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Stories from March 18, 2026

St. Paul church protest prompts crime bill. Does it infringe First Amendment rights?

St. Paul church protest prompts crime bill. Does it infringe First Amendment rights?

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press — but how do you protect one freedom without diminishing the others? University of St. Thomas law professor Thomas Berg joined Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to talk about a proposed law that would prohibit disruptions of worship services.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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No to NDAs? Proposals demanding more data center transparency gain bipartisan support

No to NDAs? Proposals demanding more data center transparency gain bipartisan support

Bills banning non-disclosure agreements and requiring local governments to release more information about proposed data center projects are earning bipartisan support at the Minnesota Legislature.
by Dan Kraker

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President Trump’s DHS secretary nominee says he regrets comments he made about Alex Pretti

President Trump’s nominee to replace Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security says he regrets comments he made about Alex Pretti after Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. In the immediate wake of that shooting -- Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin had called Pretti a deranged individual who had come to cause, “max damage.” A bill to ban non-disclosure agreements around proposed data centers passed a state senate committee yesterday with bipartisan support.
by Emily Reese

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A new effort looks to revitalize Uptown (again)

A new effort looks to revitalize Uptown (again)

The newly formed organization Uptown United hopes it can be a catalyst for turning the Minneapolis neighborhood around.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Hmong artists weave music, poetry and visuals to help those impacted by ICE surge

Minnesota Hmong artists are organizing a concert to benefit families and businesses impacted by the surge of federal immigration agents. Interwoven: A Tapestry of Resilience and Resistance will take place Saturday night at the Pan Asian Center in Maplewood.
by Nina Moini and Ngoc Bui

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Data shows rise in investors buying Twin Cities rental homes in last 20 years

Data shows rise in investors buying Twin Cities rental homes in last 20 years

Nearly one in 20 single-family rental homes in the Twin Cities metro is now owned by a private investor. It’s one marker of a changing real estate market amid ongoing conversations about housing affordability and ownership possibilities.
by Nina Moini and Ngoc Bui

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Hydrologic cycle in action this week: Mostly melty and partly foggy

Hydrologic cycle in action this week: Mostly melty and partly foggy

A typical March weather pattern unfolds the next several days around Minnesota. Snowmelt, fog and the amount of sunshine will drive temperatures the rest of this week.
by Paul Huttner

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Morning Announcements for March 18

Morning Announcements for March 18

These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, March 18. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Mullin tells senators Homeland Security needs funding as he faces confirmation hearing

Mullin tells senators Homeland Security needs funding as he faces confirmation hearing

Markwayne Mullin is telling senators he wants to steady the Department of Homeland Security, fund it and keep it out of constant controversy. The Republican Oklahoma senator appeared Wednesday for his confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead DHS after Kristi Noem was fired.
by The Associated Press

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Mental health providers are stressed and anxious, too

Mental health providers are stressed and anxious, too

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with mental health providers about how therapists are coping with stress and burnout, and how all of us can take care of ourselves in difficult times.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Randle's 32 points lead the Timberwolves in a 116-104 win that hands the Suns a 3rd straight loss

Randle's 32 points lead the Timberwolves in a 116-104 win that hands the Suns a 3rd straight loss

Julius Randle scored 32 points and Bones Hyland had 22 points off the bench to help the Minnesota Timberwolves offset the absence of All-Star Anthony Edwards and beat the Phoenix Suns 116-104. Ayo Dosunmu added 19 points and Rudy Gobert had 19 rebounds for Minnesota. 
by The Associated Press

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Wild forward Nick Foligno returns to Chicago for first game against the Blackhawks since trade

Wild forward Nick Foligno returns to Chicago for first game against the Blackhawks since trade

Nick Foligno skated for 12 1/2 minutes in Minnesota’s 4-3 overtime win over Chicago in the first matchup between the Central Division rivals since the Wild acquired the 38-year-old forward in a trade with the rebuilding Blackhawks.
by The Associated Press

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Timberwolves sideline Edwards for the next 1 to 2 weeks with knee inflammation as Randle steps up

Timberwolves sideline Edwards for the next 1 to 2 weeks with knee inflammation as Randle steps up

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards will miss the next several games with inflammation in his right knee with the team in the thick of the race for playoff position in the Western Conference.
by The Associated Press

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California-based health care nonprofit to acquire Minnesota-based Allina Health

A health system in Northern California plans to acquire Minnesota-based Allina Health. Sutter Health and Allina Health announced Tuesday that they signed a nonbinding letter of intent to combine into a $26 billion nonprofit system.
by Phineas Pope

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Warmer Wednesday as temperatures continue to trend upward

Warmer Wednesday as temperatures continue to trend upward

Milder air is returning to Minnesota Wednesday. That means the next clipper coming in later in the day will deliver a few rain showers. Temperatures continue their upward trend through Saturday. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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WNBA and players union have reached an agreement in principle on a transformational new CBA

WNBA and players union have reached an agreement in principle on a transformational new CBA

The WNBA and its players’ union reached an agreement in principle on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning. The deal is expected to greatly increase player salaries with a good chance for million dollar players—a first for the league entering its 30th season that will start on time.
by The Associated Press

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Fargo crime suspect says AI face recognition software failed. Police say there was more to the arrest

Fargo crime suspect says AI face recognition software failed. Police say there was more to the arrest

The Fargo Police Department has drawn criticism for jailing a woman for more than five months after artificial intelligence facial recognition software flagged her as a suspect in a crime.
by Harshawn Ratanpal

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Minneapolis sued again over police staffing

Minneapolis sued again over police staffing

The newest lawsuit on police staffing alleges that city leaders have failed to comply with a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court decision requiring Minneapolis to employ 731 officers, in line with the city's charter.
by Jon Collins

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Record high demand for food aid as Minnesotans make 9 million visits to food shelves in 2025

Record high demand for food aid as Minnesotans make 9 million visits to food shelves in 2025

Minnesotans made more than 9 million visits to food shelves last year. That's nearly triple the number of visits in 2019, and demand will likely continue to soar as stricter work requirements for federal food assistance could force thousands to lose their SNAP benefits.
by Hannah Yang

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Twin Cities theaters confront shrinking support from federal and private sources

Twin Cities theaters confront shrinking support from federal and private sources

Twin Cities theaters are losing key funding sources—from canceled grants to new federal restrictions — forcing organizations like the Playwrights’ Center and Jungle Theater to rethink how they operate and sustain their work.
by Jacob Aloi

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AI and the future of work: Separating hype from reality

AI and the future of work: Separating hype from reality

Coming up at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about artificial intelligence and jobs — separating the very real potential for disruption in the workplace from industry's ability to keep up, and what it all means for the future of work. 
by Catharine Richert and Gabrielle Zuckerman

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