Stories from April 2, 2026

Minnesotans challenge warrantless ICE raids in new lawsuit
Six Minnesotans filed suit Thursday against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, alleging agents unlawfully entered homes without judicial warrants.
Hegseth asks the Army's top uniformed officer to step down
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the Army’s top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George, to step down as the United States wages a war against Iran.
After more than two years of negotiations... a union representing more than 600 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners at Allina Health clinics has reached a tentative first contract agreement. And for the first time since May of 2007, Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up higher than the nation's.
Minnesotan shares experiences from Cuba as the country faces monthslong U.S. oil blockade
The U.S. has put Cuba under an oil blockade since the start of this year. The lack of gasoline has hit the country’s hospitals, food supply and public transportation. One Minnesotan shares what she’s seen as she’s spent time there providing medical aid.
Inside Kado no Mise: The 'corner restaurant' of Minnesota's only 2026 James Beard finalist
Chef Shigeyuki Furukawa opened the restaurant Kado No Mise in 2017, determined to bring traditional Japanese cuisine to Minnesota. Now, he’s a finalist for Best Chef: Midwest for the second year in a row and the state’s only nominee this year in any James Beard category.
Minnesota’s job engine stalled in January
Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up to 4.4 percent in January, which was slightly higher than the national average.
Hinckley-Finlayson student earns first state language certificate in Ojibwe
Since 2014, the state of Minnesota has run a program that grants high school students college credit for learning another language. Now, for the first time, a student has earned a certificate in Ojibwe.
 Medicare payments set to flow again to Minnesota rural hospitals after months of delay
Incorrectly denied Medicare claims the past few months led to holdups in millions of dollars in reimbursement payments to some rural state hospitals that put at least one near the brink of closing. Officials say the problems have been fixed and money should start moving soon.
Trump says Pam Bondi, loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval, out as attorney general
President Donald Trump says Pam Bondi is out as his attorney general. Bondi's departure ends the contentious tenure of a Trump loyalist who upended the Justice Department’s culture of independence from the White House, oversaw firings of career employees and moved to investigate the Republican president’s perceived enemies.
Interim Hennepin Healthcare leader steps down
Dr. Kevin Croston resigned Wednesday. He was appointed to the position after the previous interim CEO stepped down in January.
Allina Health doctors, clinicians reach tentative first contract agreement
After more than two years of negotiations, a union representing more than 600 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners at Allina Health clinics has reached a tentative first contract agreement.
Sarah Fillier gets her 1st PWHL hat trick in overtime to help the Sirens beat the Frost 4-3 in OT
Sarah Fillier scored two goals 14 seconds apart in the third period and she completed her first PWHL hat trick in overtime as the New York Sirens ended a four-game skid with a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Frost. New York won at the Prudential Center for the first time since March 8 when Fillier had two goals and three points.
Minnesota's top election official says recent executive order to create voter list isn't feasible
A new executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Service to work with each other to develop a list of eligible voters and only mail ballots to them.
Jonathan India hits grand slam and Kyle Isbel goes 4 for 4 as Royals outslug Twins 13-9 in rain
Jonathan India hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, powering the Kansas City Royals to a 13-9 victory over Joe Ryan and the Minnesota Twins. Kyle Isbel went 4 for 4 with a homer and Noah Cameron pitched five solid innings to win his season debut.
Morning Announcements for April 2
These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, April 2. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Power Pair: A college president and a relationship researcher on what makes a happy marriage
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her next Power Pair, married couple Brian Bruess and Carol Bruess. He is the president of the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. She is a nationally known researcher on relationships and communication.
Minnesota lawmakers tweak cannabis regulations as state issues first recalls
Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management Director Eric Taubel told Morning Edition that those recalls mean the office is running as it should as the state rolls out new regulations for legalized cannabis.
Trump makes his case for war with Iran, saying the conflict is ‘nearing completion’
Trump used a prime-time address to outline his objectives for the war and discuss the military’s progress to date. He also repeated an earlier claim that fighting could end in two to three weeks.
The federal government has signaled that it is seeking to detain 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Conejo Arias once again, according to their lawyer. 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. Earlier this year, a judge granted a habeas corpus petition freeing the father and son from a detention center there.
Wintry mix Thursday into Thursday night, then another system Friday
A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow will continue across much of the region Thursday morning. Most midday and afternoon precipitation will be sleet, rain and snow into Thursday night.
Art Hounds: A musical comedy, a science pioneer on stage and a legacy in quilt
From New Ulm to Minneapolis, this week’s Art Hounds recommendations highlight a quilt exhibition honoring Mary Hartten, a rare staging of “Grumpy Old Men,” and a new play about Ada Lovelace.
1 month into the Iran war, President Trump addresses the nation
MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guest talk about President Donald Trump’s address to the nation, what we’ve learned after the first month of the war with Iran and what could come next.