Stories from March 4, 2026

Flags are at half-staff in White Bear Lake in honor of Army Reserve Sergeant Nicole Amor. And there were moments of constructive dialogue during an otherwise rancorous congressional hearing today on fraud in Minnesota.
Lou Holtz, former Minnesota and Notre Dame coach, dies at 89
Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship and won 249 games over 33 seasons at six schools, has died. Holtz spent a couple seasons as coach of the Minnesota Gophers.
Meet the big cheese making award-winning dairy in caves in Faribault
The Caves of Faribault is an operation of Prairie Farms Dairy. The dairy company ages its cheese in sandstone caves that were carved in the 1850s. It’s entering several of its blue cheeses in the World Championship Cheese Contest taking place this week.
Man who tried to bribe juror in Feeding Our Future trial sentenced to nearly 5 years
A man who tried to bribe a juror in the first Feeding Our Future trial is headed to federal prison. Judge Eric Tostrud on Wednesday sentenced Abdulkarim Farah to nearly five years behind bars for his role in the plot.
Companies might charge you more than your neighbor. Some Minnesota lawmakers want to stop them
Two new bills would prevent companies in Minnesota from using so-called surveillance-based pricing — using personal data like browsing history or financial circumstances to tailor prices to individual people.
The victory lap for America's Olympic hockey champions quietly shed politics from the celebration
A joke from Hilary Knight on “Saturday Night Live” and a couple of fist-bumps with Jack and Quinn Hughes on “The Tonight Show” capped a whirlwind victory lap celebrating the twin Olympic golds won by the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams.
Minnesota lawmakers want to pump the brakes on autonomous car rollout
“There's a real concern about loss of good paying jobs. And then I've also heard concerns from constituents about the safety of Waymo vehicles on our roads,” DFL state Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura told MPR News.
Township elections guide: Voting and annual meeting March 10
Township elections are being held across Minnesota on March 10. They are uniquely hyper-local with voters serving two purposes: electing their town board and deciding the future of their township through its annual meeting. 
National Latino philanthropy group channels funding to Minnesotans impacted by ICE
The Latino Community Foundation created a new fund to support Latino communities in states that are experiencing a heavy immigration enforcement presence. Its first focus is Minnesota.
Target's new CEO says fresh eyes and respecting core values will help him regain customer trust
Target plans to spend billions of dollars this year to end a persistent sales slump and to regain its image as a fun place to shop for stylish clothing, housewares, beauty products and packaged food at affordable prices. 
Minnesota Gov. Walz, Attorney General Ellison defend actions on fraud before Congress
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison testified before a congressional oversight committee Wednesday on fraud in state programs. The hearing drifted into debates over immigration law.
How much protein do you really need?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two dietitians about protein. New federal dietary guidelines elevate protein in our diets, and it’s getting added to everything from pasta to lattes. How much do you really need?
The Department of Homeland Security has spun a massive surveillance web under the Trump administration. NPR collected dozens of firsthand accounts to understand how those tools are being used.
A federal judge says he’ll decide soon whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt of court. Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will testify under oath in Washington before a House oversight committee examining fraud.
Minnesotan killed in airstrike while serving in Kuwait was just days from returning home
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children in Minnesota when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her and five other U.S. service members.
Even warmer days ahead with an eye on a Friday storm system
Temperatures Wednesday will average 20 degrees above normal. The anomalous warmth persists through Monday. We’re still watching a Friday storm system that will deliver rain and snow. 
Federal judge weighs contempt for U.S. Attorney over ICE property dispute
A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense daylong court hearing in St. Paul.
‘Winning hearts and minds’: How protest signs shaped the anti-ICE movement in Minnesota
Minnesota has seen an explosion of art made in response to ICE’s presence. Perhaps more than any other art form, artists and designers have made protest posters and signs en masse. “There’s never been a viable movement for social change without the arts as central to the movement,” one art historian says.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison tangle with Republicans in fraud hearing
Republicans questioned top Minnesota Democrats about fraud in state government programs. Gov. Tim Walz contends the GOP is looking for a political issue rather than problem solutions.
University of Minnesota expert helped make animated beavers in ‘Hoppers’ true to life
Emily Fairfax has spent the past decade studying beavers and how they change landscapes by altering the flow of rivers and streams. She spent five years working with a Pixar animation team to make sure the movie accurately portrays the furry rodents.
Meet the Minnesota Paralympians heading to Milano Cortina for the Winter Games
Over the course of 10 days, around 600 athletes across the world will compete in the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Games. Among them, 11 athletes — including two guides — with connections to Minnesota will represent the state on a world stage.
Mainstreaming meditation with '10% Happier' podcast host Dan Harris
MPR News host Catharine Richert talks with Dan Harris — former ABC News anchor, host of the podcast “10% Happier,” and self-proclaimed meditation skeptic about the mental health benefits of mindfulness.