Stories from April 1, 2026

Counties, food shelves prepare for impacts of expanded work requirements for SNAP
Expanded work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could affect thousands of Minnesotans. That has local advocates and county leaders preparing for the impacts.
It may be April Fools’ Day', but the weather forecast for Minnesota is no joke -- with a mix of rain, sleet, ice and snow expected from tonight through tomorrow. And the city of Minneapolis will hold two open houses later this month, to provide an update on construction projects slated to begin in June at George Floyd Square.
Warren CHS grain elevator fire could impact area farmers
A large fire broke out at the Warren CHS grain elevator. Surrounding communities pitched in to contain the flames, but the fire’s aftermath could impact local farmers.
Nonprofit Ruby's Pantry abruptly closes all food shelf sites in Minnesota, Upper Midwest
The food assistance nonprofit Ruby’s Pantry, which operated more than 80 mostly church-based food shelf sites in Minnesota and three other upper Midwest states, abruptly shut down all of its operations Wednesday. The organization cites financial difficulties.
Lawyer says government trying to detain Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, again
A Department of Justice attorney filed a notice of appeal Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas San Antonio Division. An attorney for the family suspects the government’s action as ‘retaliatory.’
First-of-its-kind publisher grows out of Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop
For more than a decade, the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop has provided creative writing classes to people in correctional facilities. That work has led to the creation of Lost Kite Editions, a national independent press.
Veterinary toxicologist shares advice for pet parents who use cannabis
Renee Schmid, director of veterinary medicine and a senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, told Morning Edition there’s consistently high call volume around animals and the drug.
The Gillyweeds saga: A fake band, a fake plane crash and a real game blur reality
An alternate reality game about a fictional Minnesota band spilled into real life when a staged plane crash announcement reached tens of thousands of unsuspecting social media followers, prompting genuine confusion and grief.
Group homes licensed by the Health Department drive growth — and problems —  in Brooklyn Park
Group homes can be licensed by the Department of Human Services or, more recently, by the Department of Health. in Brooklyn Park, which has more group homes than any other city in Minnesota, those Health Department-licensed facilities appear to be responsible for an outsize number of the police calls that the city says are overwhelming its first responders.
What could the Supreme Court ruling on conversion therapy mean for Minnesota?
MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Jason Marisam, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, about what the Supreme Court decision in Colorado could mean for Minnesota.
U.S. and Iraqi officials say kidnapped journalist had been warned of threats
U.S. and Iraqi officials say U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was born and raised in Wisconsin, was warned of threats before she was kidnapped in Baghdad. They say she was told she might be abducted in the days before her abduction.
Stopgap measures aren't enough to halt rising gas prices as the world scrambles for more oil
Global leaders have been scrambling to contain the rising cost of oil and gasoline since the start of the Iran war. President Donald Trump and other heads of state have been pulling on various levers while hoping to ease pain for consumers.
When Minnesota lawmakers return from recess next week, one item before them will be a bill proposing new regulations for mobile home parks. Meanwhile, thousands of Minnesotans are expected to lose their SNAP benefits starting as soon as Wednesday due to stricter work and eligibility requirements.
2 rounds of wet, icy wintry weather on the way
Clouds increase Wednesday, then rain and snow develop later Wednesday into Wednesday night when we’ll see a wintry mix. Wintry precipitation continues into Thursday with another system Friday into Saturday.
Sallyforth wrote 'Clover' about a storm — now it reflects the moment
Minneapolis band Sallyforth wrote “Clover” after a storm filled with green skies and sirens, but as the single is released, the song has taken on new meaning amid months of fear and violence tied to an immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities.
Watch: NASA is shooting for the moon. Watch the launch of the Artemis II mission
It's humanity's first flight to the moon since 1972. In a throwback to Apollo, NASA's Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a lunar fly-around. The moon is about to welcome its first woman, first person of color and first non-American.
Oversight for ‘faceless corporations’ or ‘hammer’ approach? Mobile home parks bill poses test
Mobile home park residents say out-of-state park owners are pricing them out of their homes. A bill in front of the Minnesota Legislature aims to keep manufactured housing affordable, but park owners say the approach has problems.
What the Epstein case tells us about wealth and power in America
The Jeffrey Epstein case has become a symbol of elite impunity — that the rules don't apply to the wealthy and connected. MPR News host Catharine Richert talks with author and contributing writer at The New York Times Molly Jong-Fast about justice for Epstein’s victims and what the investigation into the convicted sex offender reveals about power in America.