Stories from February 26, 2026

A proposal to tie up Medicaid funds to Minnesota could force tough budget choices. Gov. Tim Walz says the announced halt in Medicaid funding continues a campaign of retribution from the Trump administration.
Two federal judges rebuke Minnesota U.S. Attorney after ICE fails to follow court orders
A federal judge in St. Paul ordered Minnesota’s U.S. attorney to court over DHS’s failure to return property to unlawfully detained immigrants, as another judge rebuked his office.
NBA fines Anthony Edwards $25,000 for throwing a ball into the stands after the halftime buzzer
Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for “throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands,” the league announced.
Mostly melty through Friday, then another wintry weekend
A mild Pacific air mass brings another thaw Friday to southern Minnesota. Colder temperatures return for the upcoming weekend. Light snow in the south Saturday.
From Minnesota to the Olympics: Doctor makes history for Mexico in skiing
Regina Martinez Lorenzo got her start in cross-country skiing in Minnesota while she was going to medical school. She just returned from the Olympics as the first woman to compete for Mexico in the sport.
Minnesota writers gather to break Ramadan fast, build community
On Thursday, a community of writers came together to break the Ramadan fast, also known as Iftar, and held a public reading at Baba’s Hummus House in Minneapolis. The event was organized by Mizna, which promotes the work of Arab and Southwest Asian and North African artists.
Expert: Gov. Walz 'cautious' with eviction moratorium decision given legal, political factors
Some are calling on Governor Tim Walz to enact an eviction moratorium and rent relief payments. University of Minnesota professor Larry Jacobs breaks down the legal and political considerations facing the governor around an eviction moratorium.
Minnesota comedians respond to ICE presence, and aren't afraid to get political
Minneapolis comedians are responding to ICE’s presence in Minnesota by “punching up” through political comedy and fundraising roasts that channel fear and anger into community support, even as the immediate enforcement surge begins to recede.
Crashes raise concerns about pursuit rules for immigration agents
Federal agents are accused of using dangerous driving tactics during immigration enforcement. Their vehicle pursuits have been blamed for crashes and at least one death.
Federal Medicaid funding freeze ‘totally illegal and unprecedented,’ Walz says
Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesota has cooperated with the federal government to tighten up Medicaid program controls but would fight an announced freeze of funds to the state.
Wild and Stars on playoff collision course in powerful Central Division as they chase NHL-best Avs
The Dallas Stars surged into the Olympic break on a six-game winning streak. The Minnesota Wild won their last five games to finish 8-1-1 before the NHL’s three-week schedule pause.
Memorial services for Jesse Jackson begin at Chicago headquarters of his civil rights organization
Memorial services for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. begin in Chicago and stretch across the country to honor his long civil rights legacy. Starting Thursday, he lies in repose for two days at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters.
Morning Announcements for Feb. 26
These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, Feb. 26. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
What are you watching?
When the world feels heavy, sometimes the best escape is a great show or movie. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two entertainment writers about what we’re all watching.
Disability advocate says Medicaid freeze could lead to death, homelessness
Vice President JD Vance and Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz, announced millions of dollars will be withheld from Minnesota in an attempt to mitigate supposed fraud. A disability advocate weighs in.
ICE surge tests relations between St. Cloud police, community
At an annual meeting to review the city’s longstanding community policing agreement, St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton fielded questions about why his department didn’t do more to stop federal agents who may have violated laws or civil rights.
As bill to ban cryptocurrency ATMs in Minnesota gets airing, local police departments back it
Several local police department officials are supporting a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks. A legislative proposal doing that got an airing at the Minnesota Capitol on Tuesday but discussion is continuing.
Morning Announcements for Feb. 25
These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, Feb. 25. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Minnesota won’t get federal payments for quarterly Medicaid services unless it supplies a corrective plan and more data to the federal government. Health officials in the Trump administration have frozen $259 million dollars in payments bound for the state.
Mild air returns Thursday and Friday before a cool weekend
Warmer air is back today and tomorrow. It will also be pretty windy Friday ahead of yet another cold front Friday night. That front could produce snow showers too. 
The Minnesota State Patrol says four people died and another person was seriously injured Wednesday night in a crash along U.S. Highway 169 in central Minnesota.
‘Someone loved them’: As the ICE surge continues in Minnesota, pets suffer
As Minnesotans are detained and deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, volunteers and pet shelters are led to provide housing and care for the animals that are often the family members involuntarily left behind. 
Man released from ICE custody felt stuck while waiting for return of ID, work permit
Yeferson Gonzalez Contreras was released after five months in ICE detention without his work permit and identification, which prevented him from working or moving around freely for weeks.
Art Hounds: Harp harmonies, Hildegard and heartfelt quartet
Art Hounds recommend Bakken Ensemble, the musical “In the Green” and the Lakes Area Music Festival.
'An amazing brotherhood' — The Apollo Club men’s chorus celebrates 130 years
As the Apollo Club marks 130 years of song with a major anniversary concert at the Ordway in St. Paul, longtime and new members alike describe the men’s chorus as a rare, enduring brotherhood whose shared music has carried them through war, change and the pressures of the present.
How a Dungeons & Dragons meetup turned into mutual aid during ICE operations
A Twin Cities Dungeons & Dragons meetup that began as a way to play the game has grown into a 2,500-person community offering friendship, refuge and mutual aid as immigration enforcement ramps up in Minnesota.
President Trump's State of the Union: Key takeaways
MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests analyze the major themes, claims, and policy proposals from President Donald Trump's State of the Union address.
 Minnesota food shelves shift gears and deliver groceries to immigrants in hiding
Many Immigrants and BIPOC in greater Minnesota remain too afraid to go to work, school, or shop for groceries. In southern Minnesota, food shelves are adapting, making deliveries of food and necessities to those who don't have enough to eat.