country’s most decorated cross-country skier, Jessie Diggins. Brothers Lars and Torsten Brinkema from Minneapolis are behind the new film, "Threshold," and gave MPR News a preview.
St. Paul looks to revitalize greater east side with new 'Bear Larp' business district
The city of St. Paul is looking to revitalize the greater east side neighborhood and it’s starting with a new name for its business district. The “Bear Larp” district is the new identity for the business corridor at White Bear Avenue and Larpenteur Avenue.
Coalition looks to support Southeast Asian Minnesotans facing deportation and detention
A new effort has launched to provide support to Southeast Asian communities across the state navigating detainment and deportation. "The Southeast Asian Defense Response Project" is a collaboration of four different organizations.
Team USA curling coach reflects on final Olympic games, Minnesota hometown pride
The games in Italy were Phill Drobnick’s fourth and final, as he’s decided it’s time to retire after two decades of coaching curling. Drobnick joined Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Tuesday to reflect on his team’s Olympic run and a storied career.
Google revealed as tenant for massive Pine Island data center project
The city of Pine Island has revealed that Google is the big tech company behind a proposed large-scale data center, which has been the center of controversy in the small community just north of Rochester.
Oh, For Sleet’s Sake: MnDOT announces Name a Snowplow winners
From plays on film and TV titles, to iconic idioms and music titles, the 2025-26 Name a Snowplow winners might read like snow-inspired misspellings. Winners include “Flurrious George” and “K Pop Blizzard Hunter.”
Morning Announcements for Feb. 24
These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, Feb. 24. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Sen. Port carries cannabis testing bill as slow rollout of Minnesota marijuana continues
“The backlog is in testing right now, but I think we're going to see, within the next few months, really a growing, blossoming array of products available around the state,” DFL state Sen. Lindsey Port told MPR News.
Investigation: Thousands of new mothers referred to law enforcement after faulty drug tests
Rather than illicit drugs, many of these parents had eaten or used poppy seeds, heartburn medications, CBD gummies and prescribed medications during their pregnancy, leading to encounters with police and child welfare agencies.
State of the Union offers Trump a chance to make the case for his foreign policy approach
At a moment when polls show the American public increasingly concerned about the economy, Trump’s assignment Tuesday evening was to cut through a thickening skepticism that he's staying true to his “America First” philosophy after a year in which his focus was often far from home.
Minneapolis police think a man who fatally shot two of his cousins Monday afternoon on the city’s northside was later killed in a confrontation with police in Brooklyn Center. Police said officers provided medical aid and that the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officers involved in the shooting are on leave.
Clipper brings ice, snow showers and warmer temperatures
A clipper system is pulling in warmer air Tuesday in addition to creating snow showers for northern Minnesota. It’ll be colder behind it again Wednesday. 
U.S. women’s hockey team declines invitation from Trump to attend State of Union; men's team will be there
The U.S. women’s hockey gold medal-winning team has politely declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address on Tuesday, while members of the men’s hockey team — also celebrating a gold-medal win — said they will be there.
Snowy season boosts northern Wisconsin tourism, but winters are becoming unreliable
In some ways, the winter of 2025-26 feels like the exception that proves the rule. For many who participate in winter activities or rely on winter tourism, a “normal” winter feels like an increasingly rare thing.
New bill carves out public gift rule exception for first responders and mental health resources
There are restrictions on how and when public officials can receive gifts in Minnesota. But Monday, lawmakers discussed a bipartisan bill that would make sure those restrictions don't apply to mental health resources.
Crime down in Fargo, but overdoses at record high
Crime rates have continued to fall in Fargo, but overdoses and mental health calls were at record highs in 2025.
Minnesota legislators on civility, collaboration and the 2026 session
Immigration, fraud, gun violence, affordability. How can Minnesota lawmakers tackle tough issues this legislative session without divisive rhetoric? MPR News host Catharine Richert talks with two state legislators working to foster civility at the state Capitol.